Old Testament reading: Isaiah 1-2
The primary work of the prophet was to preach God’s word to the people. We tend to think of the prophets’ work as in terms of predicting the future, but this was only a small portion of their calling. God referred to Moses as a prophet (Deut 18:18-20), and identified Jesus as a prophet in that same text, but this was not because they were seers. Rather, it was because they were givers and teachers of God’s word. Concerning the book of Isaiah, chapter 1 stands alone as a single text. It begins with a scathing rebuke of Judah for her rebellion against God. Isaiah describes the entire nation as a body covered with putrid sores from head to foot, infected and oozing as they are neither treated with bandage or ointment. Quite a disgusting thought! The prophet then likens them to Sodom and Gomorrah, informing them that their worship and sacrifices are worthless so long as they persist in iniquity (1:10-15). Even so, verses 16-20 offer redemption and hope if the people will repent. What a beautiful picture of the love and longsuffering of God! No sinner, regardless of how vile he may be, is beyond the reach of God’s love and mercy.
New Testament reading: 2 Thessalonians; 1 Timothy 1-3
On his second journey to Lystra, Paul met a young man who would forever be linked with the great apostle (Acts 16:1-5). But what Timothy possessed in ability he apparently lacked in courage (1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6-7). Nevertheless, he was a man full of faith and sincere affection for the brethren (cf Phil 2:19-23). Paul often needed and received encouragement from the Lord (Acts 18:9-10; 23:11, cf 2 Tim 4:17). Now, the older, experienced soldier of the cross imparts the same to his young prodigy. Paul reminds Timothy of his own sordid past, reminding Timothy that he was not always the true soldier of the cross that Timothy had always known. Timothy could take courage in Paul’s transformation which was made possible only through the grace of God. The lesson for us might be that those of us who have had similar struggles in our former lives can encourage others to overcome their own obstacles, pointing them to the grace of God that was made manifest in our own lives, and assuring them that same grace is available and sufficient for themselves.
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