The world isn't any bigger...
Illustration
The world isn't any bigger today than it was in the days of Isaiah. The equator still measures 7,926 miles, just as it did when Isaiah prophesied the salvation of Israel from her captivity in a foreign land. Similarly, the vision that God's salvation is for all people has not diminished in our day. Isaiah knew that God's activity was universal, not respecting the boundaries of nations and states, of cultures and colors. Isaiah knew that the message God had given him was for all people, everywhere, and in every time.
Isaiah was not bashful about proclaiming God's saving message. He shouts it loud and clear, "Listen to me those who live on the coastlands! Listen to me those who live far away! Israel, though despised and enslaved, is God's servant, and one day soon God will be glorified through Israel."
There is no whispering in the pews for Isaiah, and no preaching to the choir! Isaiah wants all of creation to know that God has smiled on Israel and will restore Israel to her greatness. And, as marvelous as that message is, it is only the preamble to an even more astonishing word from God. God's message of salvation is bigger than Israel, with her boundaries by the sea on one side and the river on the other. Isaiah proclaims that his message of salvation is far too great a thing to be given only to Israel. Indeed, Israel will serve as a light to all the nations, and the salvation that comes from God will reach to the end of the earth. It will span the globe, all 7,926 miles of its circumference.
Isaiah was not bashful about proclaiming God's saving message. He shouts it loud and clear, "Listen to me those who live on the coastlands! Listen to me those who live far away! Israel, though despised and enslaved, is God's servant, and one day soon God will be glorified through Israel."
There is no whispering in the pews for Isaiah, and no preaching to the choir! Isaiah wants all of creation to know that God has smiled on Israel and will restore Israel to her greatness. And, as marvelous as that message is, it is only the preamble to an even more astonishing word from God. God's message of salvation is bigger than Israel, with her boundaries by the sea on one side and the river on the other. Isaiah proclaims that his message of salvation is far too great a thing to be given only to Israel. Indeed, Israel will serve as a light to all the nations, and the salvation that comes from God will reach to the end of the earth. It will span the globe, all 7,926 miles of its circumference.
