Seventh Sunday After The Epiphany
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Isaiah 43:18-25 (C, E); Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 (RC)
Taken at face value, the prophet quotes God as being disgusted with the hearers for their shortcomings in the matter of worship and ritual sacrifice. Nonetheless, God will care for them. Using poetic hyperbole „ ñThe wild animals will honor me'' „ the prophet explains that God will ñblot out'' their transgressions, and that he will prepare before them a more comfortable way in the future: ñI will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.''