IV.
As Isaiah asks the people to listen and look, what might he be asking them to recall?

To where and when might their memory take them?

V.
Isaiah 51:1-8 (New Revised Standard Version)

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
you that seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.

Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;
for he was but one when I called him,
but I blessed him and made him many.

For the Lord will comfort Zion;
he will comfort all her waste places,
and will make her wilderness like Eden,
her desert like the garden of the Lord;
joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the voice of song.

Listen to me, my people,
and give heed to me, my nation;
for a teaching will go out from me,
and my justice for a light to the peoples.

I will bring near my deliverance swiftly,
my salvation has gone out
and my arms will rule the peoples;
the coastlands wait for me,
and for my arm they hope.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens will vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and those who live on it will die like gnats;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my deliverance will never be ended.

Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
you people who have my teaching in your hearts;
do not fear the reproach of others,
and do not be dismayed when they revile you.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool;
but my deliverance will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.

VI.
“Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug.”
“Look to Abraham your father
and to Sarah who bore you;”

Today many speak of “formation.” Maybe it is even thrown around a bit too much and loses some of its edge.

Notwithstanding the possible overuse of the word, it seems Isaiah is asking the people to look back and consider what has “formed” them and brought them to be the people they are.

What do you notice about their formation?

Do you want to take some time today and give some consideration to acknowledging people, places, events and times that have been important in your formation?

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}