I. Zechariah tells us, “The word of the Lord of hosts came to me saying …”
Where is the Prophet Zechariah? The Lord of Hosts? The people who are receiving this Word?
First, read the passage through slowly and with an openness to hearing and seeing what the Prophet hears and see, what the Lord of Hosts hears and sees, and what the people hear and see.
Enter the passage for a moment, at least, and live in that time and place
II. Zechariah 8:1-8, 11-17 (New Revised Standard Version)
The word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great wrath. Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem; Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts shall be called the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of their great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts? Thus says the Lord of hosts: I will save my people from the east country and from the west country; and I will bring them to live in Jerusalem. They shall be my people and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.
But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, says the Lord of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace; the vine shall yield its fruit, the ground shall give its produce, and the skies shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. Just as you have been a cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you and you shall be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.
For thus says the Lord of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when your ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the Lord of hosts, so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid. These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace, do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath; for all these are things that I hate, says the Lord.
III. What sounds and looks familiar to you? What do you identify with in these ancient words written for a people very distant to us in time and place?
Why not read the passage again with an eye and ear to notice the familiar and for what seems very near to you?
VII. Before we end our time with Zephaniah, let’s notice what he says about homecoming.
“… The Lord, your God, is in your midst … … I will remove disaster … … I will save the lame … … [I will] gather the outcast … … I will bring you home … …. I [will] gather you … … when I restore your fortunes ..,. “
Restoration, returning to Zion, is a theme in many of the prophets.
How many times can you recall the lame, the outcast, the despised being included in this homecoming, this reclaiming of Zion?
I suspect you will find it is often mentioned in the prophets, in the Torah, and in the Gospel.
VIII. This passage began with the invitation for the people to “Sing … shout … Rejoice and exult.”
Then we told,
“The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.”
This homecoming finds the people rejoicing and God rejoicing and singing with them.
It seems to me this kind of time “when [God] restores your fortunes” must extend far beyond material fortunes.
How does it strike you?
Take time today to envision the time and place Zephaniah calls – Home.
I. This week we turn our thoughts to the Prophet Zephaniah and the closing words of his prophecy.
He starts with harsh words for the nation and a few sentences before the passage we focus on this week he tells the people,
Therefore wait for me, says the Lord, for the day when I arise as a witness. At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord. (Zephaniah 3:8a, 9)
It is perhaps when the “wait” is over that these words of Zephaniah can be heard with their full force and the confidence that the “wait” is over.
II. Zephaniah 3:14-20 (New Revised Standard Version)
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.
III. Did you hear, fully hear, the shout of the Prophet?
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart ….
Take the Prophet’s direction to “Sing … rejoice and exult …” as you read and reread the passage and notice what he asks the people to sing about.
What do you find? Are you encouraged to sing and rejoice?
IV. While Zephaniah speaks of the day the “wait” is over, his words come to them while they are still waiting. And maybe they don’t even know what they are waiting for. They may feel trapped, discouraged, disillusioned, even think God has abandoned them.
Is it easy to hear “wait” when you are in a time of darkness?
Can you even hear the word “wait”?
What do you need to give you hope in such a time? Would Zephaniah’s call to sing and rejoice be heard by you? How do you prepare yourself to hear the word of hope when it seems a hopeless time?
Listen to Zephaniah today and see if his words open to you hope and light?
IX. This week we have looked at the images Isaiah uses to help us see and enter God’s Kingdom.
As we close our week with Isaiah, let’s look again at the passage in Isaiah 62
Isaiah 62:2-4 (New Revised Standard Version)
The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.
X. Notice that the prophet tells us God’s people will no longer be called forsaken or desolate and that the Lord “delights in you.”
All that is certainly reason to rejoice, but I wonder what are we to make of –
and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
We all have names.
For some the name we are called by changes as we age, and might even change based on where we are. Are we called by different names at work or at home or even at other places? Do different sets of friends know us by different names or nicknames?
But the name Isaiah references is special.
It is the name God gives us and calls us by.
It wouldn’t take long for us to notice there are a number of times in Scripture individuals are renamed by God. That renaming may often marks a new phase in their lives or calls to attention something of their character that might not have been previously noticed.
God names you and me. God calls to us by the name he gives us and by that calling I wonder if God might not be forming us into the person God would have us be.
What do you hear? What is God naming you? My Child? Beloved?
By whatever name God is calling you, trust that it is the name that gives you life and firmly places you in God’s family.
VI. On the last post I asked you to pay attention to the image/metaphor in the Isaiah passages that grabbed your attention the most, the primary image that stayed with you after reading the passages.
I hope you spent time with the passages and noticed what grabbed your attention.
If not, please take time to do that today.
VII. When we come to Scripture, most of us bring a lot with us. It’s natural and can’t be otherwise. We bring what we have been told about Scripture, what we have heard preached and taught and notions from a thousand different voices.
All that forms a lens (maybe many lens) through which we see, hear and understand Scripture.
What if sometimes we could quiet some of those voices and let Scripture speak to us afresh?
VIII. When I ask you to notice, pay attention, to the image that grabs you the most, that’s what I hope happens.
You listen to Isaiah, you pay attention to the prophet, and notice the world he is painting before you.
And then enter that world for a moment. What do you see? What do you hear? Would you want to live in that world? Or, are you uncomfortable there?
So, quiet yourself, still yourself, let go of the many voices that constantly seek your attention, and when you are still, look to Isaiah and ask him to show you the vision he has of God’s world.
I. We started April reflecting on one of the Servant Songs in Isaiah and we move to the close of April reflecting on a passage from Isaiah 61 and another from Isaiah 62.
I’d like us to start our week reading the passage several times and soaking in Isaiah’s words.
First, still yourself and slowly read the passage noticing the images and metaphors Isaiah uses. Don’t try to analyze the passage. Just allow Isaiah to paint for you the world he sees.
II. Isaiah 61:8-11 (New Revised Standard Version)
For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
Isaiah 62:2-4 (New Revised Standard Version)
The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.
You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.
III. Sit with the images Isaiah gives us for a few moments.
Now read the passages again and notice which of his images/metaphors draws your attention the most.
After you read the passages, rest with that primary image for a few moments.
IV. With that primary image in your mind, read the passages again letting that image be the lens through which you see the world Isaiah is painting.
V. Where are you?
Does the image that spoke to you most clearly open the passages to you?
What kind of world is Isaiah painting for you?
Spend some time with the words and images of Isaiah and we’ll get back together later.
Rare and beautifully executed Engraved illustration of Esther Before Ahasuerus Biblical Engraving from The Popular Pictorial Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, Published in 1862. Copyright has expired on this artwork. Digitally restored.
I thought today it would be good to post all 3 of this week’s reflections in a single post.
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April 19, 2020, Esther 7:1-10 – Post 1
I. This week we look to a woman who while most is often not considered one of the Hebrew prophets does demonstrate she is capable of playing many roles, even when she seems reluctant to do so.
Our reading for the week takes us deep into the story as we focus our attention on chapter 7 of the 10 chapters that constitute the story of Esther.
A read of the first six chapters will help us set the context for what we read this week and help us get a fuller picture of this woman.
In those chapters we see a Queen disposed, a beauty contest to select a new consort for the King, a beauty treatment for Esther, the introduction of Mordecai her cousin and protector (Esther is an ophen), the introduction of Mordecai’s “arch” enemy, Haman, Mordecai’s encouragement of Esther to step up to the task he thinks she is groomed for, Hamen’s plotting, Esther’s call for fasting and prayer, and then her uninvited and dangerous walk into the King’s presence.
Before you read the account in chapter 7, take a few minutes to recall Mordecai’s words to Esther,
“For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.” – Esther 4:14
With those profound and frightening words take you time reading chapter 7 and pay attention to how each person is characterized.
II. Esther 7:1-10
So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. On the second day, as they were drinking wine, the king again said to Esther, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have won your favor, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me—that is my petition—and the lives of my people—that is my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have held my peace; but no enemy can compensate for this damage to the king.” Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has presumed to do this?” Esther said, “A foe and enemy, this wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen. The king rose from the feast in wrath and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that the king had determined to destroy him. When the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the couch where Esther was reclining; and the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the words left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Look, the very gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, stands at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the anger of the king abated.
III. How does each person stand out to you? What do you admire? What disappoints you?
If you had to sum up your opinion of each, how would you do it in two or three sentences?
Do you think the story has a hero or two? A villain or two?
Where is the God of the Hebrew nation? The Hebrew nation is in captivity in a foreign land and to top that off “God” is not mentioned in the account. “MIA – Missing in Action”?
Let’s start here and get back together in a couple of days and see what we have to share.
April 19, 2020, Esther 7:1-10 – Post 2 – ISSL Reflections
IV. Today I want to pick-up a thread or two from Monday’s post.
In my brief summary of events leading to what we encounter in chapter 7, I mentioned, “Esther’s call for fasting and prayer.” As I reread chapter 4, I see I spoke in error. What we read in chapter 4 is,
“Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.” – Esther 4:15-17
She mentions fasting but not prayer. While it is common, very common, to connect the two, we don’t see that here. And, Esther asks Mordecai to gather the Jews to “fast on my behalf.”
What do you think? Is this Esther being spiritual, self-centered, or covering her bases?
I am not trying to be overly critical of Esther. I am asking us to try to understand where Esther finds herself and pay attention to how she attempts to make sense of the situation and find the “right” course of action.
V. What might you and I do when we try to find the right path? The buzz word for that is “discernment.”
Are there spiritual practices you fall back on when you have to make choices, hard choices, decide which path to take, determine how to move forward?
Esther says she will fast, her maids will fast and she asks that the Jews of Susa fast for her.
Maybe we need to consider not only the spiritual practices we fall back on, but also consider who we ask to be there for us. Who will we ask to share our struggles? Will we trust they will give themselves to support us?
April 19, 2020, Esther 7:1-10 – Post 3 – ISSL Reflections
VI. Who was there as Esther “discerned” her path forward?
Mordecai, her guardian, her mentor (another word that is used maybe too often, but to me fits here), one that can speak the difficult word to her. Who, like a Mordecai has been there for you?
She told Mordecai to have the Jews of Susa fast for her. She had a community she could call on to fast (and pray ?) for her. Though she was isolated from them she could call for their support. The community that supports you does not have to be physically right next to you, do they? Yet, they support you as you find your path.
Her maids were in the same residence as her and she asked for their support too. I guess they could be considered part of her “small group” that probably shared many things and had come to know one another. Those who know you well, can be there for you as you seek the future you are to claim.
VII. I can’t help but wonder – though “God” is not explicitly named in this account, could God be present?
Who of the people that surround Esther mediate God’s presence and direction to her?
This might be time to look around and notice who brings God’s nearness, support, and direction to you?
I think I’ll leave you for the moment and think about that a while as I notice the folks in my life.
VI. Who was there as Esther “discerned” her path forward?
Mordecai, her guardian, her mentor (another word that is used maybe too often, but to me fits here), one that can speak the difficult word to her. Who, like a Mordecai has been there for you?
She told Mordecai to have the Jews of Susa fast for her. She had a community she could call on to fast (and pray ?) for her. Though she was isolated from them she could call for their support. The community that supports you does not have to be physically right next to you, do they? Yet, they support you as you find your path.
Her maids were in the same residence as her and she asked for their support too. I guess they could be considered part of her “small group” that probably shared many things and had come to know one another. Those who know you well, can be there for you as you seek the future you are to claim.
VII. I can’t help but wonder – though “God” is not explicitly named in this account, could God be present?
Who of the people that surround Esther mediate God’s presence and direction to her?
This might be time to look around and notice who brings God’s nearness, support, and direction to you?
I think I’ll leave you for the moment and think about that a while as I notice the folks in my life.
IV. Today I want to pick-up a thread or two from Monday’s post.
In my brief summary of events leading to what we encounter in chapter 7, I mentioned, “Esther’s call for fasting and prayer.” As I reread chapter 4, I see I spoke in error. What we read in chapter 4 is,
“Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.” – Esther 4:15-17
She mentions fasting but not prayer. While it is common, very common, to connect the two, we don’t see that here. And, Esther asks Mordecai to gather the Jews to “fast on my behalf.”
What do you think? Is this Esther being spiritual, self-centered, or covering her bases?
I am not trying to be overly critical of Esther. I am asking us to try to understand where Esther finds herself and pay attention to how she attempts to make sense of the situation and find the “right” course of action.
V. What might you and I do when we try to find the right path? The buzz word for that is “discernment.”
Are there spiritual practices you fall back on when you have to make choices, hard choices, decide which path to take, determine how to move forward?
Esther says she will fast, her maids will fast and she asks that the Jews of Susa fast for her.
Maybe we need to consider not only the spiritual practices we fall back on, but also consider who we ask to be there for us. Who will we ask to share our struggles? Will we trust they will give themselves to support us?
