Read: Isaiah 1:1-2
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. (Isaiah 1:2)
When invited to write this month’s reflections, I decided this was an opportune time to undertake a long-held goal, a personal study of Isaiah, and share the fruit of that study with you. I hope that, as I did, you will enjoy Isaiah’s beautiful poetry and gain rewarding insights into Isaiah’s courage and ability to address the spiritual and political issues of his day, insights that continue to be relevant for us today. Isaiah celebrates God’s love and grace for the nation of Judah and people of all nations through a coming Messiah, a celebration that continues in the life of every believer today.
Verse 1 states the essential character of this book, the vision that Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of four kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, from 740 to 700 B.C. approximately. Over the next few days, we will look at this historical context for Isaiah.
However, I’d like to pause at verse 2 today, with its wonderful incentive to read the message of Isaiah. The reason to read Isaiah is because the LORD has spoken, not with words of comfort and celebration, but of warning. The people of Israel, God’s children, have rebelled, and God, through Isaiah, is calling them back. As you read this month, I encourage you to hear this warning and this call too. —Gordon Van Wylen
As you pray, ask God to help you hear his message for you this month.
About the Author
Gordon Van Wylen served as the Dean of the Engineering School at the University of Michigan, and was the President Emeritus of Hope College. Dr. Van Wylen died in 2020.
