Alert To Evil

Thus says the Lord GOD: But a very little while, and Lebanon shall be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; out of gloom and darkness, the eyes of the blind shall see. The lowly will ever find joy in the LORD, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone. All who are alert to do evil will be cut off, those whose mere word condemns a man, who ensnare his defender at the gate, and leave the just man with an empty claim.

Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of the house of Jacob, who redeemed Abraham: Now Jacob shall have nothing to be ashamed of, nor shall his face grow pale. When his children see the work of my hands in his midst, they shall keep my name holy; they shall reverence the Holy One of Jacob and be in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in spirit shall acquire understanding, and those who find fault shall receive instruction. (Isaiah 29:17-24)

If only it was to come to pass that: “For the tyrant will be no more and the arrogant will have gone. All who are alert to do evil will be cut off.”  We can only hope.

Furthermore, like Jacob, we should have nothing to be ashamed of, nor should our faces grow pale.  We truly hope that when we err in spirit, we shall understand our arrogance and penchant for evil.   None of us want to be cut off, or cut down like a clear-cut forest.

This Advent we spindly trees should be changed into an orchard, and the orchard be regarded as a forest! In other words, now is the time to examine our consciences, recognize our wrongdoings, and repent by seeking forgiveness for our support of tyrants and our careless and thoughtless abandonment of the Holy One of Jacob.  We deaf ones must hear the words of a book; out of gloom and darkness, our blind eyes must see.

Deacon David Pierce