Today’s readings.. (1 Samuel 21,22), (Isaiah 65), (Matthew 10)

We have read wonderful visions in the 65th chapter of Isaiah today. God, through the prophet, says he sees two classes of people, those “who walk by the way that is not good, following their own devices” [v.2] and those “who have sought me” [v.10] and these “bless (themselves) by the God of truth.” [v.16]

For these, God says, “… behold I create a new heavens and a new earth and the former shall not be remembered or come into mind” [v.17] The way of life that had been in the days of the prophet would be completely forgotten, totally replaced by a new era, the advent of his city. God causes the prophet to write, as our chapter starts, “for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness.”

And when will that be? Looking into the next chapter we read, “…and so these things came to be, declares the LORD. …this is the one to whom I will look, he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (v.2) We are in awe of such words. The way of life to come for those who have this spirit will be a time when “the former things shall not be remembered.”