Advent, Isaiah and Revelation
The Advent lectionary in the Book of Common Prayer begins with Isaiah, who is read at both Morning and Evening Prayer for the first three weeks of Advent--which is the whole season this year. Isaiah, like all the prophets, combines an indictmentof Israel with the promise of the coming of the Messiah--judgment and hope. But Isaiah has a bit more hope than, say, Jeremiah. Thus, Isaiah is the prophet of Advent--whereas we read Jeremiah in Lent.
The function of the prophets is the hold Israel accountable to the Torah. God made a covenant with Israel on Mt. Sinai and gave the Torah through Moses. The subsequent history is a critique of Israel's covenant failure. The nation is judged by the standards of the Torah and found wanting. The historical books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings are called the "former prophets" in the Jewish tradition because their narrative is a commentary on Israel's Torah obedience or lack thereof.
Israel's history is our history. It is not so much about the evil of one nation as it is about human nature. We see ourselves in every sin of Israel. It is as a complement to Isaiah that Advent begins with Revelation as the second lesson at Evening Prayer. Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are prophetic messages to the church from the Ascended and Glorified Christ. There are similarities with the prophets' indictment of Israel (for example, idolatry: Rev. 2:14, 20--Is. 2:8).
The essential message of both is that the Day of the Lord is coming. It is a day of judgment upon the impenitent and salvation for those who trust God. The time to turn to God, to repent, is now.
Particular attention should be paid in Advent to the prophetic critique of religion--for it is typically religious people who are reading the Bible! Isaiah condemns the outward form of religious practice when it is not an expression of inward renewal and obedience--"Bring no more futile sacrifices" (1:13); instead "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean" (1:16). Revelation condemns a drift into doctrinal orthodoxy devoid of love for God and the brethren. Despite all the right belief and perseverance of the Ephesians, Christ has this against them, "You have left your first love...Repent and do the works you did at first." (2:4).
If we feel just a bit of the sting of the prophetic indictment and are moved thereby to greater repentance, a more profound experience of grace and greater love, we will have read Isaiah and Revelation profitably in Advent as preparation for the coming of Christ.
The function of the prophets is the hold Israel accountable to the Torah. God made a covenant with Israel on Mt. Sinai and gave the Torah through Moses. The subsequent history is a critique of Israel's covenant failure. The nation is judged by the standards of the Torah and found wanting. The historical books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings are called the "former prophets" in the Jewish tradition because their narrative is a commentary on Israel's Torah obedience or lack thereof.
Israel's history is our history. It is not so much about the evil of one nation as it is about human nature. We see ourselves in every sin of Israel. It is as a complement to Isaiah that Advent begins with Revelation as the second lesson at Evening Prayer. Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation are prophetic messages to the church from the Ascended and Glorified Christ. There are similarities with the prophets' indictment of Israel (for example, idolatry: Rev. 2:14, 20--Is. 2:8).
The essential message of both is that the Day of the Lord is coming. It is a day of judgment upon the impenitent and salvation for those who trust God. The time to turn to God, to repent, is now.
Particular attention should be paid in Advent to the prophetic critique of religion--for it is typically religious people who are reading the Bible! Isaiah condemns the outward form of religious practice when it is not an expression of inward renewal and obedience--"Bring no more futile sacrifices" (1:13); instead "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean" (1:16). Revelation condemns a drift into doctrinal orthodoxy devoid of love for God and the brethren. Despite all the right belief and perseverance of the Ephesians, Christ has this against them, "You have left your first love...Repent and do the works you did at first." (2:4).
If we feel just a bit of the sting of the prophetic indictment and are moved thereby to greater repentance, a more profound experience of grace and greater love, we will have read Isaiah and Revelation profitably in Advent as preparation for the coming of Christ.
posted by The Rev. Stephen C. Scarlett at 9:02 AM
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