Why are we so impatient?
I doubt it is something that is completely new, yet when we look at the full scope of the Bible, we recognize that we need to learn patience. The promises of God being realized take time. whether we look at the promises given to Abraham and passed down to his descendants. Or as an intermission the promises given to Moses that then lead to the realization of the promises given to Abraham, some 440 years later.
The message that Isaiah gave to the people during his life time, was not fully realized until the birth of Jesus. Isaiah lived in the between approximately 740-686BC. He preached to a people that were dealing with the failings of the kings around them and the fear of being conquered by growing nations with increasing military might in the area. Isaiah who seems to have close connections with the kings of Judah is speaking words of hope for the people in the face of political failings of integrity, and theological driftings away from Yahweh. It wasn’t all bad, but we see the struggles that are continually building up. Israel had fallen to Assyria and the Assyrians started to look towards Judah. Some of the kings were God honouring but not all and some of the ‘good’ kings were a mite self focused.
So when we hear the words of Isaiah 9:2-7 we start to see the need for the prophecy, the promise of God to His people.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants— all their whips and clubs and curses— Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.”
Isaiah 9:2-7 MSG
In the decrease of a nation there is hope. In the years, decades, centuries to follow, filling the hearts of generations of people with a living promise to be seen, to be felt, to be realized and experienced. This was a promise that brought hope through exile, through renewal, through loss, through oppression, through the desert, and seas, and urban centres. These words of love that infected time and space and sent all the world on its head.
But it took patience, it took time, it took time for humanity to be ready to receive the fulfillment of this promised Jesus. As we sit here in the 21st century we might be wondering if we are ready to receive the blessing of Jesus’ second coming. We wait patiently, because the words spoken through Isaiah are still true today and still bring us hope. We have the Gospels telling of how these words were fulfilled in Jesus and we await His return.
