“Renewing the Vision” Isaiah 58:1-12 Matthew 5:13-16
I. These two passages are about Vision – not visions – Vision
A. The best possible thing we could achieve
B. The great hope that motivates us
C. The ideal expectation that guides all our work
II. One version (probably a stretch) of Proverbs 29:18a reads: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
A. Likely not what the writer of Proverbs had in mind
B. But it is a great line – and I think it happens to be true
III. Isaiah 58 is in the third section of the book – a collection of prophecies and commentary that tend to deal with the future re-establishment of the nation of Israel
A. The original hope God had for the Chosen People failed
B. The cycle of expectation, sin, punishment, and forgiveness has been repeated several times in the nation’s history
C. We have seen it rehearsed a few times in the book of Isaiah!
IV. This time, as God corrects the people, the ultimate vision God has for Israel is restated in powerful terms.
A. The subject at hand is worship – what it should be like
B. We begin with God speaking to the prophet, then we have the argument between God and the people – note changes in speakers
Read Isaiah 58:1-5 NRSV This is the Word of the Lord…
V. So the stage has been set – now God sets about to remind the people of the vision that motivates God to have a covenant with them
A. This is the social gospel of the OT – and practicing that gospel constitutes true worship
B. So this section is all an oracle from God – and all Vision
Read Isaiah 58:6-9a NRSV This is the Word of the Lord…
VI. That is a proper fast – that is true and proper worship – That is God’s ultimate hope for the life of the Chosen People
A. But at this point the covenant is not unconditional
B. This vision includes some measurable expectations: “If (this)” … “Then (that)”
Read Isaiah 58:9b-12 NRSV This is the Word of the Lord…
{You probably noticed: this is the vision for Joplin’s Watered Gardens ministry – which provides food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities for the homeless and the poor.}
VII. How about our Vision?
Will our light break forth like the dawn?
Will we be called the repairers of the breach, the restorers of streets to live in?
Read Matthew 5:13-16 NRSV – without introduction This is the Word of the Lord…
VIII. Jesus spoke of a Vision, too – His followers, the salt of the earth – To bring into humanity the full flavor of what God intended
--To become a city, lighted for the night, and set on a high hill to be seen across the world – the city of God
IX. And how would that happen? Jesus would say (as he did, on occasion), “You know the Scripture. What is written there?
Here, let me give you a hint: …let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Re-read Isaiah 58:6-7 NRSV
This was the vision of God for the Chosen People.
This was the vision of Jesus for His followers.
This is the vision of God for us.
Amen. So be it.
