Reflections Upon Isaiah 50:7 – Part One

 

Reflections Upon Isaiah 50:7 – Part One

 

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me; I will not be disgraced. Therefore, have I set my face like flint; and I know I will not be put to shame.”

 

A scholarly consensus considers the book of Isaiah as a composite work spanning the years before, during and after the Babylonian exile. The work of prophecy captures Israel’s history, religion and literature in three major periods of her development. The book records the progression of the nation’s understanding and experience of Almighty God within these three historical settings. How did the people perceive God during the reigns of Saul, David, Solomon and other kings during the temple years? Solomon’s temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. Visitors came from all regions to behold that magnificent edifice dedicated to the glory of God. How did the exilic period in which a foreign nation totally destroyed Solomon’s temple, subjugated the Israelite people and threatened their history and culture change their outlook upon God? Did they blame Him for the possible annihilation of their culture? How would they preserve their heritage and traditions? How would God empower them to rebuild? Would He encourage them as they dwelled in a strange land? What guidance would He practically impart to them as they strove to protect  their history, literature and religion by committing it to writing among other methods? Upon their return to their homeland, how would they view and worship God? Would they harbor a quiet and secret anxiety that He would allow them to lapse into destitution again?

 

This verse, thought to belong to the post-exilic literature, answers the last question and its countless variations. Imagine the people’s anxiety and bewilderment as they departed an unknown land that would never be home to them and traveled back to their homeland. Would the God whom they served and worshiped previously but allowed their captivity and exile be gracious unto them as they returned and began to rebuild? Would He allow them to be put to shame? Would they suffer greater humiliation than before? Would He spare them any possible disgrace? The prophet offers this verse as divine assurance to the people as they pursue renewal and restoration.

 

In the life of any disciple, there are years that resemble Israel’s trajectory. Life’s mystery, irony and complexity combine to derail personal dreams and professional goals. Zigzagging through life can happen more quickly and easily than a disciple imagines. In your twenties and thirties, you steadfastly pursue your ideals and grand ambitions. You may fail periodically. Years of study for graduate and professional school exams may yield colossal failures. Yet, the pilot light in your heart and mind remains on like an eternal flame. The desire to open a business can equally command your existential energy. Starting a non-profit entity to accomplish social justice objectives is another purpose that some disciples hold dear. Decades can pass but these ideals and aspirations remain. However, as time passes, a paralyzing fear might emerge. It may appear easier to surrender your lifelong ambitions to the fallacious notions that time is no longer on your side. You may encounter people who relegate your persistent aspirations as being a joke. Some of them may even laugh in your face. Still, you refuse to yield and resolve to doggedly realize your potential and abilities by fulfilling your dreams and goals. You are determined to achieve your ambition notwithstanding the threat of humiliation and failure.

 

For the Israelites who returned to their homeland, the prophet shares an enduring verse of encouragement. I discovered this verse years ago when I recommitted myself to a lifelong dream. I prayed to seek the will of God and ascertain whether my heart’s desire cohered with it. Finding synchronicity, I reaffirmed my decision to pursue this career objective. I would not allow age, the passage of time, twisted perspective of other people, social misunderstandings, internal fears or any other adversity to impede my intention to fulfill what I believed to be my destiny. Since the day of that epiphany, I have recited this verse countless times to encourage myself. I recommend it to you as a source of spiritual empowerment.

 

“Because the Sovereign Lord helps me” – The verse begins with a characterization of Almighty God as the prophet experiences divine love, favor and faithfulness over the course  of his life. In Hebrew, the prophet specifies that “Adonai Yahweh, the covenant Lord” empowers and sustains him. This designation of the divine is not just another name for God. It expresses the belief in a monotheistic, self-existent and supreme being who is the rightful Creator and Ruler of the universe. Moreover, He is the covenant God who makes and adheres to an eternal covenant with His people based on His self-existent and infinite nature. Revealing Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM,” the “Lord God” adheres faithfully to this covenant with His people regardless of their response and behavior to His appeal of unfailing love and enduring grace. The prophet reminds the returning post exilic people that the sovereign, covenant God of their forbears who sustained them during the most horrific years of their history will continually affirm, support and provide for them as they rebuild. For the contemporary disciple, He equally will aid and nurture him as he returns from the exile of wilderness wandering, aimlessness and zigzagging through life. With the Sovereign Lord’s strength and purpose, any disciple can achieve any dream or goal.

 

“I will not be disgraced.” – Disciples need not fear disgrace when they pursue to will of God and obey His guidance. They can retreat to God’s presence as they obey Him. God preserves the dignity of His servants. The resurrection is the surest indication of God’s faithfulness in maintaining the respect and honor of His obedient and faithful servants. Beyond the seminal event of the first Easter Sunday morning, resurrection occurs in everyday life. In God’s mystery and mysticism, He graciously transforms adverse circumstances into more favorable ones that will accomplish His will in an obedient client’s life. God can redeem any situation. The resurrection reassures us that He recalls us to new possibilities within the most disadvantageous and unfortunate circumstances. Accordingly, no one who  seeks Him will be disgraced.

 

“Therefore, have I set my face like flint” – Flint is a hard gray rock that consists of pure chert which is a hard fine grained sedimentary rock composed of quartz. Chert contains petrified remains of rocks found in the ocean floor. This rock formation which has survived for four and a half billion years of Earth’s existence depicts the resolve that disciples can have when steadfastly pursuing the will of God and their dreams and goals. Note that flint survives in the ocean and rebuffs erosion over many years. Whether exposed to earth, air, water or fire, flint maintains its intrinsic core. The threat of earthquakes, mudslides, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, raging wildfires or other natural disasters do not diminish, weaken or destroy this rock. It is symptomatic of Jesus character. As disciples emulate the mind, heart and character of Christ, they develop a parallel formidable character that enables them to withstand any challenge or adversity. Character, endurance, hope, achievement and success combine and form a flint disposition as disciples commit themselves to personal growth and spiritual development.