28 November 2022
On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel.
From Isaiah 4:2-6, NRSV
We may be familiar from another passage in Isaiah with the image of the rod coming from the stem of Jesse and of a branch coming from these roots. Anyone who has ever seen a tree cut down will not expect much regrowth and yet, occasionally, new life will spring from what appears to be a lifeless stump. At the time of this prophecy, the people of Israel had been reduced to the same condition as the lifeless tree stump without hope for their future. And yet, God promises through the prophet that there will be a Messiah – a Saviour – who will bring beauty, glory and fruitfulness back into the lives of those who remained faithful.
- How might Isaiah’s words have affected those who first heard them?
- What do Isaiah’s words mean for our own times?
As we begin another Advent, allow yourself time to feel and express your hopes for yourself, your family and loved ones and for our wider world.
