Could you ask for a better set of readings for the end of the year? Isaiah 63:7-14 and Matthew 2:13-23? At first blush, they appear to have nothing in common. After all Matthew references Hosea, Jeremiah, and “the (unnamed) prophets.”
Once you spend a little time with Isaiah and Matthew, however, you realize they jive like peanut butter and jelly.
Isaiah 63
o When God remembers (zakar"), He gets involved – think Exodus 6:5 where God “remembers” His covenant w/
o This is almost certainly what Isaiah has in mind when he recalls/tells of the kindnesses of the Lord.
o Isaiah probably remembers Exodus 33:14 where God passes by Moses proclaiming, “The Lord, The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love (chesed,,) and faithfulness…
o Certainly is recalling the entire exodus experience and God’s repeated expressions of kindnesses (chesed,,).
o In Isaiah 6:9 they were “this people.” = law
o In Hosea 1:9 they were (Lo Ami) “not my people.” = law
o Think: Exodus 3:7-8a – God sees
o Think: Exodus 33:14 – God tells Moses My Presence (literally My Face) will go with you
o Think: 2 Corinthians 4:6 – Glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus.
o Think: Exodus 6:6 – God makes the promise to do exactly this.
o Think Isaiah 40:11 – God carries His lambs close to his heart.
o Think Exodus 15:23 – the bitter, undrinkable water of Marah – it’s the same word used for “rebellion” here. Their rebellion was bitter to God!
o Think Genesis 6:6 – God’s heart was full of pain (atsab') over the corruption of mankind.
o God’s not an unmoved mover; He’s the most moved mover.
o Think Isaiah 54:8 – only a moment, His unfailing and steadfast love (chesed,,), however, lasts forever.
· “Then”
o God carries
o God brings His Son out of
o He is God’s obedient Israel/Son
o He does right what OT Israel did wrong
o Think Galatians 3:26-29 – If baptized, sons of God, seed/offspring of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.
o Baptized believers in Christ are incorporated into
o Think Ephesians 4:30 – don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.
o Instead, remember God’s unfailing love.
o Think “Do this in remembrance of me.” - The Sacrament of the Altar!
o And what, by the way, was Jesus doing on the night He instituted the Sacrament? Remembering/reliving the exodus event in the Passover.
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