Isaiah 51:1-16: a reflection

1“Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD. Look to the rock you were cut from, and to the quarry you were dug from. 2Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, I blessed him, and made him many. 3For the LORD has comforted Zion. He has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in them, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. 4“Listen to me, my people; and hear me, my nation, for a law will go out from me, and I will establish my justice for a light to the peoples. 5My righteousness is near. My salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples. The islands will wait for me, and they will trust my arm. 6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish away like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a garment. Its inhabitants will die in the same way, but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will not be abolished. 7“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law. Don’t fear the reproach of men, and don’t be dismayed at their insults. 8For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” 9Awake, awake, put on strength, arm of the LORD! Awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Isn’t it you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the monster? 10Isn’t it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? 11Those ransomed by the LORD will return, and come with singing to Zion. Everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 12“I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass? 13Have you forgotten the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth? Do you live in fear continually all day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he prepares to destroy? Where is the fury of the oppressor? 14The captive exile will speedily be freed. He will not die and go down into the pit. His bread won’t fail. 15For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar. the LORD of Armies is his name. 16I have put my words in your mouth and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and tell Zion, ‘You are my people.’”

God, comforting his fearful people, asks a searching question: I, even I, am he who comforts you; who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass? Have you forgotten the LORD your Maker? His people were living in fear of a mortal oppressor, in dread all day of frail human power; and God asks them how they can fear frail, dying man while forgetting the eternal God, their Maker, who comforts them. To fear mortal man while forgetting the eternal God is a strange forgetfulness.

Notice the contrast God draws: frail, mortal man versus the eternal God, their Maker and comforter. The one they feared was but a man, who would die, made as grass, here today and gone; frail, mortal, passing. But they had forgotten the LORD their Maker, the eternal God who stretched out the heavens, who comforts them, and who endures forever. To fear the frail and dying while forgetting the eternal and almighty is folly; God asks, who are you, that you fear mortal man and forget your Maker? The fear of frail man had crowded out the remembrance of the eternal God.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too can live in fear of frail, mortal people while forgetting the eternal God. We can be gripped by fear of what mortal people can do to us, dreading their power, their opposition, their threats, while forgetting the eternal God who made us and comforts us; but God asks, who are you, that you fear man who will die, and forget the LORD your Maker? The people we fear are frail and mortal; the God we forget is eternal. Do not live in fear of frail, mortal people while forgetting the eternal God your Maker and comforter; remember him, who endures forever and comforts you, rather than dreading those who are but grass. Let the remembrance of the eternal God, your Maker and comforter, displace your fear of frail, mortal people, as God asked his people, who are you, that you fear man who shall die, and have forgotten the LORD your Maker?

Lord, comforting your fearful people, you ask a searching question: I, even I, am he who comforts you; who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who will be made as grass? Have you forgotten the LORD your Maker? Your people were living in fear of a mortal oppressor, in dread all day of frail human power; and you ask them how they can fear frail, dying man while forgetting you, the eternal God, their Maker, who comforts them. Show me the contrast you draw: frail, mortal man versus you, the eternal God, their Maker and comforter. The one they feared was but a man, who would die, made as grass; frail, passing. But they had forgotten you, the eternal God, who comforts them and endures forever. To fear the frail and dying while forgetting the eternal is folly. The fear of frail man had crowded out the remembrance of you. Take that to my heart, for I too can live in fear of frail, mortal people while forgetting you, the eternal God. I can be gripped by fear of what mortal people can do to me, dreading their power, their threats, while forgetting you who made me and comfort me; but you ask, who are you, that you fear man who will die, and forget the LORD your Maker? The people I fear are frail and mortal; the God I forget is eternal. Keep me from living in fear of frail, mortal people while forgetting you, my eternal Maker and comforter; help me remember you, Lord, who endure forever and comfort me, rather than dreading those who are but grass.