I wonder whether Paul had this verse in mind when he wrote 1Cor. 12: 8 “To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge…”
The church as the inheritor of the Davidic and messianic promise, together – as the body of Christ – we embody that promise. Can this be true? The image of the animals being in harmony might be the image and metaphor for the poor and the meek from verse 4 not having to fear the strong and the mighty.
In Advent we nurture a desire and longing for justice and faithfulness, a longing for good will and for knowledge of the Lord. That longing and waiting is mirrored in this reading. But in our waiting and in our hearing this reading do we also hear a call to live the harmony we hope for? Is it a call to use the royal belts of righteousness and faithfulness to keep our own clothes in order? What is the spirit (ruah) that we have received (v.2)? What words will our breath (ruah) carry (v.4)? How can we make the fear of the Lord our delight?
4 December 2016
Isaiah 11:1-10
This weekly blog on one of the lectionary readings is by Anna-Claar Thomasson-Rosingh, Programme Leader for Lifelong Learning at Sarum College.