Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.
Isaiah 16.
More sad news for Moab opens the chapter.
But what follows is another prophecy about Jesus:
“Then a Kingdom of Love will be set up and someone from David’s throne will rule with fairness. He will do what is right and quickly bring justice.” (v5, CEV).
Here’s another version:
“When this is all over,” Judah answers,
“the tyrant toppled,
The killing at an end,
all signs of these cruelties long gone,
A new government of love will be established
in the venerable David tradition.
A Ruler you can depend upon
will head this government,
A Ruler passionate for justice,
a Ruler quick to set things right.” (v4-5, MSG)
I’m thankful that Jesus has established a Kingdom of Love for any who choose to be a part of it. Jesus is passionate for justice. He is quick to set things right. He is a ruler you can depend upon. While Jesus doesn’t actually sit on a physical throne in Jerusalem today, His divine Spirit rules those who choose to submit to Him and His love and His plan for their lives.
What does a Kingdom of Love look like? Look at what John writes in the New Testament:
“Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know him. God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. Dear friends, since God loved us this much, we must love each other.” (1 John 4:7-11, CEV).
Read this again: “Real love isn’t our love for God, but His love for us.” (v10, CEV).
Even on our best days, we can’t love like God does. But I believe we can try and show compassion, justice and fairness to one another the way Isaiah describes.
(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.
RichRonald.com 