refining silver

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Isaiah uses a powerful string of metaphors to call Judah back to God. Earlier in this chapter he used the image of Jerusalem as God's children who rebelled. Today he uses the image of Jerusalem as God's bride (though he doesn't use the word "bride"), an image used several times in the Old Testament and brought to it's conclusion in Revelation. Isaiah claims that Jerusalem was once faithful but has become a whore. That's a pretty shocking image, especially considering that this city was God's chosen and special city, the place where the temple and king were established. If we imagine a Catholic teacher saying that Rome had become a whore we can picture what kind of reaction that would get; I expect Isaiah's words were heard the same way.

Isaiah also uses images of impure silver, which allows him to talk about repentance as burning away those impurities. As we've seen before, Isaiah is mostly talking about injustice in Judah. His criticism is that those in power are using their power to their own advantage instead of looking out for the powerless. Isaiah also seems to accuse Jerusalem of idolatry since trees and gardens were often places to worship other gods. Isaiah holds out hope for repentance, but his images of lye and smelting make it clear that repenting won't be easy. Once people get used to the "benefits" of unjust power and profits, it is costly to repent. In the end Jerusalem will again be righteous; God doesn't abandon his people.

God bless,
Sam


Isaiah 1:21-31
21How the faithful city has become a whore! She that was full of justice, righteousness lodged in her— but now murderers! 22Your silver has become dross, your wine is mixed with water. 23Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Everyone loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the orphan, and the widow’s cause does not come before them.

24Therefore says the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: Ah, I will pour out my wrath on my enemies, and avenge myself on my foes! 25I will turn my hand against you; I will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. 26And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. 27Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. 28But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together, and those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. 29For you shall be ashamed of the oaks in which you delighted; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen. 30For you shall be like an oak whose leaf withers, and like a garden without water. 31The strong shall become like tinder, and their work like a spark; they and their work shall burn together, with no one to quench them.