Sermon Tone Analysis

Light: the first blessing here is clarity in life’s darknesses and perplexities.

Light is not related to ‘dawn’, as in verse 8, but to darkness, those occasions when we do not know which way to turn, when troubles close in around us.

Guide interprets the imagery of light in darkness.

Our experience may well continue to be darkness, and we step falteringly into it as best we know, but the reality is divine guidance; he does not suffer our foot to slip (Ps.

121:3).

The second promised blessing is of timely supply: sun-scorched (116) is found only here, but is related to √ṣāḥaḥ, ‘to be white’ (Lam.

4:7); hence the adjective ‘bare’ (Ezek.

24:7), ‘unprotected’ (or ‘exposed’, Neh.

4:13).

We are not told what satisfaction the Lord will give but when and where he will give it—when everything seems bleak, when we are vulnerable.

In such a time he will strengthen your frame, give durability in the face of harsh demands.

Thirdly, there is the blessing of fresh, incoming resource and vitality, like water brought for the garden (11d), but, balancing the ministry of the watering-can, there is the spring, an unfailing internal fountain (11e; John 4:13).

Fourthly come the blessings of restoration (rebuild, 12) and continuance (Dwellings), recovery from past disaster (ancient ruins), provision for future secure living (Walls … Streets).

This could, of course, refer to building and restoration work after the return from Babylon but, alongside the pictures of light (10), the traveller in the sun-scorched land (11) and the garden (11), this too is more likely to be a picture, but highly relevant to Isaiah’s community which knew the devastations described in 1:6–9

The church has faced enormous pressure in this age.

We don’t know how to have church these days.

We look around and church attendance is decreasing.

The world is pulling people away.

The concept of church or how we do church faces its greatest relevance challenge in recent history.

History will tell us that the children of Isreal faced the same challenges.

opens following a scaving indictment on Israel and its leaders the second half of Chapter 56 in Chapter 57 .

The leaders have become silent the righteous man perishes and no even cares.

Have we ourselves gone to sleep at the wheel.

Have we become accustomed to church as usual and forgotten what really pleases God.

Has our fasting been in vain because we have failed to do the thing that really please The Lord.

“If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”c

Its the opening of Chapter 56 that causes us to think 56 Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed.

“Keep justice, and do righteousness,

for soon my salvation will come,

and my righteousness be revealed.

2  Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

and the son of man who holds it fast,

who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it,

and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

So its here in Chapter 58 we must decide if we will be repairer of the breach.

What is a breach pe res.

This word literally means there is a gap!

A separation .

Looking closly its an act of breaking a law, agreement or code of conduct.

a break in relations.

Can you see the breach?

With that breach the enemy can come in and attack.

Yet today has we leave the 100 anniversary year and head towards a new horizon we shall be called repairer of the breach!

For too long we have walked along the ruins of society and our communities and shook our heads pointed our fingers but have not tried to rebuild what was torn down or repair what is broken!

Its time for us to act !

who is with me?

Who can say I want to be a repairer of the breach.

Its in order by the way.

For For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”c

If it does not start with us who will it begin with?

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.

(2016).

().

Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”c

Isaiah challenges us to day to restore, revive, reinvigorate our communities, our churches and our lives.

Yet it can’t be lip talk.

It must be serious consideration.

Are you doing what is pleasing the Lord?

We will close out this year in Isaiah to help us understand how to please The Lord and not ourselves!

The fast that the children of Israel were performing had fell short.

It lacked real humility.

It had an outward appearance of fasting, contriteness but was not authentic.

We will examine more closely later but let me focus your attention to verse 2 and 3 Yet they seek me daily

and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God.

as if they were a nation that did righteousness

and did not forsake the judgment of their God;

they ask of me righteous judgments;

they delight to draw near to God.

3  ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not?

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’

Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure,

and oppress all your workers.

In all there efforts the were missing the key ingredient.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Until we seek God the right way we will feel like the children of Israel who said why have we fasted and you you have have not seen it?

Its a shame to go through worship and God does not take notice.

It like going through the motions.

If that’s what you are doing then you wasting your time.

We need worship that gets the Lord’s attention!

They ask the question why have we humbled ourselves and you dis not take knowledge.

Well i have a truth for them: They did not really humble themselves.

Humbling one selves “The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is” (Phillips Brooks).

So we have to be repairers of the breach!

Wouldn’t you like to build something up than to tear it down?

So how do we do that?

Its verses 6 thru 11 that gives us a clear picture of what needs to be done.

6  “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

to loose the bonds of wickedness,

to undo the straps of the yoke,

to let the oppressed go free,

and to break every yoke?

7  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry

and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

when you see the naked, to cover him,

and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8  Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,

and your healing shall spring up speedily;

your righteousness shall go before you;

the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.

9  Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;