The Chinese translation of the word "prophet" is a bit misleading. It means "somebody who knows the future" 先知. Prophets are spokesmen of God and prophecy is only part of the messages they convey to us. Since the Chinese do not have a comparable and respectable title, we can only accept the second best candidate.
We should remember the intended readers when we read books of prophets. Prophets seldom spoke to individuals. Most of the time, they addressed the nation as a whole. Today after passing the middle of the Lent season, we meet Isaiah again. He was bringing good tidings to the Chosen People who had gone through their punishment.
Thus says the LORD: "In a time of favour I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages;" (Isaiah 49:8)
No doubt, God did not intend to abandon the Chosen People. How could He? The Chosen People is God's covenant with all humanity. Whatever blessings and curses that fall on them, they fall on all mankind. If God blesses the Chosen People, God blesses all the peoples on earth. If God punishes the Chosen People because they disobey, God shall do likewise to all nations.
I find God's promise very encouraging.
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15).
Sometimes, God can be very feminine. He does not shy away from conjuring up the mother image in our heart. Meanwhile, we are put into an infantile relationship with Him. Put down our calculating mentality and recall the innocence and naivety of a sucking child. Whenever this child cries, its mother will respond immediately and come to take care of its many needs. If this child grows healthily, the mother will be satisfied and happy. Its little smiles and babbles are her reward.
We should remember the intended readers when we read books of prophets. Prophets seldom spoke to individuals. Most of the time, they addressed the nation as a whole. Today after passing the middle of the Lent season, we meet Isaiah again. He was bringing good tidings to the Chosen People who had gone through their punishment.
Thus says the LORD: "In a time of favour I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages;" (Isaiah 49:8)
No doubt, God did not intend to abandon the Chosen People. How could He? The Chosen People is God's covenant with all humanity. Whatever blessings and curses that fall on them, they fall on all mankind. If God blesses the Chosen People, God blesses all the peoples on earth. If God punishes the Chosen People because they disobey, God shall do likewise to all nations.
I find God's promise very encouraging.
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15).
Sometimes, God can be very feminine. He does not shy away from conjuring up the mother image in our heart. Meanwhile, we are put into an infantile relationship with Him. Put down our calculating mentality and recall the innocence and naivety of a sucking child. Whenever this child cries, its mother will respond immediately and come to take care of its many needs. If this child grows healthily, the mother will be satisfied and happy. Its little smiles and babbles are her reward.
Yesterday, I sat for the Philosophy examination. We have covered some modern European philosophers. One of them is the French philosopher Gabriel Marcel. He approached the topic of Being through creative fidelity and hope.
In faithful relations, we discover and create our "self". Of course, he was discussing the human sphere. But that does not stop us from extrapolating to God. God enters into faithful relations with us though we are more often than not, unfaithful. God is prepared to be betrayed and He leaves it open and invites us to stay open towards Him. In fidelity, we discover our true self. Analogically, I would speculate that God enters into faithful relations with us to discover and manifest His "self". At times, God can be wrathful and merciful. In the end, God is faithful. The Bible is a record of part of His "self-discovery" as well as ours.
In faithful relations, we discover and create our "self". Of course, he was discussing the human sphere. But that does not stop us from extrapolating to God. God enters into faithful relations with us though we are more often than not, unfaithful. God is prepared to be betrayed and He leaves it open and invites us to stay open towards Him. In fidelity, we discover our true self. Analogically, I would speculate that God enters into faithful relations with us to discover and manifest His "self". At times, God can be wrathful and merciful. In the end, God is faithful. The Bible is a record of part of His "self-discovery" as well as ours.
Dear Lord, it is the time of favour in Lent. May we open ourselves more to Your compassion and salvation so that we may rise once more in Easter. Amen.
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