Day 89 – December 26, 2023: Isaiah 29-32 and Matthew 4

Once again we see a prophecy against Israel that they will be facing the worst of the worst. This is a time in the life of Israel where they are about to go into exile with the Assyrians taking them away from Israel as slaves into Assyria. But there is a group of Israelites who say that the nation should team up with Egypt and the people as a whole should flee to Egypt for safety and refuge. While they are not able to stay in the land, at least if they go to Egypt, they say, they will be protected and safe. Isaiah says no, don’t do it, you can’t rely upon Egypt and their army. In fact, we know that in history there is a group of God’s people who go down into Egypt to escape the Assyrians, and they are made slaves just like they were in the days of Moses. But the vast majority of the Israelites stayed behind and were taken away into captivity by the Assyrians.

This prophecy of destruction against the people of Israel is always a result of the disobedience of the people of Israel. They do not listen, they do not obey, they do not do justice, and they oppress the weak and the marginalized. Boy, that does sound a lot like modern day people of faith, all of us included in that condemnation. It is a sober reminder that no matter who we are and no matter what status we think we have in the eyes of God, we are always called to righteousness, the doing of God’s will in our lives.

Speaking of righteousness we find ourselves in the Gospel of Matthew with Jesus’ temptation. Jesus is tempted by the devil and passes all the tests. Of course he does, what would you expect? He then begins his ministry in the region of Galilee. We see Isaiah quoted where Jesus is portrayed as the light of the world that has come in the darkness. He then calls his disciples into ministry and he is ready to roll. Jesus begins his ministry here in this section, so we are ready for the Gospel of righteousness to begin.