Post by Admin on Nov 14, 2019 7:04:40 GMT
An element of this first discussion session under the Advent topic was to consider how we are approaching the Christmas season. The first Sunday of Advent is a few weeks away, and we haven’t celebrated Thanksgiving, so the group didn’t have strong feelings about Christmas yet, neither too much excitement nor too much stress. Scripture for this session, from Isaiah, is a well-known prophecy that we apply to Christ. Isaiah’s perspective was that the message was for children of Israel trapped under the thumb of Assyrian domination. Our perspective is that Isaiah is speaking of the birth of Christ, and at the same time also foreshadowing the return of Christ and establishment of His eternal kingdom.
After the introductory first verse, addressed to Isaiah’s time, the passage moves into the first half of familiar territory with verse 2’s description of light overcoming the darkness. In fact, we noted the four promises of change in verses 2-5: light (over darkness), joy (after fighting or struggling), victory (in place of defeat), and peace (ending warfare). We considered situations in our life when darkness was prevalent, and how help from a friend, or a prayerful new perspective, brought us into light. How might the Israelites have reacted to Isaiah’s wonderful picture of the future? Responses included excitement about the promised future, and curiosity about when the promises would be fulfilled. We could readily apply that to our modern advent, our waiting for Christ to return: are we excited about it, or just wondering when it will happen?
We compared Isaiah’s description of the new, future, super king in verses 6-7, with the likely expectations for a contemporary king who would reign on David’s throne. The classic characteristics of Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, don’t describe ancient kings very well. Like David, the greatest Kings were warriors as well as leaders, and this king which Isaiah has drawn isn’t really a warrior, although He will establish justice. Jesus' kingship and kingdom are unlike the world’s experience or expectation. To some degree, the description also captures a picture of the Trinity. We went around the table sharing which of the four characteristics Isaiah mentions resonates with us the most, or which we most desire at the moment. We had a good distribution of seekers of Counseling, Everlasting relationship, and desire for Peace.
After the introductory first verse, addressed to Isaiah’s time, the passage moves into the first half of familiar territory with verse 2’s description of light overcoming the darkness. In fact, we noted the four promises of change in verses 2-5: light (over darkness), joy (after fighting or struggling), victory (in place of defeat), and peace (ending warfare). We considered situations in our life when darkness was prevalent, and how help from a friend, or a prayerful new perspective, brought us into light. How might the Israelites have reacted to Isaiah’s wonderful picture of the future? Responses included excitement about the promised future, and curiosity about when the promises would be fulfilled. We could readily apply that to our modern advent, our waiting for Christ to return: are we excited about it, or just wondering when it will happen?
We compared Isaiah’s description of the new, future, super king in verses 6-7, with the likely expectations for a contemporary king who would reign on David’s throne. The classic characteristics of Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, don’t describe ancient kings very well. Like David, the greatest Kings were warriors as well as leaders, and this king which Isaiah has drawn isn’t really a warrior, although He will establish justice. Jesus' kingship and kingdom are unlike the world’s experience or expectation. To some degree, the description also captures a picture of the Trinity. We went around the table sharing which of the four characteristics Isaiah mentions resonates with us the most, or which we most desire at the moment. We had a good distribution of seekers of Counseling, Everlasting relationship, and desire for Peace.