Pen Strokes from Dr. Stokes
Author:
June 08, 2023
It’s A New Season
In Deutero-Isaiah (that is Isaiah chapters 40-55), the second writer of Isaiah pens about a new season in the life of the people of Judah. Deutero-Isaiah pivots from the prophecy of Proto-Isaiah (first Isaiah chapters 1-39) speaking about judgement that would come on Judah, to a God of deliverance from oppression and oppressive systems like the Babylonian Empire and Nebuchadnezzar. This deliverance would come from a new rising political super-power, The Persians, which was led by King Cyrus (Isaiah 45). The Persians would defeat the Babylonians (Is. 46-47) and return the exiled Jews back to their homeland of Jerusalem with a vassal government in place. Judah recognized that the only salvation that they had from oppressive systems would not come through government, but from God above who would restore Judah back as the sole proprietors of the land (Is .49).
Isaiah 43:19 says: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah prophesies about chapter in the life of Israel where there was a shift in the life of Jewish people. Whereas they were oppressed, they would be delivered. Where they were tail, they would be the head. Where they were a borrower, they would be the lender. This new season that Isaiah prophesied about people awaited with expectation and anticipation. Judah was standing in tip-toe anticipation for the Messiah who would bring along with him salvation. This Messiah would be a servant amongst servants who would was not good looking, who had be rejected by not just the world but His own people; He would be a man acquainted with suffering and would take the laborious pain of Judah upon Him and would heal them through His stripes.
Seasons change, and in the change, we must be able to adjust. June 21 is the beginning of summer and will be the summer solstice! Starting that day, we lose .001 seconds from our day until the winter solstice. It is at that point in the year we are the closest to the sun as we will ever be! Being so close to the sun has its benefits. It gives us more day light, it makes us warmer, it even changes our attitude. It's interesting how light does that to us.
Imagine what a Christian solstice can do, being close to the SON! Certainly, he brightens up our day for “his light shined in darkness and darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). Being close to Him ought to change our attitudes; “therefor if anyone be in Christ, He is a new creature, OLD THINGS pass away behold all things become new “(1 Corinthians 5:17). Lastly, being close to the SON gives us comfort. He told us he would not leave us comfortless, but he would come to us (John 14:18).
Fifth-century prophet Isaiah wrote that God was doing a new thing, and I, a twenty-first century preacher and pastor stand firm in this same prophetic model and mantra and declare that at New Sardis, we are in a new season, and God is doing a new thing. As we enjoy another season change, let us adjust how we do things and enjoy Jesus!
Elder Dr. Vincent E Stokes II, Pastor
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