Shame For Doing God's Will?
These brief words came from Second Isaiah, the
unknown prophet who encouraged the despairing exiles in Babylon. Away
from their homeland for so long, the exiles wallowed in gloom and
self-pity. For the uprooted Jews in the foreign city, the idea of
return must have seemed so distant. As distant as their God. Anyone who
tried to tell the people different would be ridiculed, as a dreamer at
best, as a cynic at worst.
Yet, God wanted this unknown author to spread the
news of immanent release and return. Even if he faced the ire of the
people. Despite their condemnation, he would not be shamed. For he did
God's will.
Early Christians drew a parallel between the image
found in these verses and the death of Jesus. Despite the humiliation
of the people's condemnation, the honor of the accused would be
vindicated. By God himself!
How do we sustain ourselves for doing good in the face of criticism? How can God help us in those times?
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