Today we read from Isaiah chapter 65. Isaiah consist of three parts.
The first part of the book deals warnings about future exile if the Israelites don't turn back to God. The second part relates to the actual exile itself where the Israelites were uprooted and taken to a foreign land. The third part is a homecoming of sorts. The Israelites are returning from exile.
It is the third part of Isaiah we read this morning.
Isaiah's voice is very positive and encouraging. The people are given a sense of hope, a cause to rebuild and trust that things will be different.
The fact that they will be able to "live in the homes they build and eat from the vineyards they plant" is a a covenant blessing that goes all the way back to Moses. Before Moses departed this world, he left the people with the covenant promises and curse as they were about t enter into the promised land.
In Dt 28 we get a list of those. One of the curses was that if the people strayed from God's ways they would not live in their homes and they would not eat and drink from their vineyards.
Isaiah speaks of a renewal of the covenant, God has not forgotten or given up on the people. Though they strayed he offers them another opportunity to undo what was done and to move forward in being recreated as his chosen people.
This is encouraging for all of us. Despite our short comings and weakness, God doe snot give up on us because He is faithful to his promises, "I will be your God and you shall be my people," even if it takes a while to get it.
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