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Wednesday 5 July 2017

Isaiah 1:27-31: Tensions between threat and hope resolved

Picture a tree, a great and mighty tree. Offering shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. It's stood for generations, and surely will stand for years to come.

But let our x-ray eyes look underground, into the soil beneath, and see what's happening to its roots. They are finding no water. The source of life that sustains the tree has dried up.

The tree is as tall as ever, its branches as strong. But this year, this spring, it will put forth no new leaves. And when a fire comes, it will burn, because it has dried up.

Isaiah finishes his first chapter with a contrast. This is one picture - of something that looks healthy on the surface but is dying underneath. The other picture is of health restored, of forgiveness and peace. Which is it going to be?

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