A dimly burning wick he will not quench. [42-43]

These two chapters are full of consolation and mercy, bringing in the idea of a great change about to happen for the salvation of God’s chosen people. There’s a lot of fire/water imagery here, as well as the healing of deafness and blindness.

There are references to both the OT’s floods, parting of the waters, & rivers of Eden and the NT’s water of life metaphors. The deafness and blindness that he speaks of in regards to the OT stubborn betrayal of God is answered in the NT miracles of physical healing. It’s all very complicated and I hesitate to stop too long here lest I become utterly lost and begin tracing the labyrinth too deeply for a blogged study.

From being a child of my parents, both counsellors and constantly involved in church community, I know what it means to see and to be a weak and vulnerable person, and I know that it takes tremendous care, knowledge, and faith to work with and care for what Isaiah calls a “bruised reed” and, in my NRSV, a “dimly burning wick” (42:3). It’s a very sensitive, difficult thing to do (does anybody else recall Brs. Francis and Theo from The Hawk and the Dove?).

In 42:7 I couldn’t help but think of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave; how the neo-platonists must have loved this passage . . .

Finally, I want to address 43:1-7, when God calls his people from the four corners of the earth. It is a passage of promise and of love; God is truly our Father. Looking back at this passage after knowing Christ, I am so happy to be one of those adopted daughters God will call.

In my studies, too, I’ve come across the idea of a name having power. To know the true name of something is to be so intimate with that thing that we know it, not "know of" it or "be familiar with" it (I’m upset with the English language for not differentiating--can you tell?). That he calls us "by name" is somehow powerful to me.

(Happy new year, all!)