6Therefore my people will know my name;
therefore in that day they will know
that it is I who foretold it.
Yes, it is I.”
7How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”
8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices;
together they shout for joy.
When the Lord returns to Zion,
they will see it with their own eyes.
9Burst into songs of joy together,
you ruins of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people,
he has redeemed Jerusalem. (Isaiah 52:7-9)
Thoughts: On the surface this is a prophecy of God restoring Jerusalem from captivity- bring her back- saving her- redeeming her. But this is also a Messianic passage leading right up to the suffering servant of Isaiah 53.
I am on a mountain retreat with about 50 of my church folks and their friends. This phrase- "How beautiful on the mountains" is intriguing while on the mountains. Back in the day, there were no cell phones, telephones, telegraphs- no way to communicate good or bad news quickly. Often signal towers or mountaintops were used to signal important news. The mountains are bringing good news. I remember seeing "Lord of the Rings- the Return of the King." The Beacon signal was a signal for help. So Judah had on its mountains a way to warn of danger but also tell of awaited good news- the Lord has come and saved His people! So the Christmas carol says, "Go tell it on the mountains... that Jesus Christ is born." Romans 10 quotes this passage but leaves out the mountains- emphasizing the feet of those who bring good news. But the mountains, trees and hills shall also clap their hands with singing- "Joy to the world the Lord has come!" In our dreary hum drum meaningless and hopeless world there is hope and truth and real joy. The Lord has come.
I am on a mountain retreat with about 50 of my church folks and their friends. This phrase- "How beautiful on the mountains" is intriguing while on the mountains. Back in the day, there were no cell phones, telephones, telegraphs- no way to communicate good or bad news quickly. Often signal towers or mountaintops were used to signal important news. The mountains are bringing good news. I remember seeing "Lord of the Rings- the Return of the King." The Beacon signal was a signal for help. So Judah had on its mountains a way to warn of danger but also tell of awaited good news- the Lord has come and saved His people! So the Christmas carol says, "Go tell it on the mountains... that Jesus Christ is born." Romans 10 quotes this passage but leaves out the mountains- emphasizing the feet of those who bring good news. But the mountains, trees and hills shall also clap their hands with singing- "Joy to the world the Lord has come!" In our dreary hum drum meaningless and hopeless world there is hope and truth and real joy. The Lord has come.
Prayer: Lord, let me tell your good news over the hills and everywhere.
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