Reading for May 22nd

Read Isaiah 27.1-13. In 27.1-`3: The new song of the vineyard. In verse 1: The assurance that the Lord will punish Leviathan reflects the ancient belief that the earth was created after a great battle between the creator God and a monster symbolizing chaos. In the Babylonian creation epic, this monster is called Tiamat, but other versions use the name Rahab (Comepare Isa 51.9). The power of God to impose order is needed not simply in the primary act of creation but in every natiral disaster or historical castrophe, when God's rulle needs to be reestablished. In verse 2: A pleasant vineyard, sing about it! Reference to the vineyard parable of Isa 5.1-7 shows that this new song marks the end of the period in which the former vineyard (Israel) was reduced to a wasteland. In verse 4: The thorns and briers will at last be removed (see 7.23-25; 9.18; 10.17). In verses 7-11: The resoration has not yet taken place, and the fields of Jacob still lie desolate and forsaken (v. 10). The people without understanding (v. 11) are those who holdback God's saving work. In verses 12-13: The promise of return to their homeland for the scattered survivors remains central to the hope for the future in Isaiah. Here and in 11.12-16 (compare 19.23-24), this return is the prelude to the restoration of Israel to its former glory, the completion of God's saving purpose. Comments or Questions..