Isaiah on Tuesday - Isaiah's Passion for Justice (part 1)

Isaiah's passion for the poor and the recurring themes of justice are evident in this week's passage - Isaiah 26. Originally, I had planned to write about the entire chapter, but I think it best not rush this one. It's chock-a-block full of goodness and trying to cram it all in a single post wouldn't do it, well, justice.

This week, I am focusing on verses 1-8, which are really about redemption of the poor and oppressed who trusted in God and were duly rewarded. As I noted last week, this is an extension of the previous two chapters as Isaiah spins out a unified piece. Last week saw the coming of the LORD to His holy mountain, the abolition of death and the wiping away of tears. Recapping and extending that thought, Isaiah says:

1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
God makes salvation
its walls and ramparts.

2 Open the gates
that the righteous nation may enter,
the nation that keeps faith.

From an exposed and desperate place, the nations that keep faith enter into a place of protection and safety, a city no enemy can enter or destroy. Contrast that with the city of the oppressor:

5 He humbles those who dwell on high,
he lays the lofty city low;
he levels it to the ground
and casts it down to the dust.

6 Feet trample it down—
the feet of the oppressed,
the footsteps of the poor.

The oppressed and the poor will walk through the oppressor's city. The one who thought wealth and power would save him, finds himself at the mercy of God and those he oppressed and ruled over. Here we see justice as Isaiah envisions it - those who are righteous find a place of rest and ease, conquering enemies they have no means to conquer. Isaiah continues with this metaphor:

7 The path of the righteous is level;
O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.

8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, ^[a]
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts.

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

"That day" is a good day for the righteous, those who seek God and yearn for him in their heart. Next week Isaiah elaborates and expands on this theme of justice, bringing the full force of his prose down on the oppressor.