Isaiah 27
The fortified city stands desolate, an abandoned settlement, forsaken like the wilderness, v10
This city represents the world system, the city of man. It is the hedonistic, humanistic society where every sphere of life is led by man’s will to be the king. God’s city is that of love, freedom and purpose. The fortified city is that of Godlessness, oppression and bankruptcy politically, economically and within the family.
Why would anyone want to put their hope or their expectation in such a fortified city?
This world system is failing and will continue to do so. It will be made desolate, abandoned, forsaken, there will be no favour shown them from the Lord. There is no confidence here.
Yet there is a dream. We can still hope. For God has promised with a new day sound, to gather up the perishing and the exiled to come to a new place, a new world, v12-13.
In the mess of the world system throughout history God has raised the prophet who cast such vision and belief.
When he won the presidency in 1994, Mandela emphasized reconciliation and nation building in his inaugural address:
“We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success,” he said. “We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.”
Mandela not only changed South Africa in leading it to become an example of one of the world’s best democracies, he changed the world. More people are now free and have human rights and justice because of this imperfect but courageous man.
His dream is not yet fulfilled.
Nor is the message of Isaiah.
Let this season have a new sound to all we come in contact with: there is a new world that Jesus came to create.
May God continue to raise more Jesus followers with the bravery of Mandela to announce to a fallen world that may now look fortified, “the end has come, the kingdom is near”.
Missions Paul 