Day 2 of 14

GNT

Isaiah 61:8-11

8The Lord says,

“I love justice and I hate oppression and crime.

I will faithfully reward my people

And make an eternal covenant with them.

9They will be famous among the nations;

Everyone who sees them will know

That they are a people whom I have blessed.”

10 Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done.

She is like a bride dressed for her wedding.

God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

11As surely as seeds sprout and grow,

The Sovereign Lord will save his people,

And all the nations will praise him.

Reflection: God promises a future ‘everlasting covenant’ full of blessing for those with whom it is made. Look at the descriptions of those blessed by the covenant – clothed and covered in salvation and righteousness, richly dressed in wedding clothes. This covenant, and the Lord who makes it, are described as loving justice and passionate about righteousness. This passage follows the opening of Isaiah 61, the famous declaration of God’s King bringing good news to the poor and release for the
captive.

Question: Where does the initiative lie in this passage? Who is making everything happen?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your passion for justice and righteousness and your concern to put things right. Thank you that we can trust that you will bring your future Kingdom to completion and for the blessings of your everlasting covenant. Amen.

We are reading the Bible with Jessica Smith until 24th March.

Good News Translation® (Today’s English Version, Second Edition) © 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Good News Translation (GNT) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). LICENSEE shall reproduce the following trademark and trademark notice on the copyright page of each copy of the Licensed Products: ®

Days

Isaiah 61:1-11

The Good News of Deliverance

1 The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit.

He has chosen me and sent me

To bring good news to the poor,

To heal the broken-hearted,

To announce release to captives

And freedom to those in prison.

2 He has sent me to proclaim

That the time has come

When the Lord will save his people

And defeat their enemies.

He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,

3To give to those who mourn in Zion

Joy and gladness instead of grief,

A song of praise instead of sorrow.

They will be like trees

That the Lord himself has planted.

They will all do what is right,

And God will be praised for what he has done.

4They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins.

5My people, foreigners will serve you.

They will take care of your flocks

And farm your land and tend your vineyards.

6And you will be known as the priests of the Lord,

The servants of our God.

You will enjoy the wealth of the nations

And be proud that it is yours.

7Your shame and disgrace are ended.

You will live in your own land,

And your wealth will be doubled;

Your joy will last forever.