Isaiah 40:21-31, the First Reading for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany in the Year of Mark, is a disputation that almost anyone can imagine having with God during those times that God seems to have abandoned us. The questions are real for us who are in despair, who suffer chronic illnesses - physical or mental, for those of us who battle addictions, or any number of difficult circumstances. The Word is clear, however: God has not abandoned us. This, then, is a call to faith. It will be the preacher's task to make that call, loud and clear.
(The following questions have been developed to consider some of the most fundamental questions for Law and Gospel preachers. These questions center on how the Word is functioning in the text. These questions are best used with other fine sets of questions available to exegetes. For more on this method or to learn more about Law and Gospel preaching, see my brief guide, Afflicting the Comfortable, Comforting the Afflicted, available from wipfandstock.com or amazon.)
1. How does the Word function in the text? There is a disputation here, set up by three hypothetical questions: 1) Have you not known [Me]? (vs. 21); 2) Who is my equal? (vs. 25); and 3) Why do you say that your way is hidden from me? (vs. 27). In each case, God makes the case that those living in doubt and despair have nothing to fear: God is sovereign. God is powerful. God wills to save. The Word, therefore, primarily functions as good news, as Gospel.
2. How is the Word not functioning in the text? Even though God is clearly saying that the people are not seeing, knowing, and understanding God's true character and majesty, there is no condemnation of them for this. As we know from Israel's history, this text probably comes from the exilic period when Israel was in Babylon. Nevertheless, this is not an accusation of faithlessness. The Word does not function as Law here.
3. With whom are you identifying in the text? We identify very easily with the listeners here, those whose faith falters. Whether our exile is physical or mental, emotional or spiritual, we know what it is like to feel abandoned by God.
4. What, if any call to obedience, is there in this text? This text is wholly a call to faith, not a call to obedience. Calls to obedience are calls to live in a certain way after hearing the word of grace. The 2nd reading appointed for this Sunday (I Cor. 9:16-23), is an example of this.
5. What Law/Gospel couplet is suggested by this text? There are several words that keep appearing in this text which could serve quite well as couplets: growing faint/gaining strength; growing weary/being renewed. We might also add despair/hope and doubt/faith.
6. Exegetical work: Claus Westermann, in his classic commentary, says that this text is "a true disputation... Here the prophet quotes the assertion made by Jacob-Israel, that God has abandoned his people." (The OT Library, Isaiah 40-66, p. 48). Westermann goes on to say that there are two issues: 1) God can't help, or 2) God won't help. "Could it be that Yahweh does not have the power to help his people; this is the first three sections (vs. 12-26) challenge. Or else it could be that Yahweh no longer has the will to help; this the fourth challenges." (Ibid.) Clearly the answer to the question about whether God has the power to help is answered by Yahweh's reply. John Chrysostom, 4th century exegete, summarizes it this way: "Despite the fact that the earth is so great and so vast, God made it with such ease that the prophet could find no fitting example. So he said that God made the earth 'as if it were nothing'." (Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, OT, vol. XI, p. 18). This is the answer to those who wonder if God can help us. Luther, in his lectures, also took up the subject of God's appearances and our lack of faith, but Luther focused more on God's willingness to help us: "...he sends us back to clinging to the judgment of Him who makes the promises rather than to our own view and appearance. Therefore we must lift up our head to the God who promises, not to the judgment of our perception." (Luther's Works, vol. 17, pp. 23-29). "What we lack He has in ample supply." "Just stay with Me. Look at Me as you would at a mirror. In you there is death, sin, despair, destruction. In Me there is life, righteousness, consolation, and deliverance." (Ibid., p. 29).
7. How does the Crossings Community model work with this text? Bruce Martin, in his analysis called "The Impossible Certainty" takes up the whole question of faith. In his final diagnosis, he says that our eternal problem is our penchant for asking "Why? Why God are you silent. Why have you abandoned me? Why is there no help?" God's answer to these questions is the Cross, where Jesus himself cries out. We are not alone in our lament; Christ, our Savior, knows our despair. See the entire analysis, archived under its reference at crossings.org/text-study.
Blessings on your proclamation!
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