Introduction
The church universal and especially the unique, individual congregations of the church have had many meanings in the history of humankind and the history of the church. Many have seen the church as an arm of oppressive government; baptizing war, causing destruction, and stifling academic and scientific progress. For others, the church in its global and local form is a tool for political and social agendas; an agent of governmental and societal “progress”. For the faithful the church is an educator, a social club, a place of worship, a place of edification, a place of conflict, a place of love, and much, much more. The entities known as “the church” over the last many thousand years have at one time or another been negative and positive influences towards the reconciling efforts of our loving God.
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The cliché is well known in contemporary American literature and film; in a moment of intense drama, the judge’s stern and ordered demeanor fades and his or her true character breaks through. The raw human emotion surrounding the question and parties involved erupts from the seat of judgment and the entire situation comes to be seen in a new light. After days of evidence, twists, turns, uncertainties, and questions, the situation as it really stands is laid bare and the final judgment required to bring justice becomes clear to all. Isaiah 45:20-25 presents the reader with just such a court scene. For five chapters the prophet has presented evidence: against the worship of idols, for the salvation of Judah from Babylonian captivity, and for the singularity of Yahweh as the only living god. Finally, the judge, the Holy One of Israel, speaks through the prophet in a five-verse climatic mock court scene recorded in Isa 45:20-25 and displays his true character and his purposes for creation.
Luke 2:29-32 (KJV); Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Isaiah 57:1-2 (ESV); The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace; they rest in their bed who walk in their uprightness.
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