“The Zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this”
Thus reads one of the most famous and majestic promises concerning the events surrounding Christmas.
The promise of light instead of darkness.
Of peace instead of war.
A passage which warms the heart with the promise of the presence of God in this world; complete with His brand of righteousness and justice impacting the world.
In the New Testament, the same dynamic happens.
Prayers of celebration from Mary and Zechariah speak of the dawning of a new era as God now enters the world.
Himself.
The message of the angels to Mary, Joseph or the shepherds – also speak of the magnificence of this moment and what it means for the world and its people.
In the tradition of Isa 9 – the violent and oppressor have had their day.
There is now a new government.
A new Kingdom is present. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
However it is a feature of the Christmas story that with these incredible expressions of God’s plan ringing in the main characters’ ears – day to day there seems to be little or no change in their life; let alone the world.
A feature of the Christmas story is how nothing seems to have actually changed.
The Son of God is born.
Yet Roman emperors are still in charge – and claiming divine status.
Atrocities are still committed.
Utterly inconvenient travel is enforced requiring Joseph and Mary to leave their home with Mary heavily pregnant.
There is no place for them to stay in Bethlehem.
Nothing much seems to be any different.
Centuries earlier – Moses had the same experience.
Magnificent encounters with God only to then experience the worst of human resistance and evil.
With no apparent divine difference.
Later, as Jesus gathered His disciples around Him and the 12 experienced the teaching and ministry of Christ – there was still the day-to-day pain of personal conflicts and injustices and brutality on larger scales.
Where is the evidence of Isa 9 in day-to-day life?
Sure – there is no doubt a future focus to Isa 9. Undoubtedly (e.g. The description of the reign and kingdom of this child Who is to be born.)
But not in its entirety.
It speaks of the birth of the Son. That’s happened.
We often speak of the purposes of God being fulfilled “already but not yet.”
Why does it seem to be weighted on the “not yet” side of the ledger instead of the “already”.
Where is the evidence of the “already” of Isa 9 being fulfilled in our times.
A little while ago the music of the Beatles and John Lennon were finally made available through Apple’s Itune feature.
So I downloaded the music video of Lennon’s song “So this is Christmas.”
I’m not sure who has done it – but images of war and its impact on children (especially) constituted the music video. It was very moving and very disturbing.
And it also conveys the deep sense of the apparent strong advance of evil agendas at the cost of so many innocent people.
Nothing seems to have changed!
Not after 2000 years since that 1st Christmas Day.
Isa 9 finishes with a curious phrase.
"Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:7, NIV)
Ok – now it sounds like we’re getting somewhere!
The promise that God’s reign will be established and “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
That’s more like it!
The zeal of God. I wonder form that will take?
I know this much.
It will involve power. Much power! And lots of miracles. And probably the fire of God.
I know this much. It will be spectacular!!
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will ensure this happens. The zeal of the Lord will give all those who wage war and destroy others their just desserts!!
Surely!!
Of course God is capable of such a show of strength. But on this occasion such strength, according to Isa 9, such zeal comes about in a way that only God could carry off.
“For to us a child is born…” v 6
God deals with the world in an entirely different way than we are used to.
Or deserve.
His power; His zeal is expressed through a child.
A Child-Deliverer.
“Zeal” – as far as God is concerned – is a particular kind of quality.
As one commentator puts it – “zeal” speaks of a kind of concern for someone that desires an exclusive place in that person’s affections.
And that “zeal” in as far as it involves God – “depicts a consuming concern for the other’s best and an unwillingness that anything should hurt or destroy another.”
[Oswalt, Isaiah Chp 1-39 NICOT, 248]
God’s zeal has includes qualities of apparent weakness, and vulnerability. He even appears to be slow in fulfilling His purposes and promises.
We are left with the pain of images, the presence of evil, the agony of watching such suffering. And living with seemingly no progress in this world.
No apparent evidence that Isa 9 is any nearer to fulfilment.
Or maybe we are viewing it wrong.
Maybe we see the powerful; and the power of evil in this world – and we compare ourselves to that and just hang our head in despondency and defeat.
There is nothing we can do to combat such forces. Such evil.
Maybe we are viewing the world incorrectly.
Maybe we are forgetting the power of the Child that has been born.
Maybe we are not viewing and living in the world with the zeal of the Lord Almighty Who will achieve the agenda of Isa 9.
A zeal which has as its heart a deep concern to have an exclusive place in others’ affections.
A consuming desire for others’ best and for them to not be destroyed or harmed.
Maybe I can put it like this.
I don’t think commercialism is the greatest danger to Christmas.
I think it is deeper than that.
I think it is consumerism.
A mindset that is about “what’s in it for me?” “What can I get to improve my lot?”
But it goes even deeper than consumerism. There is something that drives that.
I think the greatest danger to Christmas and what it stands for – is “lack of compassion.”
Or as Isaiah would term it – the “zeal of the Lord Almighty.”
Here’s a thought.
Maybe this year, this Christmas you are that “Child-Deliverer” for someone.
Maybe the verse “For to us a child is born” is embodied by you this year as you are inspired and energised by the Christ in you.
Maybe someone, or an issue, needs you to express the zeal of the Lord Almighty so that in the darkness they can see that Kingdom of God is advancing!
Maybe we together are that “Child” for this time. For this next year. And beyond.
Maybe we need to ask for God to awaken our compassion for His sake and the world’s.
The group Nickelback wrote a song – “What is everyone cared?”
The music video is inspirational as examples of people who have made a difference are itemised. And the quote at the end says “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”. Margaret Mead.
Presented By: Rev. Geoff New