I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on Isaiah 60-63.

    When Jesus returned from being tempted by Satan in the wilderness He read from this passage. My understanding of First Century rabbinical traditions (which is limited) suggests that Jesus did not mean that just the verses He read were fulfilled, but I am unsure how much more of the passage He was saying was fulfilled (although I think His listeners would have had a pretty good idea). The passage which Jesus quoted seems to be the culmination of what was in the previous chapter which is addressed to the people of Israel (or perhaps the people of Jerusalem). In light of Jesus declaring this passage fulfilled in Him I believe the previous passage is addressed to those who chose to make God their God.

    When Jesus quoted from this passage He quoted a message of hope. However, the very next sentence contains a warning for those who resist God’s will. The prophet has made several references to the day of God’s vengeance (or, as the NLT puts it here, anger), the day when He would exact justice on those who oppressed and tortured others. Chapter 63 in today’s passage contains powerful imagery about that day. The beginning of this chapter has always reminded me of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and vice versa. It is a song which has dimmed in popularity because of its connection with militarism, which is a shame (although understandable) because it contains some powerful lines. God’s truth is indeed marching on and the American Civil War was most certainly a day of God’s Judgment. The people of the United States paid a heavy price in blood and treasure for their sins as a people up to that point, but that price is as nothing next to the one that is coming due.