Jan. 14, 2010 - Isaiah 8 - 9

So with today’s reading we get the prophesy that Jesus would start His ministry in Galilee. It is a little obscure, but the footnotes talk about how the attacks from Assyria would start in the north, in Galilee, and that points to Jesus’ ministry starting there. I had to think about it for a little while, but here is a little connected timeline I came up with to help show this a little more. It is about the connection between Israel and Jesus.

Israel starts with a sacrifice. Abraham leaves his life behind to journey where God tells him to. Jesus begins with a sacrifice. Mary being totally obedient to the will of God at the Annunciation.

Abraham and Sarah have Isaac through the intercession of an angel. Mary’s conception of Jesus came through the intercession of an angel. Perhaps the same angel in both cases.

The Israelites go to Egypt following Joseph. Jesus goes to Egypt following Joseph. That one didn’t really pop out at me until I was typing it.

Israelites come out of Egypt. Jesus comes out of Egypt.

David is anointed as God’s chosen one to lead Israel. Jesus is announced as God’s chosen one in His Baptism.

The cleansing of Israel after they have turned their back on the Lord starts in Galilee with the invasion of the Assyrians and the beginning of the exiles. Jesus begins His mission of cleansing Israel and His ministry in Galilee. This is where today’s and I believe tomorrow’s readings fit in.

The cleansing and invasion is complete with the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus mission is complete with the destruction of His temple, His body, on the cross in Jerusalem.

Anyway, some food for thought when we are reading these Old Testament prophets and you don’t know where the connections are. Sometimes it is easier to look at it all in the big picture to see where the smaller pieces fit in.