The prophet Isaiah was a powerful voice in the time of the kings calling the nation to reform. His memory inspired a “school” who continued his message. During the exile those who revered his memory added to the book which bears his name a slightly different message — one of consolation. The prophetic message delivered to a people feeling oppressed and abandoned shifted from calls to reform to a promise of God’s plan is still at work in the midst of difficulties. After the exile another voice added to the book of Isaiah an additional message of hope. I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create. Perhaps that is the message we need most today — hope that God will do something new to get us out of the mess we find ourselves in.
