Search This Blog

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

What Are God's Intentions for the City?

In the 65th chapter of Isaiah we find a portrayal of an unbelievably futuristic city God intends to create. Isaiah describes this New Jerusalem in terms that are beyond human experience. In the figure below, I have included the text on the left, on the right I have described the text in terms that might reflect our contemporary context.
Many believe Isaiah’s description is an Old Testament representation of the New Jerusalem depicted in the vision of John the Apostle described in Revelation. This interpretation may be correct. One must consider, however, that such an interpretation would relieve one of any responsibility to work to make it happen. That said, before Isaiah begins, he says, “whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth” (v.16). Isaiah seems to suggest that the invocation of a blessing, or a pledge to the God of truth, will be an important factor in the creation of this new (city) society.
ISAIAH 65:18-25 (NIV)
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD’S IDEAL CITY
18But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create … I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
God’s city will be a joy - and all people will rejoice in God’s urban creation.
19I will rejoice over Jerusalem and delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. 20"Never again will an infant live but a few days, or an old man not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth…
God’s city will be known for the health and longevity of its inhabitants. They will be free of natural, environmental and stress-related illness, infant mortality will end. Human existence and longevity will be enriched and enhanced.
21They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. As the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people…
The exploitation of laborers will cease - adequate housing and food will be justly distributed to all the city's citizens, so that all may long enjoy the work of their hands – and experience job satisfaction.
23They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune. They will be a people blessed by the LORD, and their descendants with them.
Economic prosperity and employment for all - a secure, well-balanced economy, not subject to the whims of the marketplace, or pressure to conform.
24Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
God wants to bless and be in constant and intimate dialogue with everyone in the city, and be receptive to them.
25The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will not harm or destroy on all my holy mountain," says the LORD.
Justice and reconciliation will bring peace - ensuring that no person or organization has an advantage. Each person will live at peace with his or her neighbor.
I invite you to consider, for a moment, that this passage may also be a picture of how God sees city's potential in the Kingdom of God. Augustine and Calvin were both captivated by the power of the idea of the “City of God.” Allow me to suggest that the Church does faithful service to the Kingdom of God when it works to make Isaiah’s vision in 65:18-25 a reality in today’s world.
What do you think?

No comments: