Being teachable
by Ruth Olsen
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He will teach us his ways so that we may walk in his paths (Isaiah 2:3).
How much do you understand the ways of the Lord? Do we recognise the difference from our own? Our human ways are so small, self-focused, downward-looking – at ourselves or on others. We might think we are so smart, yet of ourselves, we so readily indulge ourselves at the expense of others, just as in centuries past.
In speaking of Judah and Jerusalem, Isaiah says, ‘Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord’ (Isaiah 1:4). Since Isaiah ministered primarily to the southern kingdom (Judah and Jerusalem), the northern kingdom of Israel is not mentioned here. But he was speaking to God’s people!
The ‘mountain of the Lord’ (Mt Zion) is a common theme in Isaiah, depicting the coming of both Jews and Gentiles to Jerusalem (Zion), to the place of God’s presence (see also Psalm 43:3). In today’s reading, Isaiah sheds light on what will happen in the last days concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It will be the Lord himself who will draw people from all nations to his presence. He will teach people his ways, to walk in his paths. It will happen at God’s initiative. He is continually at work – today also!
Through Jesus, he has opened the way for all people to come into his presence. As we saw in yesterday’s reading, Jesus’ life brought light to everyone (John 1:4). Available to all people, whoever then lives by the truth comes into the light – by God’s enabling (John 3:19). That’s the grace of God that Jesus brings to us. Grace and truth, revealed to us and through us, by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13–15). Let’s be teachable, relying on Holy Spirit to teach and train us every day to walk in God’s ways instead of our own.
Thank you, Holy Spirit, that you take from what belongs to Jesus and make it known to us. Enable us to honour Jesus in all that we are and do. Amen.
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