Considering … “admonition” Fr/Sat 8/19-20

For the three Sabbaths leading up to Tisha b’Av (the 9th of Av, the day on which we commemorate not only the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE by the Babylonians and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE by the Romans, but several additional tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout history), the readings from the Prophets are admonitions.. For the seven weeks following Tisha b’Av, we read selections from the Prophets called selections of consolation. Here is a summary of this week’s, the first of the seven, Isaiah 40:1–26.

[summary] Finally, some words of comfort for Jerusalem and its people: The Sabbath after Tisha b’Av is known as the Sabbath of comforting. The first words of the selection, “nachamu, nachamu” mean “be comforted, be comforted.” These words open one of Isaiah’s most famous prophecies of consolation.

Isaiah promises that, after the people of Israel are punished and exiled, they will experience remarkable reconciliation with God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,” God instructs, and tell the city that her term of service is over (40:2). She has finished paying the price for her crimes, and has atoned for her sins. Now is time to prepare for an amazing revelation of God’s presence. (Examples: the valleys will be raised, the hills flattened, and on a vast level plain God’s presence will appear for all people to behold.)

Isaiah emphasizes that this prophecy will no doubt come to fruition. Unlike grass and flowers, which wither and fade, God’s word is always fulfilled.

Again, Isaiah addresses the city of Jerusalem with comforting words: “Ascend a lofty mountain, herald of joy to Zion. Raise your voice with power, herald of joy to Jerusalem” (40:9). The message is explicit: God is here for all to behold. Like a shepherd taking his flock out to pasture, God carries God’s people with tender love.

A Celebration of God’s Greatness: Isaiah illustrates God’s awesome strength with a series of questions: “Who measured the waters with the hollow of one’s hand? Who meted the earth’s dust with a measure? Who weighed the mountains with a scale?” (40:12) Compared to God’s incredible power, the nations are like a drop in a bucket, like nothing in God’s sight.

Twice in the selection Isaiah asks: “To whom, then, can you liken God? What form compares to God?” (40:18, 25) Isaiah outlines how foolish it would be to compare God to idols, made from silver and wood. A skilled woodworker can make a firm idol that will not topple, but God Godself made the entire earth.

“Lift your eyes and see,” the selection closes, “Who created these?” (40:26) Referring to the stars, the text indicates that God fashioned them all and numbers them one by one. God’s great might and vast power are unmistakable.

[end of summary]

I’d like to make some possible parallels, or at least comparisons, to/with our WLJs or WMJs. Feel free to choose among the q/qs that follow.

1. When you speak to yourself about how you’re doing, do you speak tenderly? If not, why not? Spiritually, what’s the effect of treating yourself tenderly?
2. Isaiah says that God says Jerusalem has finished paying the price for her crimes, and has atoned for her sins. Let’s change “crimes” and “sins” to being off your WLJ (or WMJ). What does it take for you to forgive yourself for going off plan? Whether it’s that you don’t write down what you eat (journaling), or don’t count your daily and/or weekly (and/or fit) points, or binging, or whatever else it is you may sometimes do (or refrain from doing), what do you need to do to forgive yourself and move on? And spiritually, what would happen if you didn’t forgive yourself?
3. What will it take for you to prepare both spiritually and practically for the revelation that YOU ARE a good person, even if you sometimes go off plan (or whatever it is you berate yourself for)?
4. Isaiah emphasizes that this prophecy will no doubt come to fruition. Can you accept that the results will no doubt come regarding your weight or your eating or whatever it is you’re not feeling good about? Spiritually speaking, how do you prepare yourself for such results?
5. Isaiah addresses the city of Jerusalem with comforting words. What words of comfort might it take for you to speak comfortingly to yourself?

Gary, this is in response to something you posted yesterday: <<I have asserted before that the 10 commandments as given by Moses to the people were a lower law. The higher law was inscribed on the first set of tablets which Moses destroyed when he observed the decadent behavior of the people worshiping a golden calf and other sins.>>

How can anyone know whether the second set of tablets was the same as or different from the first set? God supposedly engraved both sets...

I guess I never answered any of the questions, but I am in a time of introspection realizing that most of the fault lies with me in my current issues.

1. When you speak to yourself about how you’re doing, do you speak tenderly? If not, why not? Spiritually, what’s the effect of treating yourself tenderly?

Right now I am spending a lot of time kicking myself, so not tenderly. Why not? Because if I go easy on myself it becomes much easier to blame others for my own shortcomings. It takes me a while to realize how I contribute to a situation and it takes a while to humble myself. Once I am humble, then comes the time to stop kicking myself and treat myself tenderly.

2. Isaiah says that God says Jerusalem has finished paying the price for her crimes, and has atoned for her sins. Let’s change “crimes” and “sins” to being off your WLJ (or WMJ). What does it take for you to forgive yourself for going off plan? Whether it’s that you don’t write down what you eat (journaling), or don’t count your daily and/or weekly (and/or fit) points, or binging, or whatever else it is you may sometimes do (or refrain from doing), what do you need to do to forgive yourself and move on? And spiritually, what would happen if you didn’t forgive yourself?

I am off WW plan because I am too lazy and too consumed with my other issues to take the time to weigh and measure and even exercise. At the moment my priority is just to get through each day. I realize at some point I need to get back on plan, or some plan, but right now I am consumed with the issue with my gf (if there still is a gf).

3. What will it take for you to prepare both spiritually and practically for the revelation that YOU ARE a good person, even if you sometimes go off plan (or whatever it is you berate yourself for)?

I am still waiting for that revelation in the light of what has happened with her.

4. Isaiah emphasizes that this prophecy will no doubt come to fruition. Can you accept that the results will no doubt come regarding your weight or your eating or whatever it is you’re not feeling good about? Spiritually speaking, how do you prepare yourself for such results?

I believe things will need to be right between me and God before they can be right between me and her. I pray for that time and I do have faith that the time will come when things will be right. I spend a lot of time waiting for God's timing.

5. Isaiah addresses the city of Jerusalem with comforting words. What words of comfort might it take for you to speak comfortingly to yourself?

Those words will come first from God and then from her that my offering of repentance has been accepted. I have wasted a lot of time making excuses instead of admitting where I was wrong and then doing something about it.