Isaiah says this message* from The LORD,
about God's people and their leaders too,
about some precious things he now abhorred,
now worthless, hated, things he would eschew.
And in his choice of images to show,
to help to give a feel, to illustrate,
he starts to draw the picture so we'd know
with vivid cameos that might relate.
He told about a wife, who was belove’d,
and faithful to her husband and her vows,
that now had gone a-whoring, and was shoved
into a market-place to cry for hours.
A city that was filled with righteous folk,
who cared about it's thriving, justice too.
But now was filled with people who would joke
at the expense of poor (the needy who
could not defend themselves). Inhabitants
who’d murder people just for their own gain.
Jer-u-sal-em, you were like silver once,
refined, and treasured, strong and bright, unstained.
Your coins & currency meant something then,
built on and in a people who retained
the purity and character of when
folk truly bore God's likeness and his name.
But now you're worthless as the silver's dross.
You were like good wine, made to celebrate,
as at the wedding before faith was lost;
but you have been so watered, now of late.
Your leaders, they are rebels, friends of thieves,
and rip-off merchants, keeping their control,
by getting/giving gifts and bribes to ease
their power base, but they have sold their soul.
They'd not defend the fatherless in court,
or listen when a widow put her case^.
But when Messiah came his life was fraught
with signs°, of godly leadership & ways.
He'd listen, look, and know, and point to show,
a widow's gift so small no one would guess
that by it she then led the way to go
with worship of the type for which God cares.
* Isaiah 1:21-23 GNTD "The city that once was faithful is behaving like a whore! At one time it was filled with righteous people, but now only murderers remain. Jerusalem, you were once like silver, but now you are worthless; you were like good wine, but now you are only water. Your leaders are rebels and friends of thieves; they are always accepting gifts and bribes. They never defend the fatherless in court or listen when widows present their case." Isaiah 1:21-23 Hebrew & various translations...
° Years later, knowing this, John is interested to note that Jesus does the opposite of the (above-mentioned) process of "good wine, watered", he is providing another kind of leadership. ... “On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” John 2:1-11 NRSV
But the time is coming — indeed, it’s here now — when the true worshippers will worship the Father spiritually and truly, for these are the kind of people the Father wants worshipping him. God is spirit; and worshippers must worship him spiritually and truly.” The woman replied, “I know that Mashiach is coming” (that is, “the one who has been anointed”). “When he comes, he will tell us everything.” … Jhn 4:23-25 CJB
As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mk 12:38-44 NRSV-CI
^ James 1:26-27 26 Do any of you think you are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself. 27 What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of the fatherless and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.James 1:26-27
