Home
>
Spirituality
>
A People in Exile (Part 1)

A People in Exile (Part 1)

Second Isaiah, so called because his book of prophecy was affixed to Isaiah's, had the ability to interpret events in the light of the fundamental conviction that God was the supreme director of all movements of history. He spent most of his life proclaiming to his people, their deliverance and restoration. It was all so certain to this prophet that he saw it already accomplished. The power of religion has seldom been more beautifully expressed. The prophet's own experience; his own enthusiasm, his own optimism shines through his words as clearly as sunlight shines through a window.

The portrait presented to us in Isaiah by this nameless prophet of God depicts a troubled people in a troubled land.

Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion. Isaiah 52:1-2 (NIV).

The Israelites were struggle weary, hopeless, a haggard group of people who were dried out from suffering. In the great Babylonian civilization they constantly felt the tremendous power of the Chaldean Empire. Its mighty armies, gigantic buildings and great material wealth had crushed all hope out of their hearts. This poor lifeless despondent group of Jewish slaves succumbed to the idea that Babylon was far too mighty, far too powerful to be overthrown. They were a troubled people in a troubled land.

I ruminated over the fact that there are so many today who feel exactly the way the Israelites felt. A mood of disillusion has take possession of our lives. The dark cloud of apprehension and fear hangs over us. A sense of futility has somehow overlaid our hopes and taken captive our faith. Instead of us determining our own course, forces beyond our control seem to determine it for us. Many, many folks today feel powerless and frustrated. Many have not only lost their sense of internal reference, but they have also lost their sense of direction.

Washington, the seat of government, cannot ease our mental stress because we realize that even after Watergate, Camp David, peace talks, arms limitations, treaties and new presidents; the situation in this world is still grave.

While some of us are dying from overeating, people all around the world die daily of starvation. The sharp sword of nuclear holocaust dangles impatiently over our heads. There is weather upset, fuel crisis, mindless crime, political corruption at all levels. And, as if this wasn't enough, our own personal and individual problems appear to be mounting. Some folks because of the price hard times entail and some, caught up in the conflict of these times are being torn asunder.

Life is restless. It's untamed and moody and perilous. Life does not flatter you. It offers you toil and labor. It has in its bosom every possible danger in many modes of death: famine, fire, shipwreck, earthquake, hurricanes, plane crashes, cold, snow storms, and tornadoes.

We are born, no reason given. We just suddenly become aware one day that we are man or woman, an African pigmy, an Egyptian Pharaoh, a Chinese coolie, Abraham Lincoln or Jeffrey Dalmer. We are ushered into the Stone Age or Dark Age or Age of Technology. We inherit according to birth; belief in voodoo, Christianity, atheism or Judaism. We are born into this world to live and yet many die in infancy. Others, due to some unfortunate twist in fate, die in middle life and others live to a ripe old age.

And then we ask ourselves upon what principles are we allotted our looks. What is it that makes us ugly or attractive or "plain?" What is it that gives us a musical ear or an artistic eye; an affectionate disposition or an uncontrollable temper, a talent for mathematics or skills of language?

What about these frames in which we live with their tiresome demands and endless complaints. Our bodies do as they please with us. They become coronary prone, diabetic, emphysemic, burdened down with cancer. They mar our best intentions. They reinforce that which is low in us and keep our bodies in need of constant repair.

When you consider nature as our mother, she certainly is not the best of teachers.

(continued in Part 2)

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, will be available in July.

no-contract cleaning service Glenview ..

In The News:

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALL·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

A People in Exile (Part 1)

Spirituality