More Than Just A Man

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
    and who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
    and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
² look to Abraham, your father,
    and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
When I called him he was only one man,
    and I blessed him and made him many. 

 Is 51:1-2

I start with an assumption at the time of writing. I understand in context that Isaiah is speaking first to the people of Israel.  I also understand that He is speaking to the coming Messiah.  But as a Christian, all the promises fulfilled in Christ concerning the blessings that are due to Abraham are ours also.  Knowing all of this, I start at the point that 

the writer is also speaking to those who are born again.

He sets a hook in the first verse that grabs the hungry hearted.  Those that are pursuing righteousness and seeking God, LISTEN.  All those who are thirsty, LISTEN.  All those who are longing for more, believing that God satisfies the hungry, LISTEN.  All those who long for justice for the oppressed, LISTEN.  All those who are taking your first steps in believing that God wants to speak to you, LISTEN.  All those who know that Jesus found you when you were broken, unworthy, and with nothing to offer, LISTEN.  You see, no matter  how unique and varied your background…we are equal with our opportunity to LISTEN.  He has given us ears to hear His Spirit speaking to our spirit.  So we need to make sure that we listen.  And then Solomon would tell us to then gain understanding.

He then tells us to LOOK.  There is a connection between LISTENING and LOOKING.  He asks us to look at the rock from which we were cut.  This verse is about our identity.  Where did we come from?  Most of us would spend our time focusing on the rock and not it’s origin.  We talk all about it’s shape, clairity, and density.  We focus on it’s imperfections and compare it to other rocks.  The author is telling us that it’s origin is the important factor to keep one’s focus.

Now he uses Abraham and Sarah as the focal point of the text.  Israel originated from their “father” Abraham and “birth” from Sarah.  What made them special? He says there were just mere people.  Until God blessed them.  Then they became many.

Encouragement for today.  God says He is the rock of blessings that Abraham was cut from.  If God found Abraham he can find us to.  He chose to bless Abraham, he will bless us also.  Abraham’s faith was credited as righteousness, ours will be also.  Remember our creator, our God, our loving master.  He has made all things new in our lives.

Hey, Rock that was cut

Where did you come from?

Do you remember your name?

Who made you special?

You hold value in __________’s eyes