The drive home was dreary. I would have to face my parents. They had invested a lot of money in my education, and I’d messed up. But when I got home Mama wrapped her arms around me, and with a smile said, “Welcome home, Franklin.”
Did God spare the boy and not the rest of his family? The question a lot of people are asking is, “Why did God do this?” This is particularly tough question.
Joseph. Remember him? Before he gets to the Bethlehem stable, he is a young man who just wants to marry his fiancee, settle down, make an honest living as a carpenter, and raise a family. Then it happens! He finds out that Mary is pregnant, and knows that he is not the father.
God made a covenant with God’s people to be “a light to the nations.” God does not expect us to use force. God expects us to provide light. The light Isaiah describes is not a searchlight like you find at an airport. It is a small, flickering flame.
The Los Angeles Police Department showed rookie officers the value of bullet-proof vests shooting into the vests. The rookies were asked to see if any of the rounds had penetrated the vests. Invariably the vests would pass the test with flying colors. Vernon would turn to the rookie officers and ask, "So who wants to wear a vest and let us test how it works on you?
THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE MESSIAH: Joseph does everything he needs to do in preparation for his wedding. Then what he never imagined would happen, happens. His fiancee is pregnant. He knows he is not the father. Suddenly his world shatters, as when a stone hurled by a child shatters ice on a pond.
The purpose of the game was not to win, but to have fun. And if the score got overly lopsided, we’d line up and choose sides all over again. As Isaiah put it, “Make a level highway in the desert for our God…"
They were unhappy, discontented; their surroundings were unfamiliar. Perhaps this is why Isaiah begins this portion of his writings with what sounds . . . like the steady, comforting beat of a drum, the constant call to look to the horizon and notice the coming of a Savior.
I visited the Royal Canadian Mint in Winnipeg years ago and saw a movie about the refining of gold; the impurities are burned away until 24 carat--pure gold--can be poured into bars. Only when the impurities are burned away, is the gold ready for use.
For these people in despair, Malachi has good news – God will indeed appear. Malachi says, “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!”