God Feet, Good News

Isaiah 52:6-7 Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I. 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
 
THIS chapter begins with God’s call to Israel to awaken and prepare to wear garments of splendor and be free from the chains on your neck. This is very good news, isn’t it?
    The LORD reminds Israel of their history of bondage, trouble and unbelief. Then he points ahead once more to the trouble in Babylon. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock.” (Isaiah 52:5)
    It is that context of a troubled nation that the Father God announces to Israel a most blessed future. “Therefore” tells Israel their suffering will be done. The Father will not long tolerate his people’s exile. He will end the mocking of his name among the pagans. As he freed his people from bondage in Egypt, he will free a new generation from their punishment in Babylon. A day will come to revive God’s name in Judah. His people will know his name, and they will hear and obey his wondrous words.
    Read Nehemiah and Zechariah, and you will find these words fulfilled. As the Jews return to Jerusalem not only must they rebuild the city, the temple and their economy, but they must rebuild their relationship with their Creator. Nehemiah 8 records the community coming together to  hear God’s Law read – not for a few minutes or even for an hour, but for six hours at a time! So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.
    What would the men and women do with what they heard? Nehemiah 8:6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” (May it be so! May it be so!)  Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
    Their feet on God’s mountain in Jerusalem would move to live for the Lord and to tell the good news of salvation in the LORD God Almighty.
    This prophecy even extends to the New Testament and to the new heaven. From this same mountain has come the gospel to proclaim peace, with the good tidings – the good news of salvation, “Our God reigns!”
    How are your feet? Walking in worship?  
 
Isaiah 52:10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.