I. Introduction

When we express the hope for things to improve, it suggests that the current situation is less than ideal or not what we would prefer. Some individuals may encounter genuinely challenging circumstances, while others may simply require minor adjustments. We also express our hopes and dreams for things to come true, maybe something you have been waiting for, for a while. We hope for answers to come, and we wait in anticipation for that to happen. We feel deep gratitude when our circumstances improve, because what we hoped for came to pass.

II. The Son of God, our Hope and our Salvation

The Book of Isaiah is divided into three parts. In this first section Isaiah receives the vision from God, warning the people of Judah, in the Southern Kingdom about their forthcoming suffering, because of their religious failures. Jerusalem will be destroyed, but will be renewed later, because of Yahweh's grace and mercy upon them. He later prophesied that a Saviour would be born to save the nations from their iniquities. In Chapter 1 we read about Israel's rebellion and injustices and refusal to submit to the ways and values of Yahweh. We read about warfare and injustices, and how "the nation that postures as the stronger one, tramples on the weaker on, and then violence follows", says John N Oswalt in his commentary on Isaiah. Then here in verses 2 – 5, the author describes to the people of Israel the promise that in future days the renewal of Israel will come. They will become a light to the nations who will stream to it to hear the message of God, and they will walk in the light of God's ways. This is a message of hope and change, despite their rebellion; the hope they have in Yahweh, who will forgive and renew them. They will become God's instruments in bringing the nations together to hear God's message of peace. Isaiah describes how God will settle disputes between the nations and bring peace; and transform their ways so they will lay down their weapons and change them into useful tools. They will beat their swords into ploughshares, using the blade in front of the plough instead, and their spears will become pruning hooks to use for pruning grapevines and trees. This image is a transformative vision for the people of Israel and the nations who will stream to Zion to learn the truths about Yahweh, about peace and love, instead of violence, conflicts and war, destruction, chaos, despair and uncertainty. Yahweh will give them hope and bring them comfort and peace.

III. Conclusion

Isaiah's message is intended for Israel then and for future generations, to know that God, in the words of Paul Wedner, "is not finished with Israel", or with the world of our day. The world, as we know it, is not always a place of justice and peace. For many, there is very little or no hope for better lives. There are many efforts to provide for the poor, to bring about change and peace into various settings and contexts, but to bring about change and peace is hard work. From God's perspective, peace can only fully be realized when people walk in the light of God (verse 5). Jeremiah 6:14 addresses those who claim to pursue peace and frequently speak of it, yet their actions do not result in genuine peace. Jesus Himself in John 14 v 27 says "I do not give peace the way the world gives". Instead, He left us His true peace that cares and comforts, heals the sick, and makes living worthwhile, where compassion and loving kindness are the ingredients of the lives of those who follow Christ and Yahweh.

The birth of Christ gives us hope, because in Christ we have what we need to bring about a world the way God envisioned it. As the church of Christ, we know that our hope is in God through Christ, even when things look grim and our lives seem to fall apart. God is still not done with us and the world of today, even though it increasingly feels and looks like hope and peace remain elusive. Despite their rebellion and iniquities, the people of Judah and Israel were given another chance, a message of hope that would transform their lives. We too, as individuals can return to God when we feel we have sinned and strayed away from the ways of God, and found ourselves in situations of conflict and strife, and so can the nations of the world. May the God of hope make us instruments of this hope and help us to pray and trust that we will see our prayers heard, and experience peace and joy during this advent time. This is why the Son of God was born, to give us hope and our salvation. Amen.