21 Gifts of Advent预览

The Gift of Voices 

I hope that you took time to read the prophecies of Jesus and how He fulfilled the promises foretold.  A long time ago before the Jesus story came to life, God revealed important pieces to some of His faithful servants, the prophets. Three of the most important were Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah. 

Isaiah had a voice like a trumpet. It rose strong and clear across a wilderness of godlessness. It spoke loudly and melodically to those who listened. Like a musical instrument, Isaiah’s prophecy was used to proclaim, to announce, and to warn. And its sound wafted in the air long after the trumpeter had ceased to play. Like an echo, Isaiah’s voice hung over the Israelites, with tones of God’s displeasure over their evil, corrupt, and idolatrous ways. However, in the midst of Isaiah’s prophecy of gloom, came God’s message of hope for a Messianic King. 

Micah had a voice like a timpani. It pounded the heartbeat of God’s will to the nations. His voice was noisy and irritating to those who didn’t want to march to it. To those who listened, Micah spoke with clarity, precision, richness, and majestic flair—compelling to those who had a heart to follow. Micah’s significant voice was accused by those who said he took God too seriously and spoke negatively. The people thought he was crazy for saying Jesus would be born out of the small town of Bethlehem. However, Micah spoke of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who would feed His flock, and those who followed Him would dwell safely. Everyone liked that part of Micah’s prophecy, yet didn’t want to obey God. They wanted to follow their own desires.

Lastly, Jeremiah had a voice like a solo violin. It soared above the din of accusations hurled at him. It was as if his continual tears reached the God-fearing people, filling them with sorrow and mourning for the sins of their nation. To the godless, however, this voice was undermining and heard as shrieking that needed to be silenced. So the oppressors ridiculed and persecuted Jeremiah. Hope was spoken ... yet the people were deaf. 

Advent reflection: We all like the idea of having a Shepherd Savior, but we fail to hear God’s instructions. This Advent, have faith to read His word and hear the Voice of Hope that Jesus brings.