We’re moving through a section of Isaiah that pronounces judgment on various nations (Isaiah 13 – 23). In chapter 24, Isaiah pronounces a curse upon the whole earth:
The earth lies defiled under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed the laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt; therefore the inhabitants of the earth are scorched, and few men are left. (Isaiah 24.5, 6, ESV)
Is this reminiscent of Romans 8?
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (Romans 8.19 – 22, ESV)
Somehow we think that the natural order of things ought to be peace and joy. And for most of us in the US, it is, most of the time. Then violence breaks out in Minnesota, for example. Oh my! But for some people, maybe most people in the world, that’s ops normal. We’re coming up on the 4th anniversary of Russian’s invasion of Ukraine, for example.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that we’re not yet on the New Earth:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21.1 – 4, NIV)
We’ll have death, mourning, crying and pain UNTIL the former things have passed away.
Speaking of Russia and war, I follow a school in Ukraine called new generation Christian School, I think. You can find them on Facebook. Wonderful school, bilingual, teaching those students faith, grace and hope! But they are in a section of Kyev That has been bombed so badly that as of 2 or 3 days ago, they are completely without electricity in that whole area. And the daytime temperatures are still below freezing. The temperatures in the buildings are going down daily. She said it was about 59 in the classroom last week. So sad.
What a wonderful joy to look forward to!