Isaiah 66:18-24: God Sets a Sign
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Witten on March 4 and posted today as a Favorite . . .
For I know their works and their thoughts . . .
Isaiah reminds us that God sees all; there are no secrets. Just a few days ago we heard the words of Jesus as recorded by Luke telling us that what is whispered in the dark will come to light. It is impossible to hide from God for God is omniscient and all-knowing.
And I am coming to gather all the nations and tongues . . .
Isaiah reminds us that God is all powerful; God can do all things. Nothing is impossible for God. Jesus tells us that what is impossible with men is possible for God. (Luke 18:27, Mark 10:27, Matthew 19:26) It is impossible to conquer God who is omnipotent and eternal.
And they shall come and shall see my glory . . .
Isaiah reminds us that God is awesome; in the Old Testament we are told to fear, or to stand in awe of God for this reason. Jesus tells us that once we walk in God’s way, nothing will be impossible for us (Matthew 17:20) that God’s glory is our glory. This is the measure of God’s might and love. It is impossible for God to be or do evil for our compassionate God is goodness itself.
And I will set a sign among them.
Isaiah reminds us that God knows the faithful just as the faithful know God. Jesus tells the Father that he has come to gather in those faithful. When we bear witness to evil, we also bear the sign of God on our foreheads. It is impossible for God to forget or neglect us for God is love itself.
Isaiah lived at a time of deep and corrosive corruption and he understood the damage this kind of erosion has on people. He warned against the decay and fire that envelops those who neglect God’s way. His words continue to instruct us today. Jesus too, teaches us the lessons we need to know in order to be numbered in those who know and recognize God with ease.
St. Paul writes to the people of Philippi (4:8) one of the simplest yet truest and most beautiful descriptions of Christian living. Once we take these words in and own them, we have no need to fear the dire consequences we see in Isaiah today. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. If we can say that we seek truth, purity, and beauty, if we act in honor and justice, if we live grace-filled days, we need not fear the harvester’s sword.
God has set a sign among us. That sign is Christ. We need not fear Isaiah’s predictions when we respond to God’s call as St. Paul urges. Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious . . . this is excellence . . . this is worthy of praise . . . this is worthy of our time . . . this is God among us . . . this is Christ. Amen.
A re-post from August 18, 2011.
Image from: http://omgzi.blogspot.com/2010/10/ichthys-sign-of-fish.html
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