Burn the boots - by Elizabeth Reynolds

To continue on from Isaiah’s passage in chapter 9 that was spoken on Sunday:

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…

It goes:

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered

the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

I was wondering in particular about verse 5 and what it could mean. And once again to use Timothy Keller’s Hidden Christmas as a help here, Isaiah’s words suggests that the great victory over evil will not require our strength. That we wont need warrior’s boots, armour, garments or weapons. Someone else will do the fighting for us. It is not until later in Isaiah 42-55, that we are told who this person is who will do our fighting. We are told that

…He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

When we trust in the work that Jesus did on our behalf rather than in our own efforts – (in the passage it likens it to physical battle, but our everyday battles are matters of morals, principles, right decisions, behaviours…) – God accepts us, forgives us, welcomes us and gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit to renew us. And this is the Light Isaiah talked about! A great light that flashes upon us and it’s a gift. And the only way to receive this gift is to admit that we are totally and utterly in need of God’s grace. That we can’t make solutions to the darkness of this world with our own efforts and things of the world.

Are you going to lay down your own weapons, armour and boots for battle, and allow Jesus to fight for you, Who has already won the victory?