GodSpeak: Advent 2018 – “Light NOW! – Peace”

GodSpeak for the Week of December 9

“Light NOW – Peace!”

 

We continue this week with our Advent Sunday theme of putting the “light” of Christ into practice “now,” by considering God’s famous promises through the prophet Isaiah and in consideration of the work we will be doing to bless folks at Women’s Advocates (a domestic violence shelter in Minneapolis).

Day 1…Read Isaiah 9:2

  • Consider this – the word translated from Hebrew as “darkness” in this verse actually means “misery.” Thus literally, “The people walking in misery have seen a great light.”
  • Answer this – for women and children in the Twin Cities who are suffering from this miserable “darkness”, what does it mean to have access to the “light” of Women’s Advocates?
    • What does it mean to have access to an emergency shelter, after-care services?

Day 2…Read Isaiah 9:2 (especially end of verse)

  • Consider this – the prophet is moved by God to double-down on the promises here; i.e., “…on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
  • Answer this – for those suffering domestic violence and displacement, what might these words say to them in particular?

Day 3…Read Isaiah 9:4

  • Consider this – in Hebrew the name “Midian” means “strife.” So, this could read: “For as in the day of ‘strife’s’ defeat…”
  • Answer this – what could the promises of God, like: the “shattering the yoke that burdens them [moms and kids]” mean for these saints?
    • How could “Midian’s defeat” speak to moms and kids of domestic violence?

Day 4…Read Isaiah 9:6

  • Consider this – in v. 4, Isaiah has spoken of the removal of the “bar across their shoulders”; while here he talks about the “government” being on the “shoulders” of the promised child.
  • Answer this – what promise through Isaiah’s words is God through Christ offering women and children suffering from domestic violence?

Day 5…Read Isaiah 9:6 (again)

  • Consider this – the promised child is referred to as: “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace.”
  • Consider this – in Hebrew, the word translated “peace” boasts a host of meanings, among them: “completeness,” “soundness,” and “welfare.”
  • Answer this – how might these definitions of “peace” speak to a mother and/or kids fleeing domestic violence?

Day 6…Read Isaiah 9:6-7

  • Consider this – in addition to the definitions for “peace” mentioned in Day 5, the Hebrew word also means things like: “safety” (of body), “health”, “prosperity”, “quiet”, “contentment”.
  • Consider this – if you get a chance, take a look at the work Women’s Advocates is doing in the Twin Cities.
  • Answer this – how are the people at Women’s Advocates faithfully acting out these promises God offers, along with all the meanings for the word “peace”?

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