Monday, March 15, 2004
Lenten Fast
The Martyr Agapios of Palestine
6th Hour: Isaiah 14:24-32 1st Vespers: Genesis 8:21-9:7 2nd Vespers: Proverbs 11:19-12:6
Isaiah 14:24-32 RSV, especially vs. 25: " I will break the Assyrian in My land, and upon My
mountains trample him under foot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder." The set of
prophecies from Isaiah we'll read this week unveils five mysteries of the Kingdom of God. While this first prophesy today
foretells the end of Assyrian and Philistine oppression for the ancient Kingdom of Judah, yet the Church finds in the
passage a type of the liberating power of the Gospel. One may discern three truths concerning God's liberating purpose in
history: 1) what God determines cannot be frustrated; 2) Divine relief frees the Faithful; and 3) God has a place where His
people may find refuge from affliction.
The Christian Mystery illumines the ultimate implication of these truths: 1) no power, not even death, can annul the
purpose of Christ the Life-giver; 2) in Him the Faithful are set free; 3) in the Church God has established, mankind finds
release from the bondage of sin and death. Two nations oppressed the ancient people of God and the Prophet Isaiah
addressed them: the vast Assyrian empire dominated the tiny kingdom of Judah economically, impoverishing God's people
by extortion of their livelihood in massive payments of tribute. The neighboring kingdom of Philistia, itself a satellite of
Assyria, raided, pillaged, and even conquered whole villages, cities, and farms of the Holy Land along its common border
with Judah, shrinking the tiny nation even further. The people felt these impositions as a yoke grinding them down under
heavy burdens (vs. 25), and as a punishing rod sent to afflict them (vs. 29).
The yoke can be imposed both on beasts and men to make them bear heavy burdens or pull ponderous loads. For the
Prophet, the yoke provided a vivid image of his nation's vassalage, a rule which Assyria forced on the People of God. The
Lord's immediate message to His ancient People was that the Assyria's yoke soon would be removed (vs. 25), but He adds:
"This is the purpose which the Lord has purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is uplifted against all the
nations" (vs.26). Notice the universality of the Lord's statement which opens the prophecy to become a type of the saving
work of God in Christ for all peoples.
The Faithful in Christ hear the loving invitation of the Lord Jesus: "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I Am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Mt. 11:29-30).
In Christ we are yoked with "Love [Who] is strong as death" (SOS 8:6), and proven stronger in His Resurrection. Thus, He
pulls the load we cannot bear alone. God's saving work cannot be annulled (Is. 14:27).
Of old the Lord promised: "I will break the Assyrian in My land, and upon My mountains trample him under foot" (vs. 25).
The phrase points to the risen Lord, Who "hath trampled down death by death." As Isaiah asks, "Who shall turn back His
uplifted hand?" (vs. 27 LXX).
Anciently, Isaiah warned the Philistines that the collapse of Assyria would not mean their release from God's wrath.
"Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, that the rod which smote you is broken, for from the serpent's root will come forth an
adder" (vs. 29). God has purposed to free all His beloved ones: "the first-born of the poor will feed, and the needy lie down
in safety" (vs. 32). "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28).
Finally, Isaiah declares that "The Lord has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of His People find refuge"(vs. 30). We
know the Church is that ultimate Zion, wherein those afflicted by the demonic principalities and powers, by their own
passions run amok, or by death escape "the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the...Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet.
2:20).
O Christ our God, the fulfillment of the Prophets, fill our hearts with joy and gladness.
