A Lenten Word - Let Us Set Things Right

Homily for Tuesday of the Second Week in Lent

A Lenten Word – Let us set things right

I suppose that I could have simply used the word “right,” but the phrase itself has a simple ring to it, something that is easy to remember.

“Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD…” (Isaiah 1:18)

In Hebrew the phrase refers to the arbitration of legal disputes. God offers to settle his case with Israel on the basis of the change of behavior demanded in the foregoing verses. For Israel it is a life or death choice; life in conformity with God’s will or death for continued disobedience. The Book of the Prophet Isaiah opens with this dispute between God and the children of Israel.

Legal disputes or suits come about when one party feels that the other party has harmed their relationship through their actions. The offended party asks for a monetary amount to compensate for the loss of honor through the defendant’s behavior. Often times, such legal disputes go on for year after year, and just as they are ready to go to court, they settle their suit by agreeing upon an appropriate sum of money.

Israel has entered into a covenant relationship with God. That covenant relationship promised blessings if the Israelites obeyed God’s commandments and curses if they disobeyed. God does not want to punish the children of Israel for their behavior, but if God levied a punishment, it would be justified. Consequently, God demands that they set things right. In other words, God wants them to enter into a right relationship characterized the beginning of the covenant of Sinai.

As we go through our day, let us remember God’s invitation to set things right.