Isaiah 63:16b, 64:3-7

You, LORD, are our Father and Redeemer. You act in favor of those who trust in you and welcome those who accomplish justice joyfully.

The different style of Isaiah 40-66 is evidence that it was written by a different author, most likely during the time of Cyrus of Persia, and then appended to the prophecies of the prophet Isaiah. In 539 BCE Persia conquered Babylon. The author of Isaiah 40-66 rejoices in the hope that the Judeans, who had been exiled from Judah to Babylon after Jerusalem was conquered by the Babylonians in 587 BCE, will be allowed by the Persians to return to their home.

The prophet urges the Judeans to trust in God, to do justice, and to live joyfully. In the sixth century BCE what would the prophet's words have meant to the people of Judah? In the 21st century CE what might it mean to seek justice joyfully and to trust in God?

Grace and peace...Bob