Isaiah’s Job
Each year, sometimes several times a year, I read one of the finest short essays on human action written in America.
It was written by Albert Jay Nock in the Atlantic Monthly in 1936.
It is called “Isaiah’s Job.”
In it, Nock, is very critical of anyone who is not “preaching to the choir.”
Preaching to the choir is the only legitimate role for a prophetic voice.
Reaching the lost is not the important work.
Preaching to the choir, or ‘the Remmant,” as both the Bible and Nock refer to it, is the proper role.
But that won’t make you popular.
And it may not feel very gratifying either.
You see, God didn’t want Isaiah to speak to the pre-assembled choir — a speaking gig that would be supremely fulfilling.
God wanted Isaiah to speak to the public, and to boldly say things only the choir would be able to appreciate.
This is a great way to get yourself killed in that day.
Imagine if you had the bravery to walk through life and to tell everyone you encountered the truths of life that perhaps only 1% of the population could really appreciate?
That would be you living honestly.
Instead, so many of us are concerned with popularity, even popularity among those we will never see again.
The book of Isaiah has such boldness in it.
It has so much wisdom that is useful in our present time.
But understanding that requires some reading between the lines.
Join me in that.
Tonight we begin.
Speaking the most bold and harsh truth at all times was Isaiah’s job.
Is there any reason that it shouldn’t also be yours?
https://realstevo.com/isaiah
Allan Stevo