Scripture Study for

Isaiah announces that even foreign people are called together by God, and will become a sign to other foreigners of the glory that they themselves have seen. This vision is quite surprising, for Israel was not a nation that engaged in much missionary activity. Both the universal nature and the cultic character of the vision become clear. People stream to Jerusalem from all four directions. They all come to worship on God’s holy mountain. What is most amazing is that from these foreign people God will call forth priests and Levites. Both ethnic privilege and cultic regulations are set aside. 

The author of Hebrews softens the view that suffering is discipline from God by appealing to the relationship of parent to child. If it is out of love and concern that parents discipline their children, then suffering can be seen as rigorous training from God that can strengthen us. According to the wisdom tradition, an individual must choose one of two paths, the way of the wise or the way of the foolish. The path referred to here is the way of the wise athlete, and the advice given admonishes the runner to make sure that the path is straight so that there will be no mishap. 

Jesus is questioned about the number of people saved. He gives no direct answer but turns the focus from curiosity about the salvation of others to concern about one’s own future. His words illustrate the surprising reversals that the reign of God will bring forth. Salvation is not promised exclusively to one group rather than another. It will be surprising to see who is saved and who is not. Insiders will be kept outside and outsiders will be brought in; Jews will be barred from the messianic banquet while Gentiles will feast at it; outcasts will be welcome, but religious elites will not. While this is true only of some members of each group,  the reversals are startling.