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His hand is stretched out still

December 19, 2024

Isaiah 9:18-10:4| 2 Peter 2:10b-16| Matthew 3:1-12

For all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is stretched out still.

Isa. 9:18-10:4;

This line from Isaiah stood out to me for two reasons. First, the phrase appears at the end of the first half of the passage, and then it is repeated at the end of the next section. Throughout the verses, the prophet highlights all the ways in which the people have gone astray describing their greed, lies, and the many wrongs they have committed. The tone is one of judgment, and it’s clear that the consequences of their actions have led them far from God.

But what struck me is that despite all of this, at the middle and end of the passage, the message shifts. It’s as if God’s judgment is not the end of the story, and His anger, though just and righteous, is not final.

In a sense, this line offers hope reminding us that no matter how far we’ve fallen, no matter the depths of our mistakes, God is always there, still reaching out to us. And this seems especially fitting during this time of year. 

In the midst of all the things that can go wrong in our lives—whether personal struggles, societal issues, or the messiness of the world—there’s a promise here that God is never far away. His invitation to us is always open, no matter the circumstances. 

Catherine Pilkington