The Holy and The Good
The existence of God solves problems that are otherwise intractable. - Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
The prophet-
the world's first social critic-
the man or woman
who speaks truth to power,
does so on the mandate of God himself.
The call of the prophets were not, 'Be religious', nor was it, 'Be ethical.' It was,'Be religious by being ethical.'
Michelangelo
HENCE JEREMIAH:
Hear the word of the LORD to you, O king of Judah, you who sit on David's throne you, your officials and your people who come through these gates. This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the stranger, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. (Jer. 22:2-3)
This is AMOS on religious worship without social responsibility:
Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.(Amos 5:23-24)
And, most passionately, ISAIAH:
“The multitude of your sacrifices—
what are they to me?” says the Lord...
'When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even it you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.[a]
Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow...(Is. 1:11-17)
Their message was that the holy must lead to the good, and the good always lead back to the holy – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
wsarwmzansipens 
Amen!
The good…”a reflection of The Holy One.”
Thank you for these great words of comfort from your meditation of the words of the prophets and the priest.
I resonate with your words that the prophets were the first social critics…wow! What insight.
There is so much passion in Isaiah’s writings and words, I totally agree, you can almost hear his pleas from his heart for his people and the body of believers.
Thank you for the awesome photos of beautiful art that speaks to holiness and the light of life.
Great share and absolutely well presented in form and format.
P.S. As I read your words the reference to the faith of the stalwart prophets mentioned in Hebrews 11. kept coming to mind…for some reason.
Oh Poet the bible is alive and well even moreso for us living through these times.
The divinely inspired words of the prophets are a blessing for me to share and I’m so filled with pure joy that this post resonates with you.
I’m absolutely enthralled by the command of the word and the prophet’s sense and discipline as social critics. Powerful, passionate and spoken with a great sense for social responsibility.
I’m happy the artwork appeals to you. It wasn’t an easy search to find complimentary artwork for this post
Thank you for your kind words and for reading.
Let me go an read Hebrew 11 for my evening song. Thank you.
Yes, to the power of the scriptures (The Bible) living and breathing life into hearts.
Happy evening song! And by faith..we sing to His glory.
Amen, wishing you a beautiful evening.
Thank you!
I’ve said this before, but I have to say again – I love how much you invest yourself in your posts. This is a beautiful post.
❤
David
Yes, I remember very well you saying this to me before.❤
I do enjoy studying the Word and scholars of the Word and to share what I’ve learned with you. Thank you so much for your lovely and inspiring words Poet. ❤