A LARGER FAMILY

These promises to the people of Judah in exile were heartening: “Do not be afraid. God will act again to intervene on your behalf.” God would bring them back to their land and restore their nation. This would fulfill the promise Moses made to the people that even if their nation was taken into exile as a result of their unfaithfulness, God would “restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you” (Deuteronomy 30:3). If they would turn back to Him, God would bring Israel’s children—“your children”—back to Jerusalem. But Isaiah also called them to a larger vision of God’s family. God’s promises were not only about the exiles in Babylon; His new and larger vision for the people of God included those He would bring from all points of the compass: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made” (Isaiah 43:6, 7).

God would bring the children He had created—“my sons . . . and my daughters”—into His family. This was a similar message to Jesus’ description of Himself as the good shepherd. He would lead and protect, even lay down His life for His sheep.

But they should not assume that His sheep were only those in the sheep pen they knew. “I have other sheep,” Jesus said, “that are not of this sheep pen.

I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). God was prepared to push His people to a larger understanding of who was invited to be part of His family—and whom they should seek to include.