阅读经文 

以赛亚是在向一个价值观冲突的文化说话。在某些方面，它就像我们今天的文化：人们聚集在一起敬拜，却对为神而活不感兴趣。许多人醉心于财富、美貌、权力和物质生活。（参赛 1-2）

以赛亚的信息对当时的人来说是不舒服的，而今天它仍然能震醒人们。神并不满足于人们走过场的敬拜，然后忽略祂的呼召，在这个世界上做公正和正确的事。以赛亚的信息显明上帝标准的深度。上帝通过以赛亚警告百姓，他们的罪会带来毁灭和被掳的后果。

但将来神会带来复兴。神应许要差遣一位救主，祂将以行正直和公义的事来带领神的百姓，并为各国带来和平与安息。

以赛亚用生动的形像来描述这一切，他拿树来比喻神子民的审判和救赎。代表权力和威望的高大树木将被砍伐，变得卑微，但当树桩上长出嫩芽时，希望就会再次升起。

神的灵会这样做——不是基于人的力量或骄傲，而是靠智慧、怜悯和公义。伟大将通过谦卑来实现，生命将通过死亡而来。

Isaiah was speaking to a culture with conflicted values. In some ways it was like our culture today, in which people might gather for worship but are not really interested in living for God. Many are distracted by wealth, beauty, power, and material things. (See Isaiah 1-2)

Isaiah's message was uncomfortable for people then, and it still jolts people awake today. God isn't satisfied with people going through the motions of worship and then ignoring his call to do what is just and right in the world. Isaiah's message unveils the depths of God's standards. Through Isaiah God warned the people that their sin would bring consequences— destruction and captivity.

But then later God would also bring restoration. God promised to send a Savior who would lead by doing what is right and just, bringing peace and rest for the nations.

Isaiah uses vivid imagery to describe all of this, and he compares the judgment and redemption of God's people to trees. Big, lofty trees representing power and prestige will be cut down and brought low. But hope will rise again later when a shoot grows from a stump.

The Spirit of God will do this—not on the basis of human power or pride but by wisdom, mercy, and justice. Greatness will come through humility. Life will come through death.