Proverbs 3:1-10
The people hearing Isaiah 26 are exiles. They have been defeated, overpowered, and taken from their homes. They live in a constant state of displacement and unsettledness. To these people, Isaiah brings images of anticipated victory and blessing. He paints a picture of a world turned upside down by the ways of God, where the rich and lofty are defeated and the poor are victorious.
One of the keys to this passage is when Isaiah describes how those with steadfast minds will be kept in peace because of their trust (v. 3). The word used for “steadfast” is used in other places in scripture but is typically translated as “lay” or “lean” or “uphold.” It is an image of something being held up or sustained.
What a meaningful image for people who feel defeated and displaced! When our own resources and abilities seem depleted, we can lean upon God and trust that we will be upheld.
Author: Deanna Hayden