Isaiah poses many questions, questions that are spoken out into the world, pointing to that which can’t be contained in a single answer. Can we link remembering to imagining into the future? The voice of Isaiah reminds the people in exile that God remains steadfast from Creation forward. God holds the corners of the curtain that encompasses everything, the creative force that makes the place for all creatures to live.
Who is the One in power? The One who reduces those who rule some segment of creation to passing seasons or even to the rubble of a single storm. We see power wielded each day in systems, institutions, relationships, a single life. We grant power to others because of title and position. We grant power to others believing if they love us, choose us, we won’t have to struggle so much. We look to human systems of power to rescue us, to do for us what we don’t know how to do.
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundation of the earth?” The One with lasting power is the One with lasting creativity and imagination. The One who brought all to life sustains their living and holds the corners of their dwelling places. This One can give and take away power as swiftly as a winter storm. The One who created still rules over all; earth’s rulers will fade like straw, blown about and blown away by the wind.