How Beautiful On the Mountain

I have a friend and colleague who is a professional photographer.  Her name is Tricia Louque, and she takes some of the most gorgeous pictures. Many of them are of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her pictures are beautiful and they make you feel like you are there looking at the mountains.

The prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament uses the word beautiful to describe feet.  Now feet are not beautiful but Isaiah saw beauty in what they did.  Isaiah 52:7 – “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.” The Book of Isaiah brings two messages to the people of God.  In chapters 1-39, he brings warnings of judgement because of their continued idolatry and rejection of God.  In chapters 40 through 66, the prophet’s message becomes one of hope and rescue.  Isaiah makes a lot of references to the promised Messiah.  The Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah’s prophecies at least 80 times and the Servant Song (52:13-53:12) is used 40 times by New Testament writers.  Some say that Isaiah is more than a prophet. They say he is an evangelist who presents Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel.

After 70 years of captivity in Babylon caused by their unfaithfulness to God, messengers arrived with encouraging words that God’s people would soon be returning home. Verse 9 tells us that “the Lord has… redeemed Jerusalem.” The good news was not because of military might but it was the work of God’s “holy arm” on their behalf. (vs. 10)  Today, we live in such a sinful world and the only way we can have victory over this sin is to realize Christ’s sacrifice for each of us. When we realize what Christ has done for each of us, we become messengers of good news, proclaiming peace and salvation to those around us. We can do this with “beautiful feet.”

Prayer – Thank you, Father, for sending people into my life to share the good news of Christ’s sacrifice.  Give me the strength to share it joyously with others.  Amen.

Isaiah 52:7 – How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news.

Author: Tommy Herndon