Isaiah 65:17-25

The above passage is part of Isaiah's Messianic vision. It is a beautiful passage to read at any time, but a friend pointed it out to me during Sukkoth this year. Here's the connection: Part of (arguably, a big part of) the Sukkoth festival is the prayers for the prosperity of the coming year which, in antiquity, meant a prayer for rain so that the crops could be planted. Deuteronomy 11:10-14 conveys the idea that rain at the right time(s) of the year is important. Even the shaking of the palm fronds (part of the Sukkoth celebration) sounds like a gentle rain. So what brought Isaiah 65 to mind in this context? The first rainfall since our arrival here was the morning before the festival of Sukkoth began. Before they call I will answer... (Isaiah 65:24a). What a beautiful reminder of God's constant watchfulness and care for us!