Isaiah 27 and 28 speak of the return of the remnant to Judah. Its guilt has been cleared. Isaiah, though, warns those who have led the people astray and have not followed the way of the Lord…to them will come punishment and judgment. They must turn from their ways and follow Him. They must recognize that God is greater than His creation. He is powerful enough to bring the wicked down.

            Philemon has only one chapter. It is a short letter from Paul to his friend and others who maintain a church in their home. The primary purpose of the letter is to speak on behalf of Philemon’s slave Onesimus. He was sent away apparently because of some wrongdoing. He ended up with Paul and they became close friends. Now, Paul is returning Onesimus to Philemon and asking that he no longer treat him as a slave but as a brother in Christ. Paul is not only speaking on Onesimus’ behalf but offers to pay for any wrong that was done to Philemon.

This is what Jesus has done for us. He speaks on our behalf to God when we deserve to be sent away. He has paid for whatever wrongs we have committed. He restores our relationship with God the Father not as creator and creature but as father and child. Because He has done this God accepts us. He deserves our gratitude and praise.