from the margins

exploring faith’s foundations from the edge

Isaiah, All Kirsten Trued Isaiah, All Kirsten Trued

Going Through the Motions? Isaiah Has Thoughts

Isaiah 66 questions whether ritual without sincerity has any real meaning. The text challenges the value of outward displays of devotion when humility and integrity are missing. It’s a sharp look at performative practices—ancient and modern—and how easily we might miss the point.

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Dressed to the Nines (in Righteousness)

Isaiah 61 compares righteousness to clothing—and not just any clothing, but wedding garments. It’s a vivid metaphor that raises questions about identity, recognition, and how we “wear” our values. From celebratory robes to stained battle clothes, this section of Isaiah explores what it means to be dressed for more than just the occasion.

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Free Refills for the Soul: Isaiah 55 and the Hunger We Can't Quite Name

Isaiah 55 asks a surprisingly modern question: why do we keep chasing things that don’t satisfy us? From free wine and milk to the quiet nourishment of listening, the chapter challenges assumptions about value and fulfillment. This post reflects on what it means to feed our lives with intention—and what we might be missing when we don’t slow down.

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Who Do You Think You Are? (No, Really)

What does it mean to be “chosen” when everything familiar has fallen apart? In Isaiah 44, identity isn’t just inherited—it’s reclaimed, redefined, and surprisingly resilient. This reflection explores how ancient words can still speak to modern questions of who we are and how we hold onto ourselves in times of change.

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Name-Dropped by the Divine? Let's Talk Isaiah 43

What does it mean to be called by name—and why does it matter? Isaiah 43 offers unexpectedly personal language about identity, presence, and being known. This reflection explores those themes from a secular perspective, asking how we define connection in a world that often feels anonymous.

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Be Careful What You Pray For: Hezekiah’s Second Chance Gets Complicated

Hezekiah's story in Isaiah 38–39 begins with a dramatic recovery and ends with an unsettling decision. Granted fifteen more years of life, he uses that time in ways that spark questions about legacy, pride, and unintended consequences. It’s a reminder that surviving the crisis is only part of the story—what we do afterward can matter just as much.

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Crocuses in the Chaos: When Deserts Break the Rules

Isaiah 35 paints a wildly unlikely picture: flowers blooming in the desert. It’s a scene that challenges assumptions about where growth is even possible. This post explores what that might mean—not just for ancient readers, but for anyone who's lived through dry seasons of their own.

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Outsourcing Stability: Why Egypt Keeps Showing Up

Isaiah 30 paints a picture of a nation placing its trust in the wrong place—looking to Egypt for security instead of facing uncomfortable truths at home. The text critiques this dependence, calling it both fruitless and avoidant. It raises a broader question: when we're feeling uncertain, where do we turn, and why?

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When the Market Crashes: A Port City’s Eulogy

Isaiah 23 tells the story of Tyre, a wealthy trade city whose collapse sends shockwaves through the ancient world. It’s not fire and fury—it’s economic silence, and somehow that feels eerily familiar. What does it mean when financial power isn’t enough to hold a city—or a system—together?

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When God Hits Pause: A Curious Look at Isaiah 18

Isaiah 18 paints a vivid picture of global tension—racing messengers, rising powers—and then takes an unexpected turn: God simply watches. This quiet pause, compared to summer heat or morning dew, opens up questions about timing, presence, and restraint. What if stepping back isn’t absence, but a different kind of engagement?

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Lucifer, Lost in Translation?

Isaiah 14:12 is often quoted as a reference to the fall of Satan—but in its original context, it’s aimed at the king of Babylon. The verse, rich with poetic imagery, was never about demons or angels, but about the downfall of earthly power. This blog explores how one verse shifted from royal insult to cosmic myth.

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Sour Grapes and Six Woes: Isaiah's Guide to a Failing Society

Isaiah 5 reads like a poetic takedown of a society losing its way—starting with sour grapes and ending in total collapse. The chapter lays out six “woes” that feel surprisingly current: unchecked greed, moral confusion, and a culture that numbs instead of noticing. It’s less about condemnation and more about holding up a mirror.

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When Perfume Turns to Stench

Isaiah 3 offers a dramatic reversal of beauty and status, where perfume turns to stench and fine accessories vanish. These aren't just wardrobe changes—they're symbolic markers of identity and power. This post explores how ancient fashion conveyed deeper meaning, and what it might reveal about the symbols we still cling to today.

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