κήρυξον τὸν λόγον

What’s the best way to focus a crowd, to get their attention, to quiet the conversation long enough to say something important? I suspect most people try the passive, saying “ Can I have your attention, please ?” But if you’re really bold, you’ll just stand up and shout out, Yo! Listen up! Or better yet, The Lord be with you! A preschool teacher might begin clapping, drawing the attention of the children in her midst to the excitement she’s providing. Or if you’re at a wedding reception, you probably find it highly effective to tap your spoon against the side of a glass. That gets everyone’s attention that it’s time for a toast or a kiss.  Today, the prophet Isaiah is calling for your attention. The word he uses is quite literally, Hoy! There, you’ve learned a new Hebrew word. Hoy! In our reading today, from Isaiah chapter 55, the English Standard Version would have you believe the first word of Isaiah 55 is Come ! But make no mistake, in Hebrew, Hoy! isn’t a command, and it defin...