So rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her! All who love her, join in with her great joy, especially those who remember her grief! 11 You, her children, will drink the milk of her prosperity and nurse with delight from her glorious abundance!

12 For Yahweh says: “I will extend to her prosperity like a river and the wealth of gentiles like a flooding river. You will nurse from her breast, be cradled in her arms, and delightfully bounced on her knees. 13 As a mother tenderly comforts her child, so will I tenderly comfort you, and you will find comfort in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:10-13

Isaiah’s message is targeted to all Jews everywhere. This would include ten nations that split away and became the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This nation was conquered by Assyria and the people scattered. We refer to them as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Isaiah directly addresses the people of Jerusalem which is the remnant of only two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, just before they are conquered by Babylon.

When Isaiah speaks of God’s promise to restore Jerusalem it should be good news to all Jews everywhere. This includes those who have been dispersed throughout the world and now known as the diaspora.The lesson to us today applies to our relationship with other Christians and other churches. We are to rejoice when a brother or sister prospers. This doesn’t mean there is less for us; it is a sign of God’s abundance and love. We should be happy because it displays the nature of God to bless His children.

The story Jesus tells of the Prodigal Son has a cautionary portion about the elder brother who could not rejoice in the grace of His father and the extraordinary love He displayed to the undeserving brother.

Don’t miss out on what God wants to do for you by being selfish or jealous. When we can genuinely rejoice with others who prosper in some way we open ourselves to be blessed through them.