Put to shame

“Fear not for you will not be put to shame; neither feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced;  but you will forget the shame of your youth, . .”   Isaiah 54:4  .

Put to shame – There are several important meanings for this word.  The primary meaning of this Hebrew root (bosh) is to fall into disgrace.  In English, the connotation of shame is an inward one, stressing a state of mind known to the self.  This is not the case with the Hebrew word.  This word emphasizes public disgrace, a physical rather than a mental state.  A second connotation in Hebrew is the sense of confusion or embarrassment when things turn out badly.  Thirdly, the word may also carry the sense of disgrace that accompanies defeat or failure.  A fourth nuance of this word is found in the results that are produced by immoral or foolish action.  Finally there is the sense of feeling guilty for doing something wrong. 

The spiritual underpinnings of these uses of the word are all associated with the question of trust in God.  Whether the circumstances involved an individual or a nation, the issue of being put to shame is always a matter of trying to bring destiny to pass without divine intervention.  Whenever we try to live life without God, God tells us that we will be put to shame.  As Christ renews our lives, we can easily identify with all five uses of this Hebrew word.  We have experienced public disgrace, confusion, the sense of failure, humiliation for our immoral acts and tremendous guilt. 

But this verse promises us something entirely different.  Here God Himself promises that He will insure that we are not put to shame.  Moreover, He will help us forget the tyranny of our past.  Our shame cannot be overcome except by His divine intervention, but when He does intercede, He does more than forgive, He helps us forget.  What a blessing it is to know that as we continue with Him, those terrible reminders of our lives of chaos will slowly be replaced.  Forgetting will comfort us.  And finally, when we stand before Him in heaven, all of our disgraceful acts will be erased forever.  Free at last!  Free at last!