The new Wesley Study Bible has many good reminders of our tradition and a few places that carry forth perspectives that were helpful for their time, but need to be put away in light of new understandings.

This resource comments on this section:

A first editorial section of Isaiah’s preaching is concluded with two brief songs (vv. 1-2; vv. 3-5). These two stanzas have elements of thanksgiving and praise and reflect the psalms, which Isaiah may have been familiar with from temple worship in Jerusalem. They express confidence that the Lord is a source of salvation that ultimately transcends God’s anger. Thus, the prophet can sing of trust in God’s salvation as a source of hope.

In the midst of the dark of winter and the cold of an economy directed toward invisible hands grasping at financial profit, we have choices to make when that grasping hand turns an obscene invisible finger to so many people.

Will we remember that G*D’s love ultimately transcends any anger we experience?

Will we focus on anger and blame and miss the available hope and love?

One way to come at this has to do with our appreciation for the breadth and depth of John Wesley’s interest in topics of his day - from educational processes, to the use of new-fangled electricity in healing, to a denial of a biblical justification for slavery even though it shows up so often.

What in today’s world would change his thinking because the realities of life would no longer allow to him to cling to an idea just because it was long-held? I think he would chide us for our reliance on capitalism, our inhospitable approach to immigration, and a too-narrow view on homosexuality.