Isaiah
Isaiah 1-6
Wow! Blood and guts and destruction galore! Isaiah is a book I've been wanting to dig into deeply for about a year now. This reading is only going to open up more questions and desire for further study that I probably can't take on right now. I know that a cursory reading of the book will not do it justice. In this passage I found myself thinking, "Has this happened already or is it still to come?" Figuring that prophecy can be proleptic, I'll allow for the possibility of future fulfillment, but most seem to be focused on the coming fall of the nation of Israel.
The Lord begins with a statement of repulsion with the empty religion being practiced in Israel. Boy, some of these accusations sound applicable to many in the Church today! To wake them up, God even refers to His people as Sodom and as Gomorrah, which should have stirred at least some indignity among His people. His instructions are to
The terrible judgment. Israel being laid low. In 3:8-9 the accusations again take a familiar turn:
Finally chapter 6! An incredible vision of heaven itself. After seeing all that, how could Isaiah say anything but, "Here am I, send me!"? A touch of a coal to the lips has allowed guilt to be taken away and sin to be atoned for. At least in the same sense that any animal sacrifice atoned for sin. The real atonement came later.
Isaiah 7-11
The prophets aren't always easy to understand at first read, and although it's not really my first read much of the detail here will take a lot more research. However, I'll toss out a few observations.
Isaiah's son is named for a warning for the nation. It's reminiscent of Hosea's children. Many of Israel's prophets were given the job of being living examples and living illustrations for the people of Israel to understand. I wonder how many of the people really "got it". The virgin with child of 7:14 is said to be Mary, according to Matthew, but a certain level of fulfillment takes place with Isaiah's child as well. It's a time frame for the coming destruction for Isaiah. Assyria destroys Israel and eventually Assyria is destroyed as well.
A great passage of warning at 8:19-21.
The prophecy of Messiah in chapter nine segues into a prophecy of warning for Israel. God judges, yet there is hope. One of Isaiah's son is named, "a remnant will return". The promise comes in 10:20. Many have taken this to be future as well.
The eleventh chapter of the Branch from Jesse. There is the fulfillment at the incarnation and also at the "end of the world". Sorting out the details is tough work and far too intricate to outline in this fashion, especially without a month of two of research.
Isaiah 12-17
Chapter 12 is a song of praise, reading like it was taken straight from the Psalter. "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." This is the cry of Israel when the Lord shall reign.
The prophecy against Babylon predicts the entired kingdom being overthown "by God" and the city itself becoming desolate forever. Current scholarship places the city of Babylon somewhere in northern Iraq -- in a desolate area.
In the midst of the Babylonian prophecy, we see Lucifer's sin described in 14:12-17. Lucifer's sin and fate must be reminiscent of the Babylonian ruler. It would be easy to overlook that passage as simply part of the prophecy against Babylon. The phrases "fallen from heaven" and "cast down from the earth" are clues, as are the names "morning star, son of the dawn".
The shorter prophecies against Assyrian and the Philistines end chapter 14. Moab is mourned over in chapters 15 and 16 -- it will be gone in three years. Then Damascus' future is foretold in chapter 17. "You have forgotten God your Savior...
Isaiah 18-22
Wow. Tough stuff to read without a complete commentary or two. Various prophecies against the nations. However the prophecy toward Cush of chapter 18 sounds like there will be conversions from among those people. Same with at least five cities of Egyptians in 19:18 and following. Yet those who trusted in their own nation would be put to shame and carried off.
Isaiah performed the task of living prophecy as well as living prophet. In 20:3 we learned that Isaiah walked around buck naked for three years to illustrate what would happen to these peoples. Tough work being a prophet...
Babylon's prophecy is written in an interesting way -- the surprising defeat of Babylon learned from the report of the lookout.
The Edom prophecy features a play on words -- Dumah means silence and the prophecy is about Edom being completely quiet, presumably because it has been destroyed.
The people of Jerusalem met with a fierce anger from the Lord. The final segment is about Isaiah's replacement, it appears, Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, and his eventual end as well.
Isaiah 23-28
I wish I had a lot more insight into these chapters. If anything, this passage shows me how little I've paid attention to these prophecies. I was reading on another blog about many pastor's refusal to preach on OT texts. My response was that I believe most pastors don't know the OT texts as they do NT texts. I'm afraid I'm probably accurate on this count. These prophecies speak to the power of God and His foreknowledge, yet the specifics escape us. Are these prophecies fulfilled in Christ? in the end of the exile? yet to be fulfilled? How literal are the prophecies of Chapter 24 concerning the devastation of the earth? Is this the destruction of Jerusalem or a future event? Many questions begging my research.
Chapter 25 is a mighty psalm of praise... "let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."
Again I wonder when the prophecies of chapter 26-28 are fulfilled. I recognize the cornerstone prophecy of 28:16 which applies to Christ.
Isaiah 29-33
I noticed three passages in chapter 29 which are quoted in the New Testament. 29:13 is quoted by Jesus in Mark 7:6-7 as pertaining to the Pharisees, mostly. 29:14 comes back in 1 Cor. 1:19 when Paul is writing about the foolishness of man. Then 29:16 is brought back by Paul in Romans 9 in his discussion about God's sovereignty. It's odd to see three so easily recognizable in that short portion of Scripture.
The image of God as a consuming fire is repeated at least three times in this passage. There is much language of judgment and power regarding God and His reaction to the sins and rebellions of the people. Chapter 30 tells the people not to depend on Egypt for protection, presumably from the coming judgment. More hardship, distress, destruction follows until 30:18:
The picture of the ruler of the Kingdom of Righteousness of chapter 32 is yet another oasis. But with it comes a description and warning about being a fool. Then chapter 33 reads like a psalm of King David. God's love for His people is cherished. His power is celebrated.
Isaiah 34-39
More judgment. The Lord is angry with all nations. That's not good. Many images of blood and dismemberment throughout chapter 34. Edom seems to be taking the brunt of the assault. The place will be a wasteland after God gets through with it. Yet by 34:16, we see those in the Lord's favor are protected. Continuing through chpater 35, there is joy for those whom God saves. The ransomed of the Lord will return, singing as they come.
We return to narrative in chapter 36 with the story of Sennacherib's seige of Jerusalem. King Hezekiah has wisely thought ahead to keep his own citizens from getting into a shouting match with the Assyrians. The people on the wall heard the boastful threats of the commander, but said nothing, as per instructions.
The boast were based on Assyria's accumulated victories. If the other gods couldn't stop them, then why would Israel's God be able to? The commander taunts the people on the wall in Hebrew to be sure they understand. He tries to persuade them to turn against Hezekiah. It sounds like the captivity will be better than the current conditions, and perhaps it would have been.
The administrator, the secretary and the recorder report back to the king. Hezekiah sends them to Isaiah the prophet for instructions. The king asks God to avenge those who insulted the Living God. Isaiah's message for the king is to ignore the Assyrians. As prophecied, the Assyrian forces are to be called home to deal with the Cushites. But Sennacherib still tries to convince Hezekiah
to surrender.
Hezekiah prays sincerely and honestly. This is a great example of how we should approach the Living God. The king's answer is a favorable one because of this honest and humble prayer. The angel of the Lord kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight. Sennacherib broke camp and went home. Assumedly, the troops went as well. Sennacherib, as predicted, is cut down in another battle.
Chapter 38 deals with the king's severe illness -- an infected boil, it appears from 38:21. In any case, Hezekiah's death is imminent until he prays. Isaiah sends word that God has granted the king 15 more years. Hezekiah's prayer of thanksgiving is touching.
The good will party from Babylon is shown everything in the palace. Perhaps Hezekiah is showing off. In any case, Isaiah gives Hezekiah the bad news and the king takes it well -- after all, he thinks, "it's all going to happen after I'm dead." What a poor way to go out. It is not clear whether this punishment is because of Hezekiah's antics, although the way it is phrased, we are led to believe that the particulars of the exile are chosen because of the king's bragging.
Isaiah 40-44
Finally, another familiar chapter of Isaiah as we come to chapter 40. And what a chpater it is! Comfort is coming for Israel in the person of Jesus Christ, but first comes the one preparing the way. Israel has paid for her sins -- double in fact. Now the herald is calling out that the deliverer is coming. Even though man is just a temporary life on earth, God's word doesn't die. It doesn't fade. Now is the time to see the Lord coming in power.
We go from the power of God in 40:10 to the tender, caring shepherd in 40:11, then into a description of the incredible God beginning again in 40:12. This passage is reminiscent of God's speech at the end of the book of Job. The nations are but nothing. Idols are a waste of gold and wood. God is beyond anything else imagined. His holiness is called to mind in 40:16, His majesty in 40:22, His power in 40:23-24. There is no one like our God.
Not only is He powerful, but He is our hope. Our strength is renewed in Him. So many people use 40:31 as their life verse, urging a constant faith and hope in the One who strengthens us.
At chpater 41 we see the power of God intimidating the idol worshipers of the islands. Although they encourage one another, the fight is in vain. God has come for His Israel. Poigniant is 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." This is the God who was
King David's strength and shield. This is the God who takes up Israel's cause.
The image of God creating water and shade in the desert for a hot and thirsty people dominates 41:17-20. The God who provides.
Next is a taunting of false gods in 41;21-24. The God who judges justly.
The Suffering Servant makes His entrance in chapter 42. He is not a conquering hero, but a quiet judge. He will destroy those who trust in idols, but will uplift those who call on Him. God has sent tragedy upon Israel for their sins were great. But in chapter 43 redemption comes and Israel is gathered together once again.
At 43:10b we have a statement of God's uniqueness, "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me, I even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior." It is all plain to see.
Even as Israel is being gathered, we see the nature of God's mercy. He is a forgiving God, remembering sins no more. Israel did not earn mercy -- indeed one cannot earn mercy -- for the people have been sinful and unfaithful since day one.
Again in 44:6b we see that there is but one God and no other. This is a common theme throughout this section of Isaiah. We shall see more in coming chapters. Also in 44:8 we have another instance. The prophecy then turns to a discourse about the foolishness of idols. This has always seemed like the obvious argument to me -- you use half the wood for a fire and the other half you worship? Foolish. God is redeeming Israel and as chapter 44 is closing we see that Jerusalem will spring back to life as well as the Temple of the Lord.
Isaiah 45-50
Chapter 45 continues the prophecy of the resettling of Jerusalem after the exile (presumably). Again with prophecy, it is hard to get a full-orbed understanding without extensive research. Shining out from the verses is the repeated proclamation from God that He alone is God and that there is no other like Him. This would be an important passage for the Latter-Day Saints to grasp. We will not become gods in any sense, as God Himself tells us that He is the only God and that there never has been another or will be another like Him. Five times in chapter 45 the words are given by God and in 45:14, even the foreigners admit such to Israel.
The foolishness of the Bablylonian Gods are mentioned in chapter 46. Again, the uniqueness of God as the only deity is taught. Babylon's eventual doom is predicted in chapter 47. This must have seemed impossible both to the world and to the Babylonians themselves.
God's attention turns back to Israel in chapter 48 and to their stubborn refusal to turn completely from idolatry. In 48:12-13 is a reference used in Revelation of God being the first and the last -- Alpha and Omega. This is an important passage in defense of the deity of Jesus Christ, and in His part in creation as laid out in 48:13. Finally Israel's release from Babylon is foretold in the final portions of chapter 48.
The Suffering Servant returns in chapter 49. He is "the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel... despised and abhorred by the nation..." Israel is to be restored because God has not forgotten His people. Chapter 50 is a call to obey the Servant who is not so weak as to be unable to redeem Israel. Obedience is key. 50:10-11 are illustrative of how it is to be: those in the dark are to trust and rely on God, but those who are content with their own imitation lights are told to stick to the imitation and await the coming punishment.
Isaiah 51-55
Chapter 51 begins with a promise from God to restore Israel once again. Even though the things of earth, and even earth itself, will wear out, the salvation of God is forever. Israel has been drinking of the Lord's cup of wrath and in 51:23, God promises to give that cup to Israel's enemies.
The reason for Israel's restoration is for God's glory. His enemies have been mocking Him and soon they will see their mistake. God will bring His people out of Assyria as He brought them out of Egypt, but there will be no need to hurry, as God will be bringing up the rear as guard.
The Suffering Servant appears once again at 52:13, leading us into the incredible 53rd chapter of Isaiah. The beautiful poetry of this chapter becomes even more beautiful once one knows the identity of the Servant. So much prophecy is so obviously fulfilled from within this chapter. He was despised and rejected. He was not beautiful so that everyone would want to be with Him. He took our punishment and yet it appeared that God had turned His back on Him. The "we are healed" of 53:5 is a spiritual healing. The parallelism of the verse makes this plain with
the first part of each line being physical and the last part of each line being spiritual.
The fulfilled prophecy keeps coming line by line. His silence, His lack of decendents, His grave... all these things noted as fulfilled in the Gospel accounts. Over and over we are told that He bore our burden for us and that He is our intercessor.
At 54:5, we see another reference to the deity of Christ. The Redeemer is called the God of all the earth. The description of God's actions being emotional in nature is interesting. Certainly God doesn't act capriciously. He has a plan and a reason for everything, but the best way for us to understand is to compare His actions to normal human reactions.
God promises to rebuild Jerusalem with precious stones and jewels -- an allusion to the incredible value He sees in that city.
Even the wicked will be forgiven if he repents and turns to God. Although that doesn't seem right to some, God tells us in 55:8-9 that His ways are not our ways. We don't have His understanding or perspective. He sends out His word and it accomplishes what He wishes. And those who trust Him will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. Certainly everything isn't singing mountains and clapping trees in a believer's life, but God is with us. It is all for the Lord's renown. For His glory.
Isaiah 56-61
The words of God continue to be given to all in chapter 56. A picture is given of those outside Israel reaching out to Him and God receiving them. "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations," (56:7) is the verse recited by Jesus while cleansing the temple. Clearly God is not simply a national God. It is the righteous He is calling while the wicked are punished -- but not always in the way the world expects. God explains in 57:1-2 that many righteous die to be spared from further evil. It is victory which is found at death for them. But the wicked will continue to be tormented on earth. Even their good works will be exposed as having bad motives (56:12). The idols which lured the evil are not saving gods. They are not able to rest (56:20-21). There is no peace for the wicked.
However those who are contrite will live with the Holy One forever.
The falseness of the fasts are exposed in chapter 58. Why is God ignoring their fasting? Because their heart isn't in it. They refrain from eating, but not from their evil lifestyle. But true fasting is described in 58:6-14. It is not a lack of food, but standing for the oppressed and hungry and poor and homeless and naked. It is eerily reminicent of Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats.
A new set of charges begin in chapter 59, but it is the same theme. God is holy. Man is evil and his deeds are corrupt. Those craving justice go unsatisfied until the Lord takes matters into His own hands beginning in 59:16. Two pieces of the armor of God are mentioned in this description: the breastplate of righteousness (technically He puts on righteousness as a breastplate) and the helmet of salvation. God will mete out justice. But His promise is that His Spirit will not leave.
Chapter 60 begins a section foretelling the glory of Zion. It is a time where all will recognize the light of Israel - or more accurately, Israel's God. The city walls are rebuilt by foreigners and their kings will serve Zion. There is a sense in which this is fulfilled in the resettlement of Jerusalem, but there seems to be much more to it than I would have imagined. Chapter 61, of course,
begins with the passage Jesus claimed to fulfill in declaring the year of the Lord's favor.
Isaiah 62-66
Chapter 62 again speaks of the raising up of Jerusalem until it becomes the crowning jewel of earth. The land is to be healed and all is to be well. The people are to reap what they plant instead of having it taken by other nations. God is sending His Savior to redeem Israel. The vengeance of the Lord will come at that time. The picture of the Savior wearing clothing soaked in the blood of His enemies is vivid.
The text turns to praise at 63:7. It reads like one of David's psalms calling for the Lord to redeem His people. It is a time where the Israelites do not possess the land they were promised. At 63:18 we see that the land is occupied no longer and that enemies have overtaken it. The call for God to act continues in chapter 64, as the author recounts the many times when God came to save His people, Israel.
I love the beginning of chapter 65 because it a) is quoted in the New Testament, b) it tells of God bringing Gentiles to Himself and c) it sounds so much like what God has done for us. He revealed Himself to nations who did not ask for Him. He was found by those who didn't seek Him. God makes it easier for us in our current culture because it is easy to find out about Him if we are looking. Those without access to all we have must follow the light of creation and conscience to find Him. With us, we have revelation all around us. Yet 65:2-3 is also very true. "All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations -- a people who continually provoke me to my face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick..." How common it is for us to reject God in spite of all God does for us. We wallow in our sins but yet tell others, "Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!" What foolishness! Yet God knows and justice will be served.
God will not abandon His people because of the failures of some. He will provide for the righteous, but will punish the ungodly.
At 65:17 we begin the final promise of the prophecy, that of a new heaven and a new earth, where everything is peace and love and wolves and lambs will share stable space. 66:3 is important to remember. "This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." But all this will not happen overnight. (Indeed it has been over 2500 years already!)
Wow! Blood and guts and destruction galore! Isaiah is a book I've been wanting to dig into deeply for about a year now. This reading is only going to open up more questions and desire for further study that I probably can't take on right now. I know that a cursory reading of the book will not do it justice. In this passage I found myself thinking, "Has this happened already or is it still to come?" Figuring that prophecy can be proleptic, I'll allow for the possibility of future fulfillment, but most seem to be focused on the coming fall of the nation of Israel.
The Lord begins with a statement of repulsion with the empty religion being practiced in Israel. Boy, some of these accusations sound applicable to many in the Church today! To wake them up, God even refers to His people as Sodom and as Gomorrah, which should have stirred at least some indignity among His people. His instructions are to
"Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."Social responsibility, put simply. Of course, Israel was essentially a theocracy, but still Christians today could learn something from what God wanted done.
The terrible judgment. Israel being laid low. In 3:8-9 the accusations again take a familiar turn:
Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying His glorious presence. The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.And so the punishment will come. More woes in 5:20-24:
Again, awfully familiar. How does God restrain Himself?Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.
Finally chapter 6! An incredible vision of heaven itself. After seeing all that, how could Isaiah say anything but, "Here am I, send me!"? A touch of a coal to the lips has allowed guilt to be taken away and sin to be atoned for. At least in the same sense that any animal sacrifice atoned for sin. The real atonement came later.
Isaiah 7-11
The prophets aren't always easy to understand at first read, and although it's not really my first read much of the detail here will take a lot more research. However, I'll toss out a few observations.
Isaiah's son is named for a warning for the nation. It's reminiscent of Hosea's children. Many of Israel's prophets were given the job of being living examples and living illustrations for the people of Israel to understand. I wonder how many of the people really "got it". The virgin with child of 7:14 is said to be Mary, according to Matthew, but a certain level of fulfillment takes place with Isaiah's child as well. It's a time frame for the coming destruction for Isaiah. Assyria destroys Israel and eventually Assyria is destroyed as well.
A great passage of warning at 8:19-21.
The prophecy of Messiah in chapter nine segues into a prophecy of warning for Israel. God judges, yet there is hope. One of Isaiah's son is named, "a remnant will return". The promise comes in 10:20. Many have taken this to be future as well.
The eleventh chapter of the Branch from Jesse. There is the fulfillment at the incarnation and also at the "end of the world". Sorting out the details is tough work and far too intricate to outline in this fashion, especially without a month of two of research.
Isaiah 12-17
Chapter 12 is a song of praise, reading like it was taken straight from the Psalter. "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation." This is the cry of Israel when the Lord shall reign.
The prophecy against Babylon predicts the entired kingdom being overthown "by God" and the city itself becoming desolate forever. Current scholarship places the city of Babylon somewhere in northern Iraq -- in a desolate area.
In the midst of the Babylonian prophecy, we see Lucifer's sin described in 14:12-17. Lucifer's sin and fate must be reminiscent of the Babylonian ruler. It would be easy to overlook that passage as simply part of the prophecy against Babylon. The phrases "fallen from heaven" and "cast down from the earth" are clues, as are the names "morning star, son of the dawn".
The shorter prophecies against Assyrian and the Philistines end chapter 14. Moab is mourned over in chapters 15 and 16 -- it will be gone in three years. Then Damascus' future is foretold in chapter 17. "You have forgotten God your Savior...
Isaiah 18-22
Wow. Tough stuff to read without a complete commentary or two. Various prophecies against the nations. However the prophecy toward Cush of chapter 18 sounds like there will be conversions from among those people. Same with at least five cities of Egyptians in 19:18 and following. Yet those who trusted in their own nation would be put to shame and carried off.
Isaiah performed the task of living prophecy as well as living prophet. In 20:3 we learned that Isaiah walked around buck naked for three years to illustrate what would happen to these peoples. Tough work being a prophet...
Babylon's prophecy is written in an interesting way -- the surprising defeat of Babylon learned from the report of the lookout.
The Edom prophecy features a play on words -- Dumah means silence and the prophecy is about Edom being completely quiet, presumably because it has been destroyed.
The people of Jerusalem met with a fierce anger from the Lord. The final segment is about Isaiah's replacement, it appears, Eliakim, son of Hilkiah, and his eventual end as well.
Isaiah 23-28
I wish I had a lot more insight into these chapters. If anything, this passage shows me how little I've paid attention to these prophecies. I was reading on another blog about many pastor's refusal to preach on OT texts. My response was that I believe most pastors don't know the OT texts as they do NT texts. I'm afraid I'm probably accurate on this count. These prophecies speak to the power of God and His foreknowledge, yet the specifics escape us. Are these prophecies fulfilled in Christ? in the end of the exile? yet to be fulfilled? How literal are the prophecies of Chapter 24 concerning the devastation of the earth? Is this the destruction of Jerusalem or a future event? Many questions begging my research.
Chapter 25 is a mighty psalm of praise... "let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."
Again I wonder when the prophecies of chapter 26-28 are fulfilled. I recognize the cornerstone prophecy of 28:16 which applies to Christ.
Isaiah 29-33
I noticed three passages in chapter 29 which are quoted in the New Testament. 29:13 is quoted by Jesus in Mark 7:6-7 as pertaining to the Pharisees, mostly. 29:14 comes back in 1 Cor. 1:19 when Paul is writing about the foolishness of man. Then 29:16 is brought back by Paul in Romans 9 in his discussion about God's sovereignty. It's odd to see three so easily recognizable in that short portion of Scripture.
The image of God as a consuming fire is repeated at least three times in this passage. There is much language of judgment and power regarding God and His reaction to the sins and rebellions of the people. Chapter 30 tells the people not to depend on Egypt for protection, presumably from the coming judgment. More hardship, distress, destruction follows until 30:18:
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him.An oasis of hope within a sea of despair. His love for Israel is shown throughout the rest of chapter 30. Then by chapter 31, we return to the warnings about relying upon Egypt.
The picture of the ruler of the Kingdom of Righteousness of chapter 32 is yet another oasis. But with it comes a description and warning about being a fool. Then chapter 33 reads like a psalm of King David. God's love for His people is cherished. His power is celebrated.
Isaiah 34-39
More judgment. The Lord is angry with all nations. That's not good. Many images of blood and dismemberment throughout chapter 34. Edom seems to be taking the brunt of the assault. The place will be a wasteland after God gets through with it. Yet by 34:16, we see those in the Lord's favor are protected. Continuing through chpater 35, there is joy for those whom God saves. The ransomed of the Lord will return, singing as they come.
We return to narrative in chapter 36 with the story of Sennacherib's seige of Jerusalem. King Hezekiah has wisely thought ahead to keep his own citizens from getting into a shouting match with the Assyrians. The people on the wall heard the boastful threats of the commander, but said nothing, as per instructions.
The boast were based on Assyria's accumulated victories. If the other gods couldn't stop them, then why would Israel's God be able to? The commander taunts the people on the wall in Hebrew to be sure they understand. He tries to persuade them to turn against Hezekiah. It sounds like the captivity will be better than the current conditions, and perhaps it would have been.
The administrator, the secretary and the recorder report back to the king. Hezekiah sends them to Isaiah the prophet for instructions. The king asks God to avenge those who insulted the Living God. Isaiah's message for the king is to ignore the Assyrians. As prophecied, the Assyrian forces are to be called home to deal with the Cushites. But Sennacherib still tries to convince Hezekiah
to surrender.
Hezekiah prays sincerely and honestly. This is a great example of how we should approach the Living God. The king's answer is a favorable one because of this honest and humble prayer. The angel of the Lord kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers overnight. Sennacherib broke camp and went home. Assumedly, the troops went as well. Sennacherib, as predicted, is cut down in another battle.
Chapter 38 deals with the king's severe illness -- an infected boil, it appears from 38:21. In any case, Hezekiah's death is imminent until he prays. Isaiah sends word that God has granted the king 15 more years. Hezekiah's prayer of thanksgiving is touching.
I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.That is compelling. If only we would learn without all the anguish.
The good will party from Babylon is shown everything in the palace. Perhaps Hezekiah is showing off. In any case, Isaiah gives Hezekiah the bad news and the king takes it well -- after all, he thinks, "it's all going to happen after I'm dead." What a poor way to go out. It is not clear whether this punishment is because of Hezekiah's antics, although the way it is phrased, we are led to believe that the particulars of the exile are chosen because of the king's bragging.
Isaiah 40-44
Finally, another familiar chapter of Isaiah as we come to chapter 40. And what a chpater it is! Comfort is coming for Israel in the person of Jesus Christ, but first comes the one preparing the way. Israel has paid for her sins -- double in fact. Now the herald is calling out that the deliverer is coming. Even though man is just a temporary life on earth, God's word doesn't die. It doesn't fade. Now is the time to see the Lord coming in power.
We go from the power of God in 40:10 to the tender, caring shepherd in 40:11, then into a description of the incredible God beginning again in 40:12. This passage is reminiscent of God's speech at the end of the book of Job. The nations are but nothing. Idols are a waste of gold and wood. God is beyond anything else imagined. His holiness is called to mind in 40:16, His majesty in 40:22, His power in 40:23-24. There is no one like our God.
Not only is He powerful, but He is our hope. Our strength is renewed in Him. So many people use 40:31 as their life verse, urging a constant faith and hope in the One who strengthens us.
At chpater 41 we see the power of God intimidating the idol worshipers of the islands. Although they encourage one another, the fight is in vain. God has come for His Israel. Poigniant is 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." This is the God who was
King David's strength and shield. This is the God who takes up Israel's cause.
The image of God creating water and shade in the desert for a hot and thirsty people dominates 41:17-20. The God who provides.
Next is a taunting of false gods in 41;21-24. The God who judges justly.
The Suffering Servant makes His entrance in chapter 42. He is not a conquering hero, but a quiet judge. He will destroy those who trust in idols, but will uplift those who call on Him. God has sent tragedy upon Israel for their sins were great. But in chapter 43 redemption comes and Israel is gathered together once again.
At 43:10b we have a statement of God's uniqueness, "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me, I even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior." It is all plain to see.
Even as Israel is being gathered, we see the nature of God's mercy. He is a forgiving God, remembering sins no more. Israel did not earn mercy -- indeed one cannot earn mercy -- for the people have been sinful and unfaithful since day one.
Again in 44:6b we see that there is but one God and no other. This is a common theme throughout this section of Isaiah. We shall see more in coming chapters. Also in 44:8 we have another instance. The prophecy then turns to a discourse about the foolishness of idols. This has always seemed like the obvious argument to me -- you use half the wood for a fire and the other half you worship? Foolish. God is redeeming Israel and as chapter 44 is closing we see that Jerusalem will spring back to life as well as the Temple of the Lord.
Isaiah 45-50
Chapter 45 continues the prophecy of the resettling of Jerusalem after the exile (presumably). Again with prophecy, it is hard to get a full-orbed understanding without extensive research. Shining out from the verses is the repeated proclamation from God that He alone is God and that there is no other like Him. This would be an important passage for the Latter-Day Saints to grasp. We will not become gods in any sense, as God Himself tells us that He is the only God and that there never has been another or will be another like Him. Five times in chapter 45 the words are given by God and in 45:14, even the foreigners admit such to Israel.
The foolishness of the Bablylonian Gods are mentioned in chapter 46. Again, the uniqueness of God as the only deity is taught. Babylon's eventual doom is predicted in chapter 47. This must have seemed impossible both to the world and to the Babylonians themselves.
God's attention turns back to Israel in chapter 48 and to their stubborn refusal to turn completely from idolatry. In 48:12-13 is a reference used in Revelation of God being the first and the last -- Alpha and Omega. This is an important passage in defense of the deity of Jesus Christ, and in His part in creation as laid out in 48:13. Finally Israel's release from Babylon is foretold in the final portions of chapter 48.
The Suffering Servant returns in chapter 49. He is "the Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel... despised and abhorred by the nation..." Israel is to be restored because God has not forgotten His people. Chapter 50 is a call to obey the Servant who is not so weak as to be unable to redeem Israel. Obedience is key. 50:10-11 are illustrative of how it is to be: those in the dark are to trust and rely on God, but those who are content with their own imitation lights are told to stick to the imitation and await the coming punishment.
Isaiah 51-55
Chapter 51 begins with a promise from God to restore Israel once again. Even though the things of earth, and even earth itself, will wear out, the salvation of God is forever. Israel has been drinking of the Lord's cup of wrath and in 51:23, God promises to give that cup to Israel's enemies.
The reason for Israel's restoration is for God's glory. His enemies have been mocking Him and soon they will see their mistake. God will bring His people out of Assyria as He brought them out of Egypt, but there will be no need to hurry, as God will be bringing up the rear as guard.
The Suffering Servant appears once again at 52:13, leading us into the incredible 53rd chapter of Isaiah. The beautiful poetry of this chapter becomes even more beautiful once one knows the identity of the Servant. So much prophecy is so obviously fulfilled from within this chapter. He was despised and rejected. He was not beautiful so that everyone would want to be with Him. He took our punishment and yet it appeared that God had turned His back on Him. The "we are healed" of 53:5 is a spiritual healing. The parallelism of the verse makes this plain with
the first part of each line being physical and the last part of each line being spiritual.
The fulfilled prophecy keeps coming line by line. His silence, His lack of decendents, His grave... all these things noted as fulfilled in the Gospel accounts. Over and over we are told that He bore our burden for us and that He is our intercessor.
At 54:5, we see another reference to the deity of Christ. The Redeemer is called the God of all the earth. The description of God's actions being emotional in nature is interesting. Certainly God doesn't act capriciously. He has a plan and a reason for everything, but the best way for us to understand is to compare His actions to normal human reactions.
God promises to rebuild Jerusalem with precious stones and jewels -- an allusion to the incredible value He sees in that city.
Even the wicked will be forgiven if he repents and turns to God. Although that doesn't seem right to some, God tells us in 55:8-9 that His ways are not our ways. We don't have His understanding or perspective. He sends out His word and it accomplishes what He wishes. And those who trust Him will go out in joy and be led forth in peace. Certainly everything isn't singing mountains and clapping trees in a believer's life, but God is with us. It is all for the Lord's renown. For His glory.
Isaiah 56-61
The words of God continue to be given to all in chapter 56. A picture is given of those outside Israel reaching out to Him and God receiving them. "My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations," (56:7) is the verse recited by Jesus while cleansing the temple. Clearly God is not simply a national God. It is the righteous He is calling while the wicked are punished -- but not always in the way the world expects. God explains in 57:1-2 that many righteous die to be spared from further evil. It is victory which is found at death for them. But the wicked will continue to be tormented on earth. Even their good works will be exposed as having bad motives (56:12). The idols which lured the evil are not saving gods. They are not able to rest (56:20-21). There is no peace for the wicked.
However those who are contrite will live with the Holy One forever.
The falseness of the fasts are exposed in chapter 58. Why is God ignoring their fasting? Because their heart isn't in it. They refrain from eating, but not from their evil lifestyle. But true fasting is described in 58:6-14. It is not a lack of food, but standing for the oppressed and hungry and poor and homeless and naked. It is eerily reminicent of Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats.
A new set of charges begin in chapter 59, but it is the same theme. God is holy. Man is evil and his deeds are corrupt. Those craving justice go unsatisfied until the Lord takes matters into His own hands beginning in 59:16. Two pieces of the armor of God are mentioned in this description: the breastplate of righteousness (technically He puts on righteousness as a breastplate) and the helmet of salvation. God will mete out justice. But His promise is that His Spirit will not leave.
Chapter 60 begins a section foretelling the glory of Zion. It is a time where all will recognize the light of Israel - or more accurately, Israel's God. The city walls are rebuilt by foreigners and their kings will serve Zion. There is a sense in which this is fulfilled in the resettlement of Jerusalem, but there seems to be much more to it than I would have imagined. Chapter 61, of course,
begins with the passage Jesus claimed to fulfill in declaring the year of the Lord's favor.
Isaiah 62-66
Chapter 62 again speaks of the raising up of Jerusalem until it becomes the crowning jewel of earth. The land is to be healed and all is to be well. The people are to reap what they plant instead of having it taken by other nations. God is sending His Savior to redeem Israel. The vengeance of the Lord will come at that time. The picture of the Savior wearing clothing soaked in the blood of His enemies is vivid.
The text turns to praise at 63:7. It reads like one of David's psalms calling for the Lord to redeem His people. It is a time where the Israelites do not possess the land they were promised. At 63:18 we see that the land is occupied no longer and that enemies have overtaken it. The call for God to act continues in chapter 64, as the author recounts the many times when God came to save His people, Israel.
I love the beginning of chapter 65 because it a) is quoted in the New Testament, b) it tells of God bringing Gentiles to Himself and c) it sounds so much like what God has done for us. He revealed Himself to nations who did not ask for Him. He was found by those who didn't seek Him. God makes it easier for us in our current culture because it is easy to find out about Him if we are looking. Those without access to all we have must follow the light of creation and conscience to find Him. With us, we have revelation all around us. Yet 65:2-3 is also very true. "All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations -- a people who continually provoke me to my face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick..." How common it is for us to reject God in spite of all God does for us. We wallow in our sins but yet tell others, "Keep away; don't come near me, for I am too sacred for you!" What foolishness! Yet God knows and justice will be served.
God will not abandon His people because of the failures of some. He will provide for the righteous, but will punish the ungodly.
At 65:17 we begin the final promise of the prophecy, that of a new heaven and a new earth, where everything is peace and love and wolves and lambs will share stable space. 66:3 is important to remember. "This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word." But all this will not happen overnight. (Indeed it has been over 2500 years already!)
posted by rev-ed @ 3:09 PM
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