INTRODUCTION As soon as Israel left Egypt, many wanted to return. Centuries later, they still want to go back because they hope Egypt can protect them from Assyria. It won’t work. Repentance, including repentance for trusting Egypt, is the only hope (Isaiah 30:15). THE TEXT “Woe to the . . . . Continue Reading »
When the Pharisees criticize Jesus’ disciples for not washing their hands before eating, Jesus responds by quoting from Isaiah 29:13: “this people draws near with their words and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” He immediately goes on to teach His . . . . Continue Reading »
“They draw near with their mouths, and honor Me with their lips, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their fear for me is commandment of rulers” (Isaiah 29:13; cf. Matthew 15:8). This well-known prophetic condemnation of hypocrisy implies a neat theory of language. First, it . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION In the opening section of this chapter, Isaiah prophesies the coming Assyrian siege of Jerusalem (Isaiah 36-37). David’s city is under siege (Isaiah 29:1), yet Yahweh intervenes at the last moment to disperse Jerusalem’s enemies like chaff (v. 5). THE TEXT “Woe to . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah 28:28: Grain for bread is crushed. You are God’s field, God’s vineyard. You are His planting, yield from the seed of His Word planted in the ground of your heart. You are the grain and the grapes of His harvest. The Lord is a wise farmer. He knows His land, knows just how much . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Throughout the first half of his prophecy, Isaiah addresses the Assyrian threat and its geopolitical consequences (Isaiah 1-12). In a series of six woes in chapters 28-35, he deals the temptation for Judah’s kings to rely on Egypt for protection (e.g., 30:1-5). Then, Yahweh . . . . Continue Reading »
World, tebel , is used four times in Isaiah’s little apocalypse. The four uses tell the story of this section of the prophecy. In 24:4, the world is fading and languishes. Isaiah hopes that through the Lord’s judgment the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness (26:9), but at . . . . Continue Reading »
In the dream of Pharaoh’s cup-bearer, he sees branches of a vine bud, blossom, and bring forth their clusters (Genesis 40:10). The budding vine was a sign of the cup-bearer’s restoration to his position in Pharaoh’s court. It signified his resurrection from prison and his . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah 27:2-6 promises that the Lord will restore the vineyard that he had earlier abandoned (Isaiah 5:1-7). He raises the vines up, restores the hedge that had protected it, turns it into a vineyard of wine. A song of praise and love replaces the lament of chapter 5. The section is a chiasm of . . . . Continue Reading »
So. The word “visit” ( paqad ) is also used seven times in the “little apocalypse” of Isaiah (24:21, 22; 26:14, 16, 21; 27:1, 3). Again, if nothing else, we have a numerical link with the days of creation, appropriate to a passage concerning the destruction and . . . . Continue Reading »
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