Isaiah uses the verb lacham seven times. The verb is related to the noun bread ( lechem ) and can mean “eat.” It is also used in military contexts, and this is the way Isaiah uses the word every time. This is not insignificant; other words were available to Isaiah - strike, smite, make . . . . Continue Reading »
The chronology of the later kings of Israel is confusing. Hoshea, the last king of Israel, seized power from Pekah, who had reigned fro 20 years (2 Kings 15:17). That was in the third (perhaps fourth) year of Ahaz of Judah, since Ahaz began to reign in Pekah’s seventeenth year (16:1). Yet, . . . . Continue Reading »
King Ahaz’s name tells it all. His name means “possessor,” and the verb means “grasp” or “seize” and in nominal uses means “possession” or “portion.” As King of Judah, Ahaz has his portion and his realm. But in Isaiah the verb is . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Assyria threatened, and in response the kings of Israel and Aram formed an anti-Assyrian alliance and tried to force Ahaz of Judah to join them. But the real threat to Judah was her own unbelief.THE THE TEXT “Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of . . . . Continue Reading »
The fullness of the earth is God’s glory: God clothes Himself with creation. Mike Bull writes to remind me that this also fits into Isaiah 6. The woman is the glory of man: Therefore, creation as God’s glory is also God’s bride. The triune God has freely determined that He will . . . . Continue Reading »
Mike Bull reminds me that the coals from the altar fire were used to ignite the fire that destroyed a rebellious city, turning it into an ascension offering (Deuteronomy 13; cf. Ezekiel 10). After being touched with a coal, Isaiah becomes a fiery coal, cast down to burn the rebellious harlot . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah enters the presence of King Yahweh, who is surrounded by burning ones. One burning one takes a coal and touches Isaiah’s lips. Toby Sumpter points out that this lights Isaiah on fire. He becomes a burning one. He becomes a fire-breather, whose words destroy and purge Judah. He is the . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah says that the “fullness of all the earth is [Yahweh’s] glory.” Or, Yahweh’s glory is the fullness of the earth. Or, the fullness of God’s glory is the earth. My colleague Toby Sumpter suggests glossing this as: “Yahweh’s glory-robe is the fullness of . . . . Continue Reading »
In an essay on Isaiah 6, R. W. L. Moberly notes that the cleansing of Isaiah’s lips and his commission as a prophet binds him with God in a way that is different from most of Israel. As a result, “his life takes a different course from that of Israel generally.” A purged man in an . . . . Continue Reading »
Isaiah enters a temple filled with smoke, and sees Yahweh enthroned. He must be in the Most Holy Place, the throne room of the temple. When the seraph cleanses his lips, he says that Isaiah’s sin is “covered,” using kaphar , as in Yom Kippur . Is Isaiah (in vision, if not reality) . . . . Continue Reading »
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