At the end of his prophecy against Babylon and Assyria (chs. 13-14), Isaiah gives a warning to Philistia “in the year that King Ahaz died” (14:28). Philistia should not rejoice at the death of Ahaz, because the “rod” that has struck Philistia is broken. Ahaz is the rod who . . . . Continue Reading »
In a long article on mouth-purification in the ANE and Isaiah, Victor Hurowitz says that Isaiah has presented three, even four, lawsuits in the first six chapters of his prophecy: “The first ‘lawsuit’ is found in Isaiah 1:2—20 . . . The second ‘lawsuit’ is found . . . . Continue Reading »
The phrase “I saw the Lord” is used only a handful of times in the Old Testament. Amos sees Adonai beside the altar (9:1), and in some translations Psalm 16:9 (cf. Acts 2:25) begins with “I saw Yahweh.” Two passages are nearly identical. Micaiah says that he saw Yahweh . . . . Continue Reading »
When Isaiah sees Yahweh enthroned in the temple, he also sees seraphim standing above the throne (6:2), one of which flies to him carrying the coal that will purify his unclean lips (v. 6). What are these creatures at the throne of God? The word seraph comes from the Hebrew verb “burn,” . . . . Continue Reading »
In an article from Biblical Interpretation , Francis Landy points out that Isaiah’s word for Yahweh’s “train” ( shul ) is the same as the word used for the edge of the high priest’s robe adorned with bells and pomegranates (Exodus 28:33-34; 39:25-26). Yahweh is thus . . . . Continue Reading »
In a 1970 article in the Tyndale Bulletin , J. A. Motyer offers this superb summary of the plot of the servant songs: “the Lord’s purposes of grace for His people raise the problem of the plight of the remaining major portion of humanity {e.g. 41:28, 29). To this, the Lord’s reply . . . . Continue Reading »
In a 2004 article in the Concordia Journal Andrew Bartelt examines the structure of Isaiah 2-12, including the interrupted series of woes in chapter 5. He points out that the six woes of chapter 5 are chastically arranged in a way that anticipates a seventh and climactic woe: A. Woe #1 (v. 8): . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Scripture records a number of prophetic calls (Jeremiah 1; Ezekiel 1), but normally they occur at the beginning of the prophecy. Isaiah prophesies at some length before we learn about his call and the character of his ministry. THE TEXT “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw . . . . Continue Reading »
Yahweh is disappointed that His vineyard produces no good grapes. He wants wine, but doesn’t get any. The fruit he looks for is “justice and righteousness.” Hence: Justice is wine. Instead of the wine of justice, Yahweh finds blood. So comes Jesus: He sheds His blood in the city . . . . Continue Reading »
Luke records John saying that he is not worthy to loose the latch of teh shoe of the One who baptizes with the Spirit (3:15). In relation to Jesus, John is the lowliest of servants. But John may also intend something else. When Yahweh hoists the standard and hisses for the invading goy (Isaiah . . . . Continue Reading »
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