Some commentators take Isaiah 2:5 as the conclusion to the first paragraph of Isaiah. Seitz, for instance, says that v. 5’s exhortation to Israel to walk in light shows that Israel is going to have to make a pilgrimage to the mount of Yahweh’s house just like all the other . . . . Continue Reading »
In the latter days, the mountain of Yahweh’s house becomes the head mountain, and the nations come to it. They say “Let us ascend the mountain of Yahweh” (Isaiah 2:3). They are the great ascension offering of the nations arising in smoke to the Lord. Hence Paul: His . . . . Continue Reading »
In an earlier post, I noted the connection between Isaiah 1:29 and Genesis 3: As Adam became ashamed by eating the fruit and being defeated by the serpent, so Judah will become shamed by the oak trees where she worships idols, where she spreads her legs to every passing john. There’s . . . . Continue Reading »
“I will turn My hand against you,” Yahweh says (Isaiah 1:25). Then, “I will turn your judges as at the first” (Isaiah 1:26). Despite the difference in English translation, the Hebrew verb is the same in both verses ( shub ). Then, Zion’s “turned ones” . . . . Continue Reading »
As a consuming fire, Yahweh “eats” the bread of His sacrifices As a consuming fire, He also purges and smelts His people, burning away the dross so that the gold can become more pure and glorious. These two processes are one. In consuming His food on the altar, Yahweh is . . . . Continue Reading »
Jerusalem, Isaiah charges, is full of “murderers.” That is to say, it is like a city of refuge - the same word is used some 20 times in Number 35 to describe both the “manslayer” who finds refuge, and the murderer who is put to death. Isaiah uses the image of a city of . . . . Continue Reading »
Judah and the harlot city of Jerusalem have gone after idols, worshiping in terebinth groves and gardens. Yahweh intends to put an end to that worship (Isaiah 1:28-31). When He comes, He will make Judah ashamed of her trees and gardens. Instead of pleasant fruit, Judah will reap . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Jerusalem, the Daughter and Bride of Yahweh, has become a harlot (Isaiah 1:21). But Yahweh promises to purify her with fire, and raise her up as the chief of the world’s cities (2:1-4). THE TEXT “How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of . . . . Continue Reading »
Fat and blood are at the center of the Levitical system. Blood cleanses the altar, and opens the window of heaven so that the priest can offer the Lord’s portion, the fat, in smoke. Isaiah 1:11 places these two substances at the center of his condemnation of temple worship. . . . . Continue Reading »
INTRODUCTION Isaiah calls the people “hear” Yahweh’s torah (Isaiah 1:10), and the whole passage is framed by references to Yahweh’s words (vv. 10, 18, 20). His main indictment against Judah is that they refuse to listen, and He responds by refusing to listen to them (v. . . . . Continue Reading »
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