Something Greater

Isaiah 14, Part Four: Pride and Arrogance Israel had been besieged by Babylonia. Jerusalem was sacked and its population killed or exiled to Babylon (Daniel 1). Babylonia itself was then besieged and conquered by the Medes. (Daniel 5:3). The final king of Babylonia, Belshazzar, proclaimed five instances of "I will...": I will ascend to heaven; Above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. (Isaiah 14:13-14 ESV) STARS: kokab "ko-KAWB" (a star, as round or shining); probably from kabbon (hilly, as heaped up) or from kawa (to prick or penetrate; to blister, as smarting or eating into) MOUNT OF ASSEMBLY: har mo'ed "har mo-ADE" (a mountain or range of hills of an appointment; a fixed time or season; a festival; a year; an assembly; the congregation; the place of meeting; a signal);

Isaiah 14, Part Three: Fall From Power and Privilege Israel's triumph over Babylon brings an opportunity to express superiority in the form of a taunt. Isaiah 14:3-4 (ESV) When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased! TAUNT: mashal "maw-SHAWL" (a pithy maxim; a simile, in the sense of superiority); from mashal (to rule) The great emperor of Babylonia would fall in defeat, to be ruled by those he oppressed. The scornful song imagines a scene in Sheol, the place of the dead, where the leaders of nations that had fallen to Babylon take up the taunt: Isaiah 14:9-11 (ESV) It rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. All of them will answer and say to you: You too have become as weak as we! You

Isaiah 14, Part Two: Submission in Service The broken nations of Syria, Assyria and Babylon would join themselves with Israel, content to be servants. Isaiah 14:1-2 (ESV) For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the LORD's land as male and female slaves. They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them. MALE SLAVES: ebed "EH-bed" (a servant); from abad (to work, in any sense; to serve, till or enslave) FEMALE SLAVES: shipha "shif-KHAW" (a female slave, as a member of the household); from a word meaning to spread out, as a family) CAPTIVE: shaba "shaw-BAW" (to transport into captivity; imprisoned or confined) Isaiah later adds more descriptio

Isaiah 14, Part One: Punishment or Providence? Previously... God revealed to Isaiah the soon-to-come gathering of nations to war, resulting in the fall of the Babylonian empire to the might of the Medes. The arrogant and pompous Chaldean kingdom of Babylon had attempted to utterly conquer the weakened state of Israel. Now, in chapter 14... This chapter contains three separate oracles, or proclamations, concerning three different nations: Babylon (verses 1-23) Assyria (verses 24-27) Philistia (verses 28-32) Babylon The triumph of the Medes over Babylon would be a critical part of God's plan for Israel. Isaiah 14:1-2 (ESV) For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the LORD's land as male and female slaves.

You Shall Love The Lord Your God I recently learned a new worship song: Love the Lord your God, With all your heart, With all your soul, With all your mind, And with all your strength With all your heart, With all your soul, With all your mind, with all your strength! What is the difference between heart, soul, mind and strength? Mark 12:28-30 (ESV) And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Jesus cited this Old Testament reference: Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Isaiah 13, Part 2: The Oppressor is Oppressed What has gone before... God has suddenly brought to Isaiah a prophecy regarding the faraway nation of Babylon, the ancient site at which a tall tower had been built. The tower had been an attempt at "making a name for themselves", and God had intervened and confused their language, dispersing them throughout the world. Moving on... Isaiah 13:4-5 (ESV) The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land, from the end of the heavens, the LORD and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land. Isaiah implies that Babylon will be attacked by a nation "from a distant land", with the LORD using another nation as the "weapons of his indignation". The LORD's anger will bring desolation and destruction: Isaiah 13:9 (ESV) Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it.

Isaiah 13, Part 1: A Mark of Individuality What has gone before... Following the promise of a Divine Judge Who would restore earth to Eden's perfect beginning, Isaiah assured Israel that there would come a day of joy, a time of singing. God would be praised as their Strength and Salvation, the Holy One of Israel. To this point Isaiah's visions have concerned Israel, Syria and Assyria, with only slight mention of surrounding people groups. Now, in Chapter 13, Isaiah's perspective shifts to Babylon. Moving on... Isaiah 13:1 (ESV) The oracle concerning Babylon which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw. What, or who, was Babylon? BABYLON: babel "baw-BEL" (confusion); from balal (to overflow, specifically with oil, or to mix); related to belil (mixed, as feed for cattle) The first reference in the Bible to Babylon is found in the Book of Genesis: Genesis 10:6-11 (ESV) The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put, and Canaan. The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah

Isaiah 12, Part 2: God Draws Near Isaiah makes an abrupt change in tone midway through this chapter. Verse one began with "You", translated from a Hebrew word that is singular, suggesting a feeling of isolation. But the subject of verse three is a word that is plural, suggesting fellowship or gathering together. Isaiah 12:3 (ESV) With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Further supporting the notion of plurality, the song encourages the listeners to "make known his deeds among the peoples...let this be made known in all the earth." Perhaps the change in number points to the unity experienced between an individual and God: Isaiah 12:6 (ESV) Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. "Your" in verse six is singular, but describes God as being in the midst of that singular person, as if Isaiah is speaking of an person indwelt by the Spirit of God. MIDST: qereb "

Isaiah 12, Part 1: Anger Turns to Comfort What has gone before... The LORD promised a divine Judge who would end oppression and wickedness on earth. Isaiah 11:4 (ESV) With righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. The dispersed tribes of Israel will be regathered and restored to the land around Jerusalem. Isaiah 11:12 (ESV) He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. All nations on earth will turn to Jerusalem in worship of the LORD. Isaiah 11:10 (ESV) In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. Moving on... Now, in Chapter 12, Isaiah breaks into song, calling all the earth to join in worship

Isaiah 11, Part 4: Recovering the Remnant The Lord restores the nation of Israel, bringing back from dispersion, the Israelites scattered by war and exile. Isaiah 11:11-12 (ESV) In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. Isaiah described the recovering of the remnant as "a second time". When was the first time? Isaiah 11:16 (ESV) There will be a highway from Assyria for the remnant that remains of his people, as there was for Israel when they came up from the land of Egypt. Pursued by their captors, Israel found themselves with their backs against the sea, facing an Egyptian army six hundred chariots strong. The people des

Isaiah 11, Part 3: The Signal The LORD will make "the root of Jesse", the divinely Righteous Judge of the world, to stand as a signal. Isaiah 11:10 (ESV) In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. SIGNAL: nes "nace" (a flag or sail; a flagstaff, signal or token); from nasas (to gleam from afar; to be conspicuous as a signal) The first instance of "signal" is found in the Book of Numbers: Numbers 21:8-9 (ESV) The LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. "Pole" is the same word as "signal". David composed a psalm which referred to a banner, using the same word as "signal": Psalm 60:4 (

Isaiah 11, Part 2: Fearing the LORD Isaiah referred to fear of the LORD as something admirable. Isaiah 11:3 (ESV) His delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, FEAR: yir'a "yir-AW" (fear or moral reverence); from yare (to fear, to revere; to frighten) The root word of "fear of the LORD" is a word meaning an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat (The New Oxford American Dictionary). "Fear" comes from an Old English word meaning calamity or danger. Adam feared punishment after disobeying God's command regarding the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3:10). Jacob feared the loss of his wives after tricking Laban (Genesis 31:31). The Israelites feared pain and injury from serpents, scorpions and desert (Deuteronomy 8:15). Rather than describing someone running away

Isaiah 11, Part 1: The LORD's Righteous Judge Previously, in Chapter 10... Isaiah declares God's judgement against the iniquitous leaders of Israel who oppressed the needy and poor. A powerful enemy, Assyria, would be used by God as a rod of anger against godless Israel. But Assyria herself would be punished for their arrogance when the king boasts of his unlimited power and lofty scorn for the God of Israel. Assyria's invasion would be suddenly halted before the gates of Jerusalem with a wasting sickness that would decimate the army. Only a remnant of Israel would survive the destruction of war, yet the people would return in faith to the LORD. Now, in Chapter 11... Isaiah describes One Who would judge the world with the power and righteousness of God. This Righteous Judge will stand above all earthly governments and powers, ushering in a time of extraordinary peace and joy. The scattered remnant of the nation of Israel will return from all corners of the wor

Isaiah 10 (Part 2 of 2): Condemnation of Arrogance === Main Idea #2 === God furiously condemned Assyria's arrogance. The king of Assyria did not in the least consider God to be his commander. He took to himself the glory and fame of conquest and control. Isaiah 10:12 (ESV) When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes. Assyria was a tool in the hands of God, a tool of judgement and punishment against Israel's idolatry and wickedness. God moved the leaders of Assyria against Israel, "to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets." But Assyria went beyond God's intent. Not content with seizing property and commanding tribute, Assyria sought to destroy all of Israel, boasting of his power. Isaiah 10:8-11, 13-14 (ESV) for he says: "Are not my commanders all kings? Is not Calno

Isaiah 10 (Part 1 of 2): Condemnation of Oppression Previously... In chapter 9, Isaiah spoke of those without hope in the LORD who would suffer the gloom of anguish, but for those once considered to be contemptible there would be no such gloom. A Child would come from Zebulun Naphtali, a Son Who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Yet the present circumstances are dire. God's anger brings Assyrians, Syrians and Philistines against Israel. The horrors of war and genocide become terrifying symbols of Israel's moral and spiritual wickedness against the LORD. Now... In chapter 10, Isaiah warns of woe to those who oppress and rob the defenseless, the poor and the needy. The invading army of Assyria is God's tool of anger against the people of Israel. Assyria spoils, seizes and tread upon the godless nation of Israel, all according to God's plan. But the tool itself is in danger of judgement. The king of Assyr

Isaiah 9, Part 2: The LORD's Anger Verses 8-21 #80752464 / gettyimages.com Despite the promise of a future Saviour the reality of the moment is that Israel is divided by civil war and foreign intrigue. Isaiah 9:8-10 (ESV) The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel; and all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart: “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.” Isaiah's message is against those in Israel who are swollen with pride and arrogance. "Bricks have fallen" refers to their current anguish, the country's convulsive civil unrest, the rioting and the bloodshed, loss of support and supply, and the desolation described in the previous chapters of this book. The people of northern Israel know their condition is pathetic, but still they do not turn to the LORD. Their hope

Isaiah 9, Part 1: The Promised Prince (verses 1-7) Previously in chapter 8: With his child's name as an omen, Isaiah responded to God's inspiration and preached a warning to "this people", the Jews in Israel and Judah. They would be inundated by an invasion from Assyria, shattering their idolatrous fear and superstition. Distress, darkness and gloom would bring the people anguish. Overview of chapter 9: Those without hope in the LORD would suffer the gloom of anguish, but for those once thought contemptible there will be no such gloom. A Child would come from Zebulun Naphtali, a Son Who would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Yet the present circumstances are dire. God's anger brings Assyrians, Syrians and Philistines against Israel. The horrors of war and genocide become terrifying symbols of Israel's moral and spiritual wickedness against the LORD. The Promised Prince of Peace (verses 1-7) In t