Something Greater

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 ...

Psalm 11: The Lord Is In His Holy Temple (To the choirmaster. Of David.) In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man. The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. Psalms 11:1-7 (ESV) WHAT DO YOU THINK? To whom is David speaking when he says, "You"? A person? A devil? A circumstance? What modern foundations of or life, speaking politically a...