Isaiah 49
OGCEXAMINATION Chapter S FORTY-NINE THROUGH FIFTY-THREE
DEFINITION
(Define the following words or phrases as they were discussed in the comments.)
Israel
cup of staggering
acceptable time
sprinkle man nations
Sinim
griefs and sorrows
graven on palms
wounded
face like flint
pleased, pleasure
monster
bruised
MEMORIZATION
Surely he hath _____ our griefs, and carried our _____; yet we did esteem him _____, smitten of God, an _____ But he was _____ for our transgressions, he was _____ for our iniquities; the chastisement of our _____ was upon him; and with his stripes we are _____. All we like sheep have gone _____; we have turned every one to his own _____; and Jehovah hath laid on him the _____ of us all. (Isaiah 53:4-6)
EXPLANATION
Explain the prediction that the Messiah would experience frustration.
Explain how the Messiah was to become a covenant.
Explain why the Servant (Messiah) was to be as one who was taught.
Explain how O.T. people could have God’s law on their heart.
Explain how the cup of staggering was taken out of Jerusalem’s hand.
Explain how Christ bore our griefs and sorrows in His death.
Explain why Isaiah 53 does not teach divine healing for today.
Explain why the Messiah would be satisfied with the travail of His soul.
Explain why the majority of the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Servant.
APPLICATION
(In its context every scripture has one meaningthe author’s intended meaning. How may the following be applied in the believer’s life?)
Is there an application for overcoming frustration in our own human experience from the Messiah’s overcoming?
How may we apply the proofs we have that God bared His holy arm in Jesus Christ?
Does the humiliating entrance and exit of the Messiah in history apply to modern man’s relation to God?
Does the personal refusal of Christ to defend Himself at His illegal trial and death mean Christians must never defend themselves? Why?
How can modern men accept and apply the death of a Jewish man (Jesus) nearly 2000 years ago for the atonement of their personal sins?
Are there any definitive manifestations of God’s love in this section that may contradict the allegation that the God of the O.T. is only a God of wrath?
Are there any teachings in this section which may be applied to the idea that there is salvation for the world only in Jesus Christ?
SPECIAL STUDY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD AS MANIFESTED BY THE PROPHETS
by John Butterman INTRODUCTION
I.
God is Righteous in Judging His People
God is the judge over all the earth
a.
From the beginning in the Hebrew community the judges were acting on behalf of God (Deuteronomy 1:17)
b.
It was unthinkable that he would act unfairly (Genesis 18:25)
God is the fountain of justice
a.
Everything he does may be relied upon as just (Deuteronomy 32:4; Zephaniah 3:5)
b.
God’s equity as judge will be seen most clearly in the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5)
c.
Man’s righteousness is defined in terms of God’s judgment
God is impartial in his dealings
a.
The prophet Amos called for a similar righteousness in men (Amos 5:15; Amos 5:24)
b.
Inflicting retribution is an element of the righteousness of God (Isaiah 61:2)
c.
If in a world of unrighteousness, righteousness is to be established, God himself must become the indicator and protector of the oppressed.
d.
God’s righteousness is manifested in his defense of those who have no helper (Psalms 10:14; Psalms 72:12)
II.
God is Righteous in Protecting His People
In his rescue of them from Egypt
a.
The victories which accomplished this are described as the righteous acts of God (Judges 5:11; 1 Samuel 12:7)
b.
The pharaoh himself acknowledged that the ten plagues were evidence of God’s righteousness (Exodus 9:27)
In his redemption of his people from exile
a.
God showed his righteousness by this deliverance
b.
This righteousness is closely associated with salvation (Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 46:13; Isaiah 51:5-6)
In his redemption of his people from sin
a.
The messianic king is just and having salvation (Zechariah 9:9)
b.
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes; in it is revealed the righteousness of God
MAIN THOUGHTS
I.
The Prophets Revealed the Righteousness of God
Man has no righteousness of his own
a.
It hurts to be told that man’s righteousness is but a filthy rag in God’s sight
b.
How futile to try to establish our own righteousness by our own works (Isaiah 64:4)
c.
The human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and therefore cannot produce righteousness acceptable to God
d.
The garment of our own self-righteousness is our pride (Isaiah 64:9)
e.
Man must turn from his own self-righteousness to Christ who was made unto us righteousness (Isaiah 45:8; Isaiah 45:24; Isaiah 46:12-13; Isaiah 54:17)
God provided for man what he could not do for himself
a.
A way to return to Zion
(1)
He will come and save you (Isaiah 35:4)
(2)
There shall be streams in the desert (Isaiah 35:6)
(3)
The highway shall be called the Holy Way (Isaiah 35:8)
(4)
The ransomed of the Lord shall return (Isaiah 35:10)
b.
A river shall flow from the sanctuary
(1)
Everything will live where the river goes (Ezekiel 47:9)
(2)
This river will enable trees to grow with fruit for food and leaves for healing (Ezekiel 47:12)
c.
A fountain shall be opened
(1)
To cleanse the inhabitants from sin (Ezekiel 13:1)
(2)
To cleanse them from all uncleanness
d.
A well of salvation will be opened
(1)
To draw the water of life from
(2)
To proclaim that his name is exalted
The prophets revealed the righteous One
a.
His revealed birth
(1)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14)
(2)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given (Isaiah 9:6)
b.
His revealed ministry
(1)
Beyond Jordan, in Galilee. the light shined (Isaiah 9:1-2)
(2)
The Lord shall suddenly come to his temple (Malachi 3:1)
(3)
Sent to the lost sheep of Israel (Ezekiel 37:11; Jeremiah 50:6)
(4)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (Isaiah 61:1)
(5)
The eyes of the blind shall be opened (Isaiah 42:7)
c.
His revealed death
(1)
They weighed my price thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12)
(2)
He opened not his mouth (Isaiah 53:7)
(3)
They shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod (Micah 5:1)
(4)
He was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5)
(5)
He was numbered with the transgressors (Isaiah 53:9)
(6)
He made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)
(7)
They shall look upon me whom they have pierced (Zechariah 12:10)
(8)
It shall come to pass on that day, that I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth on a clear day (Amos 8:9)
(9)
He would make his grave with the rich (Isaiah 53:9)
(10)
He gave his back to smiters (Isaiah 50:6)
(11)
He poured out his soul unto death (Isaiah 53:12)
d.
His revealed resurrection
(1)
Thy dead men shall live together. they shall arise (Ezekiel 37:7-10)
(2)
Those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake (Daniel 12:2)
(3)
In the third day he shall raise us up, and we shall live in his sight (Hosea 6:2)
(4)
I will ransom them from the power of the grave (Hosea 13:14)
II.
The Christ Brought the Righteousness of God
Unrighteous man is totally incapable of making himself righteous enough to be accepted by God
Jesus brought righteousness to man
a.
By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many (Isaiah 53:11)
b.
The righteousness is of me, saith the Lord (Isaiah 54:17)
c.
Unto the Son, God said. a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom (Hebrews 1:8)
d.
To declare his righteousness. that he might be just (right) and the justifier (the one who puts right) of him which believeth in Jesus (Romans 3:25-26)
e.
He (Jesus) is righteous (1 John 2:29)
Jesus was qualified to become our righteousness
a.
Because he was just and right in all his ways and witness, ever obedient to his righteous Father
b.
Because he was never crooked in his dealings with others
c.
Because his life was never out of the least fraction from the plumbline of truth and morality
Jesus brought the justice of God
a.
Of the increase of his government and peace. upon the throne of David. to establish it. with justice (Isaiah 9:7)
b.
Behold thy king comes. he is just (Zechariah 9:9)
c.
I judge and my judgment is just (John 5:30)
d.
Peter claims him to be just:
(1)
You denied the Holy One and the Just (Acts 3:14)
(2)
Christ. the just for the unjust (1 Peter 3:18)
III.
The Believers are Constituted the Righteousness of God
The sinner through believing is constituted the righteousness of God
a.
The devil cannot call in question the fact that God is just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus (Zechariah 3:2)
b.
So we can rest secure and serene in the confidence that
(1)
Christ is our peacewho can disturb it?
(2)
Christ is our hopewho can destroy it?
(3)
Christ is our righteousnesswho can tarnish it?
Man’s righteousness came by someone not something
a.
Even him who possessed Lordship (Mark 12:36-37)
b.
Righteousness is not earned, it is imputed to man
c.
Daniel speaks of the wise turning many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3), which means they are brought to God who alone can justify them
d.
Such righteousness is said to be reckoned or imputed, and put to the account of a guilty sinner accepting God’s terms of salvation, Isaiah 55:1 ff.
e.
It is reckoned unto man on the ground of Christ’s finished work
Divine righteousness can only become ours by faith in Christ
a.
By his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous; and he shall bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11)
b.
In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: The Lord is our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:7)
c.
The righteousness of God by faith (Romans 3:26; Romans 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
CONCLUSION
I.
God’s Righteousness is Shown in His Saving of His People
The prophets revealed it
In Christ he is now doing it
His people are no longer a restricted race but include all who believe (Romans 2:28-29)
As many as call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Joe 2:32; Acts 2:38-39)
II.
God’s Righteousness Declares Righteous Those Who Believe in Jesus
God justifies those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:22)
It is the righteousness of God that is imparted to man, not man’s own self-righteousness that he is to seek after (Philippians 3:9)
III.
God’s Righteousness of His People is Based on Redemption Brought by Christ
Men are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption (Romans 3:24)
It is a righteousness through forgiveness, based on the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9)
God put Christ forward as an expiation by his blood to be received by faith (Romans 3:25)
This was to show God’s passing over sins aforetime (Romans 3:24)
It was to prove in the present time that He himself is righteous and that he justifies him who has faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26)
IV.
God’s Righteousness Provides Manifold Blessings
The righteous are blessed with prosperity: Say you to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doing (Isaiah 3:10)
The righteous are surrounded by divine favor: For thou, Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor will thou compass him as with a shield (Psalms 5:12)
The righteous experience deliverance from affliction: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all (Psalms 34:19)
The righteous enjoy peace, quietness, and assurance: And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever (Isaiah 32:17)
V.
God’s Righteousness Provides Hope in His Glory.
The time is coming when the heavens will delcare his righteousness.
When the Sun of Righteousness appears with healing in his wings (Malachi 4:2) accompanied by all the heavenly saints, what a glorious consummation that will be of his work on our behalf.
The ultimate blessing of righteousness by faith is eternity with Him who is our righteousness. This is the glad hope of the righteous (Malachi 3:17-18).
Hope of righteousness is the sight of the righteous One himself, who promised to return for his own (John 14:3).
**SPECIAL STUDY
PEOPLE OF THE PROPHETIC PROMISES**
by Fred Long
I.
Pre-Assyrian Prophets
A.
Obadiah 1.
Obadiah 1:15-21 The Kingdom shall be Jehovah’S
a.
Who: House of Jacob means God’s covenant people (Acts 15:13-18; Acts 13:29-37).
b.
When: Christian age, when Gentiles were added to kingdom (Acts 15:13-18).
c.
Where: Mt. Zion is the Church (Hebrews 12:18-29).
B.
Joel 1.
Joe 2:28-32 Promise of Holy Spirit
a.
Who: Twelve Apostles (Acts 2:14-21)
b.
When: Day of PentecostChristian age (Luke 1:68-75)
c.
Where: In Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22)
Joe 2:30 to Joe 3:3 Great and Terrible Day of the Lord
a.
Who: Children of promise (Romans 9:6)
b.
When: Second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:29)
c.
Where: Valley of Jehoshaphatsymbolic of Last Judgment
Joe 3:17-21 Jerusalem shall be holy
a.
Who: Jerusalemsymbol of Church, Christians
b.
When: Messianic age (Hebrews 6:17-20)
c.
Where: Zion, Jerusalem is the Church (covenant people)
C.
Jonah 1.
Jonah 1:17 Jonahsymbol of Christ’s death (Luke 11:30)
a.
Who: Christ (Matthew 12:40-41, Matthew 16:4)
b.
When: Messianic age
c.
Where: Jerusalem (literal), Nineveh is type of Gentiles
D.
Amos 1.
Amos 9:11-15 Raise up the Booth of David
a.
Who: Gentiles (Acts 15:14-18)
b.
When: Messianic age
c.
Where: Church
E.
Hosea 1.
Hosea 1:10-11 Great shall be Day of Jezreel
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 9:24-26; 1 Peter 2:9-10)
b.
When: Messianic age (John 10)
Hosea 2:21-23 Pity on Not Pitied
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 9:25-26)
b.
When: Messianic age
Hosea 3:4-5 Israel shall return and seek Lord
a.
Who: IsraelChurch (Hebrews 12:22)
b.
When: In latter days (Messianic)
II.
Assyrian Prophets
A.
Isaiah 1.
Isaiah 2:1-4 Mt. of the house of the Lord established as highest
a.
Who: Covenant people (Luke 24:47)
b.
When: Messianic age (Hebrews 12:22-23; Colossians 1:23)
c.
Where: Jerusalem (Church) (Romans 10:18)
Isaiah 6:9-10 Jews reject the Gospel
a.
Who: Jews (Matthew 13:14-15; Mark 4:12)
b.
When: Jesus-’ ministry (parables) (Luke 8:10; John 12:40) (Romans 11:8)
Isaiah 9:1-2 Gentiles of Zebulun and Naphtali see Great Light
a.
Who: Gentiles (Matthew 4:13-17)
b.
When: Jesus traveled to Zebulun and Naphtali (Luke 1:32)
Isaiah 10:21-23 Only remnant of Jacob will return
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 9:27-28)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Church
Isaiah 11:1-6 Shoot from the Stump of Jesse
a.
Who: Christ (Acts 13:23)
b.
When: Messianic age (Romans 15:12; Romans 12:12)
Isaiah 29:13; Isaiah 29:18-19 Deaf shall hear, Blind shall see
a.
Who: Hypocrisy of Jews (Matthew 11:5; Matthew 15:8-9)
b.
When: Jesus-’ ministry (Mark 7:22)
Isaiah 35:8-10 Highway called the Holy Way
a.
Who: Covenant people (Matthew 13:14)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Zionsymbol of Church
Isaiah 42:1-4 My Servant Brings Justice to the Nations
a.
Who: Gentiles (Matthew 11:4-5; Matthew 12:18-20; Matthew 3:16-17)
b.
When: Jesus-’ ministry (Matthew 17:5)
49:6 Light to the Nations
a.
Who: Gentiles (Luke 2:32)
b.
When: Christian age (Acts 13:47; Acts 26:23)
c.
Where: Ends of the earth
Isaiah 54:1; Isaiah 54:13 Children of the desolate
a.
Who: Gentiles (Galatians 4:27)
b.
When: Christian age (John 6:45)
Isaiah 55:3 Everlasting Covenant
a.
Who: Covenant People (Christians) (Romans 10:5; Acts 13:34)
b.
When: Christian age (Luke 22:37)
Isaiah 56:8 I will gather others
a.
Who: Gentiles (John 10:16)
b.
When: Jesus-’ ministry
Isaiah 61:1-2 Day of Vengeance
a.
Who: Jesus (Luke 4:18; Matthew 5:4)
b.
When: Jesus-’ ministry (read in synagogue) (Mark 4:17-21; Luke 21:21-28)
c.
Where: Nazareth
Isaiah 65:1-2 Jews rebellious
a.
Who: Jews (Romans 10:20-21)
b.
When: Messianic age
B.
Micah 1. Isaiah 4:1-6 Mountain of the House of the Lord (Isaiah 2:2-4)
a.
Who: Covenant people (Luke 24:47)
b.
When: Messianic age (Hebrews 12:22; Colossians 1:23)
c.
Where: Jerusalem (Church) (Romans 10:18; Luke 1:33; Revelation 11:15)
C.
Nahum
III.
Chaldean Prophets
A.
Zephaniah 1.
Zephaniah 2:7 Seacoast shall become possession of remnant of the house of Judah (Luke 1:68)
a.
Who: Covenant people (remnant of Judah)
b.
When: Birth of Christ
c.
Where: Bethlehem
B.
Habakkuk 1.
Habakkuk 1:5 Unbelief of Jews
a.
Who: Jews (Acts 13:41)
b.
When: Christian Age
Habakkuk 2:4 Righteous shall live by Faith
a.
Who: Gentiles (Hebrews 10:38-39)
b.
When: Christian age (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11)
C.
Jeremiah (and Lamentations)
Jeremiah 3:14-18 Jerusalem called Throne of the Lord
a.
Who: All nations
b.
When: Christian age (Acts 20:28)
c.
Where: Jerusalem and Zionsymbol of Church
Jeremiah 6:10 Jews reject the Gospel
a.
Who: Jews (Acts 7:51)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Jerusalem
Jeremiah 9:25 Punishment of uncircumcised in heart
a.
Who: Jews (outwardly) (Romans 2:8-9; Romans 2:28)
b.
When: Christian age
Jeremiah 17:25 Jerusalem inhabited forever
a.
Who: Covenant people (Christians) (Luke 1:32)
b.
When: Christian age (Hebrews 12:22)
c.
Where: The heavenly Jerusalem (Church)
Jeremiah 31:1 All Israel will be saved
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 11:26-28)
b.
When: Christian age
Jeremiah 31:31-34 Promise of a New Covenant
a.
Who: Covenant people (Gentiles) (John 6:45)
b.
When: Christian age (Hebrews 8:8-12; Romans 11:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:9)
Jeremiah 33:16-18 Judah will be saved
a.
Who: Covenant people (Hebrews 13:15; Philippians 3:9)
b.
When: Christian age (Luke 1:32-33)
IV.
Exilic Prophets
A.
Ezekiel 1.
Ezekiel 39:29 Promise of Holy Spirit
a.
When: Pentecost (Acts 2:17)
Ezekiel 47:21-23 Aliens shall be allotted an inheritance
a.
Who: Gentiles (Romans 10:12)
b.
When: Christian age (Ephesians 2:12-14; Ephesians 3:6)
c.
Where: In the Church (Colossians 3:11)
B.
Daniel 1.
Daniel 2:44-45 God’s Kingdom set upnever be destroyed
a.
Who: Christians (1 Corinthians 15:24)
b.
When: During Roman Empire (Iron Kingdom)
c.
Where: Heavenly Kingdom
Daniel 9:24-27 Promise of Coming Kingdom
a.
Who: Covenant people (Christians) (Matthew 9:12; Luke 19:43)
b.
When: After seventy weeks of yearsChristian age
c.
Where: Jerusalem (heavenly)Church (Matthew 24:15; Luke 21:20)
V.
Post-Exilic Prophets
A.
Haggai 1.
Haggai 2:6-7 I will shake the heavens and the earth
a.
Who: New Covenant people (Hebrews 12:26)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Heavenly KingdomChurch
B.
Zechariah 1.
Zechariah 13:1 Fountain opened for the House of David
a.
Who: Covenant people (Hebrews 9:14)
b.
When: Christian age
c.
Where: Jerusalem (heavenly)Church
C.
Malachi 1.
Malachi 4:5-6 Return of Elijah the Prophet
a.
Who: John the Baptist (Matthew 11:14)
b.
When: Before Jesus-’ ministry (Mark 9:11)
c.
Where: Israel (literal) (Luke 1:17)
VI.
New Testament scriptures that show the Gentiles taking part in prophetic promises:
**SPECIAL STUDY
THE WORD OF GOD, THE ILLUMINATING AGENCY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONVERSION**
by Paul T. Butler INTRODUCTION
I.
QUALIFICATIONS
A.
We believe the Scriptures plainly teach that the spoken and written Word of God (the Bible) is the only illuminating agency of the Holy Spirit in the conversion of sinners.
B.
This is contrary to the creeds of most major Protestant religious bodies today. They say, in essence:
Man, the sinner, has a mind biased and prejudiced by sin and he cannot, therefore, understand the spiritual truths of the Bible until.
The Holy Spirit acts, directly, irresistibly and apart from the written or spoken Word of God, regenerating man’s mind in order that man can understand the written truths in the Bible. only then will man be able to believe in Christ and become a Christian.
This is individually and subjectively experienced and one cannot be assured of his salvation until he is able to relate such an experience.
Those who have never had such an experience, so far as we are able to tell now, are not elected to salvation.
C.
By our statement in A. above we do not intend to exclude the providential actions of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit may act in providence to bring a Christian and non-Christian together for the purpose of allowing the non-Christian to hear the message of Christ (e.g., Philip and the Ethopian eunuch; Peter and Cornelius, etc.)
But in the final analysis, it is the written or spoken Word of God into the sinner’s mind and upon his heart that converts and leads him to become a Christian.
II.
WHAT WE ARE NOT DISCUSSING IN THIS STUDY
A.
We do not wish to discuss here, to any length, at least, the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the miraculous way the apostles were immersed in the Holy Spirit.
B.
We do not wish to discuss here the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit by which certain people spoke in tongues, prophesied, healed, etc.
C.
We do not wish to discuss whether or not people have had particular religious experiences.
That people have had subjective religious experiences is difficult to disproveat least to the one who claims such an experience.
But whether or not we are to follow what we think those subjective experiences teach, in order to the assurance of salvation, is quite another thing and is contrary to Biblical teaching.
III.
ASSUMPTIONS WE MAKE
A.
That the Bible is the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God and the ultimate and final authority in matters of faith and practice.
B.
That we learn all we need to learn on this particular subject from the New Testament.
DISCUSSION
I.
JESUS TAUGHT THAT THE WORD OF GOD
(WRITTEN AND SPOKEN) ILLUMINATES THE MIND OF MAN UNTO CONVERSION
A.
Matthew 11:25-30. only the Son can reveal the Father. we must take the Son’s yoke upon us and learn of Him.
B.
Matthew 7:24-27. the wise man is the one who hears the words of Christ and does them.
C.
Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:4-15. the seed of the kingdom is the word of God sown on the hearts of men. This word must be held fast in honest and good hearts to bear fruit.
D.
Matthew 4:4. Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
E.
Matthew 28:18-20. the great commission is to teach, baptize and teach all that Jesus commanded the 12 disciples.
F.
Luke 10:21-28. Jesus told a lawyer to do what he read in the Law in order to inherit eternal life.
G.
Luke 10:38-42. Mary chose the good portion for she sat at Jesus-’ feet and listened to His teaching.
H.
Luke 11:27-28. Jesus said, Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.
I.
Luke 16:19-31. the rich man in Hades was told it would do no good for him to go back from the dead and warn his brothers. They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.
J.
Luke 24:13-35. Jesus took special time and effort beginning with Moses and all the prophets. interpreting, for some despondent disciples all the scriptures said concerning Himself.
K.
John 1:1-18. Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God, exegeted God to man; exegesato is the Greek word in John 1:18, from which we get exegesis, but it is translated declared.
L.
John 5:24. whoever hears the word of Christ and believes God, who sent Him, has eternal life.
M.
John 5:25. whoever hears the voice of the Son of God, will live.
N.
John 6:63. except men eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood they have no life in them. THIS IS TO BE DONE BY HEARING AND DOING THE WORDS JESUS SPOKE, FOR His words are spirit and life.
O.
John 6:44-45. No one comes unto Christ. unless they learn from the Father.
P.
John 6:69. Peter declared that Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Q.
John 8:31-32. only those who continue in His word are His disciples and in doing so they will be made free for it is the truth that makes free. and only by continuing in His word do we know the truth!
R.
John 10. the sheep follow the good Shepherd only because they know the difference between His voice (word) and the voice of the hireling.
S.
John 11. the spoken word of Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
T.
John 12:44-50. the words Jesus spoke will judge men at the last day, and the commandment which the Father gave Him to speak is eternal life.
U.
John 13:12-17. Jesus gave the disciples an example of humble and loving service to one another and then said If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
V.
John 14:23. Jesus made the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit specifically conditioned upon keeping His commandments. It must, therefore, be possible for a sinner to come to believe in, and begin to obey Christ before the Holy Spirit abides in him. in other words the sinner is converted by knowing, believing and obeying the Word, which is the agency of the Holy Spirit in the sinner’s conversion.
W.
John 15:3. the disciples were cleansed by the word which Christ had already spoken unto them.
X.
John 15:1-11. our abiding in Him and His abiding in us is conditioned upon our abiding in His word. it is not irresistible.
Y.
John 16:1-15. the Holy Spirit was sent to guide the apostles into all truth, etc., and thus, through their preaching to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment.
Z.
John 17:1-26. eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ. this the disciples had because they accepted the words which Jesus was commissioned to give them from the Father. through His words spoken they had joy. They were sanctified in His word which is truth. Jesus even prayed for all who should subsequently believe in Him through the preached word of the apostles (John 17:20). AA. John 18:37. Jesus said. I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice. BB. John 20:30-31. the gospels were written that men might believe and have eternal life.
II.
THE ACTS TEACH THAT THE WORD OF GOD (WRITTEN AND SPOKEN) ILLUMINATES THE MIND OF MAN UNTO CONVERSION
A.
Acts 2:37-38. when the multitude heard the preaching of Jesus they were convinced and obeyed. there is no notice that the Holy Spirit illumined their hearts apart from the preaching of the inspired word.
B.
Acts 4:4. many who heard the preaching of Peter in Acts 3, believed and became Christians.
C.
Acts 5:32. the Holy Spirit is given only to those who obey Christ. how can one obey Christ unless he has heard the commandment of Christ and understood the commandment?
D.
Acts 8:34-40. Philip preached unto the eunuch Jesus and then the man obeyed.
E.
Acts 10:22. Cornelius was directed by an angel of the Lord to send for Peter so that Peter might preach to him the gospel in order that Cornelius might hear and believe. cf. Acts 10:33; Acts 11:14.
F.
Acts 17:29-31. Paul said men should understand that God is going to judge the world and that He wants them to repent simply from knowing the fact that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
G.
Acts 20:18-35. Paul charged the elders of Ephesus to feed the flock of God on the word of God as he himself had done. and Paul commended them to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
H.
Acts 26:24-29. Paul presented the facts concerning Jesus and appealed to the writings of the prophets in hope that Agrippa might become a Christian.
I.
Acts 28:23-28. Paul expounded the facts concerning Jesus all day to a group of Jews, trying to convince them about the kingdom of God, etc. some were convinced, some were not.
III.
THE EPISTLES TEACH THAT THE WORD OF GOD (WRITTEN AND SPOKEN) ILLUMINES THE MIND OF MAN UNTO CONVERSION
A.
Romans 1:16-17. the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
B.
Romans 6:17-18. men are set free from sin by obedience from the heart to the standard of teaching of the apostles.
C.
Romans 8:6. to set the mind on the Spirit. is life. the Spirit is revealed in the Word.
D.
Romans 8:13-14. it is by the Spirit that we put to death the deeds of the body and it is by the Spirit we are led. the Spirit only does that by revealing His will to us in the Scriptures.
E.
Romans 10:8-17. the word of faith which is in their hearts is the word which the apostles preached. all who call upon the Lord will be saved, BUT THEY CANNOT CALL UPON HIM IF THEY HAVE NOT HEARD HIS WORD, BECAUSE FAITH COMES BY HEARING THE WORD OF GOD!!!
F.
Romans 12:1-2. we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind in order that we may prove what is the acceptable will of God.
G.
Romans 15:18. Paul would win obedience to Christ from the Gentiles by preaching to them the word of Christ.
H.
Romans 16:25-27. Paul said that the preaching of Jesus Christ was. to bring about the obedience of faith.
I.
1 Corinthians 2:1-14. Paul said that the Spirit of Christ had been given to the apostles. and this Spirit was imparted to the Corinthians in words.
J.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2. the preached gospel was what the Corinthians received, that in which they stood fast, that by which they were saved.
K.
2 Corinthians 1:20. all the promises of God find their Yea in Jesus Christ objectively revealed. not subjectively.
L.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5. the preaching of the word of God has divine power and is able to destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God and bring every thought into captivity unto Christ!!!
M.
Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:2; Galatians 3:26-27. The Spirit of Christ lives in men and is put on by men through the hearing of faith. and faith comes by hearing!
N.
Ephesians 3:17. Christ dwells in us through faith, and faith comes by hearing.
O.
Ephesians 1:9-14. those who have heard the word of truth, the gospel, have made known to them the mystery of His will and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit.
P.
Ephesians 3:8-19. Paul was made a minister to the Gentiles to preach to them the unsearchable riches of Christ and make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God. that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known.
Q.
Ephesians 4:11-16. the various offices of ministry (including evangelists) were given to the church to edify the church and bring the church to a mature knowledge of Christ.
R.
Ephesians 5:17-18. Paul connects being filled with the Spirit directly to first understanding what the will of the Lord is.
S.
Philippians 4:8-9. Paul said that true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious things were revealed to Christians by the preaching and Christian living of the apostles.
T.
Colossians 1:27-28. Paul proclaimed and taught Christ to every man in all wisdom so that Christ might dwell in men and they might have the hope of glory.
U.
Colossians 3:16. Christians are to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly.
V.
1 Thessalonians 2:13. Paul said the Christians there received their preaching as the word of God and that this word was at work in them.
W.
2 Thessalonians 1:8. Paul said God would bring vengeance upon all who do not obey the gospel … an objective standard!
X.
2 Thessalonians 2:14. Paul said that men were called by God through the preaching of the gospel.
Y.
1 Timothy 4:11-16. Paul told Timothy that by holding to that which he had been taught he would save both himself and his hearers.
Z.
2 Timothy 2:9. Paul speaks of the word of God as not being able to be fettered.
AA.
2 Timothy 3:16. The scripture is able to completely equip the man of God for every good work.
BB.
Titus 1:1-3. Paul said the faith of the elect was furthered by the preaching of the word.
CC.
Titus 2:11-15. Paul said the grace of God. trains us. and we should thus declare it.
DD.
Hebrews 4:12-13. the word of God is living and active. pierces even to the division of the soul and spirit. and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.
EE.
James 1:18. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth … Here the word of truth is specifically said to be the agent of the Holy Spirit in the new birth.
FF.
1 Peter 1:22-25. You have been born anew … through the living and abiding word of God. that word is the good news which was preached to you. This they did by obedience to the truth: IT CANNOT BE ANY PLAINER THAN THIS THAT THE SPIRIT WORKS THROUGH THE WORD IN REGENERATION.
GG.
2 Peter 1:3-4. it is through a knowledge of Jesus Christ and through His precious and exceeding great promises that we become partakers of the divine nature.
HH.
1 John 2:3-6. we are sure we are in Him only when we know and keep His commandments.
II.
1 John 3:24. we abide in Him and He abides in us when we keep His commandments.
JJ. 1 John 4:1-6. whoever knows the Spirit of God listens to apostolic teachings and this is the only way man may know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
KK.
2 John 1:9-10. anyone who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. he who abides in this doctrine has both the Father and the Son.
IV.
LOGIC TEACHES THAT WE MUST DEPEND UPON THE SPIRIT TO BRING US TO CONVERSION THROUGH OUR RESPONSE TO HIS OBJECTIVE REVELATION OF HIMSELF IN HIS WORD!
A.
Alexander Campbell, in The Christian System moral facts are those which either exhibit, develop, or form moral character. all the works and words of God are moral facts and truths.
The work of redemption is a system of works or deeds on the part of God and Christ which constitutes the most splendid series of moral facts which man or angel ever saw.
When these moral facts are brought into immediate contact with the mind of man, they delineate the image of God upon the human soul.
Testimony is but the channel through which these facts draw the image of God on the heart and character of man.
The love of God in the death of Jesus never drew a tear of gratitude or joy from any eye, or excited a grateful emotion in any heart among the nations of our race to whom the testimony never came. No TESTIMONY, NO FAITH!
The quality or value of faith is found in the quality or value of the testimony. If the testimony be valid, OBJECTIVE, and authoritative, our faith is strong and operative. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater.
The power of faith is also found in the power or moral meaning of the testimony, or of the facts which the testimony represents. If by faith I am filled with joy, or sorrow, that joy or sorrow is in the facts contained in the testimony. or in the relation of those facts to me. And, if faith purifies the heart. this power is in the facts believed.
It is neither the faculty of perception, nor the manner of perception, but the things perceived, that excited us to action. It is not the exercise of reflection, but the thing reflected upon, It is not reason itself, nor the exercise of reason, but the thing reasoned upon which affords pleasure or painwhich excites to actionwhich cheers, allures, consoles us.
Even in our volition this is true. It is not choosing, nor refusing; hating, loving, fearing, desiring, nor hoping; IT IS NOT THE NATURE OF ANY POWER, FACULTY, OR CAPACITY OF OUR BEING, NOR THE SIMPLE EXERCISE OF THEM, BUT THE object or things UPON WHICH THEY ARE EXERCISED, WHICH INDUCE US TO ACTION, OR INFLUENCE OUR BEHAVIOR!
AND SO MY FRIEND WE ARE PURIFIED BY OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE OBJECTIVE TRUTH. THE REVEALED, WRITTEN AND SPOKEN TESTIMONY ABOUT THE PERSON AND PROMISES OF JESUS CHRIST BECOME THE OBJECTIVE AGENT WHICH MOVES US. WITHOUT AN OBJECT (JESUS) AND AN OBJECTIVE REVELATION OF HIM WE WOULD BE LEFT ONLY TO LISTEN AND FOLLOW THE DECEITFUL WHISPERINGS OF OUR WICKED HEARTSSEE POINT #V ON PAGE 254.
B.
In the religious world today we have many groups, teaching about as many contradictory dogmas, most claiming to be led now or having been led in the past by special direct revelations of the Holy Spirit apart from the received Bible. IF THE HOLY SPIRIT OPERATES ON THE MINDS OF MEN APART FROM AN OBJECTIVE STANDARD (THE WORD), HOW DO WE KNOW WHICH IS CORRECT?
We appeal to such scriptures as Galatians 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1-6 and assert that there is only one leading of the Holy Spirit today and that is in the infallible, inerrant, objective standard called the Bible, and that only!
Don DeWelt says in his book, The Power of the Holy Spirit, Vol. I, pg. 31, commenting on Romans 8:16. the Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.. The Bible does not say that the Holy Spirit bears witness to our spirit, thus making it a subjective experience within the Christian. The text does say the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit, thus making it an objective experience without or apart from the Christian. The witness of the Holy Spirit is the New Testament. This is His testimony as to how to become a Christian or child of God, and also how to remain faithful as God’s child. We know within ourselves if we have done what the Spirit has said to do in order to become a child of God. We then become a child of God, our spirits have agreed with the testimony of the Holy Spirit. when we have done what we are commanded to do in the New Testament. (cf. John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13).
V.
THE SCRIPTURES TEACH US THAT WE WILL BE DECEIVED BY LISTENING TO THE SUBJECTIVE WHISPERINGS OF OUR HEART.
A.
Proverbs 16:2. all the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. (cf. also Isaiah 21:2)
B.
Jeremiah 17:9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? I the Lord search the mind and try the heart.
C.
Hebrews 3:13. warns that Christians must continually exhort one another (from the written word) lest their hearts be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
D.
Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14); quote scripture (Matthew 4:5-6); perform lying wonders (Revelation 13:11-18); and he is able to enter the mind of man by the power of thought. he is a spirit of disobedience, etc.
E.
Some examples of people who thought they were doing God’s service when following the subjective feelings of their hearts:
The disciples, led by Judas, thought that Mary wasted the ointment by pouring it upon Jesus and it could have been sold and given to the poor (Matthew 26:9; Mark 14:5; John 12:5). THEY HAD TO HAVE AN OBJECTIVE REVEALED TO THEM IN THE WORDS OF JESUS TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THEIR CROOKED SUBJECTIVE THINKING.
Peter thought that defending the life of Jesus against His enemies was the proper thing to do, but it was Satan whispering to Peter (Matthew 16:21-23; Mark 8:32-33).
Paul said, I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. even to the persecution and killing of Christians (Acts 22:4; Acts 26:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13). he lived in all good conscience in so doing. IT TOOK AN OBJECTIVE REVELATION TO PAUL TO STRAIGHTEN OUT HIS THINKING.
Isaiah 49:1-6
C. PROGRAM OF THE LORD’S SERVANT, Chapter S 49 - 53 1.
RESCUE, CHAPTER 49
a.
DESPISED SERVANT
TEXT: Isaiah 49:1-6
1
Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples, from far: Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name:
2
and he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me: and he hath made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he kept me close:
3
and he said unto me, Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
4
But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with Jehovah, and my recompense with my God.
5
And now saith Jehovah that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him; (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah: and my God is become my strength;)
6
yea, he saith, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
QUERIES
a.
Who is this Jehovah hath called from the womb?
b.
Why is he disappointed that he has labored in vain?
c.
Why increase his burden to the end of the earth?
PARAPHRASE
Listen to Me, all you peoples in far distant parts of the earth, Jehovah called Me to be His servant long before I was ever born. From within the womb of My mother I was given My name by Jehovah. Jehovah is going to make My words His weapon, like a sharp sword. I will be the greatest weapon in His hand. He will make Me like a finely polished and sharpened arrow, ready in His quiver for His warfare. Jehovah said to Me, You are My Servant, My Prince, and people will praise Me because of You. But I replied, My work as Your instrument seems fruitless. I have spent My strength and it appears I have accomplished nothing! Nevertheless, I will commit it all to JehovahI know He will do what is just and give Me the reward I should have. And now, says Jehovahthe One who is is going to incarnate Me in a woman’s womb to be His Servant, to gather Israel unto Him, the One who has honored Me with this task and gives Me strength to do it, He says to Me, I have a greater task for You than gathering just a remnant of the Jews to Me; I will also make You a revelation of My truth to the Gentiles and You will be My salvation to the whole world.
COMMENTS
Isaiah 49:1-3 CALL: Who, other than the Messiah-Servant, could be speaking in these verses? Note the following:
Called from the womb (he is to be born of a woman) (cf. Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2, etc.).
Named while still in the womb (Matthew 2:18-23; Luke 1:30-35; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6).
His mouth a sharp sword (Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 19:15; Hebrews 4:12)
He is hid in shadow of Jehovah’s hand (Colossians 3:3)
He is called Israel (Prince of God) (Isaiah 9:6; Daniel 9:24-27; Luke 1:30-35, etc.).
Jehovah is to be glorified in Him (cf. John 12:27-36; John 17:1-5)
He is to bring Jacob back to Jehovah (Luke 1:33)
He is honorable in the eyes of Jehovah (John 12:27-36; Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 17:5-8; Acts 2:22-36; Acts 3:17-26, etc.).
He is to be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-17; Luke 2:29-32, etc.)
He is Jehovah’s salvation to the end of the earth
A new emphasis is begun by the prophet Isaiah. From this point on Babylon and Cyrus are not directly mentioned. The Messiah-Servant and the glory of His future kingdom will be pre-eminent. Everything the prophet has to say to his contemporaries will, from this point on, be in relationship to the future messianic glory.
Note the absolute authority with which the Servant addresses the world, commanding the isles and all afar off to listen to Him. Jehovah has made the Servant His instrument of conquering warfare. The Servant is a polished arrow and His words are a sharp sword. The Servant is kept in Jehovah’s quiver until the proper time for battle. The word of Christ is more powerful than any sword or arrow or any other carnal weapon. The word of Christ converts the mind and soulcarnal weapons only subdue bodies (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:10-20; Hebrews 4:12). It is imperative that the people of God today remind themselves they are engaged in the warfare of God. God sent His Son as a sword and an arrow! God so loved the world that He sent His Son, but He was sent to engage in a life and death struggle, a war, with the devil and his henchmen. The devil has been defeated and bound, but he still struggles against his chain and will devour all who willingly put themselves within his sphere of influence. God does not see the world, the flesh and the devil as a good place, every day and every way getting better and better. The world, the flesh and the devil are condemned, doomed, judged. Only those who bring every thought into captivity to obedience of Christ will survive the final judgment of the world.
The Messiah-Servant is also called to be anointed Israel (Prince of God). The Hebrew word yiserael means Prince of God. Jesus was descended from David according to the flesh (Romans 1:1-6), and promised the throne of His earthly father and His Heavenly Fathertherefore, Prince (cf. Isaiah 9:6; Daniel 9:24-27; Luke 1:30-35, etc.). To glorify is to honor. The highest form of praise or compliment is imitation and impersonation. Jesus reflected the very image of God (Hebrews 1:3); to see Jesus was to see God (John 14:8-10); in Him dwelt all the Godhead bodily (Colossians 1:15-20; Colossians 2:9); Jesus was the Word become flesh (John 1:1-18); He glorified the Father on earth (John 12:27-36; John 17:1-5).
Isaiah 49:4 COMMITMENT: This verse is one of the most unique verses of all the Bible! It predicts, in the words of the Servant-Messiah Himself, a point in the Servant’s ministry when He will cry out in frustration and disappointment. Edward J. Young comments, The expression of discouragement is no thought of unbelief, but simply of a genuine modesty borne from a consciousness of one’s own weakness. Jesus, the Eternal Son, pre-existent with the Father, humbled Himself, emptied Himself and took upon Himself the form of flesh (cf. Philippians 2:5-11). He partook of the same nature as man (Hebrews 2:10-18) and was tempted in all points like we are tempted (Hebrews 4:14-16) yet without sinning. It was in this incarnation that He partook of human weaknesses. Part of that weakness was the frustration and disappointment men know when they love other men and want to lead them to God’s redeeming grace and when sinful, rebellious men refuse to be led (cf. Matthew 19:16-22; Matthew 23:37-39; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 19:41-44; John 12:27-36; Matthew 26:36-46). Did Jesus agonize? Did He have to cry out to God in prayer? Yes! (cf. Hebrews 5:7-9). Jesus was astonished at the unbelief of His countrymen (Mark 6:6); He wept at the grief of Mary and Martha (John 11:35); He even despaired of finding faith on the earth at His second coming (Luke 18:8). The earthly ministry of Jesus was not spectacular in its personal resultsjudged by human standards. He made more enemies, per capita, than friends. He convinced only 12 men to follow Him, one of them was a traitor, and the others disavowed Him at His death. He came unto His own and His own received Him not (John 1:9-11). This was predicted (Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12)!
In spite of the fact that the Messiah experienced discouragement and disappointment and was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, He realistically committed His cause to Jehovah for vindication, justification and reward. The Christian must be a realist also! If they persecuted the Master they will persecute the disciple (cf. John 15:18-27; 1 Peter 4:12-19, etc.). There will be emotional lows as well as emotional highs for the Christian. The implication that believers should have a constant, happy glow about life is a form of Christian schizophrenia. Christian emotional dishonesty often can lead to deep despair and other psychological problems. A Christian psychologist says: God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons we could not learn in any other way. The way we learn those lessons is not to deny the feelings but to find the meanings underlying them.. Emotional dishonesty may be creating problems for others. Emotional honesty is necessary for one’s own spiritual growth and it also helps others to get the right perspective on their own experience. Commitment to God is not built on human feelings as a basisthey are too subjective, biased and vacillating. Christ did not feel like going to the cross (… let this cup pass from me.). Commitment to God is built on faith in the facts about who God is as they are objectively revealed in the Scriptures and in the Person of Jesus (… nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.). Even the Messiah, in His incarnate humiliation, knew emotional depression and could overcome it only by commitment and faith in the knowledge of who the Father is. The Messiah knew He could depend upon the faithfulness of Jehovah to see that justice was ultimately done and that His ministry would receive its eventual reward. Eventually the work of the Messiah would produce a great multitude of believers which no man could number (Revelation 7:9 f),-’ but not in the earthly lifetime of the Messiah. Christians need to learn the lesson of the parable. first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear (Mark 4:26-29).
Isaiah 49:5-6 COMMISSION: The Servant is born incarnate to accomplish a specific mission. He is to bring back Jacob and gather Israel to Jehovah. Ye’Seph is the Hebrew word translated gathered and means, to be brought in; placed in safety. His commission was to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. This He did. And He brought to safety all of the true Israel (cf. Galatians 6:16; Romans 11:25-32). The parenthetical statement is the Messiah-Servant’s reiteration that He has committed His cause to Jehovah and He is sure Jehovah will vindicate His ministry with honor and strength.
The Messiah-Servant’s commission is much broader than physical Israel, although in the sovereign plan of God that is where redemption began (Acts 1:8). The Messiah was for the whole world. He was to gather sheep not of Israel into the flock of God to become part of the true Israel (cf. John 10:16). Paul the apostle quotes Isaiah 49:6 in Acts 13:47 to give us the inspired interpretation of this prophecy. Jesus Christ is no provincial Messiah; He is not just a prophet of the JewsHe is Savior of the whole world. He is the Light of the world (John 8:12 f). One religion is not as good as anothernot even to Isaiah. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12). Isaiah is the prophet of world missions. Strangely enough, Isaiah says more about the salvation of the Gentiles than any O.T. book, and yet he is the one most read in the Jewish synagogues! Of course, most of the Jews have a different view of what God has in store for the Gentiles than Isaiah predicted (cf. Luke 4:16-30).
QUIZ
How may we be certain this passage is a prediction of the Messiah?
How was the Messiah to be used as God’s instrument?
Does the N.T. support the idea that the Messiah may have been disappointed in His earthly ministry?
Why can-’t we base our relationship to God on our feelings?
What N.T. scriptures indicate that the Gentiles were to be given an opportunity to become part of true Israel.?
Isaiah 49:7-13
b.
DESIRABLE SAVIOUR
TEXT: Isaiah 49:7-13
7
Thus saith Jehovah, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of Jehovah that is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who hath chosen thee.
8
Thus saith Jehovah, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee; and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritages;
9
saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.
10
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them.
11
And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
12
Lo, these shall come from far; and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
13
Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for Jehovah hath comforted his people, and will have compassion upon his afflicted.
QUERIES
a.
Why the change from abhorrence to worship (Isaiah 49:7)?
b.
How is a person given for a covenant (Isaiah 49:8)?
c.
When did Jehovah comfort His people (Isaiah 49:13)?
PARAPHRASE
Jehovah, Redeemer, and Holy One of Israel speaks to the One whom men will at first despise, for whom His own nation will feel revulsion, and whom men in high places will esteem lower than a slave, His Servant, and says: Do not be discouraged, kings and princes will one day recognize Your deity and will respectfully worship You. This will happen because Jehovah is absolutely faithful to fulfill His divine purpose of redemption in You. Jehovah also says, At the time acceptable to Me, at the time when, according to My sovereign will, I decide to accomplish My salvation of the world, I will deliver You from those who would try to thwart Your mission and I will make You, personally, My covenant. Through You My people shall receive the inheritance I promised to their forefathers; through You I will say to those in bondageyou are freed; to those in blindnessyou may now see. My people, like sheep, shall be fed in green pastures and on grassy hill-sides. They shall not be hungry or thirsty for righteousness; nothing will be allowed to hurt them any more for they will be led by One who loves them to an everlasting source of living water. I will remove all obstacles in their way and smooth out all the rough places. Behold, these people of Mine will be coming from the fartherest reaches of the worldeven from the far east. All of creation is invited to sing praises unto Jehovah because, when He has done what He here predicts through His Servant, He will have comforted His afflicted people as He promised to do.
COMMENTS
Isaiah 49:7-8 VINDICATION: Jehovah calls Himself Redeemer of Israel. Redeemer is from the Hebrew word, go-’el, which means, avenger, vindicator, ransomer, retributor, recoverer (often translated, kinsman, esp. in Ruth). Jehovah is going to redeem mankind through His Servant, and when He does His Servant will be vindicated. During His earthly tenure, the Servant, because of His humble station and His sinless purity, will be despised by rebellious, sinful men. In order to destroy the wisdom of the wise and thwart the cleverness of the clever, God chose what is weak, low, despised and foolish to the world in order to save the world. Man must learn to trust completely in God. If man is given any margin for egotism or boasting in self, he cannot trust God completely (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31). So God chose to send the Messiah, born in a Bethlehem barn, of poor parents, not tutored in the rabbinical schools, reared in Galilee (circuit of the Gentiles), a friend of fishermen, tax-collectors and harlots. He was abhorred by His own people. They called Him, Samaritan, demon-possessed, friend of sinners. He had no form or comeliness. that they should desire Him, (cf. Isaiah 53:1 f). They were sure no good thing could come out of Nazareth (John 1:46). Finally, they murdered Him (cf. Acts 2:22-24; Acts 3:13-16; Acts 13:26-32, etc.). But Jehovah raised Him from the dead and exalted His name above every name (cf. scriptures just cited plus Philippians 2:9-10; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 5:5; Revelation 15:3-4; Revelation 19:11-16). After the exaltation of the Servant, kings and princes and men in high places became His followers and worshipped Him (cf. Acts 13:7; Acts 17:32-34; Acts 18:8; Romans 16:23; Philippians 1:13). In succeeding centuries many kings and national leaders have become Christians. The Son was, for a little while, made lower than the angels (cf. Hebrews 2:9). After He suffered the necessary humiliation and accomplished atonement for sin, He was enthroned at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3 f) and was restored to the glory He had with the Father from the beginning (John 17:5). All this was according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23 f) and God kept His word (Acts 3:12-26).
The acceptable time (Heb. be-’eth ratzon) means literally, delightful, pleasing, gracious, satisfying time. It is the time pre-figured in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8 ff), when tribal inheritances were restored and bond-slaves were set freea time for great rejoicing. Jubilee was a type of the time of delight and grace that would come when the Messiah appeared (cf. Isaiah 61:2) to release captives, etc. Day of salvation (Heb. yom yeshu-‘ah) is, interestingly, day of Jesus or day of Joshua. The apostle Paul apparently quotes this verse in 2 Corinthians 6:2 and applies it to the N.T. dispensation. In the fulness of time, God sent His Servant (Galatians 4:4) to bring salvation and, in person, be a covenant of the people. Isaiah has already revealed that the Servant will Himself be given as a covenant to the whole world (cf. Isaiah 42:6). How does the Servant become a covenant? Girdlestone says in his, Synonyms of The Old Testament, The Lord Jesus is called the mediator of the New Covenant, because He is the medium wherein the Disposition of God is carried into effect, whether as regards the individual or the race as a whole (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). The inheritance which was given by promise to Christ (Galatians 3:16) was conveyed by covenant (through His blood-shedding) to all believers (Galatians 3:17; Galatians 3:29), who are made one with Him by faith; and it is this union of God with man, and of man with God, in Christ, which is summed up in the N.T. sense of the word berith. Jesus, in the offering of Himself to die the second death for all sin, became personally a covenant. Covenant relationship is relationship to Christ, the Person, not to a legal system. He said His blood (death) was the covenant (Matthew 26:26-29). All the promises of God find their Yes in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20). Christ became a servant. to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given. (Romans 15:8). When God could find nothing higher to swear by in order to show the unchangeable character of His purpose, He interposed (Himself) with an oath (Hebrews 6:17). Malachi calls Him the messenger of the covenant (Malachi 3:1-2). Daniel says the prince, the anointed one who is to be cut off will make a strong covenant with many (Daniel 9:24-27). The renovated land of verse eight is all part of the imagery of the fulfillment of Jehovah’s covenant with Abraham and his spiritual descendants, and is not to be understood literally. We come into covenant relationship with God by being joined in discipleship to Jesus. Disciples of Jesus are those who have been baptized into Him and keep His word (Matthew 28:18 f; John 8:31 f).
Isaiah 49:9-11 VIVIFICATION: The Servant will give Jehovah’s people back their life. Men will be released from their bondage to sin and delivered from their blindness (darkness) (cf. Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:16-30; John 8:12; John 9:39; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:10; etc.). Furthermore the Servant will shepherd Jehovah’s people (see comments on Isaiah 40:11). God’s people will not have to wander in the deserts of unbelief and sin aimlessly. They will be led by the Incarnate Messiah-Son who has partaken of their nature in order to become The Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:1 f). They will pasture in ways that formerly would not provide or were inaccessible. The Servant will change everything! The Servant’s people will not want (Psalms 23); when they hunger or thirst after righteousness, they will be filled (Matthew 5:6). The Hebrew word sharav may be translated heat, drought, or mirage. It is the same word used in Isaiah 35:7 and there translated glowing sand which would seem to mean mirage. The mirage was a common experience of the thirsty Palestinian traveler, who often thought he saw water where there was none. The Servant will not delude the many dying of spiritual thirstHe will provide living water and that in abundance. The Hebrew word mabbu-ey is translated springs and means, to gush out, effervescent, bubbling out, abundant. It is also found in Isaiah 35:7, translated springs. The final thing the Servant will do will be to make mountains into highways and raise the roads through deep valleys up to where they are safe and easily accessible. Apparently the mountains and valleys here stand for obstacles that are to be overcome by the Servant on behalf of His people (cf. Isaiah 40:4). Faith in Christ makes mountains into mole-hills (cf. Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23). Every obstacle to the knowledge of God may be destroyed with the weapons of the Servant (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
Isaiah 49:12-13 VERIFICATION: The Servant will also verify that God has kept His promise (Isaiah 40:1-2) to comfort His people and bring their warfare to an end (see comments on Isaiah 40:1-2). The Servant’s people are to come from the far reaches of the world. We have again the universal nature of the messianic salvation. The return from exile in Babylon is no longer the focus. The prophet’s revelation is now expanded to the whole world. The word Siyniym (Sinim) means, some commentators say, people of the wilderness of Sin, or the Sinites, a people of Canaan (Genesis 10:17; 1 Chronicles 1:15). Gesenius says it means Chinese. Kyle and Delitzsch also believe it refers to people of the ancient land of China. The word Tsin can be traced back to about 1122-1115 B.C. as a name (in many different forms) of small states into which the empire of China was divided after the reign of Wu-wang. Tsin, according to the Sinologist Neumann, was the name of a feudal kingdom of some importance in Shen-si, one of the western most provinces of the land of China, and Fei-tse, the first feudal king of Tsin, began to reign as early as 897 B.C. It would be quite possible then for Isaiah to have heard of the land of the Sinese. Of course, there were no exiles in China from the Babylonian dispersion. However, there is documentation that there were Jews who immigrated from Persia to China during the Han dynasty (205 B.C.220 A.D.). If Isaiah is speaking of the messianic era, as we think he is, then there is no problem with some people from China (Sinim) becoming followers of the Messiah. Since the emphasis is on distance from Palestine, China is more acceptable than the first two suggestions. Whatever the case, the whole universe is commanded to acknowledge in a hymn of praise that Jehovah has comforted His people and shown compassion to the afflicted. He has done it in the Person of the Servant who, despised and abhorred, tested in the crucible of incarnate weakness and disappointment, is now the exalted and desirable Savior.
QUIZ
What does the word Redeemer encompass?
Why was the Servant abhorred?
Can you name some of the kings and princes who worshiped Him?
What is the acceptable time?
What do you know about the Servant becoming a covenant?
Where do all the people come from to be comforted through the Servant?
Isaiah 49:14-21
c. DEJECTED ZION
TEXT: Isaiah 49:14-21
14
But Zion said, Jehovah hath forsaken me, and the Lord hath forgotten me.
15
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee.
16
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
17
Thy children make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth from thee.
18
Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith Jehovah, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all as with an ornament, and gird thy self with them like a bride.
19
For, as for thy waste and thy desolate places, and thy land that hath been destroyed, surely now shalt thou be too strait for the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
20
The children of thy bereavement shall yet say in thine ears, The place is too strait for me; give place to me that I may dwell.
21
Then shalt thou say in thy heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have been bereaved of my children, and am solitary, an exile, and wandering to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where were they?
QUERIES
a.
Why would Zion think Jehovah had forsaken her?
b.
How would Zion clothe herself with those coming to her?
c.
Why does she ask, Who hath begotten me these?
PARAPHRASE
But those in Zion who have been listening to these predictions of their glorious future say, How can all this come to pass if we are to go into captivity? Surely Jehovah is showing that He has forsaken us and forgotten us if we must go away to Babylonian exile! So Jehovah answers, As incredible as it may seem, occasionally a mother may disown her own baby, but I will never disown My true Zion. Look! I have cut your name deeply into the flesh of the palms of My hands. Your walls may be broken down from time to time but I see them ultimately and eternally built up. When the time of the Servant comes I want you to observe that many of those who have previously been your destroyers will cease opposing you and will come to you and become a part of Zion. Your beauty will be enhanced by their joining you. You will look as lovely as a bride dressed for her wedding. You think your population will be decimated by the captivity, and your nationhood destroyed. I tell you you will become so populous you will think there is no room for all the people joining themselves to you and your destroyers will be made powerless. The descendants of those who shall go into exile will one day shout to you, Zion is not large enough for all these people; it must be enlarged. Then you will say in amazement; Where did all these children of Zion come from, seeing I have suffered so much destruction and death of my own children? I have spent most of my existence wandering to and fro, so how could I have produced all these children? Look, I was left all alone in captivity and no one seemed to come forth to help me, so where have all these children been hidden all this time?
COMMENTS
Isaiah 49:14-18 MELANCHOLIA: The people of Zion are represented as being in a state of deep despondency. This is anticipating the nation of Judah in exile in Babylon. The Psalmist of the exile wrote: By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. (see Psalms 137:1 f). The promises of the prophets were glorious but only the most thoroughly committed believer put much hope in them. All recent history taught the Jews was that nations taken captive into Mesopotamia disappeared or lost their national identity. The great empires had never allowed a conquered nation to return to its own homeland. Judah was certain Jehovah had forsaken her (cf. Lamentations 5:1 f).
The Lord left His people in Babylon for 70 years (two generations would have been born and reared in a foreign land). Some of those who were taken down to Babylon as captives of war undoubtedly died there without ever seeing their homeland again (perhaps Daniel and his three friends). It was a great temptation for many Jews to despair and to spread their discouragement among others. The Lord works slowly, as men are prone to count time, but He is absolutely faithful to keep His promises. One of the most beautiful promises of the Old Testament is pictorialized in Isaiah 49:15-16. The Hebrew word -ulah is translated sucking child but means more literally an infant (newly born). On rare occasions one learns of a mother deserting her new-born child, but it is very unusual. The Lord’s love for Zion is indestructible! He cannot forget herit is not in His nature at all to forget His promises. He is preparing to sacrifice His only Son for her. True Zion is precious to Him. He has khakak, graven, them on the palms of His hands (not tattooed, but carved, etched deeply). He is constantly reminded of Zion! Her walls may be torn down by her enemies but in God’s sovereign vision, they are constantly before Him as built up forever. Whatever God dreams or envisions comes to pass. God’s dreams are not sand-castles. He has proven this through dreams and visions He manifested to the world by the instrumentality of His prophets. They all came to pass! So when God envisions the wells of Zion built forever, they shall be built forever! Maybe not in the lifetime of Isaiah, or the returned exiles, but when the Messiah arrives, He shall build the eternal walls of Zion (cf. Hebrews 12:25-28, a kingdom that cannot be shaken is already being received by the recipients of the Hebrew epistle)!
Those contemporaries of Isaiah who read his prophecy should look and see that what God has promised about Zion is already beginning to happen, and believe. Already the true Zion is beginning to take shape. Already the sifting process is taking place. True believers in the long-range program of God are starting to separate themselves from those who are destroyers of Zion (unbelievers). Already Isaiah’s teaching had begun to form a small band of disciples (Isaiah 8:16-18), a remnant, which would eventually include all those who walked in darkness even the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-7). Jehovah swears by His own life (which is, of course, never ending and absolute) that Zion shall one day wear these few, faithful believers (of Isaiah’s day) as a bride would her wedding finery (cf. Ephesians 5:26-27; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 19:7-8; Revelation 21:2).
Isaiah 49:19-21 MARVEL: Zion’s melancholia would eventually turn to marvel. These verses indicate Isaiah is predicting a spiritual land of Zion. Zion’s literal land has never been too small for her. She has never thought she had too many literal, physical children. There were times, however, after the establishment of the New Testament church that some of the Jewish Christians (even Peter) wondered about the amazing and rapid growth of the new Zion (the church). Many were wondering how God could make room in Zion for Gentiles from all over the world! There has never been a time (especially after the return from exile) that the enemies (those who swallowed up) the Jews were literally far away. Enemies of the Jews have always been near and have continually oppressed them and swallowed them up (e.g., Sanballat, Alexander the Great, Antiochus IV, Pompey, the Mohammedans; in our lifetime, the Germans, Russians and Arabs). But spiritually, the Messiah defeated the arch-enemy of Zion, the devil, and bound him for a thousand years so that Zion’s enemy is far away. It is a constant source of wonder and amazement that Jehovah could take the small minority of believers exiled in Babylon and preserve them through centuries of indignation and eventually make of them a world-wide Zion (cf. Acts 11:1-8; Acts 15:1-21, etc.).
We quote from Edward J. Young, Even during the exile the tide was turning. God was raising up Cyrus, who would make it possible for the exiles to return to their home. In this return there is seen the first fulfillment of this promise, but in the deeper sense the fulfillment takes place in the distant future when the Gentiles are brought into the Church of Christ. Zion is bereaved, but she has children, so many that there is no room for them. The remainder of this chapter confirms the messianic intent of the prophet.
QUIZ
What are other scriptures to indicate the despondency of the exiles?
Why is God unable to forget Zion?
When did they remember Zion?
How could the land be too strait for Zion?
Why can-’t this be literal Zion?
Isaiah 49:22-26
d. DELIVERED SOCIETY
TEXT: Isaiah 49:22-26
22
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and set up my ensign to the peoples; and they shall bring thy sons in their bosom, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
23
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their faces to the earth, and lick the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah; and they that wait for. me shall not be put to shame.
24
Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives be delivered?
25
But thus saith Jehovah, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered; for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
26
And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I Jehovah, am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
QUERIES
a.
Why put up a signal for the nations?
b.
How does God contend with those who contend with Zion?
c.
When did Jehovah take the prey away from the mighty?
PARAPHRASE
Now this is what the Lord Jehovah says, Look! I will give directions to the Gentiles and point out to them the sign I have set among the covenant people of My presence among men and they shall bring Zion’s sons and daughters to her in gentle safety. Gentile kings and queens will be like foster-fathers and foster-mothers to you. They will humiliate themselves to Zion and serve her like slaves. Then you will acknowledge that I am Jehovah and realize that trusting in Me with faith and patience will result in victory. Now you are despondent, saying, It is utterly impossible for us to be rescued from mighty Babylonthe righteous usually do not escape from the unrighteous. But Jehovah replies, Quite to the contrary, and as incredible as it may seem, I will do as I have promised and rescue my people from the giant. They shall be the prey of the tyrant no longer. I, Jehovah, will make war against those who make war upon you. I will make your enemies feed upon one anotherthey will make war upon one another, until they stagger and reel with defeat like drunken men. When all this comes to pass then all mankind will have evidence to know that I am the One Sovereign Lord who saved His people and sets them free. This will be the revelation to all the world that I am the Mighty One of Jacob.
COMMENTS
Isaiah 49:22-23 SIGNAL: Two different Hebrew words are used to denominate the recipients of Jehovah’s ensigngoim (Gentiles, or nations) and -ammim (peoples). Girdlestone says, … the word goim primarily signifies those nations which lived in the immediate neighborhood of the Jewish people; they were regarded as enemies, as ignorant of the truth, and sometimes as tyrants. If goi denotes a nation regarded from without, -am signified a people as viewed by one of themselves. Sometimes it (-am) is used in the familiar and domestic way in which we speak of -folk-’. It is often brought into direct. contrast with goi. Thus Moses, speaking to God concerning Israel, says, -This nation (goi) is thy people (-am),-’ Exodus 33:13. -Am is used by Isaiah (and other prophets) to distinguish Israel as God’s people, and to mark them off from the heathen goim. Often Isaiah predicts that the goim who had not been -ammim should become the people of God through the messianic redemption. Psalms 18:43; for example, reads, Thou hast made me the head of the heathen (goim); a people (-am) whom I have not known shall serve me. This will come to pass when Jehovah shall be acknowledged as holding rule as King of the goim (Jeremiah 10:7; Hosea 1:9-10; Hosea 2:23).
This by-play upon the words goim and -ammim in Isaiah 49:22 seems to indicate the delivered society referred to, although it may begin with deliverance from exile by Cyrus, has its ultimate goal as the messianic society (the church). The setting up of an ensign (a battle standard upon a pole; a rallying flag) is one of Isaiah’s favorite pictures of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 18:3; Isaiah 62:10). When God sends His Messiah to the world, the pagan nations are going to deliver up (by the preaching of the gospel) all whom God in His omniscience knows are His (both Jew and Gentile). The Lord once told Paul I have many people in this city. That city was Corinth (Acts 18:9-11). Nursing fathers is from the Hebrew word -omenayik (root word is -man) which means foster-father and its root meaning is to stay, to support. The Hebrew word yanak (nursing mothers) means literally to suckle and therefore may be translated foster-mother. The whole idea is that kings and queens of the goim (heads of state of heathen nations) will one day become, as it were, parents or supporters of Zion! And the once haughty, domineering goim will come to Zion in all humility to serve as slaves of Zion and her King. This is the only way anyone can join Zionhumility and service. When Jehovah begins the great work He is predicting here then many will begin to acknowledge Him as Sovereign and look forward in faith to the completion of it all in the messianic kingdom (just when the completion is to come they will not know, cf. 1 Peter 1:10-12). Those who thus wait in patient faith upon Jehovah’s promises, even though they do not live to see them accomplished, (Hebrews 11:13-16), will not be put to shame but will stand at their allotted place at the end of the days. (Daniel 12:13).
Isaiah 49:24-26 SPECTACLE: Zion is not yet convinced. If Zion is taken captive by the mighty (gibbor) one (Babylon) how is it possible that she shall ever see kings and queens coming to her in humble service? The lawful captives are, in Hebrew, the tsadiyk or righteous captives. They are righteous compared to Babylon. The righteous are Jews essentially non-warlike as compared to unrighteous Babylon. It was historically unheard of that a nation taken from its homeland into exile by such self-serving empires as Babylon should ever reappear again in its own homeland. Jehovah predicts that Zion shall not only be returned to her homeland but her enemies shall serve her. Incredible as it may seem, Zion is going to be delivered from her mighty and terrible enemy. These verses apply to the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile at the decree of Cyrus the Persian. This is a prelude to the signal to the goim of Isaiah 49:22-23 and their becoming foster-parents to Zion (the church). Zion needs first to believe that Jehovah will deliver her from Babylonian captivity. This is the first obstacle in the way to the formation of a remnant which will in turn perpetuate the true Zion through the centuries until the King of Zion appears. So God says, I will make war upon those who contend with Zion. This is one of the fundamental warnings of the Bible; Leave God’s people alonedo not harm themfor He is jealous for them. Whoever would attack the people of God attacks God! God even holds the world responsible for standing aloof when His people are being set upon (cf. our comments, Obadiah, Isaiah 49:10-14, Minor Prophets, Butler, College Press). All God has to do is give pagan empires up to their own paganism and they turn on one another and bite and devour one another (cf. Romans 1:24-32). The history of the unbelieving world of human governments is one long tale of war, tyranny, destruction and politico-socio cannibalism. Man, in his perverse rebellion against God, goes on devouring himself! It is a matter of history that when Cyrus took up the conquest of Babylon some of the satrapies of the Babylonian empire revolted and fought with the Persians against their former rulers. Isaiah’s prediction came to pass specifically and generally.
QUIZ
Who are the nations and peoples?
Who is the ensign?
How will kings and queens become nurses?
How will those who wait upon Jehovah not be put to shame?
Why does Zion still think they may not be delivered from captivity?
How does Jehovah feed oppressors with their own flesh?