44:9–20 The Idolater and His God
This section is in stark contrast with verses 6 to 8 in which Yahweh asserts His power and proclaims His involvement and activity on behalf of His people. In the case of idols, all the activity and initiative rests with men! There would not be an idol-god if the…
In Isaiah 41:21–29 a court scene is presented and the idol-gods are challenged to bring forth reasons to establish their credibility: their ability to foretell future events is put to the test and contrasted with Yahweh of Israel’s capacity to prophesy the future and to bring to pass His progn…
The final verses of Isaiah 42 speak of the blindness of the national servant, Israel, and the suffering it has brought upon Israel. There has been a complete inability to relate the afflictions with the cause and to recognize that Yahweh has controlled events. In chapter 43 assurance is given that…
Isaiah 41
The remainder of Isaiah 41 falls into two sections. The first builds on Yahweh’s special relationship with His chosen people, guaranteeing their deliverance and prosperity for which they will honour Him (v11– 20); and the last section from verse 21 is a challenge to idolaters to prove…
“Fear Not, Thou Worm Jacob” Read More »
In the opening verses of Isaiah 26 there is great rejoicing for the deliverance Yahweh has wrought for His chosen. The righteous nation which has preserved the truth is invited to enter Zion in which perfect peace is found. The great lesson in Hezekiah’s day when he confronted the Assyrian cha…
“In the Way of Thy Judgments We Have Waited” Read More »
Again we have in this section one of Isaiah’s favourite literary forms, the courtroom drama. The parties are assembled and consist of Israel (v8) and the nations (v9). The issue to be settled is whether what Yahweh asserts are fables or attested by the facts of history. Can the idol-gods predict…
The opening verses of Isaiah 26 present glimpses of the Kingdom to come, along with prayer for divine intervention to hasten the fall of tyrannical rulers and the deliverance of saints. Isaiah 26:16–21 continues these thoughts with the feelings of despair, expressed in a “whispered prayer”. Th…
“Awake and Sing, Ye That Dwell in Dust” Read More »
Verse 6 of Isaiah 27 presents the picture of the seed of Jacob budding and filling the face of the earth with fruit. This is the glorious destiny reserved for Abrahamʼs natural seed, but the verses which follow review Yahwehʼs correction and discipline of His people and the reasons for His mercy b…
3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
“Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anoin…
Habakkuk 3:13 to 18 Read More »
2:9-11 Second Woe: Woe to Those Moved by Greed and Covetousness
2:9 “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!”
These words apply to:-
The Chaldean exploitation and deportation of Y…
