It is not the purpose of this blog to be contentious. Nevertheless, there seem still to be large numbers of Christians who cling to earthly, carnal, political fulfillment of God’s precious promises to all peoples everywhere from every tribe, language, people, and nation. God is inclusive, not exclusive. Reserving certain promises of God to those of a particular racial ethnicity robs other Christians of different ethnic descent of their full blessings in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:18-22). …
Gleanings #2-4: Isaiah Journal 2.6
Isaiah 41:4, LXX pops in the Septuagint text. The last two words state, “I Am.”
4 Who has wrought and done these things? he has called it who called it from the generations of old; I God, the first and to all futurity, I AM. (LXE, Brenton)
A study note for this verse appears in the Orthodox Study Bible (3).
41:4 I Am, repeated twenty-seven times in chs. 41-49, means “I am the existing One.” This phrase is traditionally written in Greek in Christ’s halo on Orthodox icons (OΩN). This is how the Son and Word of God revealed Himself to Moses (Ex 3:14). …
Gleaning #1: Isaiah Journal 2.5
Verses 40:31-41:1 reveal a story in the Greek text. We include Isaiah 40:31 because of the verbal tie established by repetition of the word “renew”… Considering 40:31 and 41:1 together, side by side as they are, the reader perceives two distinct groups which renew their strength. One group are the blessed, “they that wait on God.” Waiting on God in Scripture is a marvelous thing to do. God favors those who wait on him. The other group are composed of the rulers, the nations, the far off islands. These words refer not so much to geography in this context, but to spiritual condition. Those far from God abide so because they oppose him; they have no interest in him. But God says they shall renew their strength. And being strengthened, God bids them to gather together with one another, to converse together in a huddle, to plan their strategy in opposition to God. …
The Structure of Isaiah 41: Isaiah Journal 2.4
Isaiah 41:1-7. God addresses non-believing Gentile nations.
Isaiah 41:8-20. God addresses Israel, “my servant,” with comfort and promise.
Isaiah 41:21-28. God addresses the non-believing Gentile nations a second time.
Isaiah 41:21-24. God challenges these nations and their idols.
Isaiah 41:25. God demonstrates his power.
Isaiah 41:26-28. God states that no one from among the nations knew or foretold this. But he, God, did.
Isaiah 41:29. God sums up his argument with the Gentiles and their idols. …
God Rebukes Doubt: LXX Isaiah 2.3
I prefer to think of what I have called Division 1 (Isaiah 40:1-11) as a separate section entirely. Isaiah never meant it to “blend in” with the rest of the chapter. In this way, Division 2 would be local to Israel’s historical position of nearing the end of their captivity in Babylon. Division 1, a stand-alone section, looks to the then far future of the coming Messiah. Its weight and scope is eternal. …
The Coming Messiah: LXX Isaiah 2.2
The first unit of Volume 2 of Isaiah (verses 40:1-11) boldly and joyfully announces the coming Messiah… Does the prophet Isaiah separate and distinguish his Messianic message between Israel and the Gentiles? One blessing for Israel and a separate, different blessing for Gentiles? No, he doesn’t. Isaiah 40:10-11 speaks to Zion, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah. They clearly indicate the Jesus who walks through the pages of the four gospels. There is one coming King who will bless and gather one people for himself (Ephesians 2:11, 11-22; Galatians 3:28-29). …
Concrete and Spiritual: LXX Isaiah Journal Vol 2.1
What do the biblical books of Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians have to do with the book of Isaiah? Simply this. When I, as a 21st century non-Jewish Christian, read God’s words, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,” can I apply these words to myself? I believe that the New Testament teaches that yes, I can. God is also speaking to me. …