The reader is on her own to determine who is the “barren that bear[s] not.” Isaiah also refers to this person as “the desolate.” We do know that the addressee is a woman. The noun inflections signify female. Also, women bear children, not men. But is the metaphorical woman a nation, a people group, an individual? These are questions the reader must ask… Therefore, it seems safe to conclude that the “barren,” or “barren one,” or “barren woman” whom God addresses in Isaiah 54:1 is not apostate (unfaithful) Israel. …
Israel and Gentiles Together: Devotional 2.54
These extra children are Gentile believers in God’s Servant (Isaiah 54:3b LXE). What happens to these Gentiles? In the Septuagint and the KJV, they join God’s people inside Israel’s own enlarged tent. They live with God’s people. Isaiah here describes one tent, in which both Israel and Gentiles dwell together. And Isaiah says to Israel, “REJOICE!” This is not a conquering, a subjugation, or a setting aside of nations, as in the NET; this is inclusion–an adoption. Paul spells this out extremely clearly in Ephesians 2:11-21. …
Fourth Servant Song Septuagint: Devotional 2.53
John 3:16 in Light of Isaiah 53. What does it mean for believers to “receive” Christ? When God “gave” his Son, he gave him to everyone to give back to him as their own, personal sin-offering. Truly, the Fourth Servant Song is a song of God’s deepest pleasure in his Servant. These verses burst with God’s delight in Him. …
Fourth Servant Song Septuagint: Devotional 2.52
The Septuagint version adds content and meaning not always present in the Masoretic. For example, the Greek sentence can read, “I will give the wicked [in exchange for] his burial and the rich [in exchange for his death]; for he practised no iniquity, nor craft with his mouth”. Further, the appearance of God inserting himself into the narrative in first person singular in both verses 8 and 9 establishes the fact of his being in charge of this whole situation concerning his Servant. …
Fourth Servant Song Septuagint: Devotional 2.51
The way the Greek reads (as reflected in the majority of English translations), the text of verse 7 appears to the American ear to be saying something like this, He was afflicted, and because he was so afflicted, [therefore] he opens not his mouth. In other words, it sounds as though the affliction was causing him not to open his mouth in protest. Obviously, this meaning is difficult to understand in the context of the overall situation of the Servant. …