Isa 24:1

THE EARTH: “There can be little doubt that throughout this ch the wd ‘eretz’ sb read Land (16 times). Certainly in its primary ref it is the Land of Israel whose misery is being foretold (in future tense, in Heb). But, significantly, Jerusalem itself is not mentioned — appropriate enough, for it was the only city in Judah not to suffer directly in the Assyrian campaign” (WIsa 256). Not, of course, a complete devastation of the surface of the whole globe!

RUIN ITS FACE: Lit, “turn it upside down”: cp 2Ki 21:13; Eze 21:27 (overturn).

SCATTER ITS INHABITANTS: In Hezekiah’s day, only the first taste of what was to come on Jewry, and is yet to come on them (Deu 28:64).

Isa 24:2

“The long catalogue of all segments of society all brought to a common level of misery is a highly effective characteristic of Isaiah’s writing; cp Isa 2:12-16; 3:1-3,18-24… Contemporary Hosea has a similar description: Hos 4:3,6,9” (WIsa 256).

Isa 24:4

“It is a depressing picture, with the nobility suffering as much as the rest. God’s Holy Land is defiled by violence and by heedless transgression of God’s laws (Lev 26:46), by gross neglect of His Passover ordinance (sw Exo 12:14,17,24) and a callous disregard of the covenant made between Jehovah and Israel at Mt Sinai (Exo 24). The most obvious token of this was the shutting of the temple by Hezek’s evil father” (WIsa 256,257).

Isa 24:5

THE EARTH IS DEFILED BY ITS PEOPLE: Isa 26:21 suggests that the Land’s inhabitants defiled the Land by shedding the blood of their fellow Jews (cp Num 35:33,34).

AND BROKEN THE EVERLASTING COVENANT: If the Noahic covenant, may mean the prohibition against wrongful bloodshed (Gen 9:7) — of which Israel was guilty (Isa 1:15,21; 4:4). Or may ref more esp the LM and its regulations prohibiting murder (Exo 20:13; Num 35:6-34), which are an extension of the Noahic mandate.

Isa 24:6

BURNED UP… VERY FEW ARE LEFT: The dross of Israel’s guilt was to be burned out (Isa 1:31; 5:24; 9:18,19; 10:16,17)… Assyrian invaders would ruthlessly fire towns and villages” (WIsa 257).

Isa 24:7

THE NEW WINE… VINE…: God removed Jews’ means of sacrifice and worship — because of their disregard for Him (cp Joel 1:10-12).

Isa 24:8

TAMBOURINES: Used in religious services: Psa 81:2; 1Sa 10:5; Exo 15:20 — esp to celebrate victories.

Isa 24:9

A SONG: The joyful music of the feasts would cease (Amo 6:5); only the chant of lamentation would remain (Amo 8:10).

BITTER: Cp Deu 32:33.

Isa 24:10

RUINED: Heb “tohu”, as in Gen 1:2: “formless”.

THE ENTRANCE TO EVERY HOUSE IS BARRED: Barricaded against the time when the enemy will threaten to batter its gates to pieces (v 12).

Isa 24:11

But ct this with Isa 25:6-9; 35:1… This is not the permanent condition!

Isa 24:13

GLEANINGS: Same figure in Isa 17:4-6; 27:2; Mic 7:1,2. (Does the “harvest” motif here suggest that the last terrible 3 1/2 year tribulation period for Israel begins at time of Feast of Tabernacles — ie harvest — and concludes at time of Passover?)

Isa 24:14

THEY SHOUT FOR JOY: Seemingly entirely out of place with earlier vv, but fully explained by the sudden and total overthrow of Sennacherib’s host!

FROM THE WEST THEY ACCLAIM…: This last phrase: “The water of the sea shall be troubled” (LXX). Cited Luk 21:25. Or… as NIV, the loud acclamation and rejoicing — but from east and west — at the defeat of Sennacherib (2Ch 32:23; Isa 25:3) [ // v 15 also].

Isa 24:15

EAST: Heb “orim” — transltd “fires” in AV, but prob a ref to the dawn, or the east.

ISLANDS OF THE SEA: The coastlands (and poss islands of Medit), to the west. Together, east and west!

Isa 24:16

GLORY TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE: Not used of God Himself; thus a ref to Hezekiah — “raised up” from the “dead”, so to speak!

BUT I SAID, ‘I WASTE AWAY… THE TREACHEROUS BETRAY!…”: Even in the midst of victory, there is observed the terrible devastation of the Land at the hand of Sennacherib — the result of the cowardly betrayal of Isaiah’s (and Hezekiah’s) ideals by self-serving politicians (see Isa 21:2; 33:1) and turncoat Arab mercenaries (Isa 25:10; 34:5)!

THE TREACHEROUS BETRAY: In LD, refs esp to Israel’s Arab neighbors: Jer 48:42,43; Psa 83 (the Arabs who betray their “brethren”!).

Isa 24:17

TERROR… PIT… SNARE: Heb “pachad, pachath, pach”. “Lest that day come upon you as a snare” (Luk 21:35).

TERROR: Sw used about Uzziah’s earthquake: Isa 2:10,19,21.

SNARE: A trap in which animals are caught. But the sw occurs in Psa 11:6 re a storm.

Isa 24:18

For general idea, cp Amo 5:9; 9:1-4.

Nuclear weapons? Consider: (1) mighty explosion, (2) underground bomb shelters, (3) imperceptible fallout.

FLOODGATES OF THE HEAVENS: “As in days of Noah” (Gen 7:11; 8:2; Mat 24:37).

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH SHAKE: See Lesson, Earthquakes.

Isa 24:19

THOROUGHLY SHAKEN: “Perplexed” (LXX: “aporia”, sw Luk 21:25).

Isa 24:20

DRUNKARD: “Surfeiting and drunkenness” (Luk 21:35).

LIKE A HUT IN THE WIND: A frail shack battered and wrecked by a hurricane.

Isa 24:21

POWERS IN… HEAVENS.. .AND.. .ON THE EARTH: Two “tsabaoth”, or kinds of armies: in heaven (air force, missiles) and on earth (army, navy). A perfect anticipation of modern warfare.

Isa 24:23

Cited Mat 24:29: sun darkened… moon shall not give her light. The glory of the resurrected Christ outshines sun (Isa 4:5; 60:1,3; Mal 4:2; Act 26:13).

ELDERS: The “fathers” (Gen 28:4; Joh 8:56), incl David (2Sa 7:16).

LD: Here is pictured “the long-overdue repentance of the nation, its self-humiliation before the Man — whom, formerly, they would not have to reign over them. At that time not only those who are the Lord’s true temple, his mount Zion, but also the entire city of Jerusalem will gladly receive Jesus as ‘the Lord our Righteousness.’ And with them there will be the ‘ancients’ of the race, the Fathers: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David — men of faith who received promises, believed them with heart and soul, but who have slept through long centuries till the day of fulfillment. Here, and not here only (Isa 25:8; 26:19) is Isaiah’s confident doctrine of the resurrection” (WIsa 264).

Isa 25:1

Isa 25: The “songs” alluded to in Isa 24:16!

IN PERFECT FAITHFULNESS: “Faithful and sure” (RSV). Or “faithful and true”, a title of Christ in Rev 9:11. An idiom for the promises of God, esp those made to the ancient fathers and to David (Mic 7:20; Psa 89:1,2,22,24,29; Gen 24:27).

MARVELOUS THINGS: “A wonder of counsels”: cp Isa 9:6. The “marvelous things” = the saving of Jerusalem from the Assyrians; the saving of Hezekiah from a deadly illness. In both deliverances, there was no hope from man, but only by dramatic act of God (Isa 38:5,6).

THINGS PLANNED LONG AGO: Foretold some years earlier: Isa 14:25; 17:13; 4:2; 1:26; 8:14; 16:5; 22:20,21.

Isa 25:2

THE CITY: Here, Nineveh, not destroyed soon (in fact, more than 100 years later). Is this characteristic prophetic language, asserting inevitable overthrow because Isaiah himself (Isa 13;14), Micah (Mic 5:6), and Nahum (Nah 2;3) had already foretold it?

THE FOREIGNERS’ STRONGHOLD… NEVER BE REBUILT: The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem?

Isa 25:3

The Gentile nations giving glory to the God of Hezekiah: 2Ch 32:23. For LD //, see Rev 11:13.

Isa 25:4

// Isa 4:5,6.

REFUGE: God a strong tower: Pro 18:10.

POOR… NEEDY: Hezekiah himself, delivered simultaneously from the threat to his own life and threat to his city.

Isa 25:5

AS HEAT IS REDUCED BY THE SHADOW OF A CLOUD: “As when heat burns under a cloud”, ie the Shekinah Glory.

SO THE SONG OF THE RUTHLESS IS STILLED: “A psalm shall bring down the terrible ones” (TofE 67). Cp 2Ch 20:21,22.

Isa 25:6

THIS MOUNTAIN: Mt Zion (Isa 24:23).

RICH FOOD: Previously all fat things were God’s portions only (Lev 3:3-5). But now they are shared with all mankind. Feast of Tabernacles language (cp Zec 14:16)! Also, Breaking of bread, with bread and wine: Luk 22:16; Mat 26:29; Isa 55:1,2.

FOR ALL PEOPLE: “None can sit at the table who do not know the giver” (GbS 58). “Many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 8:11).

WINES: “When I drink it anew with you” (Mat 26:29).

Isa 25:7

See Lesson, Judgment seat at Jerusalem.

SHROUD: Or “veil”, marking their leprous uncleanness (Lev 13:45) — the disease that threatened to kill Hezekiah. “Shroud”, however, suits v 8: “death”. Perhaps, esp, the veil, or cloth, placed over the face of the dead (cp Joh 11:44; 19:40; 20:7). (“Veil”, or “shroud” = Heb “lowt”, or “Lot”, the father of Moab (cp v 10 here).

THAT ENFOLDS ALL PEOPLES: “And suffering Gentile nations shared in his [Hezekiah’s] gladness (Isa 14:1; 16:4 19:18-25; 23:18; 2Ch 32:23; 2Ki 20:12)” (WIsa 266).

Isa 25:8

HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH FOREVER: Hezekiah: Isa 38:19-21. The image of the LORD “swallowing” death would be esp powerful, for death was viewed in Canaanite mythology and culture as a hungry god who swallows his victims. (NT) Quoted by Paul in 1Co 15:54 re resurrection.

THE SOVEREIGN LORD WILL WIPE AWAY THE TEARS FROM ALL FACES: Re Hezekiah: Isa 38:5; 30:19; Psa 116:8. LD: “It is the picture of the angel of the Lord personally wiping away for ever the tears of sadness which have been inevitable in the experience of all saints in Christ. This incomparable comfort will be one of the greatest of the blessings of the kingdom of God. For the assurance of the sore-tested believer it is so picked out in two Apocalyptic visions of the age to come (Rev 7:17; 21:4). Behind these words is yet a further comfort. More than once it has been said: ‘How shall I be able to enjoy the blessedness of the kingdom if one whom I have so long and so dearly loved does not share it with me?’ To this Isaiah’s answer is that even such tears will be wiped away. The implication is that all memories involving sadness will be blotted out by the imparting of a superb faculty for forgetting: ‘Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded’ (Jer 31:16)” (WIsa 269).

HE WILL REMOVE THE DISGRACE OF HIS PEOPLE FROM ALL THE EARTH: “Disgrace” = the Assyrian menace: Psa 44:13-16; 79:10,11; 89:50,51; Mic 6:16.

Isa 25:9

IN THAT DAY: Cp Isa 26:1; 27:1,2,12,13.

WE TRUSTED IN HIM: Cp Isa 26:8; 33:2.

LET US BE REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN HIS SALVATION: Psa 118:24.

Isa 25:10

THE HAND OF THE LORD WILL REST: That is, to protect.

BUT MOAB WILL BE TRAMPLED: But for the enemy (Moab here: Isa 15;16), Zion, originally a threshing floor, became a place of downtreading.

Isa 12:1

Isa 12: A psalm of praise for the deliverance God will bring to Jerusalem, by the destruction of the army of Assyria. Note //s with Exo 15 — commemorating the destruction of the army of Egypt.

ALTHOUGH YOU WERE ANGRY WITH ME: “This, of course, makes no sense apart from the realisation that the affliction which came on Hezekiah was not personally deserved but was visited on him as representative of the nation. Nor does this first declaration make sense apart from what follows: ‘Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me’ ” (WIsa 191).

Isa 12:3

WELLS OF SALVATION: “In Hezekiah’s day there was only one ‘well of salvation’ — the Gihon spring which was led underground by Hezekiah’s conduit (2Ch 32:3,4) to Siloam (Isa 8:6) inside the city’s defences. The intensive plural — ‘wells’ — is used here for emphasis. Here is the beginning (it could hardly have been introduced earlier) of the lovely figure of speech, in psalms and prophets, of the Lord as a life-giving spring of water (Jer 2:13; cp Psa 42:1,2). [This v] suggests that it was in thanksgiving for the Assyrian deliverance that the procedure was instituted at the Feast of Tabernacles [cp also Zec 14:16] of drawing water from Siloam and taking it in solemn processional to the temple, there to be poured out in praise and thanksgiving at the base of the altar. It was, of course, this to which Jesus referred in his great appeal on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Joh 7:37,38). He appropriated the meaning of the entire procedure to himself, and thus underlined (what needs no underlining) that Isa 12 is about himself and his salvation” (WIsa 192).

Isa 12:4

GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, CALL ON HIS NAME: Quoting from one of the processional psalms when David brought the ark to Zion (1Ch 16:8; cp Psa 105:1). ‘Do not forget that the true “Ark” of the glory of God is here in Jerusalem, and that He is the tower and refuge of His people (Psa 46:7; 48:3).’

Isa 12:5

GLORIOUS: Or “excellent”. Lit, the “surging” or “welling up” of mighty waters (cp sw in Psa 89:9; similar wd in Exo 15:1,21; Eze 47:5) — alluding to the sudden flow of water through the Siloam conduit when completed. Cp ideas in Psa 46.

LET THIS BE KNOWN TO ALL THE WORLD: One outcome of the Assyrian defeat was an unparalleled acknowledging of the God of Israel by surrounding nations (2Ch 32:23).

Isa 12:6

SHOUT ALOUD AND SING FOR JOY: In unrestrained gladness at such a mighty salvation.

GREAT IS THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL AMONG YOU: Cp Hos 11:9; Zep 3:14,15. Cp Christ entering the Jerusalem: “Hosanna… Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mat 21:9; Psa 118:26; cp Zec 14:16; Rev 7:9; 21:3).

Author: Isaiah

Time: 740 – 690 BC

Summary: Isaiah ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. He deals with the coming judgment on Judah due to its idolatry and apostasy. He urges the kings and the people to put their trust in God rather than in alliances with other nations. He comforts his people with the realization that God loves those who are faithful to Him and keep His commandments. He speaks of the future Messiah who would come to redeem the nation and restore the Kingdom.

Key verse: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa 9:6).

Outline

THE BOOK OF JUDGMENT (Isa 1-39)

1. Rebuke and promise: Isa 1:1 – 6:13

a) Rebellion confronted with judgment and grace: Isa 1:1-31 b) Punishment for sin as preparation for glory: Isa 2:1 – 4:6 c) Judgment and exile in store for the nation: Isa 5:1-30 d) Isaiah’s unique commission from God: Isa 6:1-13

2. Prophecies about Judah: Isa 7:1 – 12:6

a) Ahaz warned not to fear the Arameans and Israelites: Isa 7:1-25 b) Isaiah’s son and David’s son: Isa 8:1 – 9:7 c) Judgement against Israel: Isa 9:8 – 10:4 d) Assyrian empire crushed; glorious empire to come: Isa 10:5 – 12:6

3. Judgment against the nations: Isa 13:1 – 23:18

a) Against Babylon and its ruler: Isa 13:1 – 14:27 b) Against Philistia: Isa 14:28-32 c) Against Moab: Isa 15:1 – 16:14 d) Against Aram and Israel: Isa 17:1-14 e) Against Cush: Isa 18:1-7 f) Against Egypt: Isa 19:1 – 20:6 g) Against Babylon: Isa 21:1-10 h) Against Edom: Isa 21:11-12 i) Against Arabia: Isa 21:13-17 j) Against Jerusalem: Isa 22:1-25 k) Against Tyre: Isa 23:1-18

4. Judgment and promise: Isa 24:1 – 27:13

a) Universal judgment upon universal sin: Isa 24:1-23 b) God praised as deliverer and comforter of Zion: Isa 25:1- 26:21 c) Oppressors to be punished but God’s people preserved: Isa 27:1-13

5. Six woes upon the unbelievers of Israel: Isa 28:1 – 33:24

a) Woe to Ephraim (Samaria) and to Judah: Isa 28:1-29 b) Woe to Jerusalem: Isa 29:1-14 c) Woe to those who rely on foreign alliances: Isa 29:15-24 d) Woe to the obstinate nation: Isa 30:1-33 e) Woe to those who rely on Egypt: Isa 31:1 – 32:20 f) Woe to Assyria — but blessing for God’s people: Isa 33:1-24

6. More prophecies of judgment and promise: Isa 34:1 – 35:10

a) Destruction of the nations: Isa 34:1-17 b) Blessing on the way of holiness: Isa 35:1-10

7. Historical interlude: Isa 36:1 – 39:8

a) Jerusalem preserved from Assyrian threat: Isa 36:1 – 37:38 b) God extends Hezekiah’s life: Isa 38:1-22 c) The Babylonian exile predicted: Isa 39:1-8

THE BOOK OF COMFORT (Isa 40-66)

8. The deliverance and restoration of Israel: Isa 40:1-48:22

a) Comfort for God’s people: Isa 40:1-41:29 b) The Lord’s servant: Isa 42:1-25 c) The regathering and renewal of Israel: Isa 43:1-44:5 d) The only God: Isa 44:6-47:15 e) The Lord’s exhortations to his people: Isa 48:1-22

9. The servant’s ministry and Israel’s restoration: Isa 49:1-57:21

a) The call and mission of the servant: Isa 49:1-7 b) The restoration of Zion: Isa 49:8-26 c) Israel’s sin and the servant’s obedience: Isa 50:1-11 d) Everlasting salvation for Zion: Isa 51:1-52:12 e) The suffering and glory of the Lord’s servant: Isa 52:13-53:12 f) The future glory of Zion: Isa 54:1-17 g) The Lord’s call to salvation: Isa 55:1-56:8 h) The condemnation of the wicked in Israel: Isa 56:9-57:21

10. Everlasting deliverance and everlasting judgement: Isa 58:1-66:24

a) False and true worship: Isa 58:1-14 b) Zion’s confession and redemption: Isa 59:1-21 c) Zion’s peace, prosperity, restoration and glory: Isa 60:1 – 63:6 d) Prayer for divine deliverance: Isa 63:7-64:12 e) The Lord’s answer: mercy and judgment: Isa 65:1-66:24

(Also see Lesson, Isa, thematic breakdown)

Isa 1:1

See Lesson, Prophet, the.

ISAIAH: Sig “Yah has saved”. Little is known of his personal life and background: he may have been from a priestly family (Isa 6:1), and he seems to have been on familiar terms with the royalty (Isa 8:1).

Isa 1:2

HEAVENS… EARTH: God, His angels, and the nation of Israel: Jer 2:12; 6:19; 22:29; Eze 36:4,6; Mic 1:2; 6:2.

THEY HAVE REBELLED AGAINST ME: Israel the rebellious “son”: Deu 21:18.

Isa 1:3

Animals that “obey” God: the migrating birds (Jer 8:7), the animals brought to the ark (Gen 6:20; 7:9), and Balaam’s ass (Num 22). See LB 412,413.

Consider application of v to Isa 2:7: the animals in the “barn” recognizing their “Lord” in the manger, while — outside — the nation of Israel did not understand!

MY PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND: Israel is to be blinded: Isa 6:9,10; 44:18; Mat 13:13).

Isa 1:4

LOADED WITH GUILT: Their sins were a “burden” (cp Psa 38:4), which only their God could bear away (Exo 34:7).

A BROOD OF EVILDOERS: Seed of the serpent: Mat 3:7; 12:34; 23:33; cp Gen 3:15.

Isa 1:5

YOUR WHOLE HEAD IS INJURED, YOUR WHOLE HEART AFFLICTED: And continuing into v 6, a graphic description of leprosy: Job 2:7; Isa 38:9; 53:4-6; Psa 38:3,7; 41:3. Note judgments on Jehoram (2Ch 21:18) and Uzziah (2Ch 26:20). Later, the leprosy of Hezekiah esp (Isa 38; 53) would mirror the sin of his nation.

Isa 1:6

See v 5n.

Isa 1:7

Vv 7,8: The Assyrian invasion.

Isa 1:8

A SHELTER IN A VINEYARD: Proverbial sym of isolation (cp Isa 3:26). A booth in the midst of a field, where, during the harvest, the farmer guards his crops from marauding beasts — or thieves.

A CITY UNDER SIEGE: Jerusalem, by Sennacherib.

Isa 1:9

LORD ALMIGHTY: Lit, “Lord of hosts” (tzvaoth), or armies. Prob sig the angels (cp 1Ki 22:19; Jos 5:14), who protected Jerusalem from Sennacherib (Isa 37:36)… and delivered Lot and family from Sodom (Gen 19).

Isa 1:10

Vv 10-20: Obedience and mercy equated with sacrifice: 1Sa 15:22; Psa 50:7-14; Hos 6:6 (Mat 9:13; 12:7). The LM was not bad (Isa 58:13,14; Rom 7:12), unless “observed” by hypocrites (see 1Sa 15:22; Jer 6:20; Hos 6:6).

SODOM… GOMORRAH: The sins of Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and idleness: Eze 16:49.

Isa 1:11

“The people of God are come to a sorry pass when they have a mind to give more attention to the forms of their religion than its inner meaning. The multitude of sacrifices had ceased to be rejoiced in as a medium by which God’s merciful forgiveness was received. Instead, they had become a kind of bribe to the Almighty as a way of bespeaking His favour and help in emergency” (WIsa 95).

I HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH…: “I have had my fill”; “I am stuffed with…” (NET).

Isa 1:12

COME TO APPEAR BEFORE ME: At the solemn feasts: Exo 34:23; Psa 42:3; 84:7.

THE TRAMPLING OF MY COURTS: That is, a constant stream of sacrifices, sacrifices by the herd, but essentially to no avail! Cp Amo 5:21-24; Mic 6:7,8.

Isa 1:13

INCENSE: A figure of prayer (Psa 141:2,3; Rev 5:8: 8:3,4), but not in this case!

CONVOCATIONS: Annual assemblies (Lev 23).

Isa 1:15

WHEN YOU SPREAD OUT YOUR HANDS IN PRAYER: Like the Pharisee in the Temple: Luk 18:11-13. Warnings against wrong use of prayer: Pro 27:14; 28:9.

Isa 1:16

Vv 16,17: The only explicitly positive exhortation in all this ch.

WASH AND MAKE YOURSELVES CLEAN: Addressed to a spiritually leprous nation (Isa 1:5,6). How to cleanse? By application of the word of God (Joh 15:3; Psa 119:9; Eph 5:26).

Isa 1:17

The putting away of the negatives must be deliberately followed by the careful and painstaking application to learning good ways! // Jam 1:27.

Isa 1:18

COME NOW, LET US REASON TOGETHER: “The idea of God and men remonstrating and arguing with each other is truly remarkable, but not unique. Abraham spent long persuasion beating down God’s price for Sodom (Gen 18:23-32). At the burning bush Moses stuck his toes in against a redeeming return to Egypt, but was overborne (Exo 4:1-17). Job demanded the opportunity to argue his case with the Almighty (Job 23:3-7), but when he got it he crumpled up before the heavenly majesty. More than once Isa offered on God’s behalf a court case between the Almighty and the people He was at loggerheads with (eg, Isa 43:9,10,26)” (WIsa 97).

REASON TOGETHER: Not, however, like equals. This is much more of a divine ultimatum.

THOUGH YOUR SINS ARE LIKE SCARLET, THEY SHALL BE WHITE AS SNOW: Cp Rev 7:9,14: white garments washed in the blood of the Lamb.

SCARLET: As princes’ robes: 2Sa 1:24.

Isa 1:20

IF YOU RESIST AND REBEL: As in Exo 16:28; Psa 78:10; 81:11; Deu 1:26.

FOR THE MOUTH OF THE LORD HAS SPOKEN: Isaiah’s constantly repeated emphasis (Isa 34:16; 40:5; 45:23; 48:3; 58:4); therefore it is a word of truth and power.

Isa 1:21

HARLOT: Spiritually unfaithful to her “husband”: Jer 5:1-4; Jam 4:4; Rev 2:20; 17:1. Related to idolatry: ie, Num 25:1,2.

Isa 1:22

Adultery, in v 21, and ADULTERATION in v 22! See Mat 5:18.

Isa 1:23

// Mic 2:2; 3:11; 7:3.

THE WIDOW’S CASE DOES NOT COME BEFORE THEM: See Jesus’ parable in Luk 18:1-8.

Isa 1:25

I WILL THOROUGHLY PURGE AWAY YOUR DROSS: “God is ready and waiting to deliver us from our follies and fantasies and baby toys — as soon as we are sincerely ready to let them go. But while professing to want to grow up and be free of them, we cling so pitifully to them like the teddy bears of our childhood (which they are). We cannot do it ourselves, but God can and will — swiftly and surgically, as soon as we ask and really mean it. It is a bit of a shock, like extracting an aching tooth without anesthetic, but the relief is wonderful and immediate. But we must have the intense desire, springing from a total love of God and — from the love — an anxious, ardent zeal to approach Him closer and closer, and serve Him more and more. We must come to see all our toys as handicaps and hindrances to total joy in His service. Do we love Him enough?” (GVG).

Isa 1:29

SACRED OAKS IN WHICH YOU HAVE DELIGHTED: A revival of the ancient Canaanite sex-worship under a more respectably Israelite disguise. “A reenacting of Adam and Eve in their garden nakedness (LXX uses the word “paradise”). There, under a tree of life, these perverts gave themselves to enjoyment, and called it Paradise Restored” (WIsa 100).

THE GARDENS YOU HAVE CHOSEN: The old Amorite practices (Deu 16:21; 2Ki 16:4; Isa 57:5; 65:3; 66:17; Amo 2:7) of sacred fornication.

Isa 1:31

TINDER: Quickest and easiest to burn.

HIS WORK A SPARK: The sins of Israel would be the “spark” to set off the conflagration!

Isa 3:1

SUPPLY AND SUPPORT: Masc and fem of sw: all the nation, male and female together, come under condemnation here.

Isa 3:3

SKILLED CRAFTSMAN: The ingenious engineers of Uzziah (2Ch 26:15).

Isa 3:4

BOYS… CHILDREN: Instead of mature, capable leaders. (Israel, in Christ’s day, ruled by childish triflers, Edomites, and Roman puppets.) Woe to the land whose king is a child (Ecc 10:16).

Isa 3:5

THE YOUNG WILL RISE UP AGAINST THE OLD: Cp 2Ti 3:2: disobedient to parents, etc. Warned against in Lev 19:32.

Isa 3:6

Such a poor state that none will even attempt to remedy it.

YOU HAVE A CLOAK: A mark of relative wealth in a time of poverty?

Isa 3:7

I HAVE NO REMEDY: That is, for the diseased body of Israel (Isa 1:5,6).

Isa 3:8

DEFYING HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE: Sins committed even in the very presence of God (the Temple?).

Isa 3:9

THEY DO NOT HIDE IT: They show a stubbornness of will — not even attempting to hide their sins from God!

Isa 3:10

TELL THE RIGHTEOUS IT WILL BE WELL WITH THEM: As always, a remnant who lament the sorry state of the nation, and hope and pray for better times.

“It is well with the righteous ALWAYS. If it had said, ‘Say ye to the righteous, that it is well with him in his prosperity,’ we must have been thankful for so great a boon, for prosperity is an hour of peril, and it is a gift from heaven to be secured from its snares: or if it had been written, ‘It is well with him when under persecution,’ we must have been thankful for so sustaining an assurance, for persecution is hard to bear; but when no time is mentioned, all time is included…

“From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, from the first gathering of evening shadows until the day-star shines, in all conditions and under all circumstances, it shall be well with the righteous. It is so well with him that we could not imagine it to be better, for he is well fed, he feeds upon the flesh and blood of Jesus; he is well clothed, he wears the imputed righteousness of Christ; he is well housed, he dwells in God; he is well married, his soul is knit in bonds of marriage union to Christ; he is well provided for, for the Lord is his Shepherd” (CHS).

RIGHTEOUS: Singular, as if to suggest such a class was not very numerous!

IT WILL BE WELL WITH THEM: Strong connection to Ecc 8:12,13. (Written in days of Uzziah, or Hezekiah?)

Isa 3:11

THEY WILL BE PAID BACK FOR WHAT THEIR HANDS HAVE DONE: // Pro 8:36; Rom 1:27.

Isa 3:12

A ruling class misleading the nation for their own benefit.

LEAD: Lit, “bless”, but not the expected “barak”; instead, the “sinister” “asher” — suggestive of the “asherah” (sig the way to happiness!): the sex-based idolatry which led to Israel’s undoing (WIsa 112).

Isa 3:13

Vv 13-15: Isaiah has many law-court figures and images: eg, Isa 41:1-5,21-29; 43:8-12.

Isa 3:14

MY VINEYARD: Anticipating Isa 5. The “vineyard” is the nation itself (Isa 5:1-7; 27:2; Psa 80:8-11).

THE PLUNDER FROM THE POOR IS IN YOUR HOUSES: Devouring widow’s fortunes (Mat 23:14).

Isa 3:15

CRUSHING MY PEOPLE AND GRINDING THE FACES: Stone-breaking and grinding at the mill: this the rich would do to the poor. But Jesus inverts the figure of speech (Luk 20:14,15)!

Isa 3:16

Vv 16-24: These words were spoken against the women of Israel, who made a vain and wanton display of the wealth (beauty, culture, fashion, display, ostentation) their husbands had wickedly acquired. (Luxury had greatly increased in the days of Uzziah: 2Ch 26:5,15.) Their dressiness was not necessarily wicked in itself, but it was wrong when unaccompanied by the inner adorning, of which the apostles wrote (1Ti 2:9; 1Pe 3:3).

For a time, these women in Israel continued on their way completely indifferent to the requirements of the law or the appeal of the prophets. They preferred to please themselves. They stood before their mirrors and admired the beauty that they saw reflected therefrom, but they did not see the hidden ugliness of the heart: the spirit of rebellion that made Yahweh sad and angry.

The day came, however, when they learned to regret the folly of their actions. It was the day of judgment, and they were held accountable for the manner in which they had defied the requirements of Yahweh, and had influenced others to do likewise.

OUTSTRETCHED NECKS: The long, slender neck is a sign of beauty. But, in great irony, it can be a neck “laid bare” as a sacrifice is prepared for the priest’s knife (cp Heb 4:12,13 and sig of “open”)!

Isa 3:17

SORES ON THE HEADS: The beginning of leprosy!

Isa 3:18

THEIR FINERY: “That superb Bible scholar Kay catalogues seven separate items mentioned here as having direct connection with the garments of the High Priest, the best-dressed man in Israel. Now women of the temple, who originally had been glad to forego their personal vanities (Exo 38:8), sought to outdo in appearance the most exalted man in the nation. Accordingly, Isaiah applies to these ‘haughty’ (v 16) women the very word which he has already used three times about the ‘loftiness of man’ (Isa 2:11,15,17)” (WIsa 114).

CRESCENT NECKLACES: “Moon ornaments”, mentioned only re Midianites (Jdg 8:21,26).

Isa 3:19

EARRINGS: Mentioned only re Midianites (Jdg 8:26).

VEILS: “Mufflers” in AV.

Isa 3:22

PURSES: “Crisping pins” (AV) cannot be correct; should be “purses”, or bags, attached to girdles in 2Ki 5:23.

Isa 3:23

MIRRORS: May be correct; LXX has “see-through garments”.

Isa 3:24

STENCH: No opportunity to bathe and cleanse oneself.

A ROPE: To bind up one’s clothes, OR to lead a slave captive!

FINE CLOTHING: AV has “stomacher”; prob dainty undergarments — to be replaced by hard, rough sackcloth!

BRANDING: The ugly brand of a slave on a once-beautiful complexion!

Isa 3:26

THE GATES OF ZION: The places of commerce, and social intercourse — now all gone! Or (WIsa 115), the women themselves, previously involved in duties in the temple, as “gates” or “gate-keepers.

DESTITUTE, SHE WILL SIT ON THE GROUND: As in “Judea Capta”, the coin commissioned by Roman Emperor Titus, to commemorate the conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Cp idea, Isa 1:8: a hut in the vineyard: picture of desolation. Also cp Job 2:13; Lam 1:1; 2:10. And the words of Jesus in Luk 19:44.

ON THE GROUND: Quite poss, like the adulterous woman in Joh 8, cast on the ground at the feet of Jesus. Is Joh 8 a prophetic indicator that the “destitute” woman of Jerusalem/Zion/Israel will be forgiven and lifted up by the hand of Jesus? “Go and sin no more!”

Isa 4:1

IN THAT DAY: Cp Isa 3:18; 4:2 — thus Isa 4 is one with Isa 3.

SEVEN WOMEN: Some few — a remnant — of the women who served in the Temple (Isa 3), reprobated (by Hezekiah, at the time of his reforms: 2Ch 30), who repent and ask to be allowed to keep their positions (WIsa 116,117). (NT) A faithful remnant in Israel in LD, who turn to Christ and are spared!

TAKE HOLD: Heb “chazak”: a very obvious word play on the name Hezekiah.

WE WILL EAT OUR OWN FOOD AND PROVIDE OUR OWN CLOTHES: ‘Please let us stay, even if it means we have no share in the food and other perquisites normally provided for temple staff.’

ONLY LET US BE CALLED BY YOUR NAME: That is, ‘Only let us remain in your service.’

Isa 4:2

IN THAT DAY: Cp Isa 3:18; 4:1.

THE BRANCH OF THE LORD: “This v foretells (even before Isa 7:14) the birth of a scion of the house of David who will be ‘beautiful and glorious’, both in the eyes of his God and before the nation” (WIsa 117).

(NT) “But ‘the Branch’ (Heb ‘tzemach’) is also undoubtedly the Messiah (Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). In a whole lot of places the corresponding verb also carries this idea (consider Isa 43:19; 45:8; 55:10; 58:8; 61:11; Psa 85:12; 132:17; Eze 29:21; Luk 1:78 [LXX]; Heb 7:14)… There is also a different word ‘netzer’, but with essentially the same idea, in the familiar prophecy (Isa 11:1) of ‘a Branch out of the stem of Jesse’ (the same root comes in the Heb text of Isa 26:3; 42:6; 49:8 — all Messianic passages” (WIsa 117).

GLORIOUS… PRIDE: Words used in Exo 28 to describe the “beauty and glory” of the High Priest garments.

THE FRUIT OF THE LAND: Anticipates the unequaled prosperity of the countryside in the year of Jubilee which God explicitly promised (2Ki 19:29,30), and then gave (Isa 61) — after the overthrow of Sennacherib’s army. (NT) The “riches” of the Gentiles: Isa 55:5; 61:6; 66:12.

THE SURVIVORS IN ISRAEL: A phrase foretelling the amazing deliverance of the multitude of captives who will have been driven off into slavery by Sennacherib (cp, eg, Isa 49:8-13; Joel 2:32).

Isa 4:3

…WILL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD: A separate and dedicated nation (Jer 2:3), a nation of priests (1Pe 2:9). Cp Zec 14:20. In this instance, all who remained in Jerusalem to keep the Passover (cp Isa 26:20; 29:1; 30:29; 31:5; 33:20) at the time of Sennacherib’s invasion, and thus were spared.

ALL WHO ARE RECORDED AMONG THE LIVING IN JERUSALEM: The “Book of life”: cp Exo 32:32; Eze 13:9; Mal 3:16; Psa 139:16; 69:28; 87:5,6; Luk 10:20; Phi 4:3; Rev 13:8; 3:5; 17:8; 20:15; 21:27; Heb 12:23; Dan 12:1).

Isa 4:4

FILTH: Lit, the “excrement” (Isa 36:12); also “vomit” (Isa 28:8): Isaiah’s assessment of the elaborate finery of the women in Isa 3:16-23, or his impression of their “inner” defilement, despite their outward “beauty”. Cp, generally, the “righteousness as filthy [diff wd] rags” (Isa 64:6); Pro 30:12.

BLOODSTAINS: The murders (Isa 1:15,21), esp the fiery offerings of babies to Molech (2Ch 28:3).

A SPIRIT OF FIRE:

Isa 4:5

ALL OF MOUNT ZION: All the buildings on the Temple mount.

THOSE WHO ASSEMBLE THERE: A holy convocation, like the Passover, for example!

A CLOUD: Almost certainly the Shekinah Glory of the Lord.

SMOKE: Used in the same way, for the Glory of Yahweh: eg Isa 6:4; Psa 18:8; Gen 15:17; Joe 2:30.

GLOW: “Nogah” = brilliance; also always refs the Shekinah glory: Psa 18:12; Isa 50:10; 60:19; 62:1; Eze 1:4,13,27,28; 10:4; etc).

FLAMING FIRE: Frequently, the same idea: the Glory of God: Isa 10:17; 29:6; 30:30.

CANOPY: This may allude to Exo 40:34,35, where a cloud overshadows the meeting tent as it is filled with God’s glory. The Shekinah Glory to overshadow and protect the city and its people, when the fire of His wrath is poured out to consume Sennacherib’s army. (NT) Like a “bridal canopy” (see Psa 19:6; Joe 2:16), for Christ will have come to be united with his Bride.

Isa 5:1

I WILL SING FOR THE ONE I LOVE…: Resemblances to Song of Songs: vineyard, beloved.

VINEYARD: Israel as the vineyard of God: Psa 80; Isa 1:8; 3:14; Jer 2:21; Eze 15:1-8; and in NT Mat 21:33-44; Joh 15:1-6.

A FERTILE HILLSIDE: Lit, “the horn of a son of oil”. “Horn of oil” points to anointing of David in 1Sa 16:13. (“Horn” may sig the peak of a hill: BDB. “Oil” may ref olive trees. “David”, of course, sig “beloved”.)

Isa 5:2

HE DUG IT: Or “fenced it” (AV). “Truly God did fence Israel in — with high mountains in Lebanon, desert in the Negeb, the Great Sea to the west, and the deep Jordan valley to the east” (WIsa 121,122).

CLEARED IT OF STONES: The nations of Canaan.

A WATCHTOWER: Contrasts markedly with the flimsy booth which describes Jerusalem in its later helplessness (Isa 1:8). The prophets of Israel are described as “watchmen” (Jer 6:17: Isa 52:8; 62:6,7; Eze 3:17-21; 33:2-9).

WINEPRESS: The temple and altar, with their sacrifices producing the “wine” of poured-out blood.

IT YIELDED ONLY BAD FRUIT: “Bad” = lit, rotten or putrid. What a ct with “the Branch of the Lord, beautiful and glorious” (Isa 4:2).

Isa 5:3

Vv 3,4: Good soil, cleared field, good vines… what could have gone wrong?!

JUDGE: An unconscious judgment of one’s own actions: ie Nathan with David (2Sa 12), and prophet and Ahab (1Ki 20:35-43).

Isa 5:5

I WILL BREAK DOWN ITS WALL: Not just allowing it to deteriorate slowly and naturally, but rather a great and sudden destruction!

Isa 5:6

NEITHER PRUNED: No longer chastened, because illegitimate (Heb 12:8)!

BRIERS AND THORNS: Emblems of the curse: Gen 3:18; Isa 32:13. Nations = thorns in side (Num 33:56; Jos 23:12-14). Thorns = human nature (Heb 6:8n), choking the word of God.

I WILL COMMAND THE CLOUDS NOT TO RAIN ON IT: The owner of the vineyard has the power to withhold the rain (Lev 25:21: Isa 55:10,11).

IT WILL BE TRAMPLED: Jerusalem will be trodden down: Luk 21:24; Mat 23:36-39.

Isa 5:7

JUSTICE… BLOODSHED: Play on words: “mishpat… mispach”.

RIGHTEOUSNESS… CRIES OF DISTRESS: “Tsedaqah… tsa’aqah”. The “cry”: “Crucify him!” (Mat 27:21-23).

Isa 5:8

The LM forbade land-acquisition as a means to achieving wealth (Num 36:7; Mic 2:1,2; Amo 2:7; 4:1,9; 5:11); the land was to be redeemed, thus returning to its original owners (Lev 25:23).

YOU LIVE ALONE IN THE LAND: “Placed alone in the midst of the earth” (KJV): Their lands and possessions were the center of the “world” for them!

Isa 5:10

ONLY A BATH: Prob 1/500 of expected harvest!

ONLY AN EPHAH OF GRAIN: About 10% of what was sown!

Isa 5:11

Vv 11,12: Scathing denunciations of alcoholism made respectable: Isa 28:1-9; Joe 1:5; Amo 2:8; 4:1; 6:6; Hos 4:11; 7:5; Pro 31:4,5; 20:1; 23:29-32.

Isa 5:12

HARPS… LYRES…: Were the instruments of temple worship prostituted to drunken orgies? Cp Amo 6:5,6; 1Sa 10:5.

Isa 5:13

MY PEOPLE: And this is the ground of their condemnation… that they ARE God’s people! See Amo 3:2.

FOR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING: // Hos 4:6; Isa 1:3. Cp Luk 19:44: “because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you”.

THEIR MEN OF RANK WILL DIE OF HUNGER: A picture of previously rich self-indulgent revelers made haggard by privation.

THEIR MASSES WILL BE PARCHED WITH THIRST: Those who had had too much wine (vv 11,12) now have not enough water! Cp generally Luk 21:34. Also, a thirst for the word of God (Isa 55:1; Psa 63:1).

Isa 5:14

GRAVE (SHEOL): Cp Isa 14:9-11. There will be no limit to the number of dead! The grave, or earth, opening up its “mouth” suggests the fate of Korah and his fellow-rebels (Num 16:30-33).

Isa 5:15

// Isa 2:17-21.

Isa 5:16

THE LORD ALMIGHTY WILL BE EXALTED: God will be “sanctified” by those who approach him: cp Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:3).

Isa 5:17

LAMBS WILL FEED…: (1) The poorer and more devout of Israel (the “lambs”), who had been dispossessed by wealthy and unscrupulous landlords, are one day to find themselves better off — thanks to a redistribution of property by Hezekiah in his year of Jubilee (Isa 29:19,20; 37:30,31; 61:1-4). Cp idea, Zep 3:11-13. Or… (2) As in the mg, “strangers” will eat…” [one letter change in Heb]: the invading Assyrians (Isa 1:7); or, even, Gentile believers who supplant the Jews (Mat 21:41,43; cp Rom 11:17, etc).

Isa 5:18

THOSE WHO DRAW SIN ALONG WITH CORDS OF DECEIT, AND WICKEDNESS AS WITH CART ROPES: “An idol called Iniquity, or alternatively Sin, is set up on a cart. Its devotees attach ropes, and dutifully draw it in procession like a Hindu juggernaut. Very probably there is allusion here to the idolatries introduced by king Ahaz, the outstanding one of which was an Assyrian deity (2Ki 16:10)” (WIsa 127).

Cp more modern religious processions at festival times.

Cp the same situation, describing the plight of Assyrian idols at the time of Sennacherib’s retreat from Jerusalem (Isa 46:1,2). So devotion to false gods is a “yoke of bondage” (Gal 5:1)! But those who are “yoked” to sin may call upon Christ to bear their burdens (Mat 11:29,30).

Isa 5:19

LET GOD HURRY, LET HIM HASTEN HIS WORK: The constant complaining question spoken against every prophet: ‘But WHEN is this going to happen?’ See Amo 5:18; 6:3; Jer 17:15; Eze 11:2,3; 12:22,23,27; Zep 1:12; Mal 2:17;3:1; Mat 24:48; Luk 17:20; 2Pe 3:3,4. In response to this complaint, Isaiah named his son “Maher [hurry] — shalal — hash [chuwsh] — baz” (Isa 8:3), and promised that God would “hasten” His work: Isa 46:12,13; 60:22; 35:4.

Isa 5:20

“Human judgment almost invariably makes the wrong choice, the wrong assessment, swinging to the wrong extreme, making the wrong decision… In every generation men dedicate themselves with avidity to the worship of Mammon, and call it their greatest good… Isaiah found himself in the midst of experienced influential men who through folly or willfulness were turning God’s laws upside down. Woe unto them! When a man is self-afflicted with this kind of twisted outlook on life there is no hope for him… One of the greatest curses of modern time is this double-speak. It has poisoned every aspect of human relations. A mighty military machine is called Defense. An aggressive political campaign is called a Peace Movement. Wholesale criticism and disparagement of the Word of God is paraded under the respectable name of Scholarship, whilst those who try to be honest with Holy Scripture are reckoned stupid or in darkness. A pseudo-science of psychology is called into being to give a flamboyant sanction to self-indulgence and all kinds of immorality. Thus sin is blithely abolished” (WIsa 129).

Isa 5:21

WISE IN THEIR OWN EYES: // Pro 3:7; 26:12. The cynical political maneuvering of men like Shebna, who thought they could outsmart their enemies — and had no need of the God of Israel: cp Isa 28:9…; 29:14,15; 30:1,2; 31:1,2.

Isa 5:22

Vv 22,23: ‘Woe to those who are “heroic” in their drinking exploits, but who are cowards at standing up for the rights of the poor!’

Isa 5:24

“The figure of an irresistible wall of flame roaring with a loud crackle through a field of stubble and a pile of winnowed chaff” (WIsa 130). The worthless “vine” of Isa 5:1-7 is fit for nothing but burning. Cp generally Hos 9:16; Amo 2:9; Luk 3:17; Mar 11:20.

Isa 5:25

THE MOUNTAINS SHAKE: The earthquake of Uzziah’s day?

THE DEAD BODIES ARE LIKE REFUSE IN THE STREETS: // Rev 11:8!

Isa 5:26

HE LIFTS UP A BANNER: An ensign — lifted up by Sennacherib — to rally a considerable confederacy of Gentile enemies of Israel (ie Psa 83).

Isa 5:27

“Although these vv provide the first vivid picture of Assyrian invasion… not a few of the phrases seem to be esp selected to suggest angels of the Lord in action, invisibly in control of the entire ambitious project from start to finish: None weary or stumbling; they neither slumber nor sleep (cp Psa 121:4); and sharp arrows (Deu 32;23), and chariot wheels like a whirlwind (cp Psa 83:13; Nah 1:3; Eze 10:13) all strongly suggest the cherubim chariots of God; the roaring like a lion (Joe 3:16; Hos 5:14; 11:10), and none able to deliver (Psa 50:22; Deu 32:39) alike imply irresistible divine power at work” (WIsa 132). Later the divine nature of this invasion is made very plain: Isa 8:7; 10:5,6,15.

Isa 5:30

ROARING OF THE SEA: In v 29, the roar of “lions”; here (v 30), the roar of the “sea”. So also these 2 figures of speech in Rev 10:3; 1:15 — describing the Heavenly Voice!

DARKNESS: Impl an eclipse or mighty storm (Isa 13:10; 24:23). Similar language in Joe 2:2,10; 3:15; Zec 14:6; Amo 5:18,20; 8:9; Zep 1:14-17.

DISTRESS: “Aphoria” in LXX: perplexity (cp sw Luk 21:25), where “sea and waves” roar also! Description of LD!

Isa 6:1

Isa 6: “The majestic prophecy of Isa provides a continuing panorama of wonder. Isa 6 begins a new section, and focuses attention on the glory of the King, the Lord Jesus. It opens with a significant historical background: the death of king Uzziah — the man who violated the sanctity of the temple, and died a leper. It is significant that this vision of the glory of the spiritual temple is set against the death of the monarch who violated the visible temple. It is also the time of an outstanding earthquake, only elsewhere mentioned in the Zec 14:5, as typical of the earthquake of the future. The chapter reveals the character of the future Monarch to sit on the throne of David. He would be associated with sin (v 6), representing a people found in transgression (v 5), but would be elevated by Yahweh to fulfil His ultimate purpose to reveal His righteousness and to save the Seed of His selection… The voice of Messiah is obviously found in the message, as he sets forth to deliver the message of Isaiah to the generation (v 8), and by him, the Isaiah type are cleansed. His great sacrifice was for himself (v 7) that it might be for all those in him (v 13). The glory of this ch becomes the introduction to the great prophecy of Emmanuel in the chs that follow [Isa 7-12]” (GEM).

Isaiah was confronted by God’s preeminence (Uzziah died and he saw God alone: v 1); by God’s purity (“Holy, holy, holy”: v 3); and by God’s power (the earthquake: v 4)!

IN THE YEAR THAT KING UZZIAH DIED: Uzziah repr the sin-cursed rulers of this world; in the year they “die”, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be exalted in his temple!

SEATED ON A THRONE: A “throne” in the Temple? The mercy-seat above the ark, in the Most Holy Place.

HIGH AND EXALTED: It was God, not Uzziah, who was to be exalted in His Temple — in ct to the unseemly self-exaltation attempted by Uzziah (2Ch 26:16,21). “Exalted”, or “lifted up”, ref to God revealing His righteousness in His Son Christ on the cross (Joh 12:34; cp John 12:40,41; cp also Isa 52:13).

THE TRAIN OF HIS ROBE: Ref to the High Priest garments (Exo 28:33,34). God manifesting Himself in Christ, who will be a priest upon his throne (Zec 6:13).

Isa 6:2

SERAPHS: Describes the flying serpents of the wilderness (Num 21:6,8; Isa 30:6; Deu 8:15). Related to the verb describing the refining, cleansing fire of God, esp in judgment or retribution. So perhaps here, = God’s instruments (the angels of “evil”, or “destroying angels”: Psa 78:49?) inflicting His righteous penalty for sin. Cp the 6-winged living creatures in Rev 4: God’s judgments held in readiness.

COVERING THEIR FACES: Sym God turning away His face so as not to behold evil (Hab 1:13), ie that of Uzziah. “There is some appropriateness in their faces being covered, for if it had not been for the Fall in Eden their grim work would not be necessary” (WIsa 135). Also, at this time, the original brazen serpent had become an object of idolatrous worship (2Ki 18:4).

WITH TWO THEY COVERED THEIR FEET: Temporarily resting from their labors? Ct Dan 10:6; Rev 1:15.

WITH TWO THEY WERE FLYING: Or “hovering”, like the Passover angels: angels of evil were preparing for judgments, and protecting angels were doing their work also!

Isa 6:3

THE WHOLE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS GLORY: “Earth” may = the whole Land, both north (invaded by Assyria) and south (under God’s watchful protection). Either way, the Glory of God is at work!

Isa 6:4

// Amo 9:1, same scene?

FILLED WITH SMOKE: In ct with the incense offered by Uzziah. Sig the wrath of God (cp Psa 18:7,8; Exo 19:18; Deu 29:20) — hiding God’s glory until His judgments are finished. “There is a close parallel to all this in Rev 15; 16, where there are cherubim and a hymn to the praise of God; the temple is filled with smoke, and the wrath of God is expressed in a violent earthquake (Rev 15:1,3,7,8; 16:18,19)” (WIsa 136).

Isa 6:5

“Whenever God has chosen men for some great duty and has prepared them for it by the vision of His holiness, their complete unfitness for divine use has been realized: ‘I am a man of unclean lips,’ said Isaiah, when he had heard the three-fold acclamation of God’s holiness. This was not because he was base or depraved; on the contrary he was a ‘holy man of God’ chosen to be the channel of the most outstanding revelations of the Messiah. And not only did he realize his own uncleanness of lip, but he felt also that his race, his people, were likewise unclean: ‘And I dwell in the midst of an unclean people.’ The sin-conscious man is aware of his oneness with his fellows as members of a sin-enthralled race” (CGal 71).

I AM RUINED: An overwhelming sense of his own unworthiness and incompetence and uncleanness, as with Moses (Exo 3:6,11), Jeremiah (Jer 1:6), and Job (Job 32:6).

I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS: The same effect — a feeling of unworthiness — was produced on others by the presence of God (Jdg 6:22; 13:22; Job 42:5,6; Luk 5:8; Rev 1:17).

UNCLEAN LIPS: Sig leprosy (like that of Uzziah, Hezekiah), or moral leprosy (cp Isa 1:5,6). “The leper was commanded to go with rent clothes, and head bare, and lip covered, as he made his warning cry: ‘Unclean, unclean’ (Lev 13:45)” (WIsa 137).

AND I LIVE AMONG A PEOPLE OF UNCLEAN LIPS: The leprosy of sin-nature, from which all mankind suffers. Ct the promise of a “pure lip” in Zep 3:9.

Isa 6:6

A LIVE COAL: A burning coal from the altar of incense, related to the altar of burnt offering. It was only by the perfect offering for sin that Isaiah could be cleansed of his “leprosy”. (Was Jeremiah’s mouth likewise touched by a live coal: Jer 1:9?)

WHICH HE HAD TAKEN WITH TONGS FROM THE ALTAR: Even though it could only be a perfect man to effect such cleansing, the angels were necessary in this operation (Heb 1:14).

Isa 6:7

YOUR SIN ATONED FOR: “Atoned for” = Heb “kippor”. Did this happen on Day of Atonement?

Isa 6:8

HERE AM I. SEND ME!: “Isaiah’s reaction to this devastatingly awe-inspiring experience might well have been a shrinking away into silent reluctance. But instead, the declaration of sins forgiven impelled him to a willingness to go as the Lord’s messenger, although not knowing whither he went” (WIsa 138).

Contrast with examples of prophetic reluctance: Exo 4:10; Jer 1:6; Eze 3:14; Jon 1:3; 1Ki 19:10; Luk 5:8,10; 9:59; 18:23; Act 13:13; 18:9.

Isa 6:9

Vv 9,10: A divine judgment for the wickedness of Israel: cp Christ’s use of these words in Mat 13:12-15. Also see Deu 29:4; Joh 12:39,40. Israel were vessels of wrath fit for destruction (Rom 9:22; cp Rom 11:25,26).

Isa 6:11

HOW LONG…?: That is, ‘How long will Your judgments last when they come?’ (cp Jer 12:4; Dan 12:6; Zec 1:12; Psa 90;13; Rev 6:10).

Isa 6:13

CUT DOWN: Like abominable branches (Isa 14:19), and two “abominable” kings, Jehoiakin and Jeconiah (Jer 22:19,28).

SO THE HOLY SEED WILL BE THE STUMP IN THE LAND: “Nevertheless the ‘tree’ of Israel will survive through the ‘holy seed’ foretold in the next prophecy (Isa 7:14), the rod out of the stem of Jesse, the Branch out of his roots (Isa 11:1), the Branch of the Lord who will be beautiful and glorious (Isa 4:2), the dead Tree of Golgotha a veritable Tree of Life” (WIsa 141).

Isa 7:1

Background: “An inscription of Tiglath-pileser mentions both Menahem of Samaria and Rezin of Damascus as paying tribute to Assyria. So evidently at the time of the prophecy, whilst the Assyrian king was busy with fighting to the north and east of his capital, these two vassals rebelled and set about forcing Judah to join an anti-Nineveh confederacy… Verse 6 shows that they were determined to have a nominee of their own ruling in Jerusalem” (WIsa 142).

WHEN: Lit “it came to pass” (AV): Sig a time of trouble which ends in blessing: Gen 14:1; Rth 1:1; Jer 1:3; Est 1:1; 2Sa 21:1.

AHAZ: A wicked ruler (2Ki 16:3-5; 2Ch 28:23), who set up idolatrous worship and heathen altars, and desecrated the holy places of God. The “Book of Immanuel” (Isa 7-12) begins with an idolatrous king on throne in Jerusalem, and ends with the “Holy One” enthroned on Zion.

Isa 7:2

THE HOUSE OF DAVID: A term expressing the far-reaching import of the words of Isaiah: ie, not just for Ahaz, but for his whole family, and for generations to come.

ARAM: Syria sought to wrest Elath, on the gulf, from Judah (2KI 16:6).

EPHRAIM: At the same time, Israel invaded from the north, right up the walls of Jerusalem, and then retired (2Ch 28:5…).

THE HEARTS OF AHAZ AND HIS PEOPLE WERE SHAKEN…: A panicky halting between alternative policies: (1) join the confederacy and fight against Assyria, or (2) resist these Syrians and Israelites, because God is with us, or (3) buy Assyrian aid by sending more tribute to Nineveh: this last was the policy which had been followed to this point, and which had been denounced by Hosea (Hos 5:13; 8:8,10; 10:5-7).

Isa 7:3

YOUR SON: An implied rebuke the wicked king, who had burned his own son in the fires (2Ki 16:3).

SHEAR-JASHUB: Sig “a remnant will return”, whose name testified to the unhappy fact of a nation astray from God, with only a remnant remaining faithful (Isa 6:13; 10:21)… but also to the promise that a remnant WOULD return from the soon-coming captivity of the Assyrian (Isa 37:31).

UPPER POOL: Perhaps the “Virgin’s Fountain” (Joh 5:2n). Was Ahaz inspecting some piece of engineering to cover and protect the Gihon spring, in the event of attack (the sort of thing later completed by Hezekiah)?

WASHERMAN’S FIELD: The place where new cloth was repeatedly washed in the waters of the spring and then laid out for drying in the sun.

Isa 7:4

Vv 4-6: An assurance given entirely in the spirit of the commandment (Deu 20:3,4), that in time of battle the army be encouraged by a priestly exhortation to faithful dependence on God (cp Isa 30:15; 57:20).

TWO SMOLDERING STUBS OF FIREWOOD: A contemptuous phrase: two burned-out torches! What a ct to the devouring fire of Yahweh (Isa 5:24; 33:14).

BECAUSE OF THE FIERCE ANGER…: Alternate rendering: “For when my fierce anger is over, I will heal again” (LXX).

Isa 7:6

Isaiah also reveals to Ahaz all the secret counsels of his enemies — but tells him that their plans will not succeed.

Isa 7:7

IT WILL NOT TAKE PLACE, IT WILL NOT HAPPEN: But Judah will be safe from the depredations of Syria and Israel: God has guaranteed it!

Isa 7:8

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS: Too long a period to have any immediate impact. One suggestion, by a slight change: “six, even five years” — perhaps six years for Israel, and 5 years for Syria. (This shorter time span corresponds well with vv 14,16.) By then, the rising tide of Assyrian aggression will have swamped them both.

Isa 7:11

ASK THE LORD: A daring challenge from a prophet who is absolutely sure of himself!

A SIGN… DEPTHS… HEIGHTS: Blessings of heaven (ie Gen 49:25) in the birth of a special son (cp Pro 30:4). Blessings from sheol, in life from the dead, resurrection, etc (as ref Hezekiah in Isa 38:10). Blessings of the Messiah.

Isa 7:12

I WILL NOT ASK: Ahaz was already committed to buying the cynical aid of Tiglath-pileser (2Ki 16:7,8). Besides, he could not let the king of Assyria find out (as he would eventually) that he, Ahaz, was listening to Isaiah!

Isa 7:13

YOU HOUSE OF DAVID: Implying that the promises to David re his “house” (2Sa 7) should have been the trust of Ahaz! But they were not, and so the promise was not for Ahaz at all, but for the family of which he was (an unworthy) part! In its immediate fulfillment, “Immanuel/Hezekiah” would do Ahaz no good; it would, however, benefit the “house of David”. And in its final and complete fulfillment, “Immanuel/Jesus” would come long after Ahaz had died, and would be for the whole “house of David” in ages to come!

Isa 7:14

VIRGIN: “Virgin” in AV, NIV. “Young woman” in NEB. Other OT prophecies of “virgin birth”: Isa 41:9; 43:1; 44:2,24; 45:4; 46:3; 49:1; Psa 22:9,10; 71:6: 89:26,27; 110:1,3; 132:11; Gen 3:15; Mic 5:2; 2 Sam 7:14; Gen 49:25; Jer 31:22; Pro 30:4. Also, type of Isaac’s birth. Also, cp v 11: a “sign” in the height, depth, etc is idiomatic for a “sign” about the Messiah (Gen 49:25; Pro 30:4; Isa 45:8; Psa 85:11; etc). The first express prophecy in the OT is Gen 3:15, the seed of the woman (but not the man) who would destroy the power of sin symbolized by the serpent. And the first express fulfillment of prophecy in the NT is Mat 1:23. How was this prophecy of Isaiah to be fulfilled? Over the centuries this has become a Jewish controversy, and even a Christian controversy, as witnessed by some modern versions that translate the Heb “alma” or the Gr “parthenos” by “young woman” or the like, instead of “virgin”. Of one thing there can be no doubt: no matter what the best translation of the original words, both Matthew and Luke agree that Mary had had no relations with any man when Jesus was conceived. God has clearly shown how Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled despite whatever minor arguments may revolve around the precise words used.

The Heb “alma” and its related words are derived from a root sig to cover or conceal. One common suggestion is that it refers to the practice of keeping unmarried girls in seclusion in their parents’ homes. This explanation would favor virginity as the meaning of alma, but would not prove it absolutely. However, a more meaningful aspect comes into view when the antonym is considered; it means “to uncover”. “To uncover the nakedness” (so translated, lit, by the KJV) of another is a Heb euphemism for having sexual intercourse (Lev 20:11,17-21). So one who is “covered” — an alma — is then specifically one who has not engaged in sexual intercourse.

IMMANUEL: Not “God-with-us”, as in “HE is God!” But rather “God is with us”, as a promise of God’s protection. See such promises as Gen 28:15; Exo 33:16; Jos 1:9; Jdg 6:13; 1Ki 8:57; 2Ki 18:7; 2Ch 32:8; Deu 20:4.

See Lesson, “Little child” in Isa.

Isa 7:15

Vv 15,16: Even though v 14 is plainly a prophecy of the birth of Jesus, it just as plainly has a practically immediate fulfillment! The child to be born will be Hezekiah: see how Isa 9:6,7 and Isa 11:1… suit his person and reign also. (Cp similar prophecy of birth of special child in Mic 5:2…) It may be assumed that, alongside Ahaz, there was standing there Abijah, the daughter (or grand-daughter) of Zechariah the High Priest (2Ch 29:1; 24:20), the young virgin whom Ahaz would shortly marry; after their marriage, she would conceive and bear a special son (named “Immanuel”, then changed later to “Hezekiah”?).

HE WILL EAT CURDS AND HONEY: “He will feed on rich stores of covenant blessings” (WK). Cp Isa 55:2; 1Pe 2:2. As re Christ, the copying out of the LM as a child (Deu 17:18).

Isa 7:16

THE TWO KINGS YOU DREAD: Two possibilities: (1) Rezin and Pekah (v 4), or (2) the kings of Assyria and Egypt (vv 17,18). Re Christ: Herod the Great and Archelaus both die shortly after Christ is born.

Isa 7:18

FLIES FROM… EGYPT… BEES FROM… ASSYRIA: “Swarming flies are irritating; bees are irritating and esp dangerous because of the pain they inflict with their sting (Deu 1:44; Psa 118:12). The metaphors are well chosen, for the Assyrians (symbolized by the bees) were much more powerful and dangerous than the Egyptians (symbolized by the flies). Nevertheless both would put pressure on Judah, for Egypt wanted Judah as a buffer state against Assyrian aggression, while Assyria wanted it as a base for operations against Egypt. Following the ref to sour milk and honey (v 15), the metaphor is esp apt, for flies are attracted to dairy products and bees can be found in the vicinity of honey” (NET notes).

Isa 7:20

RAZOR… THE KING OF ASSYRIA: So thoroughly will these “bees” (v 18) gather their “honey” (plunder) that Judah will be like a man shaved bald!

Isa 7:22

ABUNDANCE: Due to misguided policy of Ahaz, the Assyrians would bring such destruction that yogurt and wild honey would be only food available. “Abundance” may be read sarcastically (Baly 84).

ALL WHO REMAIN IN THE LAND: Or poss a promise of prosperity, but with a sinister twist: “all who remain” (cp Isa 1:8; 4:3; 6:12) implies great loss of life, so that only a remnant remain where previously there had been a great population!

Isa 7:23

A THOUSAND VINES… ONLY BRIERS AND THORNS: The “vineyard” of the LORD (Isa 5) has been reduced to this!