The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

2. Isaiah 14:203. Jeremiah 8:2; 22:19D. Burial was done if possible in family vaults in the home area.E. There was no embalming, like Egypt. Mankind came from dust and must return to dust (ex.Gen. 3:19; Ps. 103:14; 104:29).F. In rabbinical Judaism it was difficult to balance a proper respect and handling of the bodywith the concept of ceremonial defilement connected to dead bodies.III. New TestamentA. Burial followed death quickly, usually within twenty-four hours. The Jews often watched thegrave for three days, believing that the soul could return to the body within that time frame(cf. John 11:39).B. Burial involved the cleaning and wrapping of the body with spices (cf. John 11:44; 19:39-40).C. There were no distinctive Jewish or Christian burial procedures or items placed in the gravein first century Palestine.NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 5:26-3026He will also lift up a standard to the distant nation,And will whistle for it from the ends of the earth;And behold, it will come with speed swiftly.27No one in it is weary or stumbles,None slumbers or sleeps;Nor is the belt at its waist undone,Nor its sandal strap broken.28Its arrows are sharp and all its bows are bent;The hoofs of its horses seem like flint and its chariot wheels like a whirlwind.29Its roaring is like a lioness, and it roars like young lions;It growls as it seizes the preyAnd carries it off with no one to deliver it.30And it will growl over it in that day like the roaring of the sea.If one looks to the land, behold, there is darkness and distress;Even the light is darkened by its clouds.5:26 “He will also lift up a standard to the distant nations” A “standard” (BDB 651) was a way forarmies to communicate (cf. 11:12; 18:3; 30:17; 31:9; 49:22). It can be positive (restoration) or negative(invasion) depending on the context. In this context it signals the invaders to come!This is an extremely significant passage for the following reasons: (1) notice that God is in controlof history, all history, as well as nature; (2) notice that God lifts up a standard to the Gentile nations.Many have seen this verse as an allusion to Deut. 28:49-57.Within the book of Isaiah it seems to be a reference to the inclusion of the Gentiles (cf. Isa. 1:2-4;11:9,10,11; 27:13; 49:22; 56:7; 62:10; 66:19)!84