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

Both “destroyed” (BDB 994, KB 1418 twice, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, NEGATED Qal PASSIVEPARTICIPLE) and “treacherous” (lit. “act faithlessly,” BDB 93, KB 108 twice, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE,NEGATED Qal PERFECT) are also used in 21:2 about the fall of old Babylon. In a theological senseIsaiah’s ambiguity is purposeful. He intentionally makes the identity of Israel/Judah’s aggressors fuzzyso that his poems can function as “multiple-fulfillment” prophecies. Enemies come and go by YHWH’shand and purpose, but YHWH Himself and His eternal redemptive purpose, using Abraham’s seed, doesnot!33:2 The content of Judah’s prayer is listed.1. be gracious to us, BDB 335, KB 334, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. 30:18,192. we have waited for You, BDB 875 I, KB 1082, Piel PERFECT, cf. 8:17; 25:9; 26:8; 40:31;49:23; 51:5; 60:93. be our strength (lit. “arm”) every morning, BDB 224, KB 243, Qal IMPERATIVE4. be our salvation in time of distress (“be” VERB assumed)YHWH is Judah’s only hope (cf. 59:16; 63:1,5), not Assyria (alliance) and not Egypt (alliance), onlyYHWH. Humans tend to panic and lose trust in times of crisis and uncertainty. They try to savethemselves using their resources or the resources of other humans, to no avail!} “strength” It is literally “arm” (BDB 283). This is a biblical anthropomorphic metaphor to describeGod’s presence and power on a daily basis.} “salvation” This term (BDB 447) is used in the OT for physical deliverance (cf. 12:2 [twice], 3;25:9; 26:1,18; 33:6).SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (%3&–*)This term (BDB 447) has several connotations.1. welfare, prosperity, Job. 30:152. divine salvation which encompasses both physical and spiritual aspectsa. Gen. 49:18b. Deut. 32:15c. Ps. 3:2,8; 22:1; 35:3; 62:2; 69:29; 70:5; 78:22; 80:3; 89:26; 91:16; 106:4; 140:7d. Isa. 12:2; 33:2; 51:6,8; 52:7,10; 56:1; 59:11; 60:18; 62:13. the idea of physical and spiritual deliverance is clearly present in Jonah 2:9-104. often “rejoicing” is related to YHWH’s salvation, I Sam. 2:1; Isa. 25:9; 26:1; Ps. 9:14; 13:5;35:9Salvation involves the implementation of YHWH’s original intended fellowship and society with Hishuman creatures. It involves individual and societal wholeness!33:4 In this verse “spoil”(BDB 1021) is a metaphor which denotes the destruction of YHWH’s enemies.The VERB “gathered” (BDB 62, KB 74, Pual PERFECT) is also used in 32:10 to describe thejudgment of Jerusalem. It is also used in 24:22 (same stem) to denote world-wide eschatologicaljudgment. Humans “gather” for self, greed, and power, but God gathers for judgment. The NTdescribes the end-time gathering of1. the redeemed, Matt. 13:48; 24:312. the wicked, Matt. 13:40-41326