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

Edersheim characterizes these as (1) the Accuser; (2) the Tempter; and (3) the Punisher (vol.2, p. 756). There is a marked theological difference between post-exilic Judaism and the NTpresentation and explanation of evil.E. The NT, especially the Gospels, asserts the existence and opposition of evil spiritual beings tohumanity and to YHWH (in Judaism Satan was an enemy to mankind, but not to God). Theyoppose God’s will, rule, and kingdom.Jesus confronted and expelled these demonic beings, also called (1) unclean spirits (cf.Luke 4:36; 6:18) or (2) evil spirits (cf. Luke 7:21; 8:2), from human beings. Jesus clearlymade a distinction between illness (physical and mental) and the demonic. He demonstratedHis power and spiritual insight by recognizing and exorcizing these evil spirits. They oftenrecognized Him and attempted to address Him, but Jesus rejected their testimony, demandedtheir silence, and expelled them. Exorcisms are a sign of the defeat of Satan’s kingdom.There is a surprising lack of information in the NT Apostolic letters on this subject.Exorcism is never listed as a spiritual gift, nor is a methodology or procedure for it given forfuture generations of ministers or believers.F. Evil is real; evil is personal; evil is present. Neither its origin nor its purpose is revealed. TheBible asserts its reality and aggressively opposes its influence. There is no ultimate dualismin reality. God is in total control; evil is defeated and judged and will be removed fromcreation.G. God’s people must resist evil (cf. James 4:7). They cannot be controlled by it (cf. I John5:18), but they can be tempted and their witness and influence damaged (cf. Eph. 6:10-18).Evil is a revealed part of the Christian’s world-view. Modern Christians have no right toredefine evil (the demythologizing of Rudolf Baltmann); depersonalize evil (the socialstructures of Paul Tillich), nor attempt to explain it completely in psychological terms(Sigmund Freud). Its influence is pervasive, but defeated. Believers need to walk in thevictory of Christ!34:11 The terms translated “desolation” (BDB 1062, cf. 24:10) and “emptiness” (BDB 96) are used inGen. 1:2 to describe the initial chaos of the planet. Edom (i.e., all rebellious nations) will be reduced tooriginal void and chaos(i.e., 13:9-11; Jer. 4:23-26).NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 34:16-1716Seek from the book of the LORD, and read:Not one of these will be missing;None will lack its mate.For His mouth has commanded,And His Spirit has gathered them.17He has cast the lot for them,And His hand has divided it to them by line.They shall possess it forever;From generation to generation they will dwell in it.34:16 “Seek from the book of the LORD, and read” Except for v. 1, there are no IMPERATIVES in thischapter before this verse. YHWH’s calling them to approach and to listen in v. 1 (two IMPERATIVES) ismatched by the two IMPERATIVES which close the chapter (a common Semitic literary technique).338