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

} “Uzziah” Tradition says that Isaiah was related to Uzziah (“YHWH is my strength”). This cannot becorroborated, but the evidence points in this direction. This godly king died of leprosy in 742 B.C. He isalso known in the Bible as Amaziah (“YHWH is my help”).} For the dates of these kings and their relationship to the kings of Israel, see Appendix Four.1:2 “Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth” These two IMPERATIVES are from different roots, butmean basically the same.1. listen, BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal IMPERATIVE, cf. vv. 10,15,19; 6:8,9 (twice),10, etc.2. hear, BDB 24, KB 27, Hiphil IMPERATIVE, cf. 1:2,10; 8:9; 28:23; 32:9; etc.This was a striking way to jolt His people into acknowledging their rebellion. YHWH was initiating acourt case against His own people! This opening is similar to Micah 1:2, Isaiah’s contemporary Judeanprophet.This sets the stage for chapter 2, which is also a court scene. God is taking his people to trial. Thisis a common literary technique in the Prophets (i.e., Mic. 6:6-8; Jer. 2:1ff; Rom. 8:31ff). This is acommon procedure in the OT of providing two witnesses to confirm a testimony (cf. Deut. 4:26; 30:19;31:28; 32:1; Ps. 50:4).“Heaven” (BDB 1029) here refers to the atmosphere above the earth which was part of originalcreation (cf. Genesis 1). In this context it does not refer to “God’s abode.”} “For the LORD speaks” This is the covenant name for Israel’s Deity. See Special Topic: Names ForDeity at 1:1.} “Sons I have reared and brought up” Here again God is described in anthropomorphic, familiarterms as a loving parent of Hosea 11:1-4 (also note Exod. 4:22; Deut. 32:6; Jer. 3:4; 31:9, see SpecialTopic at 6:1). The best human analogies to comprehend the character and actions of YHWH are (1)parent; (2) marriage partner; and (3) kinsman redeemer.} “revolt” This VERB (BDB 833, KB 981, Qal PERFECT) implies active, violent, open-eyed, personalrebellion (cf. 1:28; 43:27; 46:8; 53:12; 59:13; 66:24).} “Me” Sin is primarily a violation against God (cf. Gen. 39:9; II Sam. 12:13; Ps. 41:4; 51:4). NormanH. Snaith, The Distinctive Ideas of the Old Testament, says “(the prophets) thought of it (sin) asrebellion rather than transgression” (p. 65). Sin is a perversion of the divine image and likeness of Godin humankind (cf. Gen. 1:26,27). God wants the world to know Him! He chose a person (Abram), afamily (Jacob), and a nation (Israel) to reveal Himself to all humanity (see Special Topic at 1:3), butIsrael failed to reflect the holiness and compassion of YHWH. They rebelled against Him with “openedeyes.” The essence of sin is “me,” more for me at any cost!1:3 This verse may have been a well known, cultural proverb. Even dumb animals do not bite the handthat feeds them, but Judah does!} “Israel does not know” The VERB “know” (BDB 393, KB 390, Qal PERFECT) does not imply factsabout a subject, but personal knowledge of someone (cf. Gen. 4:1; Jer. 1:5). Israel did not know theirown creator, savior, and protector because they would not listen (cf. 5:12,13; 6:9-13; 30:9).} “My people” This is covenant language (cf. Hosea 1-3,11). It must be remembered that in the OT,election is God’s primary initiating choice of Abraham and Israel. There is commensurate responsibilityafter God’s initial choice known as covenant. This involves responsibility on both sides.16