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

Here is a good quote to conclude this discussion. It is taken from Dictionary of Paul and HisLetters from IVP“Calvin, more so than Luther, emphasizes the relational aspect of the righteousness ofGod. Luther’s view of the righteousness of God seems to contain the aspect of acquittal.Calvin emphasizes the marvelous nature of the communication or imparting of God’srighteousness to us” (p. 834).For me the believer’s relationship to God has three aspects.1. the gospel is a person (emphasis of the Eastern Church and Calvin)2. the gospel is truth (emphasis of Augustine and Luther)3. the gospel is a changed life (Catholic emphasis)They are all true and must be held together for a healthy, sound, biblical Christianity. If any one isover emphasized or depreciated, problems occur.We must welcome Jesus!We must believe the gospel!We must pursue Christlikeness!} “Offspring of evil-doers,Sons who act corruptly” This seems to relate to Exod. 20:5 where the evil lifestyles of the parentare communicated to the children.Notice the parallelism.1. sinful nation, v. 42. weighed down with iniquity, v. 43. offspring of evildoers, v. 44. sons who act corruptly, v. 4Also notice the parallel clauses that follow.1. they have abandoned (BDB 736, KB 806, Qal PERFECT) the Lord2. they have despised (BDB 610, KB 658, Piel PERFECT) the Holy One of Israel3. they have turned away (BDB 266, KB 267, Niphal PERFECT) from HimAll speak of the actions of an informed, but rebellious, covenant people (notice the number of differentword pictures for sin). By their actions and choices they are rejecting YHWH! These PERFECT stemsdenote a settled attitude!These people were to be the blessed “seed” (BDB 282) of Abraham (cf. Gen. 12:7; 13:15,16;16:10; 22:17,18; 24:7; 26:3,4,24; 28:13,14; 32:12), but they had become the “seed” of evildoers! Whata tragedy of wasted revelation and opportunity (cf. Luke 12:48)!} “the Holy One of Israel” This is a favorite title for Deity in Isaiah (cf. 1:4; 5:19; 10:17,20; 12:6;17:7; 29:19,23; 30:11,12,15; 31:1; 37:23; also in the second part of Isaiah, 40:25; 41:14,16,20; 43:3,14,15; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7; 54:5; 55:5; 60:9,14). Because He is “holy,” His people should be holy (cf.Lev. 19:2; Matt. 5:48; I Pet. 1:16).This title, in a sense, expresses the impossible tension of a sinful, fallen people conforming to aholy standard. The Mosaic Covenant was impossible to keep (cf. Acts 15; Galatians 3; Hebrews). Theold covenant was a way to show the impossibility of humans to conform to God’s standard, yet He waswith them, for them, preparing them for His answer to their fallen condition. He does not lower Hisstandard, but provides it through His Messiah. The new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:22-38) isa covenant of faith and repentance, not human performance, though it issues in Christlikeness (cf. James2:14-26). God wants a people who reflect His character to the nations (cf. Matt. 5:48).21