Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Isaiah-Chapter 50

Isa 50.1-11 is a chapter where God addresses the children of Zion, not Zion itself. Israel has broken off the relationship with Yehovah because of sin. The fault was with Israel. To understand this chapter we will first enter into Jewish Halakah (how to walk), but any halakah should be filtered through the Scriptures. First, we have the literal commandments in writing. This is the highest level and no halakah should ever contradict this level. Then there are those things that are derived from the Torah, but this should be evaluated closely, too. Then there is the oral tradition followed by rabbinical decrees and then customs. None of these should contradict the written Torah.

The language in this chapter is important, and a precedent is important. This chapter begins with talk about a divorce. Yehovah has divorced Israel but they are only in the betrothal stage, not the full marriage (Deut 24.1). Because Israel was only betrothed to Yehovah, he can remarry her because they had not reached the full marriage stage. Yehovah betrothed himself to Israel after coming out of Egypt (Jer 2.2), which was the first Shavuot. He will have the full marriage at Rosh Ha Shanah after the Natzal. It then begins to talk about the work of the Servant of Yehovah.

v 1…Thus says the Lord, “Where is the certificate of divorce, by which I have sent your mother away (check it to see if the divorce was my fault. You will find it was your sins that have caused all this)? Or to whom of my creditors did I sell you (to pay a debt that I owed)? Behold, you are sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your mother was cast away (divorced).

v 2…Why was there no man when I came (that believed)? When I called, why was there none to answer (the preaching that would save them)? Is my hand so short (weak) that it cannot ransom? Or have no power to deilver? Behold, I dry up the sea with my rebuke (the Red Sea), I make the rivers a wilderness; their fish stink for lack of water, and die of thirst.”

v 3…I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering (his power has been seen in all of these).

The work of the Messiah

v 4…The Lord God (Adonai Yehovah) has given me (Messiah) the tongue of disciples (experience gained not in mere human learning but in divinely taught methods of instruction-Heb 5.8), that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word (thirsty-Matt 11.28). He awakens me morning by morning, he awakens my ear (an open ear-John 15.15) to listen as a disciple (and be qualified without limit to perform my duties).

v 5…The Lord (Yehovah) has opened my ear (the allusion is to a servant who decides to stay with his master and voluntarily has his ear bored at the doorpost of the house-Exo 21.5-6; Psa 40.6); and I was not disobedient, nor did I turn back (from the work given him).

v 6…I gave my back to those who strike me, and my cheeks to those who pluck (ripped) out the beard; I did not cover my face from humiliation and spitting (Yeshua did not hide his face from insults-Psa 22; Isa 52; Isa 53).

v 7…For the Lord God (Adonai Yehovah) helps me, therefore I am not disgraced (humiliated or overtaken by misery); therefore, I have set my face like flint (committed, hard as rock; he knew he was right), and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

v 8…He who vindicates me is near (Yeshua was never forsaken-Psa 22.24); who will contend with me (being acquitted, who is going to litigate this point with him? Yehovah and the Torah are satisfied)? Let us stand up to each other; who has a case against me (let him appear)? Let him draw near to me (engage me, if he has the courage and skill).

v 9…Behold, the Lord God helps me; who is he who condemns me (makes me out to be wicked)? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them (never be used again).

v 10…Who is among you that fears the Lord (in a reverential awe), that obeys the voice of his servant (the Messiah leads us to the Torah-Deut 18.15-18; that walks in darkness and has no light (in misery and lack of comfort with no way out). Let him trust in the name of Yehovah and rely on his God (hope in God’s promises as if they are a done deal).

v 11… Behold (take note), all you who kindle a fire (of your own wickedness); who equip yourselves with burning darts (especially with an evil tongue-Jam 3.6); away into the light of your fire, and into the burning darts you have set ablaze. This comes to you from my hand; and you will lie down in torment (or sorrow; the destruction they prepare for the servant of Yehovah becomes their own).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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