Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The Holy One of Israel in Isaiah
The saintly wiz of Israel This rise c at oncerns about the meaning of the divine title The beatified iodin of Israel in the Book of Isaiah. It is going to state clearly the determine plan of attack forwards going into the discussion. Approach of this essay The harbor of Isaiah had been studied through different getes of which triple argon quite distinctive1. (1)A pre-critical, or traditional, understanding, still found in whatever conservative scholars. They keep the entire book of Isaiah connected to the vaticinator Isaiah of the eighth century B. C. E. There is nonhing intrinsic ally impossible as the approach is prophecy.With the rise of historical criticism, such an approach has been commonly rejected in the interpretive world. (2)A critical understanding of the book of Isaiah is reflective of the intellectual world of the West in the 18th and nineteenth centuries that foc employ on historical issues. The dominant idea of this approach is the sectionalization of t he book of Isaiah into, with short occur references, First Isaiah, Second Isaiah and Third Isaiah. However, the three Isaiah only exist as an editorial convenience, solely without integral continuative to for each unrivaled opposite. 3)The canonical study of the book of Isaiah recognizes that the book is a literary complexity. It is a literary approach, draws upon historical-critical gains more over moves beyond them toward theological interpretation. The last approach is used in this essay. Introduction The holy adept of Israel, as a description of divinity is a distinctive feature of the Book of Isaiah. The heel appe ard in the Old Testament 32 prison terms, 26 times in Isaiah. The other six times in Jeremiah (5029 515), Ezekiel (397) and psalm (7122, 7841, 8918).It is hardly coincidence that in his good deal in Chapter 6 Isaiah himself has heard the seraphim proclaiming Blessed, holy, holy is Almighty YHWH, the whole book deeds out the implications of that vision. In chapters 1-12, and then 13-27, 28-39, 40-55 and at last 56-66, the message of this vision spreads in ever widening circles. Each part leads to the next, unless each alike relates to that key awareness that YHWH is The saintly One of Israel. The table below shows The sanctified One of Israel appeared in the book of Isaiah at different periods of record with related scriptures. set off Chapters Motif Historical razets2 Scriptures 1 Prologue In the long time of 4 kings of Judah 14 1 2-12 Sign of Immanuel Challenge to Judah time of Ahaz 519, 24 1017, 20 126 2 13-27 Fall of a Great City casualty and Hope for the earths 177 3 28-39 Siege of capital of Israel Challenge to Judah Time of Hezekiah 2919, 23 3011, 12, 15 311 3723 4 40-55 Light to the Nations Comfort in Babylon 4114, 16, 20 433, 14 4511 474 4817 497 545 555 5 56-66 Return of the Prodigal Son Challenge to Judah after Exile 609, 14 The Meaning of Holiness The Hebrew word for accountability is qodes (G reek hagios).It is used for what is set apart from a common to a sacred use3, as the utensils and ministers of the sanctuary, and certain days (Ex 208 3031 3110 Lev 217 Num 517 Ne 89 Zech 1421) for what is separated from ceremonial defilement (Ex 2231 Lev 2026) or immorality (2Cor 71 1Thes 47) including fictive worship and heathen practices (Lev 206, 7 216). In a larger sense God is holy, for He is separated from all other beings by His infinite perfections, by His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justices, goodness, and truth, the glory of which fills the earth (Isa 63). Israel acquires holiness by being obedient to Gods commandments and faithful to His bargain (Lev 1144 Deut 289)4. The concept of holiness permeates the life of Israel. Even the land occupied by the people is con postred holy (Zech 212). The great(p) city Jerusalem is designated as the city of God, the holy habitation of the close High (Ps 464). The beatified One of IsraelThe term The blessed One of Israel ref lects the dialectical semblance between The sacred One and Israel. It is a relation with the Holy One with a non-holy entity5. The Holy One requires Israel to be holy. Be holy because I, the headmaster Your God, am holy (Lev 192). The separate one be surveys the attached one. Their relation is bound by covenant. The challenge of the relation is Israels unfaithfulness in worshipping other gods. The intimately notable ensample is the imposition of Baal worship on the northern kingdom by Ahabs marriage to Jezebel. Both the northern and the southern kingdoms suffered captivity. Any unmanageable from Israel side causes discipline from The Holy One side. Exile from Israel causes In the middle from the other, penalisation causes redemption, go astray causes teaches and leads etc. In the Book of Isaiah, the Holy One is the master key, God. The ennoble has p scum bagion. He is angry at Israel who rejects His integritys (524 311) but His comp laughingstockion is good news more th an directly for the impotent (2919). He is the Creator of Israel (4315), the noble of this ground (177 4511 545). He is called the Holy One of Israel, and is in relation with Israel, the likes of Husband and wife (545), founder and tidings (4511 6316 648). The Holy One of Israel is in the midst of the people of Israel (126), they get out stay upon the Lord (1020). The harmonious covenant relation between the Holy One and Israel is being challenged by the rebellious Israel.The people let forsaken the Lord, they have contemned The Holy One of Israel (14 519, 24 3012 3723), they are turned a mood plump forward and they reject the law of the Lord (524). The people have been warned but they do not hear unto The Holy One of Israel (311). Israel is being r blushgeed and exiled. This is the way that the Lord teaches and leads Israel (4817) to cook the covenant relation. The Holy One of Israel, their Redeemer and Savior (4114 433, 14 474 4817 497 545) rescues the people from exile so that they testament understand the run short of the Lord (2923 4120), they bequeath rejoice in the Lord and they leave sanctify The Holy One of Israel (2923 4116).He Himself works for Israel (4314), through the redeeming work of the Lord, He has glorified Israel (555 609, 14). YHWHs majesty and authority is over Judah and other nations (497). On that day shall a man regard his nobleman, and his eyeball shall reflexion to The Holy One of Israel (177). This is a sketch of a thread sewing The Holy One of Israel throughout the Book of Isaiah. It is discussed in more details below. Prologue (Chapter 1) Israel is called to be a holy nation (Exodus 196), now becomes a revolting nation (14). A people laden with iniquity, a people being the enamourd of Abraham become a seed of evildoers. They have despised The Holy One of Israel. The degenerated children have forsaken the Lord, their father.Nothing in human life is more tragic than an unsuccessful up kneading. Gods children rebe l against God. The ox realizes his owner, and the ass his masters crib, but Israel does not know, my people does not aim (13). The knowledge to The Holy One of Israel is even worse than ox and ass to their master. The rod of the Holy One is upon Israel, like the Holy get under ones skin disciplining His son (Hebrew 124-11). One day, Judah ordaining be called the city of right wingeousness, the faithful city, Zion entrust be redeemed by justice, and those in her repent by righteousness (126, 27). Israel is like the prodigal son who requites to his father. set forth 1 (Chapters 2-12) Sign of ImmanuelJudah turns their back to God, the people think that the wealth is built by their power and might, they do not look up to their God, The Holy One of Israel, and they despise His words. They do not even know who they are before the Holy One of Israel. What a rebellious nation who tests and tries The Holy One of Israel. Let Him misrepresent speed, let Him hasten His work, that we ma y see it and let the counsel of The Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it (519). The people do not know themselves before the Holy One. Even do they not hear the Holy One of Israel, nor do they lift up their look on God, but rather they have taunted and blasphemed the Lord (3723).The sinful nation is called the rejecter of the law of the Lord and despiser of the Word of God (524). They forget the laws of the Lord, those holy decrees, laws and regulations that the Lord established on Mount Sinai. (Lev 2646). For that reason the fire of sound judgment would descend on them like fire that devours the stubble, and they would burn like ridicule. The dreadful are perished in the judgment. They are like trees with rotten roots and point torn off by the wind. They fly away like frame (524). His hand is raised and strikes them down. His hand is still upraised (525). At the time of King Ahaz, a sign of Immanuel is given to the people of Judah.No enumerate how unfa vorable the circumstances is, The Holy One of Israel is with them when Damascus and Samaria are penalizeed, and also God leave behind be with them when Assyria comes up to destroy like razor (710-20). Part 2 (Chapters 13-28) Fall of a Great City Calamity and Hope for the Nation YHWHs punishment comes. The fortress will melt down from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus (173a). Israels trouble comes from looking away from YHWH and cut YHWHs governance and requirements. They have been excessively preoccupied with their own achievements and hypnotized by their own religious assurances. But now Israel would refocus their eyes back to The Holy One of Israel (177). The theme is repentance and proceeds to YHWH. Part 3 (Chapters 28-39) Siege of JerusalemThe Holy One of Israel is a shielder but the people of Judah do not seek Him. God has verbalize to the leaders of Israel not to depend on Egypt, nor to commit to Egypt to acquire more horses (Deut 1716). However they opposed Him a nd turned their back on Him. hurt to them that go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many and in horsemen, because they are exceeding mighty but they look not unto The Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord (311) They are rebellious people, faithless children, who do not listen the instruction of the Lord (309). They do not like the true prophesy (3110), nor the right path, nor listening to The Holy One of Israel (3111).Therefore, the punishment of The Holy One of Israel is upon them, like a see to it in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose crash come suddenly (3113) its break is like a smashing potters vessel (3114). The Holy One of Israel urged His people to return and rest (3015), to be quiet like a weaned child at its bring forths breast, and to surrender trustingly to their father, to have childlike faith. However, Judah is constantly in fear, surrounding by enemies. The wicked man has no peace but grief. Ju dah does not have the love of God to cast out fear. They were ill at ease(p) and ran to and fro without any accomplishment. They focused not on The Holy One of Israel but wrongly on Egypts chariots and horses. The city of Jerusalem finally fall down.The people become captives, being exiled to Babylon. Part 4 (Chapters 40-55) Light to the Nation During the period of exile, The Holy One of Israel is a Comforter. Fear not the Lord speaks to Jacob three times in 4110-14. That is indeed necessary because the woeful exiles fear so many things. But the Lord, the faithful covenant God, uses all kinds of motives and inducements to console His people. In the exile, Jacob looks like writhe, insect, dead man. The Lords sympathizer gives light to this nation. Fear not, for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God. I will strengthen you, and I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (4110) For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand it is I who say to yo u, Do not fear, I will help you(4113). Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel I will help you, says the lord your redeemer is The Holy One of Israel (4114). The Lord will help Jacob with His right hand. He will make Jacob a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth, to thresh, strike, punish and crush the mountains and hills, so that they are blown away as chaff before the wind. On that day Jacob will rejoice in the Lord, they will glory in The Holy One of Israel. Lords comfort brings hope to the nation. The desert people know what it meant to suffer thirst. The exile experiences are like the poor and needy seeking water. The Lord has heard their voices.He will not forsake them. To those perishing with thirst, much water supply was the most impressive metaphor of rich blessings. This abundance is described as the breaking forth of streams, even on the plateaus. Trees will come up in former deserts. On that day, they may see and know and consider, and understand together, t hat the hand of the Lord has done this, and The Holy One of Israel has created it. Redeemer and Creator (431-15) The Holy One of Israel is a Redeemer of Jacob. He has given Egypt as Jacobs ransom, Ethiopia and Sheba in exchange for Jacob. Why? Because the Lord is the creator of Israel, for he will redeem His people (431).The Lord calls Jacob by name, showing intimate affinity between the covenant God and Israel. Israel was precious in Gods sight and honored, and God loved Israel. He gave people in return for Israel, nations in exchange for their life. Also, the Lord is their God, The Holy One of Israel, their Savior. He will protect them. The fire constantly purifies Israel, but it never consumes her the water cleanses her, but it could never swallow up the Jews. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned The flames will not set you ablaze. (432)For the sake of Jacob, The Holy One of Israel will punish Babylon, He will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their shouting, because The Holy One of Israel is their Redeemer, their Creator, their King (4315), their Maker and Husband (545). Part 5 (Chapters 56-66) Return of the Prodigal Son The Holy One of Israel participates in the Return of Jacob to Jerusalem. 609 and 6014 mentions The Holy One of Israel. It is a scene of return of Jacob to Jerusalem from Babylon. In 609, to bring your children from far away, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God refers to the return of Israel with the herald of the King Cyrus of Persia (Ezra 11-4). Verse 14 referred to the help of the Lord, Jerusalem is called the City of the Lord, the Zion of The Holy One of Israel.In the exposition of Chapter 60, Harry Bultema6 writes that some attempted to explain this divine oracle concerning the blessedness of the Israelites as winning place aft er the return from Babylon others explained them wholly spiritually of the prosperity, growth and source of the Christian Church during the days of the New Testament. Bulterma further quotes the expositor avant-garde der Palm statement the former explanation must of necessity misdirect the intended meaning of the words, and the latter violates all sound literal biblical exegesis. Since it has been stated in the beginning that the approach of this essay is canonical literary one, it is not agree to take the traditional view here. From the structure of Chapter 60, it refers to the return from Babylon. -5Glory of the Lord is upon Jerusalem. 6-12Gold and frankincense and all the riches are brought to Jerusalem by sea and by land. 13-18Those who oppressed Israel shall come bending low to Israel. They would know this is the work of the Lord, He is their savior, Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 19-22God was the glory of Zion. One more discussion Is Jesus The Holy One of Israel? From the above discussion, we can see that The Holy One of Israel is God who bears the following titles Redeemer, Savior,Comforter,Protector,King, Creator,Maker,Husband,Father There are devil questions arise. First, Is The Holy One of Israel referring to Jesus and never in any way beyond Jesus? Second, Is The Holy One of Israel referring to Jesus? In response to the first question, Harry Bultema states that it refers to our Lord Jesus, who is constantly indicated and further defined as the One who created and formed Israel and who one day shall deliver, protect, and glorify it as the Savior. 7 It is not agree with Bultema for two reasons, though The Holy One of Israel bears the above titles in the book of Isaiah. (1)In Isaiah, The Holy One of Israel is also referred to as a Father (4511), which is contradict to the title of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. 2) The see to it applies to Israel. The church should not rob the glory of the Jews. Da Costa complained once our country, ou r cities, our glorious name and the church had robbed us of our promises. Did this not concern you, O Christians. In response to the second question, the title is originally referring to God who comforts, redeems, creates, etc in the Old Testament time. It is very closed referring to Jesus, except for the title of Father whose name exists in the triune God. Conclusion With the approach of the canonical study of the book of Isaiah, it is found that the Holy One is the Lord, God. He is the Creator of Israel, the Maker of this nation. He is the Father of this people. The following few lines summarize this essay.Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Immanuel is Your name. Woe to those who despise Your Words, The Holy One of Israel they know not. Woe to those who seek help from Egypt, Protector, Comforter, Savior, Redeemer, they ask not. Your rod from Assyria is upon them, but You are in the midst of them. On that day, their eyes are upon You, They will see You are the Deliverer, the Mak er of this Nation. On that day, the Creator will hear, Your are my Father, we are Your children. Bibliography 1. Walter Brueggemann, Isaiah 1 39 (Westminster earth-closet Knox Press, Louisville) 1998. 2. Walter Brueggemann, Isaiah 40 66 (Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville) 1998. 3.John Goldingay, New transnational Biblical remark Isaiah, (Hendrickson Publishers, Massachusetts) 2001. 4. John D. Davis, Davis vocabulary of the Bible, 4th edn (Baker Book House, gilt Rapids, Michigan) 1975. 5. Johannes B. Bauer, cyclopedia of Biblical Theology Vol 1, (Sheed and Ward, London) 1970. 6. Stephen Lee, Lecture Notes on BSN304 Understanding Isaiah An exploration on the Spirituality of Exile, 2010. 7. Gordon C. I. Wong, The Road to Peace Pastoral Reflections on Isaiah 1-12, (Genesis Book, Singapore) 2009. 8. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The external Standard Bible Encyclopedia Volume IIE-J, (Grand Rapids, Michigan) 1982 1 Walter Brueggemann, Isaiah 1 39, (Westminster John Knox Press, Loui sville) 1998, 3-5. 2 John Goldingay, New International Biblical Commentary Isaiah, (Hendrickson Publishers, Massachusetts) 2001, 8. 3 John D. Davis, Davis dictionary of the Bible, 4th edn (Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan) 1975, 334. 4 Geoffrey W. Bromiley, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Volume IIE-J, (Grand Rapids, Michigan) 1982, 725-726. 5 John Goldingay, New International Biblical Commentary Isaiah, 15. 6 Harry Bultema, Commentary on Isaiah, (Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, Michigan) 1981, 584. 7 Harry Bultema, Commentary on Isaiah, 20-22.
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