Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Isaiah predicts a period of peace that is to be ushered in with the birth of a new leader. Isaiah describes the sins of Samaria, its deplorable state, and how God will continue to punish it.
II. Photo
God will exact revenge on Samaria: “So the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in a single day. Elders and magnates — such are the heads; Prophets who give false instruction, such are the tails.” (vv. 13-14)
III. Important Verses
1: The people that walked in darkness Have seen a brilliant light; On those who dwelt in a land of gloom Light has dawned.
2: You have magnified that nation, Have given it great joy; They have rejoiced before You As they rejoice at reaping time, As they exult When dividing spoil.
5-6: For a child has been born to us, A son has been given us. And authority has settled on his shoulders. He has been named “The Mighty God is planning grace; The Eternal Father, a peaceable ruler” — In token of abundant authority And of peace without limit Upon David’s throne and kingdom, That it may be firmly established In justice and in equity Now and evermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts Shall bring this to pass.
7-11: My Lord Let loose a word against Jacob And it fell upon Israel. But all the people noted — Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria — In arrogance and haughtiness: “Bricks have fallen — We’ll rebuild with dressed stone; Sycamores have been felled — We’ll grow cedars instead!” So the LORD let the enemies of Rezin Triumph over it And stirred up its foes — Aram from the east And Philistia from the west — Who devoured Israel With greedy mouths. Yet His anger has not turned back, And His arm is outstretched still.
13-14: So the LORD will cut off from Israel Head and tail, Palm branch and reed, In a single day. Elders and magnates — Such are the heads; Prophets who give false instruction, Such are the tails
IV. Outline
1-6. A new ruler
1-2. The people will eventually rejoice
3. The painful oppression
4-6. A child that will bring peace has been born
7-20. God’s wrath at Samaria
7-11a. God sends his wrath against Samaria
7-8. God’s initial warning
9. The people’s response
10-11a. God sends enemies upon Samaria
11b-16. Iniquity and punishment
11b. More wrath to come
12. The sin of Samaria: not returning to God
13-16. Parable: God will annihilate young and old alike
17. God will not hold back
18-20. The deplorable state of Samaria
20b. God will not hold back
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Blenkinsopp, Joseph. “Isaiah 1-39” The Anchor Bible vol. 19 (New York: Doubleday, 2000).
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Sweeney, Marvin A. “Isaiah 1-39 with an Introduction to Prophetic Literature” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 16 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1996).
Photo taken from http://www.gbcb.org/home/140002342/140002342/palm.jpg
