Isaías 12

Isaías 12

Ironside - As we learn to look to God in confidence all anxiety disappears, for we know that He who saved us will stand between us and every foe. He does not leave His people to fight their battles in their own power, but He is the Strength of all who rest upon His Word. Salvation (03444) (yeshuah from [03467] yasa/yasha [see word study]' = to save - see discussion below) primarily means to rescue from distress or danger. Synonyms include salvation, deliverance, safety, rescue, state of freedom from danger (Ex 14:13). In the OT salvation refers to both physical and spiritual deliverance from danger. Yeshuah can sometimes refer to human “deliverance” (1Sa 14:45 = "deliverance" by Jonathan, 2Sa 10:11 = "shall help") but most often is used of God as the one Who provides salvation or deliverance or rescue (Ge 49:18, Ex 14:13, 15:2 Dt. 32:15, 1Sa 2:1, etc). King Jehoshaphat when faced with imminent invasion by a great multitude from the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir (2Chr 20:10) was told by the prophet Jahaziel to "stand and see the salvation (yeshuah - deliverance) of Jehovah." (2Chr 20:17) The root verb of the noun Yeshuah is Yasa/yasha' (03467) and the basic idea of this verb is to be wide or roomy in contrast to narrow or restricted. Yasha refers to delivering a person or group of people from distress or danger, from a "restricted" condition in which they are unable to help themselves (see first OT use Ex 14:30). The Hebrew word for "Savior" is from yasha' (NAS translates yasha' as "Savior" in 13/198 uses). The nuances of yasa/yasha' = (niphal) rescued, delivered, saved, to be in a situation safe and free from danger (Nu 10:9; Dt 33:29; 2Sa 22:4; Ps 18:4; 33:16); (hiphil) to save, rescue, deliver (Jdg 13:5); (niphal) saved, be delivered in a religious sense, with a focus on a proper relationship to God (Ps 80:4, 8, 20; 119:117; Isa 30:15; 45:17, 22; 64:4; Jer 4:14; 17:14; Zec 9:9); (hiphil) to save, rescue, deliver (Ps 98:1) (Nuances of meaning adapted from Dictionary of Semantic Domains: Hebrew). John Hartley adds this helpful note on the root word yasa/yasha'… That which is wide connotes freedom from distress and the ability to pursue one’s own objectives. To move from distress to safety requires deliverance. Generally the deliverance must come from somewhere outside the party oppressed. In the OT the kinds of distress, both national and individual, include enemies, natural catastrophies, such as plague or famine, and sickness. The one who brings deliverance is known as the “savior.” The word may be used, however, in everyday life free of theological overtones; e.g., at a well Moses saved the daughters of Reuel from being driven off by the shepherds (Ex 2:17). But generally in the OT the word has strong religious meaning, for it was Yahweh Who wrought the deliverance. Thus He is known as the “God of our salvation” (Ps 68:19,20). Although salvation could come through a human agent, it was only because God empowered the agent. In the NT the idea of salvation primarily means forgiveness of sin, deliverance from its power and defeat of Satan. Although the OT begins to point in this direction, the majority of references to salvation speak of Yahweh granting deliverance from real enemies and out of real catastrophies. (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) Yeshuah occurs often in the context of rejoicing (Ps 9:14) or in the context of a prayer for deliverance (Ps 69:29). It should also be noted that the Hebrew word yeshuah is related to the name Yeshua (Wikipedia) ("Yahweh saves", cp Mt 1:21 = Greek = Iesous which is the same word used to translate "Joshua" in the OT) which is commonly used today (especially in Messianic Judaism) to refer to Jesus. The word Yeshua is derived from the Hebrew word for salvation, yeshuah, and both are pronounced the same. It follows that every time a Jewish person reads the word "salvation" in the Hebrew Old Testament, he is essentially saying the name "Jesus!" May the Spirit open the hearts of many Jewish readers of the original Hebrew texts to come to see and understand and receive by faith their Messiah, the risen and soon returning King of kings, Masiyah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). Amen. A member of the believing Jewish remnant, Simeon, who had studied the Old Testament (the only version available) recognized the Messiah testifying… For my eyes have seen Thy salvation, Which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Thy people Israel." (Luke 2:30, 31, 32) Comment: Luke's record is a fulfillment of a precious and magnificent promise in Psalm 50:23! There the Hebrew for "salvation" is yesha from root yasha = Savior, Deliverer! In the Lxx of Psalm 50:23, the Greek word for salvation is soterion, which is the same word used by Luke in Lk 2:30. The aged Simeon saw via the illumination provided by the Holy Spirit that the infant in his arms would bring salvation both to Jews and Gentiles (Lk 2:32). In the Bible's first mention of the word "salvation," (Hebrew = yeshuah), father Jacob said he had been waiting for the salvation (Ge 49:18). And centuries later, we Luke records that Simeon, the namesake of Jacob's second son, had actually seen the yeshuah in the Spirit in the person of little Jesus (Yeshua)! The Septuagint (Lxx) translates yeshuah most often with the Greek words soteria (salvation, deliverance) and soterios/soterion (salvation). In addition, Dt 32:15 uses the Greek noun soter which means Savior or Deliverer. Yeshuah - 77x in OT - Notice tha of the 19 uses in Isaiah, this is the first use and Isa 12:3 the second use and both are in the prophetic context of Messiah's provision of salvation when He returns! Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus! (Consider taking a moment to meditate on all the OT uses of yeshuah below which are rich in truths regarding the springs of salvation from the Lord) NAS = deeds of deliverance(1), deliverance(6), help(4), prosperity(1), salvation(61), save(1), saving(1), security(1), victories(1), victory(1). ALL THE OT USES OF YESHUAH Genesis 49:18 "For Your salvation (Lxx = soteria) I wait (Waiting on Jehovah in the OT often was usually synonymous with trusting in Jehovah. The Lxx has perimeno used of waiting in Acts 1:4), O LORD. (Jacob’s closing cry expressed hope for Dan in the day when salvation would indeed come to Israel.) Exodus 14:13 But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation (Lxx = soteria) of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. (A good pattern to pursue - when the "Pharaoh's come against us, we need to set our sights on Jehovah, our Deliverer!) Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation (Lxx = soteria); (Gratitude for God's deliverance should always be our priority - am I grateful when I experience His deliverances or have I come to take them for granted?) This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him. Deuteronomy 32:15 "But Jeshurun ("The Upright One" = a name for Israel here used sarcastically because they did not live righteously after entering Canaan! This rebuke is also a call upward - a challenge to Israel to be what God had created her to be) grew fat and kicked-- You are grown fat, thick, and sleek (Cp to affluent because of the blessings of the Lord - sounds like America!) -- Then he forsook God who made him, and scorned the Rock of his salvation (Lxx = noun soter which means Savior). (Beware of the old flesh nature which continually tries to deaden our memory of the goodness of God which should make us obedient and thankful to Him.) 1 Samuel 2:1 Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in the LORD; My horn (Metaphor which depicts strength) is exalted in the LORD, My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I rejoice in Your salvation (Lxx = soteria) . 1 Samuel 14:45 But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance (Lxx = soteria) in Israel? (Jonathan in contrast to his father Saul understood God's sufficiency to bring "salvation" and thus trusted in Him for the victory. Am I more like Saul or Jonathan in the battles I wage daily?) Far from it! As the LORD lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die. 2 Samuel 10:11 He (Joab) said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you (Joab's brother Abishai who was fighting the Ammonites) shall help (Lxx = soteria) me, but if the sons of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come to help you. 2 Samuel 22:51 "He is a tower of deliverance (Lxx = soteria) to His king, and shows lovingkindness to His anointed (masiyah = "Messiah"; Lxx = Christos - cp masiyah in Da 9:25-note, Da 9:26-note), To David and his descendants forever." Comment by John