Isaías 35
John MacArthur · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 35
MacArthur: Title, Author, Date, Background, Setting, Historical, Theological Themes, Interpretive Challenges, Outline by Chapter/Verse. Excellent overview same intro as in MacArthur Study Bible. Interpretive Challenges - Interpretive challenges in a long and significant book such as Isaiah are numerous. The most critical of them focuses on whether Isaiah’s prophecies will receive literal fulfillment or not, and on whether the Lord, in His program, has abandoned national Israel and permanently replaced the nation with the church, so that there is no future for national Israel. On the latter issue, numerous portions of Isaiah support the position that God has not replaced ethnic Israel with an alleged “new Israel.” Isaiah has too much to say about God’s faithfulness to Israel, that He would not reject the people whom He has created and chosen (Isaiah 43:1). The nation is on the palms of His hands, and Jerusalem’s walls are ever before His eyes (Isaiah 49:16). He is bound by His own Word to fulfill the promises He has made to bring them back to Himself and bless them in that future day (Isaiah 55:10–12). On the former issue, literal fulfillment of many of Isaiah’s prophecies has already occurred, as illustrated in Introduction: Historical and Theological Themes. To contend that those yet unfulfilled will see non-literal fulfillment is biblically groundless. This fact disqualifies the case for proposing that the church receives some of the promises made originally to Israel. The kingdom promised to David belongs to Israel, not the church. The future exaltation of Jerusalem will be on earth, not in heaven. Christ will reign personally on this earth as we know it, as well as in the new heavens and new earth (Rev. 22:1,3). (Isaiah - John MacArthur) Related Resources: Rise of Allegorical Interpretation Israel of God Replacement theology / supersessionism Remnant Kingdom of Heaven or God God's Plan for Jerusalem: Five Prophetic Mountain Peaks Hannah's Bible Outlines - John Hannah's Outline of Isaiah 34-35 Prophecies relating to world destruction and blessing (Isaiah 34:1-35:10) The destruction of world power (Isaiah 34:1-17) The description of the destruction (Isaiah 34:1-7) The devastation of the destruction (Isaiah 34:8-15) The divine promise of Israel's possession (Isaiah 34:16-17) The advent of Messiah's kingdom (Isaiah 35:1-10) The renewal of physical blessings (Isaiah 35:1-7) The return of the remnant (Isaiah 35:8-10) Paul Apple has an excellent introduction to Isaiah 35: When we are away from home for any extended period, our hearts long for a return to that place where we belong; that place of joy and refreshment; that place of love and security; that place that just feels right to us because we were created to live there. [Almost like the TV show Cheers – where everyone knows your name …] I love John Denver’s classic hit song, Almost heaven, West Virginia Blue ridge mountains, Shenandoah river Life is old there, older than the trees Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze Country roads, take me home To the place I belong West Virginia Mountain mamma, take me home Country roads I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me Radio reminds me of my home far away Driving down the road I get a feeling That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday Country roads, take me home To the place I belong West Virginia Mountain mamma, take me home Country roads Words and music by bill danoff, taffy nivert and john denver As pilgrims on this earth, our citizenship is in heaven and we look forward to the full realization of the kingdom of God on earth. Likewise the nation of Israel in the OT enjoyed many precious promises of their eventual return to Zion when all of Israel would be saved and the Messianic Kingdom would be ushered in. Whatever sorrow and hardship we may be experiencing now will one day be replaced by complete joy and abundant prosperity as we revel in the majestic glory of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We have some blessings that should excite us. This chapter stands in stark contrast to the bleak picture of slaughter and desolation in the preceding chapter as the Lord judges the land of Edom. Jerusalem, the City of God on its majestic mountaintop, is the end goal for the journey described here as these Jews are regathered in the last days in preparation for the Messianic Kingdom. The more immediate return of the exiles from Babylon is but a foreshadowing of those yet future days of deliverance and glory. Review to Help Establish the Context: Isaiah 28:1–35:10 6 Woes Against Worldly Alliances Based on Pride and Self-Reliance – Destined for Both Near Term and Eschatological Judgment With Some Remnant Hope – Application: Trust in God Alone! 1. Isaiah 28:1-29 Woe #1–Directed Against Harmful Political Leaders=Disoriented Drunkards and Security-Seeking Scoffers of Israel 2. Isaiah 29:1-14 Woe #2–Directed Against Religious Hypocrisy in Jerusalem – 3. Isaiah 29:15-24 Woe #3–Directed Against the Sophisticated Self-Sufficient = Those Who Think They Are Smarter Than God = Deceivers and Defrauders –Those Who Think They are Smarter Than God Will be Wiped Off the Face of this Earth 4. Isaiah 30:1-33 Woe #4 – Directed Against Alliances with the World – 5. Isaiah 31:1-32:20 Woe #5 – Directed Against Those Who Trust in the World’s Wisdom and Power 6. Isaiah 33:1-12 Woe #6 – Directed Against the Destroyer with Deliverance for Zion –When God Springs Into Visible and Dramatic Action, the Destroyer is Destroyed and God’s People are Delivered (Isaiah 34) Images of Slaughter and Desolation flesh out the horrifying picture of the unleashing of the wrath of God (Isaiah Commentary - Paul Apple) Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the desert will be glad, and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom like the crocus KJV Isaiah 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. The wilderness and the desert Isaiah 29:17; 32:15,16; 40:3; 51:3; 52:9,10; Ezekiel 36:35 will be glad Ps 48:11; 97:8; Revelation 19:1-7 the Arabah will rejoice and blossom Isaiah 4:2; 27:6; 55:12,13; 61:10,11; Isa 66:10-14; Hosea 14:5,6 Related Passages: Ezekiel 36:35+ “They will say, ‘This desolate land has become like the garden of Eden; and the waste, desolate and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’ THE DESERT LIVES! Halley's Bible Handbook (see context) calls Isaiah 35 "One of the greatest chapters in the Bible. A poem of rare and superb beauty. It presents a picture of the last times, when the redeemed, after long suffering, finally shine forth in all the radiance of their heavenly glory. Returning exiles traveling along the highway (Isaiah 35:8-10) offer a marvelous image of the redeemed traveling home to God." Jennings - How refreshing to turn from the storm of judgment to the calm of blessing! But the very storm affords a foil that increases the sweetness of that calm. Little do they know of the delights of spring who have never felt the pinch of winter; little do they value the "time of the singing of birds" who have never lacked their melody; little should we care for the promise, "God shall wipe away all tears," had we never wept. So this lovely little chapter is doubly refreshing from its sharp contrast to its predecessor. It has a lilt of joy and is almost metrical in our A.V., without much change. (Isaiah 35 Commentary) John Walvoord - Isaiah 35:1-10. Those who have been redeemed from their enemies and blessed by the Lord in the future millennial kingdom will rejoice (Isa 35:1-2). (See context in Every Prophecy of the Bible) Ron Teed entitles this chapter "Israel's Happy Future" or "Millennial Blessing" adding that "We are about to see what this world is going to be like after Satan is bound and Jesus becomes the reigning king over all the world. Even creation itself will share in the blessings that come with Christ’s reign. What a description! Kind of makes you want to be there right now, doesn’t it? There will be dramatic changes made to the landscape of the earth when Christ returns to set up His kingdom. Isaiah uses the promise of the coming kingdom to strengthen those in his day who were weak and afraid." (Isaiah 35 Commentary) Parunak entitles this chapter the "Restoration of the Nation (Israel) As in the previous summary in Isaiah 24-27, judgment (ch. 24) passes into restoration (ch. 25-27). There, a distant echo of singing in Isaiah 24:14-16 blossomed into three great songs in ch. 25-27. So here, singing (רנן , the joyful shout, as in Isaiah 24:14) marks the restoration. (Isaiah 34-35 Commentary - recommended) Isaiah shifts from Judgment in Isaiah 34 to Blessing in Isaiah 35. This chapter unfolds promised physical blessings to the nation of Israel in anticipation of their deliverance by the Messiah at His Second Coming followed by establishment of His Millennial Kingdom. The pathetically parched land will become prolifically productive! And remember that although these passages speak directly to Israel, the truths in this section can be applied spiritually to believers today. It is notable that joy permeates this chapter and so it is fitting that there are allusions to joy, gladness or rejoicing in the first and last verses (Isaiah 35:1, 10) serving effectively as "bookends" to a "book" you want to be sure and pull off the shelf and read, so that you might be encouraged and excited about what God has planned for the future of this world. Today the world is focused on the gloom of global warning, but in the Messiah's time it will be focused on the jubilation of global worship! John Martin - The description in this chapter of the land and the people is a highlight of the first half of the book. This is the desired millennial state for which the nation has longed since God first promised it to Abraham. This is the state that mankind constantly longs for—a utopia in which peace and fertility prevail. This condition will not come, however, till after God's judgment on the world (chap. 34). This emphasis in Isaiah rules out postmillennialism, which teaches that the world will get increasingly better thus bringing in the kingdom which will be followed by the Messiah's return. The amillennial teaching that there will be no earthly kingdom at all because the Old Testament promises to Israel are being fulfilled in the church today is also foreign to Isaiah's thought. Isaiah taught that the Lord will regather believing Israel, Abraham's physical descendants, and will establish God's long-awaited kingdom on earth. That promised restoration is not being fulfilled in the church today in any sense. (See context in The Bible Knowledge Commentary) H A
Isaías 35
MacArthur explains "The term paliggenesia (regeneration) literally means new birth. It was used by Josephus for the new birth of the Jewish nation after the Babylonian Captivity and by Philo of the new birth of the earth after the Flood and after its destruction by fire. It is used only twice in the New Testament, in Matthew 19:28 and in Titus 3:5+, where Paul uses it to refer to the personal new birth of believers. In the present passage (Ed: referring to Mt 19:28), however, Jesus uses it to represent the rebirth of the earth under His sovereign dominion at the time of His Second Coming. It will be paradise regained which parallels the individual rebirth of Christians. (See context in The MacArthur New Testament Commentary) (Bolding added) MacArthur - Jesus will not return to reign until Israel’s rejection ends. After indicting the people of Israel for rejecting their Messiah (Acts 3:12-15), Peter exhorted them in Acts 3:19-21. It is only after they repent and return to God and have their sins forgiven that the kingdom (the “times of refreshing” and the “period of restoration of all things” [Acts 3:19-21]) will come, just as “God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time” in the Old Testament prophecies of the kingdom. God had promised Abraham that He would bless Israel and through them the world (Gen. 12:1-3). (See context in The MacArthur New Testament Commentary ) The Arabah will rejoice and blossom like the crocus - The dry desert land of the Arabah refreshed by the good hand of the LORD, will come alive and exult in the period of restoration. Water will no longer be scarce for "in that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter." (Zechariah 14:8+) In Isaiah 41 the God of Israel (Isa 41:17) promises "I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water And the dry land fountains of water." (Isaiah 41:18) In the Millennium the climate of the land of Israel will be changed so that the land will be well-watered and fertile. Illustration - Eighty-nine workers were accidentally killed during the building of Boulder (Hoover) Dam. The memorial plaque reads: “For those who died that the desert might bloom.” One day, the desert will bloom to the glory of God because Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world. (Warren
Isaías 35
MacArthur explains the background for why the writer of Hebrews quotes from this encouraging OT passage - The writer of Hebrews got his metaphor from Isaiah. The faithful in Israel had been through a lot. They had many evil kings, some false prophets, generally disobedient and stubborn fellow Israelites, powerful enemies who threatened them, and seemingly no prospect of ever living in their own land in peace. They were discouraged and despondent, ready to give up. So the prophet reminds them of the coming kingdom, when "the wilderness and the desert will be glad" and "they will see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God" (Isa. 35:1-2). Then he counsels them to counsel each other: "Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you'" (Isa 35:3-4). In other words, "Don't give up now. A better day is coming. Look to that and you will have the encouragement and strength you need. Victory is ahead!" The emphasis of Hebrews 12:12 is the same as that of Isaiah 35:3-4. We are not told to strengthen our hands or our weak and feeble knees, but the hands and the knees, regardless of whose they are. In other words, we are not to concentrate on our own weaknesses but to help strengthen other Christians in theirs. One of the surest ways to be encouraged ourselves is to give encouragement to someone else, "encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near" (Heb. 10:25). One of the best ways to keep continuing is to encourage others to continue. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Hebrews) Strengthen (0553)(amets) means to be stout, to be strong (Ge 25:23), to be bold, to be alert. Be determined. In short it means to be strong and courageous. (2 Chr 13:18). It means to make strong or cause to grow strong (Pr 8:28; 31:17; Isa. 44:14) of inanimate objects. It is used of human activity in repairing or strengthening a house or building (2 Chr. 24:13). Metaphorically, amets means to harden one's attitude or heart - God "made his heart obstinate" (Dt. 2:30). To harden one's heart (Dt 15:7; 2 Chr. 36:13). It also is used in some contexts to mean to show courage or to show or prove oneself strong (Ps. 27:14; 31:24); to persist in an activity as when Ruth "was determined to go with" Naomi (Ruth 1:18). It can mean to make haste as when "King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem." (1 Ki. 12:18). In 2 Chr. 13:7 it speaks of those "who proved too strong" and thus means to be better or superior. Gilbrant - In the Qal stem, the word occurs primarily as an imperative, in the command "be courageous and strong" (Josh. 1:6f; Dan. 10:19). It can also appear as a comparative with the preposition min- , meaning "to be stronger than" (Gen. 25:33). There are a number of nuances in the Piel stem. The primary meaning is "to strengthen someone (Joshua, Deut. 3:28) or something" (knees, Job 4:4). Also one "lets grow" someone (house, 2 Chr. 24:13) or something (tree, Isa. 44:14). Yahweh "made firm" the clouds (Prov. 8:28) and "hardened the heart" of his enemies (Deut. 2:30). This verb appears twice in the Hiphil (causative) stem, both times with leb, both times meaning "to prove to be strong" (Ps. 27:14; 31:24). This same nuance is expressed by the Hithpael (reiterative/reflexive) stem (2 Chr. 13:7). (Complete Biblical Library) Amets - 41v - conquered(1), courageous(11), determined(1), harden(1), hardened(1), increases(1), made his obstinate(1), made firm(1), made haste(2), made strong(1), makes her strong(1), mighty(1), proved...strong(1), raises(1), strengthen(6), strengthened(3), strong(2), stronger(1), summon(1), supported(1), take courage(2).Gen. 25:23; Deut. 2:30; Deut. 3:28; Deut. 15:7; Deut. 31:6; Deut. 31:7; Deut. 31:23; Jos. 1:6; Jos. 1:7; Jos. 1:9; Jos. 1:18; Jos. 10:25; Ruth 1:18; 2 Sam. 22:18; 1 Ki. 12:18; 1 Chr. 22:13; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 10:18; 2 Chr. 11:17; 2 Chr. 13:7; 2 Chr. 13:18; 2 Chr. 24:13; 2 Chr. 32:7; 2 Chr. 36:13; Job 4:4; Job 16:5; Ps. 18:17; Ps. 27:14; Ps. 31:24; Ps. 80:15; Ps. 80:17; Ps. 89:21; Ps. 142:6; Prov. 8:28; Prov. 24:5; Prov. 31:17; Isa. 35:3; Isa. 41:10; Isa. 44:14; Amos 2:14; Nah. 2:1 David
Isaías 35
MacArthur says "Jesus' first coming gave a foretaste of that future day (Mt 11:5+; Mt 12:22+; Mk 7:37+; Lk 7:21+; Acts 3:8+)." (See context in The MacArthur Bible Commentary ) And why do those who could not even speak literally now shout for joy? Because the "times of refreshing have come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19+). The long awaited "period of restoration" (Acts 3:21+) will have arrived when Messiah regenerates the land ("Eretz Yisrael") and all the earth. (cf Mt 19:28). Parunak - In the NT, the Lord Jesus alludes to this verse when he responds to the question from John the Baptist about whether he is the Messiah. Mt 11:2-6+ Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? 4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. As often, the first advent of our Lord is the prototype of the second. He did not restore the desert and wilderness, but he did demonstrate the power to restore people. (Isaiah 34-35 Commentary) Spurgeon on the mute will shout for joy - WHAT a difference grace makes, wherever it enters the heart! In our text, we find the blind mentioned; but they are no longer blind when once grace has touched their eyes: “Then the eyes of the blind” are “opened.” We read also of the deaf; but they are not deaf after grace has operated upon them: “the ears of the deaf” are “unstopped.” Here are men who have been “lame” before; but when once the omnipotent influence of divine grace has come upon them, they leap like a hart. And those who used to be speechless, so far from being dumb any longer, have experienced a change that must be radical, for its effects are surprising. “The tongue of the dumb” not only speaks, but it sings. Grace makes a great difference in a man, when it enters into him. (Isaiah 35:5-6 The Dumb Singing) The mute will shout for joy because the desert is made alive as waters will break forth in the wilderness and streams in the Arabah. If you have visited Israel, you know that it is a land where water is scarce even under the best of circumstances. But that scarcity will be transformed into an abundance by the presence of the Messiah. THOUGHT - Dear reader, these marvelous, miraculous truths beg a sobering, sincere question? Will you be among this joyful throng? Have you simply professed Jesus or have you sincerely possessed Jesus by grace through faith, a faith that shows itself to be genuine by your Spirit enabled obedience (we are not talking about "perfection" but we are talking about direction -- how would you assess your "faith"? Do your thoughts words and deeds demonstrate you are headed toward heaven and not hell? You be the judge before you have to face the Judge!) and Spirit empowered works. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah - "The verb is past tense. We are still seeing the impact on people of the change in the environment." (Parunak) (Brian Bell) A great devotional sprung out of this verse in 1925! “Streams in the Desert” LB.Cowman(Mrs. Charles E.). She was a missionary with her husband in the Orient. She compiled a collection of “prayerful meditations, Christian writings, & God’s written promises.” My Utmost for His Highest(by Oswald Chambers) was written at the same time period(1927). They ministered together for a time in Japan. Both were greatly influenced by Charles Spurgeon. (Chambers saved under him ministry in the late 1800’s) Read Numb.21:16-18a Ever sing about water before? (NIV) "Spring up, O well! Sing about it, about the well that the princes dug, that the nobles of the people sank-- the nobles with scepters and staffs." As they dug, they tapped into a stream that had run“unseen” below! What a beautiful picture this is! – Q: In what area of your life do you need to just “sing out Praise” unto Him? Q: What area is dry, barren, parched, unfruitful, and desolate? Q: How did the children of Israel find the water? 3.8.5.4.1.While standing on burning sand, & digging the well with their staff of promise, they sang a praise of faith! Complaining always brought about a dry desert! While Praising always brought about adelicious dessert! (21:16) “Gather the people together & I will give them water!” Salvation – "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive;” Our spiritual walk – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, thatHe might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” Eph.5:25,26 My goal as a bible teacher! - He will give the water of life… I’m just a conduit! Our future Glory! – Will be refreshing! (Brian Bell) Isaiah 35:7 The scorched land will become a pool And the thirsty ground springs of water; In the haunt of jackals, its resting place, Grass becomes reeds and rushes. KJV Isaiah 35:7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. NIV Isaiah 35:7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. YLT Isaiah 35:7 And the mirage hath become a pond, And the thirsty land fountains of waters, In the habitation of dragons, Its place of couching down, a court for reed and rush. The scorched land will become a pool Isaiah 29:17; 44:3,4; Matthew 21:43; Luke 13:29; John 4:14; 7:38; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 In the haunt of jackals Isaiah 34:13; Hosea 1:10,11; Acts 26:18; 1 John 5:19,20; Revelation 12:9-12; 18:2; 20:2,3 Grass becomes reeds and rushes Isaiah 19:6 REVERSAL AND TRANSFORMATION