Isaías 50
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 50
Wiersbe says that Isaiah 50:1-3 depicts God as "a constant lover," of Israel His wife. Her unfaithfulness will never cause Jehovah to be unfaithful! (See context The Bible Exposition Commentary). J M Riddle introduces Isaiah 50 with these comments - God has been described as a Master-Jeweller in that His brightest gems are displayed against a dark background. Attention has already been drawn to the fact that it is in the setting of a failed servant that God displays the beauty of His unfailing servant. Israel is described as "my servant", i.e. the Lord's servant, of which examples occur in Isaiah 41:8; 43:10; 44:21, and it is against the dark background of national failure that the perfect service of the Lord Jesus is described in this chapter. It is no small wonder that the Lord expressed His pleasure in Him in an earlier passage: "Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth" (Isa 42:1). Isaiah 50 may be divided into three sections: The perverse servant (Isa 50:1-3); The perfect Servant (Isa 50:4-9); The pattern Servant (Isa 50:10-11). Summary of Isaiah 50:1-3 - The LORD, Yahweh has not permanently put away His people by divorce nor sold them to any creditor, Isa 50:1. He has sought them and called them, but no one responded to Him, Isa 50:2a. The LORD reminded them that He has the power to redeem and deliver them for He can dry up the sea and the rivers by a mere rebuke, Isa 50:2b. He also is so powerful that He can cast the vast heavens into darkness, Isa 50:3. Isaiah 50:1-3 is considered to be either a continuation of God's response to Israel's complaint in Isaiah 49:14 that she was forsaken and forgotten by Him or alternatively as an introduction to the fourth Servant Song. Most commentaries associate Isaiah 50:1-3 as a conclusion to Israel's complaint in the previous chapter. As such it would be considered a "bad" chapter break, remembering that the chapter divisions are not inspired but inserted by men. It has been suggested that the Lord speaks in Isa 50:1-3, the Servant in Isa 50:4-9, and the Spirit in Isa 50:10-11. (What the Bible Teaches – Song of Solomon and Isaiah) F C Jennings sees three divisions: Isa 50:1-3: Jehovah speaks, recognizing the breach in His relationship with His people, represented by Israel, and accounting for it. Isa 50:4-9: The Servant speaks. He has learned the path He must take to redeem His people. Isa 50:10, 11: The Spirit's counsel to those who are of the day: the doom of those who are of the night. (Reference) NET Note - The Lord challenges the exiles (Zion's children) to bring incriminating evidence against him. The rhetorical questions imply that Israel accused the Lord of divorcing his wife (Zion) and selling his children (the Israelites) into slavery to pay off a debt. Moody Bible Commentary - This paragraph (Isa 50:1-3) functions as an introduction to the third Servant Song (Isa 50:4–11) (ED: See the four Servant Songs in Isaiah). The Lord declares Israel’s disobedience and unbelief is the cause of the people’s imminent exile to Babylon (ISAIAH PROPHESIED FROM 740-680 BC - EXILE TO BABYLON ABOUT 100 YEARS LATER 586 BC). Once again addressing the assertion that God had forgotten Zion (Isa 49:14), the Lord reminds the nation that He never broke His covenant with Israel or gave Israel away. (See context in The Moody Bible Commentary) Merrill Unger adds that Isaiah 50:1-3 "form the Lord's rebuttal to Israel's arguments that the Lord had abandoned His people to exile (Isaiah 49:25-26. ED COMMENT: BETTER PASSAGE = Isa 49:14+), and their unbelieving conviction that He had utterly cast them off forever and sold them into irretrievable slavery among the nations". Notice that Jehovah begins by asking 2 questions which are in a sense a protest and repudiation of the idea that the adversities that befell the nation of Israel were unmerited, but were due to their own iniquities and transgressions (notice they are both plural!). Motyer -The thrust of the two hypothetical situations, divorce and sale, is to ask if something irretrievable has happened, terminating a relationship. (The Prophecy of Isaiah) Thus says the LORD, "Where is the certificate of divorce by which I have sent your mother away? - This is the first of two references in this verse to two legal procedures in Israel. In the previous passages in Isaiah 49, Israel had been referred to as Zion (Isa 49:14+), and in this passage she is referred to as Jehovah's wife (Judah). Here Jehovah is addressing her children (the Jews) and returns "to the charge made against him in Isa 49:14 and answered it by challenging the exiled children to produce a certificate of divorce to prove that he had cast off their mother." (CBC) Many (but not all commentators) see this question as calling for a negative reply. Here is how they rationalize this interpretation -- Jehovah had not formally repudiated the "wife" (Judah) whom He had chosen "to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth." (Dt 7:6) The interpretation by these commentators is that by asking this question Jehovah is implying that He had not given her a certificate of divorce. They point out that Jeremiah states that He had given a certificate of divorce to Judah's sister Israel (10 Northern 10 Tribes exiled to Assyria) And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also. (Jer 3:8) They go on to point out that that God's question here in Isaiah implies that He had NOT given Judah a certificate of divorce. They reason that had Jehovah given Judah a certificate of divorce, He might not be able to marry her. Here is the passage usually referenced... When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out from his house, 2 and she leaves his house and goes and becomes another man’s wife, 3 and if the latter husband turns against her and writes her a certificate of divorce and puts it in her hand and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her to be his wife, 4 then her former husband who sent her away is not allowed to take her again to be his wife, since she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the LORD, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance. (Dt 24:1-4) Warren Wiersbe points out that "The Mosaic permission for divorce is found in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (see Mt. 19:1-12). The "certificate of divorce" declared that the former marriage was broken and that the woman was free to remarry. But it also prevented the woman from returning to her former husband. God had indeed "divorced" the Northern Kingdom and allowed it to be assimilated by the Assyrians (Jer. 3:8), so she could not return (ED: But see MacArthur's note below). But He had not "divorced" the Southern Kingdom (JUDAH); He had only permitted His unfaithful wife to suffer chastening at the hands of Babylon (ED: ANALOGOUS TO A PERIOD OF ESTRANGEMENT). He would forgive her and receive her back again (ED: WE SEE HIS ULTIMATE FORGIVENESS OFFERED IN THE NEW COVENANT WHICH WAS GIVEN TO BOTH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE HOUSE OF JUDAH - Jer 31:31+ and Jer 31:34+). (See context The Bible Exposition Commentary).
Isaías 50
Wiersbe says "the emphasis here is on the Servant's submission to the Lord God in every area of His life and service." (See context The Bible Exposition Commentary). David Thompson on Lord GOD - These names truly raise the stakes of this section to a lofty God-honoring level. The double noun combination means God is sovereign master and ruler of all things (Adonai) and that God is the self-existing Almighty God who can do whatever He wants to do (Jehovah). Now Jesus Christ came to Israel to reveal this amazing God to this world. In these verses, we get a glimpse as to the way God revealed Himself to His Son and the way His Son revealed Himself to Israel. (Sermon) Lord is Adonai (0136)('adonay) is a word denoting ownership, and thus One in absolute control. Adonay is is often translated in the Septuagint with kurios, which means master or owner. 'Adonay is applied to God as the owner and governor of the whole earth (Ps. 114:7). Several translations like NET and NIV translate adonay as sovereign. The NET Note (on Ge 15:2NET) in fact says that "the presence of "Master" before the holy name is rather compelling evidence that the original would have been "Master, LORD," which is rendered here "sovereign LORD." (Ge 15:2NET) The Jews, out of a superstitious reverence for the name Jehovah, always pronounce Adonai where Jehovah is written. This title indicates the truth that God is the owner of each member of the human family, and that He consequently claims the unrestricted obedience of all. THOUGHT Is Jesus your Adonai? What are you holding back from Him - you time, your money, yea, even your heart? Bow down to Him and surrender your heart to Him today while it is still called today! (2 Cor 6:2, carefully read Hebrews 4:1-2+) God (03068)(Jehovah) is the so-called Tetragrammaton (YHWH) or Yahweh which is the personal name of God and the most frequent designation in Scripture (6823x). Jehovah is the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Ex. 6:2, 3). Baker writes that the "primary meaning should be understood in the context of God's existence, namely, that He is the "I AM THAT I AM" (Ex. 3:14), the One who was, who is, and who always will be (cf. Rev. 11:17)." When the NAS translates it as "Lord" it always uses all caps to show that the Hebrew is Jehovah. Gilbrant points out that "the Bible notes that even though Abraham knew and used the name, he did not know God in his own experience as Yahweh, the Covenant-Keeper (Exo. 6:3). He knew him in his experience as El-Shaddai, "God, Almighty," for he saw his power. But no part of the fulfillment of the covenant came in his lifetime. Not until the time of Moses and Joshua did God begin to fulfill the covenant given to Abraham by bringing Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land (Gen. 15:18-21; Exo. 6:4-8). (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Related Resources: What is YHWH? What is the tetragrammaton? Is Jehovah the true name of God? Has given Me the tongue of disciples - Literally "a tongue of learned ones." The sovereign LORD gave Jesus the capacity to be His spokesman. Notice it does not say the tongue of a disciple (singular) but disciples (plural) which grammatically refers to a majestic Hebrew plural signifying that Jesus Christ’s knowledge level is at the ultimate level of excellence. Greek philosophers sought to learned in the deep truths of the Cosmos and the meaning of life, but only the Lord GOD can give one true learning regarding meaning of life and eternity. Lesson? Spend little time reading men's "good" books (even the "classics") and most of your time reading God's Good Book! Then you will have a "ready, expert tongue" in things that really matter! As a corollary always go to the Author of the Book before you go to the Book. It is the Spirit Who Alone can illuminate the Words that He inspired! (See Illumination of the Bible) The Septuagint translates disciples (limmud) with the noun paideia which referred to the rearing and guiding of a child to maturity, providing guidance for responsible living including God's fatherly discipline. David Thompson points out that "There was no one at a greater knowledge level of God’s Word. Jesus Christ is the Divine expert. No one ever had more knowledge of the things of God than He did. By age twelve, He was so skilled in the Scriptures that He was baffling the greatest scholars on earth (Luke 2:46-47). He learned the Scriptures to the point that every time He said anything, it was an accurate presentation of the Word of Almighty God. Jesus Christ was a serious student of God’s Word and He knew it and revealed it at an expert level. He studied the Bible, and if He studied the Bible how much more should we. When Christ came into this world, He was God and He was the Word of God and yet He still poured through the Scriptures. Many have wondered what Jesus Christ did for the first 30 years of His life on earth? One answer is that He was given to careful study and understanding of God’s Word. He was the ultimate expert in His knowledge of the Word of God because God the Father saw to it that He revealed it perfectly. (APPLYING THIS TRUTH REMEMBER THAT) God must give us the ability to understand His Word. The ability to grasp God’s Word at a level that you can accurately communicate it, is a grant from God. (Sermon) Disciples (03928)(limmud from lamad = to learn in Qal, teach in Piel) means a disciple, one in Hebrew that refers to one who has been taught and learned to the point of being an expert. As noted limmud is derived from lamad which conveys the idea of training as well as educating and is used repeatedly in Psalm 119 which deals with the Word of God in some way (e.g, lamad is in (Ps 119:12, 26, 64, 66, 68, 108, 124, 135, 171). It is also interesting that the training aspect of this word group can be seen in the derived term for "oxgoad," (malmed in Jdg 3:31). In Hos 10:11 where Ephraim is taught like a heifer by a yoke and goad. One other aspect of the root word which is important is that lamad signifies that all learning and teaching is ultimately found in the fear of the LORD (Dt 4:10, 14:23, 17:19, note association of fear and obedience in Dt 31:12 - all uses in Lxx = manthano) (THIS BEGS A QUESTION - Do you have a healthy fear of the LORD? See notes on this topic - Fear of the Lord - Even Messiah is described as having the fear of the Lord - Isa 11:2+). And so the derivative word limmud describes a "taught one," and in Isa 8:16 are the Lord's disciples who know His Law. In Isaiah 50:4 note that the Servant of the LORD has bother the tongue and the ear of the learned, so that His speaking and hearing governed by the learning which is in concert with the will and way of God. In Isa 54:13 we read “All your sons will be taught (limmud) of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great." Of course this prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, for most of Israel today is secular, but it will be fulfilled in the glorious Messianic Age to come. Two times (Jer 2:24, 13:23) limmud is translated accustomed (NAS) and in Jer 13:23 the Septuagint translates limmud with the related Greek verb manthano which means to learn. The use in Jer 2:24 is more enigmatic. Finally, one other note of interest is that the root word lamad also gives rise to the word Talmid which means "scholar." In rabbinical times, the teacher of the law was called the talmîd Rabbi and his pupils were known as talmîdîm, i.e. apprentices. Yet in another sense, all Israel were talmîdîm, apprenticed to the torah of God. The Jewish Talmud gets its name from this root. Limmud -6x in 5v - accustomed(2), disciple(1), disciples(2), taught(1). Isa. 8:16; 50:4; 54:13; Jer. 2:24; 13:23 The amazing truth is that when Jesus came into this world, He functioned as a disciple. Before He ascended, He commanded His disciples to make disciples (Mt 28:19+). It follows that disciples are to order their steps like Jesus, the perfect disciple. Ponder this thought a moment. Jesus was the only perfect disciple, so how can imperfect beings ever hope to model themselves after Him? Of course, the answer is THEY can't, but HE can. What are we saying? Does this mean we are to be passive like the saying "Let go and let God?" Absolutely not! First we need to recognize our continual need for the Holy Spirit and daily submit to Him so that He fills, controls us and enables us to walk like Jesus walked. We need to quit trying and start dying. That is, we must daily die to our old self, and surrender to the Holy Spirit. He, and He Alone, can then enable us to do our part, for our responsibility in becoming disciples like Jesus, is to continually work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Php 2:12NLT+). And as Paul says we are enabled to work out our salvation because of what He works within us, "for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." (Php 2:13+). Related Resources: The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! Make Disciples 1 Make Disciples 2 - Begins study of Five Most Important Passages for Believers Make Disciples 3 - Chart comparing Filled with the Spirit and the Word Make Disciples 4 Make Disciples 5 Make Disciples 6 Make Disciples 7 Make Disciples 8 Earlier Isaiah had given a similar description of the Servant regarding His speaking ability... He has made My mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me; And He has also made Me a select arrow, He has hidden Me in His quiver. (Isa 49:2+) Jesus alluded to His teaching as from God declaring... My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. 17“If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself. 18“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. (Jn 7:16-18) Messiah spoke words which no normal man could speak Luke 2:47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. John 7:46 The officers answered, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.” Mt 7:28 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29 for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Mt 13:54 He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word - The word for sustain occurs only here in the OT and its meaning is somewhat uncertain. NIV, ESV, CSB all translate it as sustain. Delitzsch rightly states that "Nothing indicates a tongue befitting the disciples of God, so much as the gift of administering consolation." The KJV may be the more accurate translation for it has "that I should know how to speak a word in season to [him that is] weary." If one compares the Septuagint, it is closer to the KJV, and reads "to know when it is fit to speak a word." (Isa 50:4 LXE). In English "fit" means suitable, proper, adapted to a purpose or environment. This passage describes the disciple as speaking a word which is to be timely and which builds up and brings blessing to the one who is downcast. The word "fit" in Greek is ) kairos which speaks of a season, an opportunity or a favorable time. Paul uses kairos in describing how followers of Jesus should be alert for opportunities to speak to unbelievers we encounter each day... Conduct (present imperative - continually live your life - only possible as we are filled with the Spirit!) yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of ("redeeming") the opportunity (kairos). Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Col 4:5-6+) Comment - What a God honoring way (Mt 5:16+) for a disciple of Jesus to use his or her tongue! We see the Servant accomplishing this in Matthew in His great invitation to the weary... Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30+) In Isaiah 40 we read Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength (EXCHANGE THEIR STRENGTH FOR HIS STRENGTH); They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. (Isa 40:27-31+) David Thompson - God revealed Himself through Jesus Christ so that He could sustain weary ones with His words. 50:4b The purpose of gaining great knowledge of God’s Word is to be able to present it so that it can sustain the weary ones. This is eye-opening. The word “weary” refers to those who are fatigued and worn out (Ibid., p. 357). Jesus Christ came as God with an expert level of the Word of God so that He could minister the Word of God to those who are worn down and fatigued. This is what sin will do; it will wear you down and fatigue you, but God’s Word will sustain you. God did not give His Word so a bunch of scholars could sit in some academic cloister and discuss all of the textual nuances. God gave His Word to minister to people. Think of this. God in Person on this earth ministering God’s Word to worn down fatigued people so they could be sustained and encouraged. (Sermon) Wiersbe - Everything Jesus said and did was taught to Him by His Father (John 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:28). He prayed to the Father for guidance (John 11:42; Mark 1:35) and meditated on the Word. What God taught the Servant, the Servant shared with those who needed encouragement and help. The Servant sets a good example here for all who know the importance of a daily "quiet time" with the Lord. (See context in The Bible Exposition Commentary). Oswalt on the Servant having a word for the weary - It is true that those who oppose him will be destroyed by the Word’s power (cf. Isa. 11:4+), but that is not the purpose of its coming. The Word comes to call those who are weary of their own efforts to justify their living, those whose labors seem pointless to find rest in him who comes to get into the harness with them (Isaiah 53:4–5; 61:1–3; Mt. 11:28–29). (See context in The Book of Isaiah) Paul Apple - Delivering the gospel message to the weary in a way that meets their need. The message of the gospel is what is needed – the good news that God brings salvation by grace through faith – not by works which we perform- The unsaved need the gospel- The saved need the gospel each day...How are we doing in our mission of Proclamation? We have been too quiet for too long! (Isaiah Commentary) Alexander
Isaías 50
Wiersbe adds "Keep in mind that when Jesus Christ was ministering here on earth, He had to live by faith even as we must today. He did not use His divine powers selfishly for Himself but trusted God and depended on the power of the Spirit." (See context The Bible Exposition Commentary). Young - God is at hand to declare that the servant is innocent, and stands in a right relationship with the law, being free of iniquity. In this case the declaration agrees with the actual state of the servant, for the righteousness the servant possesses is his own. The claims he has made for himself as to his person and work are thus declared by the sovereign Lord to be true and just. Thus the pronouncement of the divine Judge fully vindicates the servant. Enemies had thought he was being punished for his own sins, but the divine vindication shows how wrong they were. David Thompson - Even though when Jesus Christ was here, it certainly did not appear as though He was winning; the fact is, He knew God’s plan perfectly. He was completely aware of the fact of justification and of the fact that those who rejected Him would come to nothing. No one will be able to contend with Jesus Christ or condemn Jesus Christ. God the Father will wipe them all out who demean His Son. (Sermon)
Isaías 50
Wiersbe - Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. often said, “Never doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light.” But the unbelieving ones who try to eliminate the darkness by lighting their own fires (i.e., following their own schemes) will end up in sorrow and suffering. In obedience to the Lord, you may find yourself in the darkness; but do not panic, for He will bring you the light you need just at the right time. (See context The Bible Exposition Commentary). Moody Bible Commentary - Though the language of darkness is often used with reference to evil or blindness, in this case, it is likely that the darkness here refers to the difficulties the nation is facing. If the term is taken in this fashion, the force of the verse is exhortative. It calls those experiencing difficulty (i.e., darkness) to trust in the Lord. In this sense, it offers an answer to the question at the beginning of v. 10: those who fear the Lord and trust His Servant are those who trust in the Lord even in the absence of light. In darkness (suffering) they are to trust God even as the Servant did so they can experience the same glorious outcome. As Motyer writes, “Those who commit to the servant way will have a servant experience, normative for them because true of Him” (See context in The Moody Bible Commentary). Young - Thus, those who do fear the Lord and obey the voice of His true Servant may nevertheless be in darkness. Like the Servant Himself, they too must be subject to afflictions and follow their Lord through affliction, death, and hell that they may come to the celestial city. In this world they will have tribulation; but the Servant has overcome this world, and they have but one recourse, to trust in the Lord who has revealed Himself to them in His ways and works, and to lean for support upon their God, who will never fail them. David Thompson - God gives Israel and any an invitation to fear Him and turn to His Servant, Jesus Christ. Those who fear the Lord and obey His Word by turning to Him, will at times find they seem to be walking in a dark world. There will be times when it looks like all light is gone. (Sermon) NET Note - The plural indicates degree. Darkness may refer to exile and/or moral evil. THE VITAL EXHORTATION Vine writes "A believer may be walking in darkness circumstantially and have no light, and in such conditions may be tempted to despondency. Sometimes a situation seems hopeless. A variety of trials and adverse circumstances may crowd upon him. Here then is the message, uplifting and soul-stirring. “Let him trust in the Name of the Lord, and stay upon His God.” True faith is tested faith, and proves its reality by standing the test. God is “a very present help in trouble.” Faith not only accepts this as a fact, but learns to lean upon God Himself and to prove the power and love of His almighty arm. That turns our darkness into light. The heart is cheered and, more still, is empowered to rise victorious over all that opposes, rejoicing in the light of His countenance." (Ibid) Let him trust in the Name of the LORD and rely on his God - Psalm 33:21 says "our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust (batach) in His holy Name." In Ps 9:10 David says "those who know (yada - intimately) Your Name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." The point is that if one really knows the character and attributes of Yahweh (not just "knows about" Him but really knows Him), they will place their trust in Him. To trust in the Name is to trust in everything the Name stands for. All that God is, is inherent in His Name. The Septuagint translates trust with elpizo which means to hope in the sense of counting on something to happen (Lk 6:34 - "expect"). Jeremiah 17:7 tells us why (among many reasons) one should trust in the Name of Jehovah - "Blessed is the man who trusts (Heb - batach; Lxx - peitho in perfect tense - have enduring confidence) in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD." And note the consequence of the failure to trust in Yahweh, but instead trust in man and one's self-sufficiency (EXACTLY WHAT WE SEE IN Isaiah 50:11) - “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD." (Jer 17:5) Isaiah 50: 11 says the cursed man will enter torment! Could God be much clearer! David Thompson - one who trusts in Jesus Christ will never be ashamed. What God does is that He challenges people to trust in this One whom He sent. Notice where salvation is found - by relying on God. Not yourself, not your works, and not the church. Rely on Jesus Christ and trust only in Him. (Sermon) Trust (0982)(batach) speaks of being confident or trusting and pertains to placing reliance or belief in a person or object (Ps 112:7; Isa 26:3) Batach expresses sense of well-being and security from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. Notice all the uses in the book of Psalms (see below) where many if not most refer to trust in Jehovah (this would make a great devotional study to see what is associated with trust in the LORD). In the first use (Dt 28:52) Israel had failed to trust in Name of Jehovah, but instead put their trust in their "towns" with their "high and fortified walls" which would be broken down. In Jdg 9:26 men of Shechem put their trust in Gaal. In Jdg 9:26, 18:7, 10, 27 all mean "secure" referring to people living in security. Hezekiah trusted in LORD. The uses of batach are so wonderful that all the 116 verses are listed below to facilitate easy study. Note especially all the uses of trust in Psalm 22 a clearly Messianic psalm. Wiersbe on trust - The word translated “trust” (e.g., used in Pr 3:5+) means “to lie helpless, facedown.” It pictures a servant waiting for the master’s command in readiness to obey, or a defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general. (Be Skillful) Higgins agrees that the Hebrew word batach "means to stretch out or to lie face down. It is a picture of a man totally stretched out on his face before God. The message of his posture is his total helplessness and dependence upon God. It bespeaks that he is totally yielded to that will. Matthew reminds us of the Lord Jesus that He "fell on his face, and prayed ... not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Mt 26:39). (What the Bible Teaches - Proverbs) Batach - 120X in 116v - bold(1), careless(1), complacent(3), confident(2), fall down(1), felt secure(1), have(2), have confidence(1), put my trust(3), put their trust(2), put your trust(1), relied(1), rely(8), secure(5), trust(51), trusted(15), trusting(3), trusts(19). (Deuteronomy 28:52) "It shall besiege you in all your towns until your high and fortified walls in which you trusted come down throughout your land, and it shall besiege you in all your towns throughout your land which the LORD your God has given you. (Judges 9:26) Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his relatives, and crossed over into Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him. (Judges 18:7) Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were in it living in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and secure; for there was no ruler humiliating them for anything in the land, and they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone. (Judges 18:10) "When you enter, you will come to a secure people with a spacious land; for God has given it into your hand, a place where there is no lack of anything that is on the earth." (Judges 18:27) Then they took what Micah had made and the priest who had belonged to him, and came to Laish, to a people quiet and secure, and struck them with the edge of the sword; and they burned the city with fire. (Judges 20:36) So the sons of Benjamin saw that they were defeated. When the men of Israel gave ground to Benjamin because they relied on the men in ambush whom they had set against Gibeah, (2 Kings 18:5) He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. (2 Kings 18:19) Then Rabshakeh said to them, "Say now to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, "What is this confidence that you have? (2 Kings 18:20) "You say (but they are only empty words), 'I have counsel and strength for the war.' Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me? (2 Kings 18:21) "Now behold, you rely on the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt; on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him. (2 Kings 18:22) "But if you say to me, 'We trust in the LORD our God,' is it not He whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away, and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, 'You shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem '? (2 Kings 18:24) "How then can you repulse one official of the least of my master's servants, and rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? (2 Kings 18:30) nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, "The LORD will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." (2 Kings 19:10) "Thus you shall say to Hezekiah king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you saying, "Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." (1 Chronicles 5:20) They were helped against them, and the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hand; for they cried out to God in the battle, and He answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. (2 Chronicles 32:10) "Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, 'On what are you trusting that you are remaining in Jerusalem under siege? (Job 6:20) "They were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded. (Job 11:18) "Then you would trust, because there is hope; And you would look around and rest securely. (Job 40:23) "If a river rages, he is not alarmed; He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth. (Psalm 4:5) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD. (Psalm 9:10) And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. (Psalm 13:5) But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. (Psalm 21:7) For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken. (Psalm 22:4) In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them. (Psalm 22:5) To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. (Psalm 22:9) Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts. (Psalm 25:2) O my God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies exult over me. (Psalm 26:1) A Psalm of David. Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. (Psalm 27:3) Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident. (Psalm 28:7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. (Psalm 31:6) I hate those who regard vain idols, But I trust in the LORD. (Psalm 31:14) But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, "You are my God." (Psalm 32:10) Many are the sorrows of the wicked, But he who trusts in the LORD, lovingkindness shall surround him. (Psalm 33:21) For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name. (Psalm 37:3) Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. (Psalm 37:5) Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. (Psalm 40:3) He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD. (Psalm 41:9) Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. (Psalm 44:6) For I will not trust in my bow, Nor will my sword save me. (Psalm 49:6) Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? (Psalm 52:7) "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abundance of his riches And was strong in his evil desire." (Psalm 52:8) But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. (Psalm 55:23) But You, O God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You. (Psalm 56:3) When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. (Psalm 56:4) In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? (Psalm 56:11) In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 62:8) Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Psalm 62:10) Do not trust in oppression And do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. (Psalm 78:22) Because they did not believe in God And did not trust in His salvation. (Psalm 84:12) O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! (Psalm 86:2) Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You. (Psalm 91:2) I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" (Psalm 112:7) He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (Psalm 115:8) Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them. (Psalm 115:9) O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. (Psalm 115:10) O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. (Psalm 115:11) You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. (Psalm 118:8) It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:9) It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. (Psalm 119:42) So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. (Psalm 125:1) A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD Are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. (Psalm 135:18) Those who make them will be like them, Yes, everyone who trusts in them. (Psalm 143:8) Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul. (Psalm 146:3) Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. (Proverbs 3:5) Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 11:15) He who is guarantor for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates being a guarantor is secure. (Proverbs 11:28) He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. (Proverbs 14:16) A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless. (Proverbs 16:20) He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. (Proverbs 28:1) The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, But the righteous are bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:25) An arrogant man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. (Proverbs 28:26) He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. (Proverbs 29:25) The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. (Proverbs 31:11) The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. (Isaiah 12:2) "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation." (Isaiah 26:3) "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:4) "Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 30:12) Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, "Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, (Isaiah 31:1) Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! (Isaiah 32:9) Rise up, you women who are at ease, And hear my voice; Give ear to my word, You complacent daughters. (Isaiah 32:10) Within a year and a few days You will be troubled, O complacent daughters; For the vintage is ended, And the fruit gathering will not come. (Isaiah 32:11) Tremble, you women who are at ease; Be troubled, you complacent daughters; Strip, undress and put sackcloth on your waist, (Isaiah 36:4) Then Rabshakeh said to them, "Say now to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria, "What is this confidence that you have? (Isaiah 36:5) "I say, 'Your counsel and strength for the war are only empty words.' Now on whom do you rely, that you have rebelled against me? (Isaiah 36:6) "Behold, you rely on the staff of this crushed reed, even on Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who rely on him. (Isaiah 36:7) "But if you say to me, 'We trust in the LORD our God,' is it not He whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away and has said to Judah and to Jerusalem, 'You shall worship before this altar '? (Isaiah 36:9) "How then can you repulse one official of the least of my master's servants and rely on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? (Isaiah 36:15) nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, "The LORD will surely deliver us, this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." (Isaiah 37:10) "Thus you shall say to Hezekiah king of Judah, 'Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, "Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria." (Isaiah 42:17) They will be turned back and be utterly put to shame, Who trust in idols, Who say to molten images, "You are our gods." (Isaiah 47:10) "You felt secure in your wickedness and said, 'No one sees me,' Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you; For you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me.' (Isaiah 50:10) Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. (Isaiah 59:4) No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly. They trust in confusion and speak lies; They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. (Jeremiah 5:17) "They will devour your harvest and your food; They will devour your sons and your daughters; They will devour your flocks and your herds; They will devour your vines and your fig trees; They will demolish with the sword your fortified cities in which you trust. (Jeremiah 7:4) "Do not trust in deceptive words, saying, 'This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD.' (Jeremiah 7:8) "Behold, you are trusting in deceptive words to no avail. (Jeremiah 7:14) therefore, I will do to the house which is called by My name, in which you trust, and to the place which I gave you and your fathers, as I did to Shiloh. (Jeremiah 9:4) "Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. (Jeremiah 12:5) "If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, Then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan? (Jeremiah 13:25) "This is your lot, the portion measured to you From Me," declares the LORD, "Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood. (Jeremiah 17:5) Thus says the LORD, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:7) "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD. (Jeremiah 28:15) Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah the prophet, "Listen now, Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. (Jeremiah 29:31) "Send to all the exiles, saying, 'Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, "Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie," (Jeremiah 39:18) "For I will certainly rescue you, and you will not fall by the sword; but you will have your own life as booty, because you have trusted in Me," declares the LORD.'" (Jeremiah 46:25) The LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, says, "Behold, I am going to punish Amon of Thebes, and Pharaoh, and Egypt along with her gods and her kings, even Pharaoh and those who trust in him. (Jeremiah 48:7) "For because of your trust in your own achievements and treasures, Even you yourself will be captured; And Chemosh will go off into exile Together with his priests and his princes. (Jeremiah 49:4) "How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O backsliding daughter Who trusts in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me?' (Jeremiah 49:11) "Leave your orphans behind, I will keep them alive; And let your widows trust in Me." (Ezekiel 16:15) "But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, and you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by who might be willing. (Ezekiel 33:13) "When I say to the righteous he will surely live, and he so trusts in his righteousness that he commits iniquity, none of his righteous deeds will be remembered; but in that same iniquity of his which he has committed he will die. (Hosea 10:13) You have plowed wickedness, you have reaped injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your numerous warriors, (Amos 6:1) Woe to those who are at ease in Zion And to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria, The distinguished men of the foremost of nations, To whom the house of Israel comes. (Micah 7:5) Do not trust in a neighbor; Do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom Guard your lips. (Habakkuk 2:18) "What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it, Or an image, a teacher of falsehood? For its maker trusts in his own handiwork When he fashions speechless idols. (Zephaniah 3:2) She heeded no voice, She accepted no instruction. She did not trust in the LORD, She did not draw near to her God. Let him...rely on his God - In the last days, as described below (Isa 10:20), there will be a remnant of the nation of Israel who hears and heeds this exhortation and choose to rely wholly on the Holy One of Israel. O glorious day! Rely (08172)(shaan) primarily means to lean on something (literally Saul on his sword = 2Sa 1:6) or someone (2 Ki 5:16, 7:2, 17), to rest on, to support oneself (Jdg 16:26). Figuratively as in Isa 50:10 it means to trust (2Chr 13:18, Job 8:15), to rest (Ge 18:4). In Isa 30:12, Isa 31:1, Isa 50:10 we see "trust in" (batach) paralleled with "relied on" (sha'an) Isaiah 30:12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Since you have rejected this word And have put your trust (BATACH) in oppression and guile, and have relied on (SHAAN) them, Isaiah 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely (SHAAN) on horses, And trust (BATACH) in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! But praise God there is an previous prophecy in Isaiah which will be fulfilled by a portion of the nation of Israel when the Messiah returns... Isaiah 10:20+ Now in that day (SECOND COMING) the (BELIEVING) remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on (SHAAN) the one who struck them, but will truly rely on (SHAAN) the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. 2 Chr 16:7 records a tragic use of shaan in the life of King Asa "At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. (2 Chr 16:9) “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His (KING ASA'S WAS NOT!). You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” The exhortation of Isaiah 50:10 begs two related questions - In Whom do you place your trust....in the arm of flesh or the arm of the LORD? In Whom do you rely or lean on...the crumbling high walls of your own imagination (Pr 18:11+) or the impregnable tower of the Name of Jehovah (Pr 18:10+)? Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with firebrands, Walk in the light of your fire And among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: you will lie down in torment. KJV Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. NET Isaiah 50:11 Look, all of you who start a fire and who equip yourselves with flaming arrows, walk in the light of the fire you started and among the flaming arrows you ignited! This is what you will receive from me: you will lie down in a place of pain. NLT Isaiah 50:11 But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment. Behold, all you who kindle a fire Isaiah 28:15-20; 30:15,16; 55:2; Ps 20:7,8; Jer 17:5-7; Jonah 2:8; Mt 15:6-8; Ro 1:21,22; 10:3 Walk in the light of your fire Ex 11:9,10; Ezek 20:39; Amos 4:4,5 you will lie down in torment. Isaiah 8:22; 65:13-16; Ps 16:4; 32:10; Mt 8:12; 22:13; John 8:24; 2 Th 1:8,9; Rev 19:20; 20:15 THEN GOD GIVES A WORD OF WARNING Behold - See hinneh. God is saying in essence "Pay attention to what I am about to say. This is a word of warning. Don't tune out!" The NLT is probably correct in paraphrasing it as "Watch out!" Note the pronouns "you who kindle...encircle yourselves...your fire...you have set ablaze." J