G02.07.87.htm

AN EXEGESIS OF ISAIAH 1:18-20 (NEB & Footnote).

(From the vision of 30th June 1987).

"Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord. Though your sins are scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they are dyed crimson, they may yet be like wool. Obey with a will, and you shall eat the best that earth yields; but, if you refuse and rebel, locust-beans shall be your only food.* The Lord Himself has spoken." (Isaiah 1:18-20 NEB).
(* Or, "with Scroll, you shall be eaten by the sword").

All things having been considered, "the best that earth yields" is what is bestowed upon mankind from heaven by Spirit from God when we stop deliberately sinning and willingly obey Him. "But, if you refuse and rebel, locust beans shall be your only food" is more accurately translated in the footnote of the New English Bible: "with Scroll, you shall be eaten by the sword"; which means that if we refuse and rebel against Him we shall not be enrolled in the Scroll of Life but shall be consumed by the Spirit of the Lord's Judgement. (1:19,20 & 4:3,4 NEB).

From the standpoint of Jehovah, the worst that earth yields are people "full of diviners from the east and of soothsayers like the Philistines" (employing the uncanny power of demon spirits). (2:6 RSV). "The sacred trees you love shall disappoint you" are certain men made powerful, not by an anointing from God, but by the use of uncanny power and the worship of them ("dungy idols"). Consumed by the Spirit of the Lord's Judgement, these "strong men shall become like tow, their idols like a spark; they shall burn up together in a blaze that none can quench." (1:29-31 Moffatt).

As for those who admire the uncanny power of such men, "the sacred oaks (powerful ones) in which you delighted shall fail you, the garden-shrines of your fancy (demon worship) shall disappoint you." (1:29 NEB). In their rebellion they chose men of powerful self-will, where "every man of them loves a bribe and itches for a gift", directing people away from those with the gift of Holy Spirit according to an anointing from God to carry out His Spirit Will among the people. (1:23 NEB). These "rebels" who came to a knowledge of God but then rebel against Him, and "sinners" who refuse to come to know God at all, "shall be broken together and those who forsake the Lord shall cease to be... and the two shall burst into flames together with no one to quench them." (1:28 31 NEB). Rebels and sinners will be as powerless before God as "tow" before fire, consumed by the Spirit of the Lord's Judgement. (66:15,16 NEB).

Because rebels and sinners refuse to obey God and so reject the process of spirit creation for them to become "white as snow", their spirit impurities are not refined out, and their sins are like "scarlet". (1:18,25 NEB). Such ones are the sort that "do not give the orphan his rights, and the widow's cause never comes before them." (1:23 NEB).

The Lord Jehovah says: "Enough! I will secure a respite from My foes and take vengeance on My enemies… I will again make your judges what once they were and your counsellors like those of old." Monetary consideration (bribes) will not be permitted to bar the way to true justice for His lowly ones. "Justice shall redeem Zion and righteousness her repentant people." (1:24-27 NEB. Compare Isaiah 5:20-23 NEB).

Refining the spirit of man for salvation is brought about through the power of the Spirit of God. Most prophecies concerning people of Zion are yet to be fulfilled. When Almighty God is ruling in His new heavens over the new earth they shall be fulfilled. Acquiring spiritual knowledge and correcting that which offends our Heavenly Father is essential. Avoid "dungy idols", for they are "guides" that "lead you astray and confuse the path that you should take". (3:12 NEB).

2/7/87.