God's Plan and Purpose for the Nations
Isaiah – God’s Plan and Purpose for the Nations
(What does the canonical book of Isaiah teach about the place of the nations in the plan and purpose of God?)
The book of Isaiah has extensive teaching on the place of the nations in God’s plans and purposes. There are more than sixty direct references to the nations, the first in 2:2, the last in 66:20,[1] with thirteen full chapters being devoted to oracles or denunciations against other nations.[2] Isaiah’s teaching about the nations can be summarized thus: Israel’s trust in the nations instead of in God will result in her destruction, following which God will in turn destroy the nations and deliver Israel, bringing glory to himself. God’s rule of justice will be delivered to the nations through Israel’s witness to God’s glory; the nations will bring gifts to God and his people in Jerusalem and will be required to serve Israel.[3] Those among the nations who will learn and follow God’s ways will be participants with Israel in the worship of God; those who refuse will be destroyed.[4]
The prophecy of Isaiah is a long and complex book containing not only some of the most loved and well known passages in Scripture, but also some of the most difficult to understand. The book is written in a variety of styles: prophecy, poetry and narrative. The scope and arrangement of the material is wide-ranging and comprehensive, sometimes straightforward, at other times bewildering. Some arguments are difficult to unravel, notably chapters 28-33.[5] Scholars have identified various themes for the book: salvation;[6] [7] [8] redemption, justice, servanthood;[9] punishment and restoration;[10] the city of Jerusalem;[11] complete obedience;[12] Christology.[13] Oswalt writes, “it may be argued that Israel’s relationship to the nations becomes the skeleton around which the book’s theology is structured.” [14] In a sense this hypothesis draws together all the themes that others have postulated. The final outcome of Israel and
(What does the canonical book of Isaiah teach about the place of the nations in the plan and purpose of God?)
The book of Isaiah has extensive teaching on the place of the nations in God’s plans and purposes. There are more than sixty direct references to the nations, the first in 2:2, the last in 66:20,[1] with thirteen full chapters being devoted to oracles or denunciations against other nations.[2] Isaiah’s teaching about the nations can be summarized thus: Israel’s trust in the nations instead of in God will result in her destruction, following which God will in turn destroy the nations and deliver Israel, bringing glory to himself. God’s rule of justice will be delivered to the nations through Israel’s witness to God’s glory; the nations will bring gifts to God and his people in Jerusalem and will be required to serve Israel.[3] Those among the nations who will learn and follow God’s ways will be participants with Israel in the worship of God; those who refuse will be destroyed.[4]
The prophecy of Isaiah is a long and complex book containing not only some of the most loved and well known passages in Scripture, but also some of the most difficult to understand. The book is written in a variety of styles: prophecy, poetry and narrative. The scope and arrangement of the material is wide-ranging and comprehensive, sometimes straightforward, at other times bewildering. Some arguments are difficult to unravel, notably chapters 28-33.[5] Scholars have identified various themes for the book: salvation;[6] [7] [8] redemption, justice, servanthood;[9] punishment and restoration;[10] the city of Jerusalem;[11] complete obedience;[12] Christology.[13] Oswalt writes, “it may be argued that Israel’s relationship to the nations becomes the skeleton around which the book’s theology is structured.” [14] In a sense this hypothesis draws together all the themes that others have postulated. The final outcome of Israel and
References: Harmony of the Gospels, Synopsis of Bible Doctrine, Index of Scriptures, Index to Notes, Concordance, Maps, and Timeline Charts, and Many Other Helps (Chicago: Moody Press, 1978), 1013 [14] John N [15] Matthew W. Bates, "Justin Martyr 's Logocentric Hermeneutical Transformation Of Isaiah 's Vision Of The Nations." In Journal Of Theological Studies 60 (2009) 540 [16] D W [17] D. David Garland, Isaiah; A Study Guide, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1979), 83 [18] Timm Meyer http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/proclaim-gods-glory-among-the-nations-timm-meyer-sermon-on-gods-judgment-95106.asp p.1 accessed 25/3/12 [19] D. J. W. Milne & Presbyterian Church of Australia, The Westminster Confession of Faith for the 21st century (Strawberry Hills, NSW: Christian Education Committee of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, 2001), 6 [20] A [21] F.B. Meyer, Christ in Isaiah (London: Marshall Morgan and Scott, 1950),51 [22] Trent C [23] Norman R. Whybray, Second Isaiah (T&T Clark Study Guides) (London: T&T Clark Int 'l, 2003) 46 [24] A [25] John N. Oswalt, “The Nations in Isaiah: Friend or foe; Servant or Partner.” In Bulletin for Biblical Research 16.1(2006) 45 [26] J [27] Graham R. Hamborg, "Reasons For Judgement In The Oracles Against The Nations Of The Prophet Isaiah." In Vetus Testamentum 31.2 (1981) 148-156 [28] J [29] E.J. Hamlin, A Guide to Isaiah 40-66 (ISG 16) (Theological Education Fund Guides) (London: SPCK, 1979) 187-188 [30] John N