This week’s study presents Isaiah’s theological explanation for the proposition we discussed earlier, that worry is a sin. A study of the usage of the expression “sanctify the Lord” (Isa 8:13) leads us to the sin of Moses and Aaron at the waters of Meribah (Num 20:12). They claimed for themselves the power to draw water from the rock, rather than setting the Lord apart as the only one with such power. Similarly, only the Lord is worthy of our fear (cf. Matt 10:28), and fearing anyone else is to deny the Lord the preeminence in our thoughts that he deserves. The exposition illustrates the power of the Bible study principle of paying attention to the Bible’s comments on itself.
Author: vparunak
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The Vineyard Violated
This week’s study explores Isa 7:17-25, a passage with numerous allusions to the parable of the divine vineyard and its interpretation in ch. 5. This passage is the heart of 7:1-8:15, and emphasizes that the coming Assyrian invasion will result, not from Ahaz’s labored attempts at diplomacy, but from the Lord’s sovereign command over the nations.
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King Ahaz and the Virgin
This week’s message explores the Immanuel prophecy. It argues that
- the meaning “virgin” for עלמה is legitimate, and it is not true that בתולה would be a more appropriate word to convey this sense;
- the emphasis on the virgin birth of one who would be “God with us” would be profoundly meaningful to Ahaz in the context, and is probably intentional on the part of Isaiah;
- thus Matthew’s quotation of Isa 7:14 is not a loose adaptation of a non-messianic prophecy, but entirely in keeping with how the verse functions in its context.
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Worry is a Sin
This week’s study on Isa 7:1-9 introduces the war between Judah and its northern enemies Israel and Syria. King Ahaz, fearful of losing his throne, seeks help from Assyria, but the Lord sends Isaiah to command him not to fear, and instead to believe in the Lord. Isaiah’s command reminds us that worry is a sin. Our Lord would have us to be without care (1 Cor 7:32a).
The study highlights evidence, both in the text and in the historical context from 2 Kings 15-16 and 2 Chr 28, that Ahaz’s great concern at this time is losing his place in the dynastic succession. Recognizing his fear is crucial for understanding the Immanuel prophecy, which we will study next week.
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NT Quotations, and the Remnant
This week’s study includes a review of the NT quotations of Isa 6:9-10, and a study of the threatened judgment and the remnant in vv. 11-13.
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Uncreation in Isa 6:12
Isaiah describes the coming judgment in Isa 6:12 with the words, “the Lord removes men far away.” “Men” is actually the definite singular construction האדם: “The Lord removes the man far away.” Careful exegesis will note this usage, and explore its meaning. (more…)
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Hardening Hearts
The latest study is on Isaiah 6:9-10, which commands Isaiah to harden people to the Word of God. How does hardening happen? (more…)
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Expanding the Scope of the Cyber-Chapel Blog
Up until now, this blog has focused on examples of using Bible study software. I discover those examples in the course of a weekly expository ministry at a home church in Ann Arbor, MI, and the studies presented there are available in full as mp3 files (and sometimes textual notes) on the Cyber-Chapel website. As future messages are added, I propose to add a brief summary of each one to the blog, so that those who would like more than the occasional detailed comments but who don’t want to listen to a full message each week can learn when something appears that they might want to explore further. Let me know if it’s helpful.
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Did Christ atone for sin?
The words “atone” and “atonement” are common in the English OT, describing Israel’s animal sacrifices.This vocabulary has been carried over into Christian theology and hymns to describe the death of Christ as an “atonement” for sin, or “atoning” for sin. But it is extremely rare in English translations of the NT. Is it really appropriate to speak of our Lord as “atoning for sin”? (more…)
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The First and the Last
The Lord’s description of himself at the end of Rev 1:17 as “the first and the last” ο πρωτος και ο εσχατος is commonly explained as a divine title, roughly synonymous with “the Alpha and the Omega,” based on the parallel with Isaiah’s descriptions of the Lord (41:4; 44:6; 48:12). (more…)