Please read Isaiah 36-39 and any five chapters of your choice from Isaiah 40-66. Suppose you are asked to help prepare an anthology of great quotations from the ancient world. There are going to be two Isaiah quotes, and you get to pick one of them. Of all of Isaiah's many quotable lines, which would you choose? Why this particular line? Of the lines already suggested by other contributors to this blog (either on this thread or the Isaiah I thread) which of those lines do you think would be the best to have as the second Isaiah quote? Why?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Isaiah--Discussion 2
Please read Isaiah 36-39 and any five chapters of your choice from Isaiah 40-66. Suppose you are asked to help prepare an anthology of great quotations from the ancient world. There are going to be two Isaiah quotes, and you get to pick one of them. Of all of Isaiah's many quotable lines, which would you choose? Why this particular line? Of the lines already suggested by other contributors to this blog (either on this thread or the Isaiah I thread) which of those lines do you think would be the best to have as the second Isaiah quote? Why?
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It's incredibly difficult to just pick one Isaiah quote, although narrowing the scope to an anthology of great quotes from the ancient world does help. If I were strictly picking my favorite quote, I would choose Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." This quote has inspired me many times when an athletic competition doesn't yield the result I had hoped for. It's a reminder of patience and trust in God's plan rather than mine.
ReplyDeleteI think it is relevant to everyone, but perhaps a better line for a collection of ancient world quotes might be a portion of Isaiah 37:6. The full quote reads "And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, [Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard,] wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me." I would use the quote in [] as the first quote in the anthology, because I feel like it really sets the tone for the messages of Isaiah, and in this case, any other quotes that might be included in the anthology.
I think the quote I would choose is Isaiah 38:16. "O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me and make me live." The quote is one that many people look to. People look to money as a way to live, but many only want money. Some of them are sad (or at least seem sad). His quote is one to make people perhaps look towards other means for happiness, like friends and love.
ReplyDeleteOne quote from some one else. "Your new moons and festival I destest; they weigh me down, I tire of load." This one seems modern in a sense. The rich go around saying I do things differently because I can. This is one modern example: I don't have a fear of heights. I do, however, have a fear of falling from heights.
George Carlin
I realize that that is not what Isaiah is saying but at the same time the wording is similar. Oh I don't like something... than blah.... I don't know if that makes sense. I just think this one sounds more modern and perhaps memorable.
My first quote is "In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth." I picked this quote because it is stating how the servant of the Lord is going to be in not stopping in speaking the words of the Lord until justice is done, and that the people will believe in him and put their hope into him.
ReplyDeleteSecond quote "To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again." this is referring to the Glory of Zion and what is meant by this is that the Lord will be merciful and not rebuke you, and always love you.
Isaiah 41:13
ReplyDeleteFor I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
I chose this quote because I found it very uplifting. I also believe that this quote could be applied to almost anything. If your faith is shaken or you are going through a rough patch in life, I believe you could look to this quote for inspiration. I believe it is a very memorable quote and that alone makes it worthy of the anthology.
For the second quote I agree with J.Beulah. I like it because it basically says good will always triumph over evil and that faith will bring about justice.
R. Casey Oberle
I chose Isaiah 53:5 "He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed"
ReplyDeleteI chose this verse because it shows that redemption is possible. I think it is a very uplifting verse that is as true today as it was way back then. It can offer comfort that someone always loves you. I think it would make a very good addition to the anthology.
I also like "To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again." I agree that this verse shows how merciful and forgiving God can be to everyone.
For some reason the line that really caught my eye was from 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart." This just shows how much God cares for his people; how he is watching over them and carrying them when necessary.
ReplyDeleteI also like the line mentioned by Casey from 41:13 "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you" Again I find these verses that talk about God's way of leading his people as they live their lives very endearing; it shows that those who follow him will not be alone in their struggles.
The one I would choose would be Isaiah 61:1-3. I know it is a little long, but it is technically one sentence!
ReplyDelete1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
I just love the idea of restoration for the captives, the brokenhearted, beauty for ashes and joy for mourning! Such a powerful message of a powerful God!
The other quote I would probably choose is... "In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth." Because the idea of a God who sees all things and will bring forth justice is so good. While he restores, he also establishes justice because he has seen all of the injustice in the world. Such a good God!!!
Isaiah 53:11- After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
ReplyDeleteI chose this verse because it shows something bigger than the Israelites. God plans to come back to his people after they are punished by him. He has a plan to bring them back after all they have done and that plan does not even require them to do anything.
I also like Isaiah 53:5- He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
This verse also alludes to God's plan where his faithful servant will carry out his plan. He has a redemptive plan for his people and he will lay out that plan in one man for the people. The needs for his people will be laid out on one special man.- Zach Kuhlman
Isaiah 38:7 "This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will dot his thing that he has promised: Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps." - I thought this was an extremely memorable quote when Isaiah gets the word of the Lord and tells Hezekiah that his prayers have been answered and that he will live 15 more years. This is also very significant as it changes Hezekiah in a very interesting way making him a real believe which had an impact on the people he ruled.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 57:1 "The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity, he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness. But you, draw near hither, sons of the sorceress, offspring of the adulterer and the harlot." - This passage seems very interesting to me as God is condemning people for not saying anything or being interested when a good person dies or taken away, and yet the keep doing things that they find pleasurable instead. This shows God's mercy as he notes even though they do this he still finds mercy and forgiveness for them. A very good idea to take away from the many quotes in Isaiah.
I personally like the message conveyed by two separate passages.
ReplyDelete49:6 ~ And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
This passage shows that the Israelites will lead by example, and bring Gentiles (those who aren't Jewish) to the Lord. This shows that God wants everyone to know and follow and love him. It is also demonstrated in the following passage.
56:6-7 ~ Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
(7)Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
These passages show that God isn't just for the Israelites, but for everyone who wishes to follow His path. It's always nice to feel like you can partake of the great thing that everyone else is having. That message would be my idea of a great contribution to the anthology.
As for a passage already mentioned by "mmbarondeau"...I would also like to see the inspiring passage that they posted included in the anthology.
40:31 ~ But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Put simply, it's a hopeful message that gives me the impression that it's a sales pitch for the best thing on earth. God. "so act now, and get Him today!"
A quote that I found particularly interesting was when Isaiah is talking to king Hezekiah says "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." It brings up the fact that every one of us is going to die. Every one of us fears death because of its uncertainty. Yet every one of us is going to have to face it. Most people would want to have their spiritual life in order and have settled their feuds before moving on to the next part of their journey.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the verse that stands out the most is Isaiah 55:7"Let men cast off their wicked deeds, let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them and to our God, for he will abundantly Pardon".
ReplyDeleteIt stands out to me because even if you have done wicked deeds, you can still be saved by God if you purge them from your self.
and the second quotes is one that has already been quoted from John, where it basically says no matter what happens, good will always triumph over evil
jason schumacher
I had some difficulty narrowing this down to one, but I chose Isaiah 42: 16-17, "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods, will be turned back in utter shame." I chose this verse because it shows how God can reach anyone who is willing to follow Him and He will lead you and instruct you in the things that you don't know on your own. This passage also states though that for those who choose to worship idols instead of the one true God will face detrimental consequences.
ReplyDeleteThe the second passage I would choose from someone else's quotes would be from Terra's blog, Isaiah 61:1-3 because I think these two fit nicely together and they are power-packed passages!
And for my second passage, I agree with Aaron's choice, Isaiah 49:6, the idea that God isn't just for the Israelites, but for everyone that chooses to follow his way and Word.
ReplyDeleteMy first quote would be Isaiah 45:8, "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it." This is a good quote for me because it shows that righteousness is created by God, and is "showered" upon everyone.
ReplyDeleteMy second quote is the one Casey mentions, 41:13, "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you" This shows that what ever path you are on, God is always there to guide you. Through the good and the bad, God is always there to hold your hand and lead you.
Amongst many great quotes, I would first choose Chapter 40 verse 9 - "Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou?" I would choose this line because it really puts into perspective what we are compared to God. Isaiah was a very educated and privileged man, yet he stayed humble and devoted to God during his 55 to 60 years of ministry (and after). From such a perspective, this line lets us know that although we are loved and although God has mercy upon us, he is also just and we must be patient with him because His perspective of justice, although it might not make sense to us, makes sense to him. What does the clay understand about the sculptor?
ReplyDeleteThe second quote that I would choose from the other bloggers would be Chapter 55, verse 7 - "Let men cast off their wicked deeds, let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy upon them and to our God, for he will abundantly Pardon". This I would add because it is the other side of the one I picked. My first quote, until I mentioned the mercy and justice aspect, sounds (in my opinion) rather intimidating. Adding the next quote solidifies and highlights God's infinite ability to pardon our imperfect human ways, yet puts into our hands the responsibility of still minimizing the sins in which he has to pardon, because this is a very good and worth while idea (and practice). Together they make a good set of quotes.