So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, "Be gone!" Then you will desecrateThe Hebrew word for "desecrate" is "ṭāmē," which means to defile or make unclean. In the context of Isaiah 30:22, this action signifies a decisive rejection of idolatry. Historically, the Israelites often struggled with idol worship, influenced by surrounding nations. This phrase indicates a turning point where the people of God choose to purify themselves by rejecting false gods, symbolizing a return to covenant faithfulness. your carved idols The term "carved idols" refers to physical representations of deities, often made from wood or stone. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such idols were common, serving as tangible objects of worship. The Hebrew word "pĕsîl" is used here, emphasizing the crafted nature of these idols. The Israelites were commanded to worship Yahweh alone, and this phrase underscores the importance of removing all physical idols to restore true worship. overlaid with silver Silver was a precious metal used to adorn idols, making them more appealing and valuable. The use of silver in idol-making is indicative of the investment and importance placed on these objects. In a spiritual sense, this phrase highlights the futility of valuing material wealth over spiritual truth. The Israelites are called to recognize the emptiness of such adornments and to prioritize their relationship with God. and your molded images "Molded images" refers to idols cast from metal, often gold or bronze. The Hebrew word "massekah" suggests a process of shaping or forming, indicating deliberate creation of these idols. This phrase serves as a reminder of the human tendency to create gods in our own image, rather than worshiping the true God. It calls believers to examine their own lives for modern-day "molded images" that may distract from genuine faith. plated with gold Gold, like silver, was used to enhance the appearance and perceived worth of idols. The use of gold signifies the lengths to which people will go to beautify and legitimize their false gods. In biblical times, gold was a symbol of wealth and power, yet here it is shown to be ultimately worthless in the face of divine truth. This phrase encourages believers to see beyond superficial allure and to seek the eternal value found in God alone. You will throw them away The act of throwing away idols is a powerful symbol of repentance and renewal. The Hebrew verb "zāraq" implies a forceful rejection, suggesting a complete and intentional break from past sins. This phrase is a call to action for believers to rid themselves of anything that hinders their relationship with God, demonstrating a commitment to spiritual purity and transformation. like menstrual cloths This comparison uses a vivid and culturally significant image to convey the impurity and repulsiveness of idols. In ancient Israel, menstrual cloths were considered ritually unclean, and this metaphor underscores the need to view idols with the same disdain. It challenges believers to recognize the spiritual contamination that idols bring and to treat them as detestable, unworthy of any place in their lives. and call them filth The final phrase, "call them filth," reinforces the complete rejection of idols. The Hebrew word "dāvah" can mean impurity or uncleanness, emphasizing the need to verbally and mentally acknowledge the worthlessness of idols. This declaration is an act of spiritual cleansing, affirming the believer's dedication to God. It serves as a reminder that true worship requires both internal conviction and external action, aligning one's heart and life with God's holiness. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, Isaiah is the author of the book bearing his name. He prophesied to the Kingdom of Judah during a time of moral and spiritual decline. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which often struggled with idolatry and turning away from God, prompting Isaiah's prophecies. 3. IdolsObjects of worship made from silver and gold, representing the false gods that the people of Judah were tempted to follow instead of the one true God. 4. GodThe one true God of Israel, who calls His people to repentance and faithfulness, rejecting idolatry and false worship. 5. RepentanceThe act of turning away from sin and returning to God, which is a central theme in Isaiah's message to Judah. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry is not just a historical issue but a present danger. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives can become an idol, whether it be material possessions, relationships, or personal ambitions. The Call to RepentanceTrue repentance involves a decisive break from sin. Just as the people of Judah were called to destroy their idols, we must be willing to cast aside anything that hinders our relationship with God. The Value of PurityThe imagery of throwing away idols like "menstrual cloths" emphasizes the need for purity. We are called to live lives that are holy and set apart for God. God's FaithfulnessDespite Judah's unfaithfulness, God remains faithful and offers a path to restoration. This is a reminder of His grace and mercy towards us when we turn back to Him. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's commands is crucial. Isaiah's message challenges us to examine our lives and ensure that we are living in accordance with God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we identify them in our lives? 2. How does the call to repentance in Isaiah 30:22 compare to the New Testament teachings on repentance and turning away from sin? 3. In what ways can we actively "desecrate" or remove idols from our lives today, and what practical steps can we take to ensure they do not return? 4. How does understanding the historical context of Judah's idolatry enhance our appreciation of Isaiah's message in this verse? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness after turning away from something that was hindering your relationship with Him. How can this experience encourage others in their walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-4The commandment against idolatry, which underscores the seriousness of Judah's sin in Isaiah 30:22. 1 Kings 18:21Elijah's challenge to the Israelites to choose between God and Baal, highlighting the need for decisive rejection of idols. 2 Corinthians 6:16-17Paul's call for believers to separate themselves from idolatry and be holy, echoing the call to purity in Isaiah 30:22. 1 John 5:21John's exhortation to keep away from idols, reinforcing the timeless relevance of Isaiah's message. People Assyrians, Egyptians, Isaiah, Mash, Pharaoh, Rahab, SaraphPlaces Egypt, Hanes, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Negeb, Rahab, Zion, ZoanTopics Begone, Cast, Cloth, Covered, Covering, Defile, Defiled, Engraved, Ephod, Gold, Gold-plated, Graven, Hence, Idols, Image, Images, Impure, Menstrual, Menstruous, Molten, Ornament, Overlaid, Overlaying, Pictured, Plated, Plating, Polluted, Sayest, Saying, Scatter, Scatterest, Sickening, Silver, Silver-covered, Throw, UncleanDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 30:22 4333 gold 4363 silver 5715 menstruation 8771 idolatry, objections Library 'Quietness and Confidence' 'In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.'--ISAIAH xxx. 15. ISRAEL always felt the difficulty of sustaining itself on the height of dependence on the unseen, spiritual power of God, and was ever oscillating between alliances with the Northern and Southern powers, linking itself with Assyria against Egypt, or with Egypt against Assyria. The effect was that whichever was victorious it suffered; it was the battleground for both, it was the prize of … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGod's Waiting and Man's 'And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are they that wait for Him.'--ISAIAH xxx. 18. God's waiting and man's--bold and beautiful, that He and we should be represented as sharing the same attitude. I. God's waiting, 1. The first thought is--why should He wait--why does He not act at once? Because something in us hinders. We cannot enter into spiritual blessings … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Voice Behind Thee The word behind us which is spoken of in the text is mentioned as one among other covenant blessings. No "if" or "but" is joined to it. It is one of those gracious, unconditional promises upon which the salvation of the guilty depends. There are many comforts of the new life which depend upon our own action and behaviour, and these come to us with "ifs"; but those which are vital and essential are secured to the chosen of God without "but" or "peradventure." It shall be so: God declares it shall, … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 28: 1882 My God Will Hear Me "Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you. Blessed are all they that wait for Him. He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee."--ISA. xxx. 18, 19. "The Lord will hear when I call upon Him."--PS. iv. 3. "I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God!"--PS. xvii. 6. "I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."--MIC. vii. 7. The power of prayer rests in the faith … Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession With a Heart Full of Anxious Request, "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." -- Isaiah 30:15. With a heart full of anxious request, Which my Father in heaven bestowed, I wandered alone, and distressed, In search of a quiet abode. Astray and distracted I cried, -- Lord, where would'st Thou have me to be? And the voice of the Lamb that had died Said, Come, my beloved, to ME. I went -- for He mightily wins Weary souls to His peaceful retreat -- And He gave me forgiveness of sins, … Miss A. L. Waring—Hymns and Meditations But Though Prayer is Properly Confined to Vows and Supplications... But though prayer is properly confined to vows and supplications, yet so strong is the affinity between petition and thanksgiving, that both may be conveniently comprehended under one name. For the forms which Paul enumerates (1 Tim. 2:1) fall under the first member of this division. By prayer and supplication we pour out our desires before God, asking as well those things which tend to promote his glory and display his name, as the benefits which contribute to our advantage. By thanksgiving we duly … John Calvin—Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith "Take My Yoke Upon You, and Learn of Me," &C. Matt. xi. 20.--"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me," &c. Self love is generally esteemed infamous and contemptible among men. It is of a bad report every where, and indeed as it is taken commonly, there is good reason for it, that it should be hissed out of all societies, if reproaching and speaking evil of it would do it. But to speak the truth, the name is not so fit to express the thing, for that which men call self love, may rather be called self hatred. Nothing is more pernicious to a man's … Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3 The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. ) The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal … G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 How those are to be Admonished who have had Experience of the Sins of the Flesh, and those who have Not. (Admonition 29.) Differently to be admonished are those who are conscious of sins of the flesh, and those who know them not. For those who have had experience of the sins of the flesh are to be admonished that, at any rate after shipwreck, they should fear the sea, and feel horror at their risk of perdition at least when it has become known to them; lest, having been mercifully preserved after evil deeds committed, by wickedly repeating the same they die. Whence to the soul that sins and never … Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Concerning Worship. Concerning Worship. [780] All true and acceptable worship to God is offered in the inward and immediate moving and drawing of his own Spirit which is neither limited to places times, nor persons. For though we are to worship him always, and continually to fear before him; [781] yet as to the outward signification thereof, in prayers, praises, or preachings, we ought not to do it in our own will, where and when we will; but where and when we are moved thereunto by the stirring and secret inspiration … Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. [In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it … John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. The Evening Light This chapter is an article written by the author many years after she had received light on the unity of the church. It will acquaint the reader with what is meant by the expression "evening light." "At evening time it shall be light." "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: but it shall be one day which shall be known to the Lord, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:6,7). The expression … Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby. (Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife. … J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Eternity of God The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal … Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity How Christ is Made Use of for Justification as a Way. What Christ hath done to purchase, procure, and bring about our justification before God, is mentioned already, viz. That he stood in the room of sinners, engaging for them as their cautioner, undertaking, and at length paying down the ransom; becoming sin, or a sacrifice for sin, and a curse for them, and so laying down his life a ransom to satisfy divine justice; and this he hath made known in the gospel, calling sinners to an accepting of him as their only Mediator, and to a resting upon him for … John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life The Prophet Hosea. GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments … Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Gospel Message, Good Tidings [As it is written] How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! T he account which the Apostle Paul gives of his first reception among the Galatians (Galatians 4:15) , exemplifies the truth of this passage. He found them in a state of ignorance and misery; alienated from God, and enslaved to the blind and comfortless superstitions of idolatry. His preaching, accompanied with the power of the Holy Spirit, had a great and marvellous effect. … John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 "They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. " Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice. … Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Covenant of Works Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt … Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity A Description of Heart-Purity Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 The holy God, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity' calls here for heart-purity, and to such as are adorned with this jewel, he promises a glorious and beatifical vision of himself: they shall see God'. Two things are to be explained the nature of purity; the subject of purity. 1 The nature of purity. Purity is a sacred refined thing. It stands diametrically opposed to whatsoever defiles. We must distinguish the various kinds … Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Links Isaiah 30:22 NIVIsaiah 30:22 NLTIsaiah 30:22 ESVIsaiah 30:22 NASBIsaiah 30:22 KJV
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