I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations--to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations. I will establish a sign among them,This phrase indicates God's intention to set a clear and unmistakable sign for His people. In biblical context, signs often serve as divine indicators of God's presence or action, such as the rainbow in Genesis 9:13 or the miracles performed by Jesus. This sign could be understood as a miraculous event or a significant act of God that would be recognized by the people. It may also foreshadow the coming of Christ, who is often referred to as a sign (Luke 2:34). Isa 49:22 This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold,… and I will send survivors from among them to the nations— The mention of "survivors" suggests a remnant, a common theme in the prophetic books where God preserves a faithful group through judgment or calamity (Isaiah 10:20-22). These survivors are tasked with a mission, indicating God's plan to use them as messengers to the nations. This reflects the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of all nations. Ezk 12:16 But I will spare a few of them from sword and famine… to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; Tarshish is often associated with distant lands, possibly in the western Mediterranean, such as Spain. Put is traditionally linked to regions in North Africa, possibly Libya. Lud is associated with Lydia in Asia Minor, known for its skilled archers. These locations represent the far-reaching scope of God's message, emphasizing the universality of His glory and the spread of His fame beyond Israel. Jer 46:9 Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots!… to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away Tubal and Javan are regions associated with the descendants of Japheth (Genesis 10:2), often linked to areas in Asia Minor and Greece, respectively. The "islands far away" could refer to distant coastlands, symbolizing the ends of the earth. This highlights the prophetic vision of God's glory reaching all corners of the world, aligning with the eschatological hope found in Revelation 7:9, where people from every nation and language stand before God's throne. 1Ch 1:5 The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai… who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. This phrase underscores the ignorance of the nations regarding the true God. It reflects the biblical theme of revelation, where God's glory and fame are made known to those who have not yet encountered Him. This is reminiscent of Paul's mission to the Gentiles, as seen in Acts 13:47, where he quotes Isaiah to justify bringing the light of the gospel to those in darkness. Isa 52:15 He will sprinkle many nations. Kings will shut their mouths.… So they will proclaim My glory among the nations. The ultimate purpose of sending the survivors is to declare God's glory to the nations. This proclamation is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants (Genesis 12:3). It also prefigures the role of the Church in spreading the gospel, as seen in Acts 1:8, where believers are called to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. This mission reflects the heart of God for all people to know Him and worship Him. Psa 96:3 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders… Persons / Places / Events 1. TarshishOften identified with a distant maritime location, possibly in the western Mediterranean, known for its wealth and trade. 2. Put Generally associated with the region of North Africa, possibly modern-day Libya. 3. Lud Likely referring to a people known for archery, possibly located in Asia Minor. 4. Tubal A region or people located in Asia Minor, often associated with trade and commerce. 5. Javan Refers to the Greek people or regions, indicating the spread of God's message to the Gentiles. 6. Distant Islands Symbolic of the farthest reaches of the known world, representing the universality of God's message. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in MissionGod initiates the mission to the nations, demonstrating His control and purpose in spreading His glory. Universal Reach of the Gospel The inclusion of diverse nations and distant lands highlights the Gospel's reach beyond Israel to all peoples. Role of the Remnant The "survivors" symbolize the faithful remnant who are tasked with proclaiming God's glory, encouraging believers to see themselves as part of this mission. Proclaiming God's Glory The primary task is to make known God's fame and glory, reminding believers of the importance of worship and testimony in evangelism. Cultural and Geographical Barriers The mention of various nations and islands challenges believers to overcome cultural and geographical barriers in sharing the Gospel. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 66:19 reflect God's heart for all nations, and how can this shape our understanding of missions today?2. In what ways can we, as modern believers, identify with the "survivors" sent to proclaim God's glory? What practical steps can we take to fulfill this role? 3. How do the places mentioned in Isaiah 66:19 challenge us to think about the global scope of the Gospel? Are there specific regions or people groups God is calling you to pray for or support? 4. How does the concept of proclaiming God's glory among the nations relate to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? What are some practical ways to live out this commission in your community? 5. Reflect on the idea of overcoming cultural and geographical barriers in evangelism. What are some challenges you face in sharing the Gospel, and how can you address them with God's help? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 28:19-20The Great Commission parallels the sending of survivors to proclaim God's glory among the nations, emphasizing the global mission of the Gospel. Acts 1:8 The call to be witnesses "to the ends of the earth" reflects the mission to reach distant lands as mentioned in Isaiah 66:19. Romans 15:20-21 Paul's mission to preach where Christ was not known aligns with the prophecy of reaching those who have not heard of God's fame.
People Isaiah, Israelites, Javan, Levites, Lud, Lydians, Meshech, Pul, Rosh, Tarshish, TubalPlaces Javan, Jerusalem, Lud, Pul, Tarshish, Tubal, ZionTopics Afar, Archers, Bow, Coastlands, Declare, Declared, Distant, Draw, Drawing, Escape, Escaping, Fame, Famous, Gentiles, Glory, Greece, Honour, Islands, Isles, Javan, Libyans, Lud, Lydians, Meshech, Nations, Proclaim, Pul, Rosh, Sea-lands, Sign, Survive, Survivors, Tarshish, TubalDictionary of Bible Themes Isaiah 66:19 1320 God, as Saviour Library A New Order of Priests and LevitesThink for a minute of the compass of this great promise. Evidently a high honor is here conferred. The connection leads us to see that not only a great promise but likewise a great privilege is herein implied. What is this privilege? It is that we shall be priests and Levites. Now, the priests or Levites were persons set apart to be God's peculiar property. When the firstborn were spared in Egypt, God claimed the firstborn to be his own, and he took the tribe of Levi to represent the firstborn; they … Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 Travailing for Souls "All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind, have Taken us Away. " And what Members of the Holy Body, which is the Church... The Universal Church. --Isa. Lxvi. 12, 23 Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements Peace Here Some one Will Say, this is Now not to Write of virginity... Fifth Sunday in Lent In the Dungeon of Giant Discourager How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished. The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is to be Worshipped. "To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord," Bunyan's Last Sermon --Preached July 1688. The Knowledge of God Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: "So Then they that are in the Flesh Cannot Please God. " Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel False Ambition Versus Childlikeness. Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to be Seriously Convinced of the Doctrine of Gratuitous Justification. The Great Teacher The Necessity of Regeneration, Argued from the Immutable Constitution of God. How Christ is to be Made Use of as Our Life, in Case of Heartlessness and Fainting through Discouragements. Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop. Links Isaiah 66:19 NIVIsaiah 66:19 NLT Isaiah 66:19 ESV Isaiah 66:19 NASB Isaiah 66:19 KJV Isaiah 66:19 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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