Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

Isaiah 50

The Divorce

Isaiah 50:¹ Thus says the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ):

“Where is the certificate of your mother’s divorce,
Whom I have put away?
Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you?
For your iniquities, you have sold yourselves,
And for your transgressions, your mother has been put away.

• Who is the “mother” of the Jews?
  
  • In the tradition of divorce, the husband could give his wife a certificate of divorce and put her away while selling their children into slavery.
  • In this context, idolatry is compared to harlotry and divorce is appropriate for a wife who commits harlotry. Since the nation had given themselves to the idolatry of other nations, they become the children of other nations and their mother (their Kings and Priests) bears their idolatry.
  • Israel is conquered by Syria and the people are taken captive.
  • Ultimately, Judah is conquered by Babylon and the people are taken captive.
    
• The question of the certificate of divorce is never answered. God says they have done it to themselves.

The Future Redemption

Isaiah 50:² Why, when I came, was there no man?
Why, when I called, was there none to answer?
Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem?
Or have I no power to deliver?
Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea,
I make the rivers a wilderness;
Their fish stink because there is no water,
And die of thirst.

The First Advent of the Jewish Redeemer

Isaiah 50:⁴ “The Lord God (‘ăḏōnāy yᵊhōvâ) has given Me
The tongue of the learned,
That I should know how to speak
A word in season to him who is weary.
He awakens Me morning by morning,
He awakens My ear
To hear as the learned ones (the scholars).

Isaiah 50:⁵ The Lord God (‘ăḏōnāy yᵊhōvâ) has opened My ear;
And I was not rebellious,
Nor did I turn away.

Isaiah 50:⁶ I gave My back to those who struck Me,
And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard;
I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Isaiah 50:⁷ “For the Lord God (‘ăḏōnāy yᵊhōvâ) will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.

Isaiah 50:⁸ He is near who justifies Me;
Who will contend with Me?
Let us stand together.
Who is My adversary (Lit. master of My judgment)?
Let him come near Me.

Isaiah 50:⁹ Surely the Lord God (‘ăḏōnāy yᵊhōvâ) will help Me;
Who is he who will condemn Me?
Indeed they (The Jews who rejected Jesus and the Romans who gambled for His garments) they will all grow old like a garment;
The moth will eat them up.

The Fire of the Lord!

Isaiah 50:¹⁰ “Who among you fears the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ)?
Who obeys the voice of His Servant?
Who walks in darkness
And has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord (Yᵊhōvâ)
And rely upon his God (‘ĕlōhîm).

Isaiah 50:¹¹ Look, all you who kindle a fire,
Who encircle yourselves with sparks:
Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled—
This you shall have from My hand:
You shall lie down in torment.

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{1 of 5} BIBLE: Isaiah 50 – Headline “Non-Artificial Identity” [V. 1 Divorce]
{2 of 5} BIBLE: Isaiah 50 – Headline “Non-Artificial Identity” [V. 2 & 3 The Future Redemption]
{3 of 5} BIBLE: Isaiah 50 – Headline “Non-Artificial Identity” [V. 4-7 The 1st Advent of the Jewish Redeemer]
{4 of 5} BIBLE: Isaiah 50 – Headline “Non-Artificial Identity” [V. 8-9 The Millennium]
{5 of 5} BIBLE: Isaiah 50 – Headline “Non-Artificial Identity” [V. 10-11 The Fire of the Lord]

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