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 25, 2008
Isaiah II
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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A quote I would pick from Isaiah is in Chapter 49 verse 4. It Says of Isaiah, “I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgement is with the Lord, and my work with my God.” I would choose this as the quote because it reminds me of what happened earlier in the book of Isaiah, in chapter 6 Isaiah is told by God in verse 9 that the people will not understand him and follow his advice. In chapter 49 it seems Isaiah has some frustration that his message is not as successful as he had hoped. Isaiah worries that the work he has done has not been worthwhile, he says I have spent my strength for nought. But in the quote in chapter 49 Isaiah remembers he is doing the work with God and that his labor has been worthwhile. As far as a second quote from earlier in the book I think verse 17 of Chapter 1 would be a good one. It says, Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. This is one of the best lines of Isaiah and represents a significant part of his message of righteousness.
The quote I would pick is Isaiah 50:7 “The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” This quote really summarizes Isaiah’s trust in God and God’s plan. We all would benefit from having such a deep realization of, and trust in, God’s Devine plan. It also alludes to the struggles Isaiah had to overcome in delivering God’s message to His people.
Of the quotes posted so far, the one I would choose is Chapter 1 verse 17 just as David did. As we were discussing the many meaningful quotes of Isaiah in class on Tuesday, my group had pointed that quote out as one of great importance for countless reasons. Most importantly because it is a perfect example of how we should live a life of holiness filled with Justice and Truth.
The quote I would pick is Chapter 53:7. He was oppressed, and he was affilicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. I have always liked this quote as for myself when I sin, I go down alone, I do not blame anyone or anything. I keep this as a reminder to not sin.
A second quote would be Chapter 1:17. Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead fo the widow. Wouldn't lives be enhanced if we did exactly what this verse says.
I have to go with the classic 40:31 “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”. This is for sure a favorite of mine. It’s about overcoming challenges and, with the help of God, succeeding to new heights. This passage is great for inspiration.
Another passage I liked is 4:2. "In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped”. It is a lot like 40:31 in the support it gives but it also differs. This is more a passage of encouragement than inspiration to me.
Isaish 45:7 I htink is a very insightful qoute and a very memorable one. It says "I form the light and create the darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I the Lord do all these things." I like this quote because it shows both sides of God. It says he sends the good times and the bad times. To alot of people this would bedesturbing because they think God should only maek situations good. We go through both hard times and good times so I think this quote is great and relates to all people. God sometimes has us go through those hard times so that we can become a stronger person. I personally beleive that everything happens for a reason and it is in these hard and difficult times that God is closest to us. This is a verse that at first looks as if it could offend some people, but I think it is very beautiful and would be very worthy of an anthology of great quotations. It may have a rough outer edge, but when one looks deeper it is very comforting.
The second quote I would pick is Isaiah 50:7 which Amanda Imberi wrote about. It shows that God is Isaiah's strong hold and he puts all his trust in him. I think it shows that God is always there for us to turn too.
I really like David's first quote from chapter 49:4. It really showed how truly tough Isaiah's job was, but like David also said it was well worth it.
The second quote I would use is from chapter 5. "What could have been done more to my vineyard. that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and is shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:" (verse 4-5). This message that God has provided everything and you have screwed it up and are ungreatful must have been a tough message. Happy Blogging!!!
A quote that I found particularly interesting and enlighting to everyone at any point in history is Isaiah 38:1. King Hezekiah was on his death bed and when Isaiah was called upon he gave a message from the Lord. Isaiah says "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."
The certain fact of humanity is that we all live and die at some point. The only thing that matters after we are gone are the ones we leave behind. Death is most often at an uncertain time in our lives. I believe that we all need to prepare ourselves for that moment. But more importantly I think we need to help the people in our lives become prepared for that moment. I believe that as soon as possible you should always end your fueds with others and yourself. Leaving them to fester will only make it harder and in a worse condition when your most likely untimely death comes. You will also never be prepared unless you put some order to your spiritual life. Have it figured out and just don't hope that when it comes that whatever is out there waiting for you will just be there with open arms.
I really like the quote that khowe also picked,Ch. 53:7. Sinning is always a difficult subject and situation because no matter what humans want to blame others. But the honest truth is that we are the only responsible ones for our own sins. But I also see this quote as being a Christain or even just a good decent person can be difficult in our decietful and sinful world. You will be oppresed and downgraded. And at certain point you can only sit back and take what they do to you because telling them different will do no good. Sometimes examples can be much louder and clearer then a lecture.
I, like Amy, would definetally pick the quote from the end of Isaiah 40.
Isaiah 40: 28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I would choose this like for two reasons. First, it reminds the people of the greatness and awesome power and knowledge of God. Second, it shows people that the Lord can deliver them and strengthen them even when things seems impossible. He can strengthen the weak and make men soar like eagles. Apart from these great promises, the passage also has great imagery.
And I don't think it's been listed yet, but I would choose 43:1-7. But now, this is what the Lord says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by namel you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by mu name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."
There's so much in this second selection--reassurance for the people that God is on their side and looking out for them, keeping them from harm; a reminder that God loves his people and is with them always, willing to pay a price for their safety; a reminder that God will bring all his people together; and a reminder to the people that God made them one by one, that they are created for His glory alone, and that they are his special, chosen people. His followers would feel so special and loved after reading this. On second thought, maybe this verse I would quote first, and the chapter 40 verse second. They're both very good.
My favorite passage from Isaiah has always been 40:31 - "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." I like this verse because it is so inspirational. It reassures the fact that anything is possible with God. No matter what the circumstances, if we have faith God will always be with us.
The second quote I would pick is Matt's Isaiah 45:7. It reminds us that God does not promise an ideal world. Along with the good things that God gives us there are bound to be some bad. We are not perfect creatures so we are not going to live in a perfect world.
I have always really liked Isaiah 60:1-2.
"Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you the Lord shines, and over you appears his glory."
I really like this line for a number of reasons. When singing in the All-State choir in high school this verse provided the lyrics for one of my favorite songs that year (it's funny that all my favorite verses come from songs like that). It really gives an uplift to a dark story, and I always feel that I can walk in the Lord's light after reading it.
The second verse would have to be Isaiah 40:31. "They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles' wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint."
This really does a good job of providing emotional uplift, as I love the idea of getting picked up and soaring as if on eagles' wings. I always seem to have a stronger connection with God after hearing this verse read or sung.
The first quote that stuck out in my mind was Isaiah 38:20, “The Lord will save me, and we will sing to stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.” I particularly liked this quote because I thought it was incredibly uplifting. It showed that by keeping ones faith in the Lord, the Lord will reward us with eternal life with him in Heaven forever.
I also liked the quote Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” I liked this quote because it proved that by faith, God will help us overcome all our obstacles.
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