Isaiah-Chap-44

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Isaiah Chapter 44”

The Living אֱלֹהִים - Elohim vs. Lifeless Idols

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

This is a powerful chapter of contrast. It begins with tender promises of spiritual renewal for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’) chosen people, move into a biting, sarcastic exposure of the folly of idolatry, and concludes with the stunning prophecy of Koresh (Cyrus), the king who would eventually set Israel free!

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Let us now read Isaiah Chapter 44: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “Yet now hear, O Jacob My servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen;

2. Thus saith יְהוָה - the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, who will help thee: Fear not, O Jacob My servant, and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

3. For I will pour water upon the thirsty land, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring;

4. And they shall spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.

5. One shall say: ‘I am יְהוָה - the LORD’s’; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto יְהוָה - the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

6. Thus saith יְהוָה - the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהִים - the LORD of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last, and beside Me there is no אֱלֹהִים - god.

7. And who, as I, can proclaim, let him declare it, and set it in order for Me, since I appointed the ancient people? And the things that are coming, and that shall come to pass, let them declare.

8. Fear ye not, neither be afraid; have I not announced unto thee of old, and declared it? And ye are My witnesses. Is there a god beside Me? Yea, there is no Rock; I know not any.

9. They that fashion a graven image are all of them vanity, and their delectable things shall not profit; and their own witnesses see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.

10. Who hath fashioned a god, or molten an image that is profitable for nothing?

11. Behold, all the fellows thereof shall be ashamed; and the craftsmen skilled above men; let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; they shall fear, they shall be ashamed together.

12. The smith maketh an axe, and worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with his strong arm; yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth; he drinketh no water, and is faint.

13. The carpenter stretcheth out a line; he marketh it out with a pencil; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compasses, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in the house.

14. He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the ilex and the oak, and strengtheneth for himself one among the trees of the forest; he planteth a bay-tree, and the rain doth nourish it.

15. Then a man useth it for fuel; and he taketh thereof, and warmeth himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.

16. He burneth the half thereof in the fire; with the half thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied; yea, he warmeth himself, and saith: ‘Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire’;

17. And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image; he falleth down unto it and worshippeth, and prayeth unto it, and saith: ‘Deliver me, for thou art my god’.

18. They know not, neither do they understand; for their eyes are bedaubed, that they cannot see, and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

19. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say: ‘I have burned the half of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh and eaten it; and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?’

20. He striveth after ashes, a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say: ‘Is there not a lie in my right hand?’

21. Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for thou art My servant; I have formed thee, thou art Mine own servant; O Israel, thou shouldest not forget Me.

22. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins; return unto Me, for I have redeemed thee.

23. Sing, O ye heavens, for יְהוָה - the LORD hath done it; shout, ye lowest parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein; for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and doth glorify Himself in Israel.

24. Thus saith יְהוָה - the LORD, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb: I am יְהוָה - the LORD, that maketh all things; that stretched forth the heavens alone; that spread abroad the earth by Myself;

25. That frustrateth the tokens of the imposters, and maketh Diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;

26. That confirmeth the word of His servant, and performeth the counsel of His messengers; that saith of Jerusalem: ‘She shall be inhabited’; and of the cities of Judah: ‘They shall be built, and I will raise up the waste places thereof’;

27. That saith to the deep: ‘Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers’;

28. That saith of Cyrus: ‘He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure’; even saying of Jerusalem: ‘She shall be built’; and to the temple: ‘My foundation shall be laid’”.

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Let us now learn more from the ‘verse by verse’ with Explanations:

Verses 1-5: The Promise of the Spirit:

Explanation: יְהוָה - יְהוָה - the LORD reassures Israel (called “Jeshurun”, an affectionate term for the “upright one”) not to fear. He promises to pour “water on the thirsty land” and His blessing on their offspring. This outpouring brings such life that people will proudly declare, “I am יְהוָה - the LORD’s”, even writing His name on their hands to show their dedication.

Verses 6-8: The Uniqueness of the Creator:

Explanation: יְהוָה - the LORD declares Himself the “First and the Last”. He challenges any other supposed “god” to prove themselves by foretelling the future as He has done. He is the “Rock”; there is no other foundation for the nation.

Verses 9-20: The Mockery of Idols:

Explanation: This is one of the most famous satires in the Tanakh. Isaiah describes a craftsman who cuts down a tree: he uses half the wood to bake bread and keep warm, and the other half he carves into a “god” and bows down to it. אֱלֹהִים points out the absurdity of worshipping something that cannot even save itself from the fire.

Verses 21-23: A Call to Return:

Explanation: יְהוָה - the LORD urges Israel to remember these truths. He has “blotted out” their sins like a thick cloud and redeemed them. Even nature, the heavens and mountains is called to sing because of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy and the redemption of Jacob.

Verses 24-28: The Prophecy of Koresh (Cyrus):

Explanation: In a remarkable display of Divine foreknowledge, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim names Cyrus as His “shepherd” nearly 150 years before he was born. He predicts that Cyrus will decree the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash (the Temple).

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My Closing Message:

Isaiah 44 reminds us that why we serve, the blessed אֱלֹהִים - Elohim who is both infinitely great (ruling history) and intimately good (forming us from the womb). While the “idols” of any age, whether ‘wealth’, ‘status’, or ‘self-reliance’, may appear substantial, they are as empty as a block wood, whilst יְהוָה - the LORD’s Spirit provides the only water that truly satisfies a thirsty soul!

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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