Isaiah 29 includes references to a book or scroll that is sealed and thus unreadable, and to a pot that talks back to the potter.
“The point of this chapter [of Beale’s book] has been to underscore that, on the one hand, trust in idols ‘formed’ by humans results in spiritual blindness and deafness, as a reflection of of the idols themselves. It is idolatry that leads to all other sins committed by humans. On the other hand, trust in God as the only legitimate ‘former’ of images results in humans being ‘formed’ into something that is uniquely able to reflect God’s glorious image. Being re-created in God’s image leads to increasing righteousness.” (G. K. Beale, A New Testament Biblical Theology, p. 380).
“This is perhaps as sad a picture as is to be found anywhere in the Old Testament. When one considers all the manifold and rich gifts that the gracious God had given to this people; when one reflects that it was His design to make of this people a ‘kingdom of priests and a holy nation,’ and then reads of the rebellion and apostasy that characterized the nation, one can but wonder at the goodness and patience of God. Yet God’s purposes were not frustrated.” (E. J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, Vol. 2, p. 318, on Isaiah 29:12).
The next 101 Bible Study, meeting Friday, June 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the Astoria area, focuses on Isaiah 40. You are invited! Call 971/238-6101 for location.
