Thoughts on Isaiah 53, 1-3

Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by others; a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity; and as one from whom others hide their faces he was despised, and we held him of no account.

We see here that in spite of these and other prophecies few recognized the Messiah when he appeared. This announcement was literally fulfilled with first coming by Jesus Christ. This also explains John in his gospel in verse 12, 38 we read: This was to fulfill the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Lord, who has believed our message, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

In the book "Isaiah - consolation for God's People" Betanien comment (http://www.betanien.de) I found the following quote: "John also said, Lord, who?; - whereby clearly is, that all messengers from God ask that question, also today's evangelists. But it is also the issue of the faithful remnant, the future Jewish missionaries before the dawn of the millennium, which bring the world the gospel once again and then confess themselves that they have at that time their Messiah ignored. Evangelists advised in the absence of success sometimes in doubt whether they are on the right path, and are then available in danger resort to human aids, to assist the gospel. However, this verse encouraged, to faithful proclamation! It is quite normal when natural people do not respond to the preaching of the Gospel. How can them, since they are dead in sin and cannot hear or understand spiritual words! A miracle of God's grace is necessary, and for anyone, who believes; God is to praise for this miracle." End quote!

The apostle Paul quotes Isaiah in this context in Romans 10, 16: "But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Paul teaches in this verse also, that to believe also means to obey!

Therefore I cannot understand why time and again verses of Paul, by opponents of obedience are used, to prove why Christians no longer must keep the commandments (especially Sabbath) and the Torah. Paul teaches in many of his writings, that true followers of Jesus Christ are the entire word of God obedient. He explained it very well that the will to obedience must not come from ourselves, because otherwise we are under the law; and that Jesus Christ was written to the true believers of this obedience into the heart, so that this not of their own will (by themselves provide for the redemption), but rather from the heart, fulfil through the help of the Holy Spirit.

I would like to quote because of obedience from the book "Isaiah - consolation for God's People"  (http://www.betanien.de): "He (Paul) puts even >believe< with >obey< same, and thus it is clear that this miracle of grace does not happen when someone says he believe, and only its formal consent to historical facts means. Personal obedience in faith is necessary: Subjection to the Lord Jesus as Saviour and Lord. To those is clearly >the arm of the Lord<, "that means that in their lives is the transformed, sanctifying power of God, as they had a personal encounter with God; they recognized him in the Lord Jesus and this knowledge them eternal, complete powerful, godly life has implanted!" end quote!

To my last post about Isaiah in German, I received the following comment: "love your neighbor as yourself", and your soul shall find intake in God! I do not need Isaiah, to obey this!

First I was surprised and then shocked, to be like someone, who claims to be Christian; can leave such a comment! First, for his teaching Jesus Christ also used quotes from Isaiah; and secondly, the question arises, how a Christian can be of the opinion, that it would be enough only love his neighbor. He who loves his neighbor, will no more pass by beggars, without giving them alms. He does not think and tell, that those anyway will only buy alcohol for this alms. He who loves his neighbor, will supported financially, each of his brothers and sisters who are in need. He who loves his neighbor, take the first look at the welfare of his fellow human beings and not to his bank account. Such a human does not ask whether it is possible that new car or finance the next trip when he helps his neighbor. Someone who practices this, will be obedient the entire word of God.

These were just some examples of what it means to love one's neighbor!

I think we all need not only Isaiah, but the whole Bible and this every day, to draw strength from it, to learn and to be close to our God and Lord.

O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand. You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah!  You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. Do you work wonders for the dead? Do the shades rise up to praise you?  Selah!  Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, or your faithfulness in Abaddon? Are your wonders known in the darkness, or your saving help in the land of forgetfulness? But I, O Lord, cry out to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. O Lord, why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me? Wretched and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am desperate. Your wrath has swept over me; your dread assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; from all sides they close in on me. You have caused friend and neighbor to shun me; my companions are in darkness. Amen (Psalm 88, 1-18)