Earlier today I was reading our chapter, Isaiah 51, and there it was! A clause I do not remember ever seeing! (Though I have read Isaiah again and again.) This little divinely inspired “Line” sounds like the lawgiver Moses (his style of writing) more than any Prophet I can recall.
Here is the little “Jewel” I discovered. God is speaking: “My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, AND ON MINE ARM SHALL THEY TRUST.” Isaiah 51:5
What a Verse!
In their precise Context these promises are given to Israel, to the faithful, believing Remnant among her population.
And God certainly has delivered her … time and time again. Otherwise there would be no Israel today! (Rescued from Babylon, from Rome, from Hitler, from … and the list goes on and on!)
But the Salvation here promised is likely (in the long run) that which will occur at the end of the Tribulation, when anti-Christ and his hordes try to destroy that little Nation, when Jesus returns to offer/provide to that little Handful of Jews … Salvation!
Then for sure … God predicts … “ON MINE ARM SHALL THEY TRUST!” Finally!
The noun “arm” is “zeroa” in Hebrew. It is translated “arm” 83 times in our King James Bibles, but also “shoulder” 2 times! And “power” 3 times! Then “strength” 1 more time!
Wow!
The verb Isaiah uses, “shall trust,” is spelled “yachal” in Hebrew. And here it is framed in the Piel stem, a technicality meaning INTENSIVE, WHOLE HEARTED TRUST! It is rendered “hope” 22 times and “wait” (expectantly) 12 times and (surprisingly) “trust” only 2 times! It is even written as “stayed” 1 time, meaning “to lean upon!”
Wow!
Do too remember Moses famous words, Deuteronomy 33:27 … “The eternal God is thy refuge, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVELASTING ARMS: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
By the way, even us Gentiles might indirectly apply this precious Assurance as well!
Leaning on His Arm! (Isaiah)
Resting on His Arms! (Moses)
I’ll enjoy either word picture!
This too, a final verse to ponder throughout the day … “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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