How To Read Isaiah
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4
Bore – We love to read Isaiah as if it were written for us, that is, for Christians who believe “Jesus” is the Son of God who came to forgive people of their sins. During this time of the year, we read Isaiah as Christian prophecy. Of course, it is perfectly valid to do so, but it’s hard to imagine that Isaiah’s audience would have understood the text in this way. After all, our exegesis depends entirely on hindsight, and hindsight is usually pretty accurate. What would happen to these verses if we asked, “How would the people of Isaiah’s time understand what he said?”
We don’t have to delve into ancient history to find some clues. All we have to do is read Jewish scholars. Since they don’t accept Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah, they must have another way of explaining these verses. When we look, we discover some useful insights; insights that enlarge our own Christian prophetic views of the text.
“These iniquities, which he has borne, are not those of Israel, concerning which it was publicly announced that they were already atoned for by their affliction.”[1] Isaiah writes that Israel’s atonement occurs through its suffering. In fact, Israel has paid twice over for its sin. Perhaps we are a bit too quick to think that all sin is atoned for by the sacrifice of Yeshua. Doesn’t God Himself say that Israel’s suffering and affliction has paid the required price? Buber continues, “It was already known since the prophecy of Amos . . . that among all the peoples, Israel are the people which God Himself visits for their offenses, and when they return in repentance He Himself redeems them; no one can interfere in this matter. The people receive correction from God’s own hand; but again it is God Himself Who ‘bears’ Israel’s offenses.” Then Buber adds a small explanatory note: “this verb must not be weakened to mean forgiveness only.”[2]
Buber’s Jewish view is very different than the usual Christian view because Buber gives full weight to the exclusive election of Israel. The question of salvation is not aimed at Israel. Israel knows how it is saved. It is saved through the suffering it experiences at the hand of the Lord. The question is how will the sinful nations be saved? How will the rest of the world come to the Lord? If God Himself bears the sin of Israel (and not simply “forgives” them), then what will happen with all those who are not Israel? This is the question confronting the suffering servant of YHWH. In other words, the context of Isaiah’s prophecy is the idolatry of the 5th Century BC in which the nations turned to false gods for redemption. Isaiah reveals that these false gods are powerless to save. It is Israel’s God who saves. He has demonstrated His willingness to bear the iniquities of Israel and He is sending His servant to do the same for the nations. In Buber’s view, the servant is both a personal and Israel, wrapped up together in this motif of suffering for another.
We may disagree from the perspective of hindsight about the person of the Messiah, but we should not miss the point Buber makes regarding the role of suffering in redemption. The Hebrew verb nasa’ means “to carry, to lift away, to bear.” Buber draws our attention to the fact that this verb implies direct, personal involvement, not simply forensic (legal) dismissal. God does not so easily forgive that it requires nothing more than a change in the entry of the ledger. God bears the actual iniquities. They are piled upon Him. He suffers under their load. This theme is revolutionary, radical and irresistible. There is no other god who takes the sin of the people upon himself. Only YHWH, the one true God. And there is no other faith that could imagine God would Himself willingly accept such a burden. The suffering of Israel as a means of atonement is but an example of the suffering of Israel’s God atoning for the sins of the nations.
Perhaps what is happening in the death and resurrection of our Messiah is a great deal more than simple forgiveness. Perhaps we learn something about who God is when we examine the text with Jewish eyes.
[1] Martin Buber, The Prophetic Faith, p. 227.
[2] Buber, p. 227.
Topical Index: bear, nasa’, suffering, Isaiah 53:4, Martin Buber
[1] Martin Buber, The Prophetic Faith, p. 227.
[2] Buber, p. 227.
Skip, thanks for your scholarly teachings. I agree with you and Buber et al. This may seem odd but my experience is that even when the cultural and historical context of various passages of scripture is explained, I still find meaning for me personally. I have been led to believe that Israel is special and set apart, set apart as an example to me and the rest of nations, of how the Creator and Sovereign God deals with His creation. Let me give a personal example: Jeremiah 29:11 – For surely, I know that plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Someone led me to that verse alone at a time when I was floundering. That was all I read and that was all I said. I survived and got back on my feet. Then one day I decided to study context and saw that it was a message to Israel in captivity. I felt a bit let down at first, because it looked as if I had fooled myself. But when I reflected on what God’s word via Jeremiah had done for me personally, I had to give thanks and press on. Yes it was a word of assurance and prophecy to God’s people in captivity. And it was also a word to and for me.
Thanks to Our sovereign Lord.
A great example of the unity of humanity. God speaks to Israel and Israel speaks to the nations because we are all, under the skin, the same.
I wrote a lot about Jeremiah 29:11 a few years ago. You might enjoy it. You can find it with a verse search on the web site home page.
Shalom Harry,
Thank you for taking the time to share your insight this morning. G-d truly sets apart a nation for the sake of the nations. He is such a marvelous G-d! If you don’t mind, check out the scholarly book on this theme of Israel for the sake of the nations, by Christopher J. H. Wright; “The Mission Of G-d.”
He came unto His own and His own received Him not.. (John1.12)
My question is: “Why not?” Why did they not receive Him? and does “His own” refer to His own chosen ones/-the Jews? Yes, maybe some hindsight might give us a clue.. But, this One, this Prophet-Priest-King fulfilled over 900 prophecies to the letter. This One, this Christ IS who He claimed to be- “according to the Scriptures.” Are the Jewish people ignorant of their own history? Can someone explain to this ignorant country bumpkin goy-boy why is Y’shua HaMashiach- Jesus (who is the) Christ not welcome in His own country and by His own people? “He was despised and they esteemed Him not”.. hmm.. seems I’ve heard those words before somewhere in the scriptures.. (Isaiah 53.3). And yes, the question comes again.. Why was He despised? Why did “they” not esteem Him? And if you wish, we may also include ourselves in this bunch- why do we not esteem Him? Is He or is He not -who He claims to be? Mr. Buber? what is your answer? Is this man a liar? Is He a lunatic? Or is He LORD? (according to the scripture..)
And praise G-d for the “rest of the story”.. -but as many as elabon Him to them gave He the exousian to become the tekna of G-d, even to them that pisteuousin in His name. (John 1.12)
Quite a story, isn’t it- from beginning to end. The title of the Book might be- “the Never-ending Story” because it is far from through.. But my friends, (both Jew and Gentile) – this is His-story. It is a book of history, prophecy, poetry, practicality (living in the now) and revelation. It is G-d’s Book and it is His-story.
-“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” Mr. Buber, what did I just read? What was said, in the previous sentence I just quoted from the book of Luke, chapter 24 and verse 7? What is meant by “all things in Scripture concerning Himself?”
In the beginning of the ending book of G-d’s Book are written these words: “This is the revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, which G-d gave Him to show his servants the things that must happen soon. He made it known by sending his messenger to His servant John,” (Revelation 1.1). Yes, there is a vision of the Messiah in the book of the Revelation that perhaps would be more appealing to G-d’s people Israel. It is here we may view the Conquering King so long expected and waited for. “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the ONE they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” “the ONE they have pierced?” Who is this referring to? Is this one of the nine hundred prophecies concerning G-d the Son?
What is the “sticking point” of not welcoming to our world, the Living Word as the Son of G-d? I welcome your words and would love to enter into open discussion concerning “this is Jesus, King of the Jews”- written in three languages.
The simple message of John the Baptizer was: “Behold, the Lamb from G-d, which takes away the sins of the world.” A sacrificial Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (according to the scripture.) Was He? -Is He?
“and when they saw Him, they worshiped Him..-but some doubted..” (Matthew 28.17) -Which group are we in? Mr. Buber?
Perhaps what is happening in the death and resurrection of our Messiah is a great deal more than simple forgiveness.
Yes, AMEN and AMEN. If it were that simple, why does it take eternity to fully comprehend it? If it is so simple, why do men have to create a virtual world of adding to and/or depletion of the Scriptures? I am not dismissing the sincerity of belief, or disbelief. It appears that the doubting of what WE have been taught will oftentimes reveal the true light that has always been subdued by the shadows of embellishment or omission. This will, in turn, cause us to press on toward the light or just give up and digress, thinking we are OK.
As Harry states above, this living and most powerful Word of YHWH, is the Word that rightly defines us, tears us and heals us, IF we are willing. The wonderful light it brings, can also bring about suffering once we He gives the eyes and ears to see/hear/taste/KNOW the goodness of YHWH. Our Messiah experienced this, did He not? However, I think Hebrews 12 makes the point and sheds some complimentary light on what the prophet Isaiah is expressing.
Skip, thanks for your scholarly teachings. I agree with you and Buber et al. This may seem odd but my experience is that even when the cultural and historical context of various passages of scripture is explained, I still find meaning for me personally. I have been led to believe that Israel is special and set apart, set apart as an example to me and the rest of nations, of how the Creator and Sovereign God deals with His creation. Let me give a personal example: Jeremiah 29:11 – For surely, I know that plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Someone led me to that verse alone at a time when I was floundering. That was all I read and that was all I said. I survived and got back on my feet. Then one day I decided to study context and saw that it was a message to Israel in captivity. I felt a bit let down at first, because it looked as if I had fooled myself. But when I reflected on what God’s word via Jeremiah had done for me personally, I had to give thanks and press on. Yes it was a word of assurance and prophecy to God’s people in captivity. And it was also a word to and for me. Thanks to Our sovereign Lord.
You might want to read the material I wrote about the Jeremiah passage some years ago. You can find it by doing a search on the home page of the web site.