SUMMARY
The final verses in the book read like something of a roughly compiled compendium of themes emphasizing judgment against the disobedient, the ingathering of all nations, a mission to the gentiles, and the enduring existence of Israel’s descendants.
ANALYSIS
The final verses of IsaiahIsaiah, son of Amoz, who prophesied in Jerusalem, is included among the prophets of the eighth century BCE (along with Amos, Hosea, and Micah)--preachers who boldly proclaimed God's word of judgment against the economic, social, and religious disorders of their time. More are exceedingly difficult to interpret. Not only are they poetry (difficult enough as it is), but they are also stitched together in such a way that makes it difficult to understand how all of the pieces fit together into a single unit. The reader can be forgiven for feeling disoriented.
Verses 17-18a emphasize judgment against those who break ritual law, but the latter part of v. 18 quickly and jarringly pivots to the ingathering of nations, who will behold God’s glory. These verses recall numerous other texts in Isaiah (especially chapters 60-62), which describe the foreign nations of the earth gathering to ZionZion originally referred to a mountain near Jerusalem where David conquered a Jebusite stronghold. Later the term came to mean a number of other things like the Temple, Jerusalem, and even the Promised Land. More, God’s holyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine More city.
Their ingathering is compared to ancient Israel’s “grain offering” to God (v. 20).
The text is not only astounding in its international breadth, but also in its theological claims that priests will be chosen from among the foreign pilgrims to Zion (v. 21).
Reference is made to the new heavens and the new earth (cf. 65:17) and how their enduring existence mirrors that of the audience’s descendants and name, echoing promises made to AbrahamGod promised that Abraham would become the father of a great nation, receive a land, and bring blessing to all nations. More and SarahAbraham's wife and mother of Isaac. More. But the vision offered here is not limited only to JudahJudah was the name of Jacob's fourth son and one of the 12 tribes. More. “All flesh” (v. 23) worships God.
