Week 8: The Heavy Weight Title

Isaiah 1:24-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

24 Therefore the Lord declares,
the Lord of hosts,
the Mighty One of Israel:
“Ah, I will get relief from my enemies
and avenge myself on my foes.
25 I will turn my hand against you
and will smelt away your dross as with lye
and remove all your alloy.


Isaiah, in declaring that he has a word directly from the Lord, throws more weight behind what is being said, while at the same time distancing himself from the words so that we know they are not the words of a mere man. Taking it from a typical “Thus saith the Lord” type of statement, he invokes titles that should put to rest any doubts as to where the words were coming from. Not only does he use the title Lord of hosts, showing that He holds a an army of spiritual power that is unsurpassed by all the hosts of the earth combined, but he uses the phrase “The Mighty One of Israel.” This should be an instant reminder of why Israel even exists, for apart from God they would be a nation still making bricks in Egypt. It should do for them what what in the Christian the title Lamb of God does. Reminding us of what God did for us that we couldn't do on our own. That is conquer the world for us, lead us out of it, and come to dwell amongst us.


He says that He will do something that will give Him relief and vengeance. To me it shows how easily He can remove something that opposes Him, and His great mercy in letting it go on for so long. And then it turns very personal towards His people. The idea of having His hand removed is a frightful one, but to have it turned against speaks of His long held off judgment. But the judgment hold some bit of hope. The process of smelting and being cleaned with something so harsh as lye is not something to looked forward to. But these are meant for purification, and what is left will be pure and set apart.

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