Isaiah 46 & 47 | The Wolfe Notes

Welcome, Family! We're spending 2024 with the prophet Isaiah. While we claim no expertise, we're excited to sit with you as we both learn at the feet of Jesus. Each month, we offer a calendar that outlines daily exercises (adapted from Jenn Wilkin's Women of the Word Bible study process) to progress through Isaiah. Download September's calendar to begin with us and witness what we uncovered in our weekly "Wolfe Note" postings.

Contents:

1. Different Versions Noting and clarifying differences between KJV & ESV.
2. Annotation My thoughts, connections, clarifications, and questions.
3. Research on crossing rivers.
4. Summary An approximately twenty word overview of the chapter.
5. Memorize Why I chose to memorize Isaiah 46:10.
6. Cross References Of Isaiah 46:10.
7. Respond Based on reflections on God's character and my own.

Different Versions

I read Chapter 46 & 47 in the King James Version (KJV) and the English Standard Version (ESV). Both are word-for-word translations.

Major differences I noticed (*My thoughts alone are in italics and designated with an asterisk.):

• Isaiah 46:4
• Comparisons:
• KJV: And even to your old age I am he; and even to (1) hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. 
• ESV: even to your old age I am he, and to (1) gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
• Discrepancies: Why is "hoar hairs" (KJV) interpreted as "gray hairs" (ESV)?
• Conclusions: 
• In Hebrew, the word "sebah" means old age or hoary head.
• Nine uses in scripture. - For What Saith the Scriptures?
• Defined as "extremely old", "gray or white with age" - Merriam Webster
• Isaiah 47:3
• Comparisons:
• KJV: Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and (1) I will not meet thee as a man.
• ESV: Your nakedness shall be uncovered, and your disgrace shall be seen. I will take vengeance, and (1) I will spare no one.
• Discrepancies: "Meet thee as a man" (KJV) sounds sexual in nature and "sparing no one" (ESV) ruthless? 
• Conclusions: The KJV seems to agree more with the context of the passage and the ESV with the feeling of the passage.
• Isaiah 47:13
• Comparisons:
• KJV: Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the (1) astrologers, (2) the stargazers, (3) the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
• ESV: You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, (1) those who divide the heavens, (2) who gaze at the stars, (3) who at the new moons make known what shall come to you.
• Discrepancies: It's interesting that the KJV gives them titles, while the ESV describes the action.

Annotation

Notes on my process. *Denotes my thoughts alone. ! Denotes a connection. Researched quick answers are in italics. *R Indicates a topic with more extensive notes under the research heading.

1. Idols (Isaiah 46:1-2)
1. The idols you cling to weigh you down.
1. ? Who are Bel and Nebo? Babylonian idols. - Enduring Word
2. The methods you use to get what you want will falter.
1. "...but [the beasts] are gone into captivity." (Isaiah 46:2) Is it the beasts or idols that go into captivity? And how?
2. Contrasting Idols to God (Isaiah 46:3-7)
1. Listen to me, those who I have made, bear, carry, and deliver - always.
1. "And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him." Isaiah 8:17 KJV (See cross-references of this verse.)
2. "...I will bear; even I will carry,..." (Isaiah 46:4 KJV). Does bear mean long-suffer?
2. Who is like me?
1. Chapter with comparisons.
3. All other idols you make, you carry, you set down, and then ask it to save you.
1. Direct contrast with Isaiah 46:3 and 4. I made vs. you made; I bear vs. you bear;  I carry vs. you carry; I save vs. it cannot.
4. It cannot answer or save.
3. No Comparison (Isaiah 46:8-13)
1. Remember this. Stand firm on the truth.
1. ! I Corinthians 16:13-14 ESV: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
2. Remember what I've done. I am God; there is no one else.
3. I've told you from the beginning how this will end, and what I say will happen.
4. With spiritual and human forces, my plans will be enacted.
1. ? Ravenous bird? Does it represent a demon?
5. Listen to Me, you hard-hearted people that refuse to soften and do what is right.
1. ! Ezekiel 36:26 KJV: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
6. I will bring righteousness to you; my salvation will dwell among you.
1. ! JESUS!! Matthew 1:23 ESV: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us).
2. ! Isaiah 45:8 KJV: Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the Lord have created it.
4. Humiliation of Babylon (Isaiah 47:1-6)
1. Your ruse is over. Sit in the dust, deceiver.
1. ? Who is 'Babylon'? The USA?
2. Humble yourself; take of your clothes; be cleansed.
1. ! Isaiah 3:16-24 ESV: ...because the daughters of Zion are haughty...the LORD will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will lay bare their secret parts... (See research on this topic.)
2. ! Isaiah 23:12-18 ESV: "You will no more exult, O oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon; arise, cross over to Cyprus, even there you will have no rest." Behold the land of the Chaldeans! ... They erected their siege towers, they stripped her palaces bare, they made her a ruin ... her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. (See cross references.)
3. ! Isaiah 43:2 KJV: When thou passest thought the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (See cross references.)
3. Everyone will see who you really are, I will execute vengeance and will not be fooled.
1. ! Proverbs 31:21 ESV: She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. (See the Wolfe Notes.)
4. For I am God, strong and holy.
5. Hide, deceiver, you will no more be honored.
1. * The KJV casts her as "lady" here, maybe in mockery. While the ESV calls her a "mistress", which better fits the text.
6. Angry with my people, I gave them to you, but you were ruthless to them.
5. Babylon's Expectations (Isaiah 47:7-8)
1. You thought you'd be in charge forever; you forgot how this ends.
1. ! Isaiah 46:10 KJV: Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that aren't yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. (See cross references below 👇.)
2. You're too self-assured. You live carelessly according to your pleasures. You think you alone matter and nothing bad will happen to you.
6. Reality (Isaiah 47:9-11)
1. But you will lose your husband and children in an instant because of your deceptions.
1. ! Proverbs 31:28 ESV: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (See the Wolfe Notes: Part 1 and Part 2.)
2. You have trusted in yourself and put yourself on my throne.
1. ? Doesn't this sound a lot like Satan's unraveling? Isaiah 14:12-15 KJV: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations. For thou has said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most high. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. (See our research on this topic.)
2. ! Proverbs 2:6 ESV: For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 
3. ! Isaiah 46:9 KJV: Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
3. So your unavoidable future will be full of trouble.
7. There's Still Free Will  (Isaiah 47:12-13)
1. Go ahead, attempt to thwart what's coming. Give it your best shot. Afterall, perhaps your efforts will work.
2. Gather all your best advisors; see if they can help.
8. Justice Prevails
1. But your advisors will be destroyed and find no comfort or deliverance.
2. No one will save you, not even those who knew you as a child.

Research

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

What is the significance of the virgin daughter of Babylon crossing over the river? (Isaiah 47:2)

Low Class Status

Paints a portrait of Babylon, used to luxury, being stripped of its high-class status. Now, she'll have to cross the rivers, as slaves did, naked or with skirts hiked up to gather water. - Jamieson-Fausset-Brown & Poole

Captivity

Babylon is headed to captivity in Persia and will need to prepare to cross a river to get there. - Poole, Pulpit, Gill

Rapture Clue

This virgin daughter might be linked to Revelation 17:1 ESV: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters," - Rapture Ready

*Conclusions: Initially I thought the passing through waters might be linked to Isaiah 43:2 - when you pass through...the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you - or to being washed clean. It still could be, symbolically and maybe ultimately, but historically it makes sense that it is a picture of her humiliation.

Summary

You think you outsmarted God and made your own glory. But, in the end, you will be lost and alone.

Memorize

I chose to memorize Isaiah 46:10.

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

It settles me to remember that nothing surprises God. What He purposed will stand; if it contradicts Him, it won't. I don't have to worry because I am with Him.

Cross References

*Thoughts that are mine alone are marked with an asterisk and italicized.

Of  Isaiah 46:10.

Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done...

• Genesis 3:15 ESV: I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
• Deuteronomy 4:29-31 KJV: But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.
• Acts 15:18 KJV: Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

...saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

• Proverbs 21:30 ESV: No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.
• Acts 5:39 ESV: But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice, 
• Ephesians 1:9-11 KJV: Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

*Conclusion: It's in God's hands. Follow Him, seek Him, obey Him, trust Him.

Respond

1. God carries us. I try to carry myself. I need to allow myself to "Just be Held" (from Casting Crowns). I must ask myself, "Is my faith carrying me, or am I carrying my faith?" (asked by Chuck Missler) It's not about who I am, but about who He is. Nothing else comforts. 
2. God will judge. I am responsible for my choices. Just as He gave His people to Babylon (Isaiah 47:6), He gives me charges too. Am I living to serve them or to be served? (Mark 10:45) The truth will wash out in the end. I must commit to serve others. I need to watch for people in need and do something about it. In the end, it's going to be me standing before God. All of my actions, thoughts, and choices, laid bare. I want to live reflecting His light, drawing others near, and I can only do that when I stay in His presence. I want Him to say, "I KNOW you, precious daughter, enter into My rest." 
3. God will finish what He started. It's tempting to get thrown around from side to side with varying philosophies and to consider possible solutions to unanswered questions - especially when the people you love are the ones questioning. But, I must remember if I'm not seeking God's wisdom, understanding, and counsel, my search is meaningless (Proverbs 21:30). My efforts are in vain. I must seek God in all things and know that either I'm for Him or I'm against Him. Regardless of what I choose, His way will stand. 

Father God, how can it be that the Creator of the Ends of the Earth carries me? The High King, the Ruler of Everything, holds me! Why do I leave? Why do I allow myself to get led astray by false doctrines or by delusions of grandeur? Why do I allow doubt and pride to keep me from Your loving embrace? Hold me all the tighter. In the end, I pray I find myself standing among the great cloud of witnesses who know and are set free by Truth instead of finding myself lost and alone. I pray this same prayer for all of the people who are imprisoned by doubt and pride. For all of us who reject Your loving hold, may we come running back to You, Lord, and may we never again leave the comfort and protection that can only be found there.

Learning with You,

Ready for Isaiah 48?

Sample these related posts:

To locate the Isaiah study guide for September.

To review notes on Isaiah 44 & 45.

To consider launching your flock with a verse.

To find encouragement for asking God to give you a heart of flesh.

To connect Proverbs 31 with being held.

 

Interested in more faith-related blogs? Then you're looking for Faith Food. At Faith Food, you'll find links to all our faith-related blogs and a short description of each.