Spiritual Blessing
1“And now listen, Jacob my servant,
2This is the word of the Lord
your Maker, the one who formed you from the womb:
He will help you.
Do not fear, Jacob my servant,
3For I will pour water on the thirsty land
and streams on the dry ground;
and my blessing on your offspring.
4They will sprout among44:4 Some Hb mss, DSS, LXX read as among the grass
like poplars by flowing streams.
5This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;
another will use the name of Jacob;
still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
and take on the name of Israel.”
No God Other Than the Lord
7Who, like me, can announce the future?
since I have established an ancient people.
Let these gods declare44:7 Lit declare them — the coming things,
and what will take place.
8Do not be startled or afraid.
Have I not told you and declared it long ago?
You are my witnesses!44:8 Is 43:10
9All who make idols are nothing,
and what they treasure benefits no one.
Their witnesses do not see or know anything,
10Who makes a god or casts a metal image
11Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame,
and the craftsmen are humans.
They all will assemble and stand;
they all will be startled and put to shame.
12The ironworker labors over the coals,
shapes the idol with hammers,
and works it with his strong arm.
Also he grows hungry and his strength fails;
he doesn’t drink water and is faint.
13The woodworker stretches out a measuring line,
he outlines it with a stylus;
he shapes it with chisels
and outlines it with a compass.
He makes it according to a human form,44:13 Ps 115:5–7
like a beautiful person,
to dwell in a temple.
14He cuts down44:14 Lit To cut down for himself cedars for his use,
or he takes a cypress or an oak.
He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.
He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
15A person can use it for fuel.
He takes some of it and warms himself;
also he kindles a fire and bakes bread;
he even makes it into a god and worships it;
he makes an idol from it and bows down to it.
16He burns half of it in a fire,
and he roasts meat on that half.
He eats the roast and is satisfied.
He warms himself and says, “Ah!
I am warm, I see the blaze.”
17He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.
He bows down to it and worships;
18Such people44:18 Lit They do not comprehend
and cannot understand,
for he has shut their eyes44:18 Or for their eyes are shut so they cannot see,
and their minds so they cannot understand.
19No one comes to his senses;44:19 Lit No one returns to his heart
no one has the perception or insight to say,
“I burned half of it in the fire,
I also baked bread on its coals,
I roasted meat and ate.
Should I make something detestable44:19 Dt 27:15; 1Kg 11:5,7; 2Kg 23:13–14 with the rest of it?
Should I bow down to a block of wood?”
20He feeds on44:20 Or He shepherds ashes.
His deceived mind has led him astray,
and he cannot rescue himself,
21Remember these things, Jacob,
and Israel, for you are my servant;
I formed you, you are my servant;
Israel, you will never be forgotten by me.44:21 DSS, LXX, Tg read Israel, do not forget me44:21 Is 49:15
and your sins like a mist.
for I have redeemed you.44:22 Is 43:1; 48:20; 1Co 6:20; 1Pt 1:18–19
shout, depths of the earth.
Break out into singing, mountains,
forest, and every tree in it.
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
Restoration of Israel through Cyrus
I am the Lord, who made everything;
who alone spread out the earth;
25who destroys the omens of the false prophets
and makes fools of diviners;
who confounds the wise
and makes their knowledge foolishness;44:25 2Sm 15:31; Jb 5:12–14; Ps 33:10; Is 29:14; Jr 51:57; 1Co 1:20,27
26who confirms the message of his servant
and fulfills the counsel of his messengers;
who says to Jerusalem, “She will be inhabited,”
and to the cities of Judah, “They will be rebuilt,”
and I will restore her ruins;
27who says to the depths of the sea, “Be dry,”
and I will dry up your rivers;
he will fulfill all my pleasure”44:28 Eph 1:9
and says to Jerusalem, “She will be rebuilt,”44:28 2Ch 36:22–23; Ezr 1:1; Is 14:32; 45:13; 54:11
and of the temple, “Its foundation will be laid.”
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
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