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Isaiah 50 - 53

This last Sunday, we had a lesson about Isaiah 50-53.

The focus of the lesson was, of course, on the idea that Isaiah 50 - 53 are talking all about Jesus Christ.

But, is it? While most people do think that these chapters are only prophecies concerning Jesus Christ, is there another explanation?

In particular, verse 14 of chapter 52 catches my eye. There is no claim that Jesus'visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. Yet whoever this chapter is speaking about IS marred.

Another thing to consider is that there are several references in these chapters to events that we associate with the very last days of the world.

So, what do you all think?

Isaiah

Something else that always struck me odd about this scripture was that it clearly talks about the "suffering servants" offspring and the prolonging of his days.

If this refers to Jesus, then it heavily implies that Jesus not only lived long after his crucifiction, but that he had a very prosperous life, and had children.

The other part of this that is problematic to be Jesus is that these verses speak as though they have happened already, as though they are referring, in places, to a prophet already suffering. It doesn't say anything about it being about the messiah either. It is heartily assumed, by christians scholars, that this is a messianic prophesy. In fact, Jews have never considered this a messianic prophesy.

I am of the opinion that this verse not only does not refer to Jesus, but doesn't refer to the messiah at all, or indeed, it may not even be a prophesy at all.

Isaiah 50 - 53 Revealed Bible The

Well, one thing to be aware of is that Isaiah, in his prophecies, almost always speaks in the present or past tense.

One thing that I have always read before about the "offspring" topic is that this is looking at it from an eternal perspective, with the idea that the "offspring" and posterity that it speaks about is the spiritual posterity of the "church".

However, I don't buy that at all. But then, I, personally believe that Jesus was married, but that His first child probably wasn't born until after His crucifixion.

Based upon some of my reading, I believe that Isaiah really is very multi-layered.

The first layer is general prophecy concerning the Messiah (Jesus Christ - to me).

The second layer is more specifically prophecy concerning the last days. So, the "Messiah" in this layer is the "righteousness" or "right arm of God" that is a common character in Isaiah. I believe that this is the political "messiah", or a strong leader in the last days who will offset the "Assyrian King" (probably the Beast of Daniel or the Antichrist of Revelation). In other words, he will lead the forces of good against the forces of darkness in the last days.

The third layer is actually a guide both to individuals and communities (cultures, religions, nations, whatever) on how to truly advance. There are themes throughout the book, shown through parallelisms and chiasms, as well as other literary devices, that show how an individual truly advances - becoming more like the Lord (godlike). That does NOT mean that the individual becomes God - just more LIKE God.

The themes show 7 specific levels of personal and cultural advancement. They also show HOW to make those advancements, as well as the rights and responsibilities of each level.

Anyway, enough general thoughts.

Based upon the 2nd layer, I think that these chapters are much more about the "Davidic King" or end times leader (prophet), than about Jesus Christ.

For example:

What (or whom) is the "arm of the Lord"? Traditional wisdom is that this is Christ. However, "the arm of the Lord" is a common theme throughout Isaiah, and is obviously NOT Christ in the other references.

It gets more interesting with the following:

These verses are held up by most as being the ultimate portion of the prophecy concerning Christ. But, what most people don't take into account, this is actually part of an ancient covenant format, wherein a liege lord accepts upon himself the griefs, sorrows, etc, in order to assure that the subjects will follow and obey him - all as part of a specific covenant. The rest of chapter 53 is also a description of that same covenant.

This is the basic covenant that David held with Israel, and Saul before him, and Solomon afterwards. The future Davidic King, in opposition to the Assyrian King, will have the same type of covenant with the righteous people who follow him. He will take upon himself the sorrows, dangers, etc, of opposing the Assyrian King, and the people will follow and obey him, so that he CAN successfully oppose the evil forces.

Anyway, enough for one post. Hopefully there are some things to think about here.