I’ve been reading through Isaiah and taking notes. One big thing I’ve been reading lately is that Yahweh keeps defining himself. He keeps dropping things about himself – his character, deeds, etc. And he keeps talking smack about all other “gods.” It would be self-aggrandizement if he weren’t the creator of all things.
Below is a list from chapters 40-44 of Yahweh’s self-talk:
- Sovereign Lord
- Powerful
- His arm rules
- He carries a reward
- Guides sheep flocks like a shepherd
- Carries his young close to his heart
- Holds world’s waters in his hands
- Sky no more than the width of his hand
- Carries earth’s dust in basket
- Who knows his mind?
- Sits enthroned above earth and peoples are like grasshoppers
- Brings princes to naught
- Rulers are like plants that God can blow and scatter like chaff
- Who is his equal?
- Who created the earth and heavens?
- Brings out starry host one by one
- Not one star is missing
- Yahweh is the everlasting God
- Creator of ends of earth
- Will not grow tired or weary
- Understanding none can fathom
- Gives strength to weary
- Increases power of weak
- He hands nations over to other nations
- Subdues kings and turns them to dust
- He is the first and last
- He strengthens his people and is with them
- He takes hold of his people’s right hand and says “Do not fear”
- He is the Redeemer
- The Holy One of Israel
- Will not forsake hungry and thirsty
- Will bring blessing to desert lands
- Created heavens and stretched them out
- Spread out earth and all that comes out of it
- Gives breath to people and life to those who walk on earth
- Will make his people a covenant and light to Gentiles
- Will open eyes of the blind, free captives from prison, release from dungeon those who sit in darkness
- Yahweh is his name!
- Will not give glory to idols
- He will march out like a mighty man.
- Like a warrior he will stir up his zeal
- Will lay waste to mountains, dry up vegetation
- Will lead blind along unfamiliar paths
- Will turn turn darkness to light
- It pleased the LORD to make his law great and glorious
- He punishes his people for disobedience
- Handed Jacob over to become loot and Israel to plunderers
- He poured out on them his burning anger and violence of war
- LORD created Jacob and formed Israel
- He has redeemed Israel
- He has summoned Israel by name
- LORD, our God, the Holy One of Israel, our Savior
- He loves Israel
- He is with Israel and will deliver them from far away places
- He created those called by his name for his glory
- Before Yahweh, no god was formed nor will there be any after him
- He is the LORD and there is no other Savior
- He has revealed and proclaimed and saved
- He is the Ancient of Days
- No one can deliver out of the LORD’s hand
- When he acts, who can reverse it?
- He is Holy and Israel’s creator and King
- He parted the Red Sea, Saved Israel, and Destroyed Egypt’s forces in the waters
- He is restoring the deserts
- He blots out transgressions
- He forgets sins
- He formed us in the womb
- He will pour out water on desert lands
- He will give his Holy Spirit to people
- He is Israel’s king and redeemer
- He is the LORD Almighty
- He is First and Last
- Apart from him there is no God
- Who is like him? Let them declare their past deeds and foretell the future
- He is our Rock and there is none other
- He will not forget Israel.
- He has swept away Israel’s sins and has redeemed them
WOW!
A Repository of Thought 