Comparison of Gods Enemies to Leviathan - Essay Example

? Interpretive essay Introduction In this excerpt, Isaiah indirectly revisits earlier God’s covenant to hispeople concerning what will befall them if they fail to hearken His statutes. Numerous desolations featured in Isaiah 24: 1–5 comprise penalties, which God through his messengers stated will characterize their daily lives because of disobedience1. This is contrary to what they would have enjoyed if they kept God’s ordinances from the great to the small. However, certain scholars despite holding onto the idea of “everlasting covenant” argue chapters 24 to 27 their content is about a period, which is still in the “undefined future.” “Undefined future” relayed in these chapters according to some scholars is the messianic second coming. Therefore, this interpretative study seeks to analyze varied statements featured in these chapters coupled with linking them with other Biblical supporting verses having similar implications. Penalties featured in verses 1 – 5 seem to denote eschatological events intended to take place in the undefined future2. Hence, the penalties act as prediction of what the supreme God will do to repay those who chose to disobey His statutes. The denotation of “everlasting covenant” in these verses is evident from their adoption of a contractual structure, whereby any agreement or pact has both the fine’s side and benefits. Mainly, these are for those involved in the contractual process to enjoy if they comply as necessitated with the already devised laws or suffer suppose they choose to live on contrarily to what the Lord demands3. Benefits of the “everlasting covenant” are evident in chapters 25 to 27, which comprise of a hymn outlining the restoration the chosen would enjoy characterized by an extremely promising future4. The future based on Isaiah’s victorious song is incomparable to what the chosen have ever enjoyed before choosing to wander away from their God’s ordinances while on earth5. Mostly, the Future relayed in 25:1-5 encompasses adequate protection not only from the enemies but also from harsh environmental conditions like heat and rain6. The identity of “everlasting covenant” in these verses is also evident when the Isaiah tries to relay the kind of feast, which the Supreme Judge promises Jerusalem’s remnant7. Remnant in this case encompasses those who have kept the law though due to numerous challenges beyond human control did fail but rose again. Feast promised for those who will be the remnant though based on this banquet’s nature, signifies total rest from the miseries of this passing world. For instance, God through Isaiah besides assuring the chosen absolute protection, He also declares to destroy death eternally8. Hence, proving that the evidence of consolation evident in verse 8 is in the future, which in this case is “undefined” whereby the beneficiaries will enjoy total peace. Since, they will experience neither death nor other life’s predicaments characterizing humanity’s existence on earth9. The banquet’s rules concerning “everlasting covenant” relayed in these verses is similar to the blessings and curses, which God though Moses told His children will encounter if they chose to either obey Him or disobey10. Consequently, this “everlasting covenant” promises extends to date, whereby those who have chosen to abide by God’s ordinances ought to keep their hopes alive knowing they also share the same assurances11. This is because the “undefined future” and eschatological events relayed in these verses signify the second messianic coming12. 2. Two cities relayed in Isaiah 24 – 27 signify Jerusalem and fortified city. The latter city based on the reading experiences God’s wrath. This is because of their disobedience and lack of its residents persistence to the end when the Lord will prepare a banquet for those who proved to be triumphant, which is evident in the victorious’ song in chapter 2513. Based on apocalyptic interpretation, fortified city in this case I believe it implies to those people who have failed to observe God’s ordinances. Therefore, the word “city” here represents a group or category of people having something in common, which in this case is disobedience to God14. Fortified city’s residents according to Isaiah will experience utter destruction equal to their evil conduct while they were on earth15. Conversely, Jerusalem in this case based on my understanding implies heavenly dwelling proclaimed by Lord, which He has prepared for the chosen16. Through Isaiah God claims “in that day” to gather and redeem all his people from suffering in Assyria as well as those exiled into Egypt to return. Since, He wants them to worship Him on His chosen Mountain, Jerusalem17. This is after the trumpet’s sound, which numerous prophesies in the Bible have confirmed its future occurrence coupled with numerous eschatological events. Conversely, there are numerous views regarding the exact interpretation of Isaiah’s apocalyptic chapters. Some have embraced the literal meaning implying the verses were to encourage exiled people in Babylon who during then suffered severely in the hands of their torturers18. Poetic devices that characterize these chapters reveal the then people’s desperate state who felt as if the end world was almost near. Therefore, based on this argument, Isaiah prophesy to these people was only to fulfill his call’s role of encouraging Israelites who were then desperate and wishing for death instead of life. This is evident in chapter 26 where they made a prayer meant to recollect the goodness of their merciful God compared to those who had ruled them harshly19. The significance of understanding of Isaiah’s apocalypse helps in knowing what the future holds for the mere humanity before the final sounding of the trumpet. Therefore, one ought to comply fully and adhere to the Lord’s ordinances if at all he or she anticipates be in the final banquet prepared for the anointed. 3. “Leviathan” in this case refers to “death”, which is an enemy humanity. Death is the product of Satan’s actions, which started after creation in Eden whereby through his cunning tactics managed to deceive Eve. Therefore, the use of “Leviathan” in this case emphasizes God’s anticipated combat, which will be victorious after terminating the creature and its power. This is evident from the recurring statement “in that day”20. Hence, used strategically in these verses to emphasize eschatological events mostly characterized by combat as the Lord terminates all powers of darkness. This is to protect and care for His vineyard Israel21. Comparison of God’s enemies to “Leviathan” these verses emphasize Satan’s power, which is insignificant. This is because God will swallow death in quest of redeeming his people eternally whereby they will rejoice22. This is also evident in the Book of Revelation, which instead depicts Satan as a “Red Dragon” having worldly powers23. These powers are insignificant compared to God’s power evident through His word stating, “In that day” he not only protect His vineyard – Jacob but also to console them. In addition, likening God’s enemies to “Leviathan” its significance was to help the audience to have a clear picture of devil’s powers usually depicted by use of myths people held during that period, which has extended to the present24. Mythological depiction of death as a “Great Swallower” both in Isaiah and in the book of Numbers25 compare mortal demise with God’s prowess who will terminate it eternally. Hence, giving people abstract picture, which they can hold in their minds concerning the greatness of God whom they ought to trust and have hope in despite what they are undergoing. Since, his power compared to the numerous predicaments characterizing this passing world God has already won the battle through His son. References Day, John N. “Go d and Leviathan in Isaiah 27:1.” Bibliotheca Sacra 155, no. 620 (1998): 423 – 436. Holy Bible King James Version, Cocoa/black, Flexisoft Leather, Thinline Reference Bible. United Kingdom: Hendrickson Publishers. 2010. Hoppe, Leslie J. Isaiah. Liturgical Press: Collegeville, Minn. 2012. Leeming, David, Adams. Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Berlin: Springer US. 2008. pp. 293. Read More