Jacob Reads More of Isaiah's Words

“The Lord will say, ‘Have I turned you away or cast you off forever? It was not I who turned away and sold you into bondage, it was you, oh house of Israel, by your sins, who turned from me and sold yourselves into bondage. When I came to deliver you, I was rejected. When I called you to repentance, you would not listen. Do you think that I am not able to redeem you? Simply by my rebuke I dry up the sea and make the rivers a desert. By my power I cause the stars to stop shining as they mourn for Israel.’ ”

The Lord’s servant then prophesies: “The Lord God will give me the gift of speaking, and I will speak wisdom to the house of Israel when they are weary and must have things explained to them day by day. For the Lord will give me wisdom to understand things even as learned people understand. The Lord God teaches me, for I will not be rebellious and turn from Him. I will be taken by those whom I offend and be beaten and spit upon. But the Lord God will help me and give me strength. The Lord will justify my survival. Therefore, I will challenge my adversary and with mighty words smite him. The Lord God will help me destroy all who condemn me, and they will wear out like an old coat eaten by moths. Who among you who fears the Lord and obeys His voice by obeying the voice of His servants is left to walk in darkness? (None of you!) The Lord says to those who walk by the light of their own fires, their mere sparks: ‘This is what will come to you from my hand (my servant),—you will lie down in sorrow.’ ”