See Also:
YouTube Clip: End Times. An Overview of Isaiah Plus Summary of Chapters
Isaiah Prophecies: Vast Numbers; Destruction; Repentance; Ends of the Earth; Island; Rule over other Peoples; Return to the Land; Reunion of Judah and Joseph; Expulsion of Palestinians; Messiah son of David
Isaiah
Brit-Am
Highlights
A Biblical Commentary Courtesy of
Brit-Am
Introduction
The Book of Isaiah like all of Scripture is directed primarily to the nation of Israel. Israel as a nation is divided into two sections: Judah, i.e. the Jews, and Joseph meaning the Lost Ten Tribes.
We have divided our Summary of Isaiah into two sections:
(a) Highlights of Brit-Am from the point of view of the Lost Ten Tribes.
(b) A general summarization of Isaiah by chapters.
ISAIAH: Brit-Am Highlights
Isaiah spoke of the division between Israel (The Lost Ten Tribes) and Judah (7:17-18) (8:8). In Isaiah 7:17 the division is referred to as the worst calamity that ever overcame the Children of Israel. Isaiah also recalls situations in which the various sections of Israel will be opposed to each other:
[Isaiah 9:21] MANASSEH EPHRAIM, AND EPHRAIM MANASSEH, AND TOGETHER THEY ARE AGAINST JUDAH. FOR ALL THIS HIS ANGER IS NOT TURNED AWAY AND HIS HAND IS STRETCHED OUT STILL.
Isaiah predicted that in the Last days only a few would survive and that disasters would occur:
[Isaiah 10:22] FOR THOUGH YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, ONLY A REMNANT OF THEM WILL RETURN. DESTRUCTION IS DECREED, OVERFLOWING WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS.
BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA: Descendants of Israel will be exceedingly numerous towards the end times.
DESTRUCTION: A great calamity may take place. Only a few may survive. Likewise, Zechariah (13:6-9) indicates that two-thirds of the people will perish. The remnant will be saved and reconciled with God. The exiles of Israel who were taken to Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the Isles of the Sea (and from there moved to other regions) will return (Isaiah 11:11).
Isaiah foresaw the re-unification and ingathering of THE OUTCASTS OF ISRAEL, AND GATHER THE DISPERSED OF JUDAH FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH (11:12). The northern Tribes were cast out to specific regions and stayed together whereas the Jews of Judah were dispersed all over the world.
There will be an end to anti-Semitism on the part of Ephraim and fiction with Judah:
[Isaiah 11:13] THE JEALOUSY OF EPHRAIM SHALL DEPART, AND THOSE WHO HARASS JUDAH SHALL BE CUT OFF; EPHRAIM SHALL NOT BE JEALOUS OF JUDAH, AND JUDAH SHALL NOT HARASS EPHRAIM.
THEY [i.e. Judah and Ephraim together, see verse 11:13] WILL CAUSE THE PALESTINIANS TO BE FLOWN AWAY TO THE WEST (11:14 Isaiah). Judah and Ephraim together will plunder the peoples of the east, defeat and subdue certain European nations such as Edom, Moab, and Ammon (11:14). The Return will be accompanied by great miracles (11:15).
Isaiah prophesied before and during the exile of the House of Israel. He described the exile of the northern tribes and the land of Israel being completely emptied out (24:3). The exiles would be taken to the west (24:14) where they are exhorted to glorify God from the fires in the Isles of the Sea (24:15) meaning in the Isles of Britain:
Isaiah says that the nation will be increased greatly and be removed unto the ends of the earth (24:16, 26:15) meaning the geographical extremities of the world such as Britain, North America, Scandinavia, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Those who had been exiled by the Assyrians and were lost together with those (of Judah) taken captive to Egypt will return with the blowing of a great shofar. The returnees will worship God in the Holy Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (27:13). Isaiah described the drunkards of Ephraim (28:1). The Lost Tribes will not be familiar with Hebrew and will speak with another tongue (28:11). They will be in islands (41:1), in the best places (translated in the KJ as chief men), at the ends of the earth (41:8-9). The Lost Ten Tribes (42:6) in the islands will become A COVENANT OF THE PEOPLE in Hebrew a Brit-Am. They will be a Light to the Gentiles meaning a civilizing influence. From the end of the earth and the isles they will be sea-goers (42:10). The enemies of Israel, including those of the Lost Ten Tribes, in their places of Exile are the enemies of God Almighty (42:13). The exiles are fulfilling the purpose of God in this world and even though they do not recognize it and are blind to it they are also His servants and HIS messenger (Isaiah 42:19).
Egypt shall be subjected to Israel.
Cush (translated as Ethiopia but also applicable according to the Aramaic translation and related tradition to India and its neighborhood) and Black Africa (Seba) will be yours.
Isaiah (43:3) predicted that Cush (India) and Seba (Black Africa) would be subjected to Israel.
Isaiah (44:28) mentioned the name of Cyrus even though he prophesied close to 200 years before his time.
God calls to his "annointed" Cyrus (45:1) [see the Brit-Am Commentary in full.
This verse is not addressed primarily to Cyrus but to the Ten Tribes in Exile.].
God will prepare the way before him and give him the treasures of darkness and
riches of secret places (45:2-3). Jacob is the servant of God. He is called
"Jacob" (Yank, Union Jack, Jock) even though he is niot aware of its meaning
(45:4). The God of Israel looked after Jacob even thoiugh Jacob did not know
him (45:5). He shall rebuilt the city and release the Captives who belong to the
Almighty. In the future Joseph will be instrumental in the Restoration of Judah (45:13).
This was fulfilled by the British and Americans (45:14).
The Prophecies of Isaiah concerning Cyrus on the whole refer to the Lost Tribes as we have explained.
Whatever passes (Hebrew "yigia" translated as LABOUR but really meaning "come unto") via Egypt, and the merchandise of
Cush (India not "Ethiopia" as translated in the King James), shall be yours and the tall Sabaean African Negroes
will pass over unto you in chains (Isaiah 45:14).
In the end they will acknowledge that God is with you. There is no other (Isaiah 43:3 and 45:14 and the verses around them).
Isaiah (43:5-6) said that the exiles would be ingathered from the east and west, north, and south, and from the ends of the earth. Only the English-speaking nations have fulfilled these prophecies as they were written. Only they received the Promises.
Isaiah speaks of the Isles (49:1), of raising up the Tribes of Jacob (49:6), and of the preserved of Israel who will be a light unto the Gentiles and bring salvation unto the end of the earth. The flag of Britain is called the UNION JACK (i.e. union or covenant of Jacob) and the nickname YANKEE for North American derives from a form of the name Jacob.
The God of Israel hides Himself (45:15 See our commentary and the book
"Ephraim" for more details on these matters). They who make idols shall be
ashamed but Israel will be saved (45:16-17). Israel was called to come out of
the nations, not worship the wood of an idol nor pray to a god that cannot save
(45:20). True Prophecy is to be found only in the Israelite Bible besides whom
there can be none other (45:21). God is calling to Israel to return and worship
HIM (45:22).
God hides HIMSELF amongst His people including the Lost Tribes of Israel
(45:15). God has not made Himself unavailable to the seed of Jacob, just the
opposite (45:19). They who are escaped from among the nations are to assemble
together and reject their idolatrous beliefs (45:20). God is calling to Israel
to return and worship HIM (45:22). By returning to God all the Seed of Israel
shall be justified and find glory (45:25).
Isaiah describes the destruction of Babylon (46:1). God is not a mortal and not
subject to mortal restraints. He can help us always. He has no limitations. He
can make up for the limitations we have or acquire (46:4). Money can be
important yet it is only a means. Like strength, youth, and life itself, it
should be seen only as a means to fulfil the tasks God through life places upon
us (46:6). Isaiah (chapter 46) spoke of the fall of the gods of Babylon. Chapter
47 speaks of the fall of the people. God was angry at Judah his people. The
Babylonians took advantage and did not show them what mercy they could have done,
therefore they will be punished (47:6). All your scientists will not help you,
Babylon (47:13). The present State of Israel which is however primarily
comprised of Judah is condemned (48:1-2). Judah will be punished but not
completely. God will have mercy on Judah for the sake of His Name that is called
upon Judah (48:3-11). Both Jacob (the Lost Ten Tribes) and Israel (usually the
Ten Tribes but when juxtaposed with Jacob meaning Judah) are called upon to
acknowledge the Almighty (48:12). Babylon will be punished (48:14) but before
then may yet cause harm to Israel (48:20).
The Isles are called upon to listen
to God (49:1). Israel is the servant of God (49:3). Israel will raise up the
Tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel, to be an enlightening
influence on the Gentiles unto the geographical extremities of the earth (49:6).
In an aside Isaiah refers to the Jews of Judah who were despised in their places of exile. God calls to the Jews who were despised and says HE will save them (49:7).
In the last days princes will give the Jews honor and bow down to them because, no matter what they may have done or
failed to do, they remained essentially faithful to the God of Israel.
Isaiah says (49:8) that the exiled of Israel will be preserved and become a covenant of people (in Hebrew a Brit-Am),
who will establish the world and civilize wasted heritages. They will use released prisoners to colonize these heritages (49:9), as the British did at first in North America and Australia. They shall return from the north and from the west, and from the land of Sinim. The Land of Sinim is rendered as Australia. They will converge
together along their paths of migration (49:9).
Isaiah (49:13) again turns to Judah who feels
forgotten (49:14). God will return and comfort Judah and recompense him for all the troubles that
passed over them and greatly increase his population (49:18-20). When Judah sees the Israelites returning
(49:21) he will ask, Where did these come from? I was alone and persecuted, and driven from country to country.
According to the Midrash (Pesikta Rabati 32;10) this reaction of the Jews
will indeed take place WHEN THEY SEE THE THREE EXILES OF THE LOST TEN TRIBES
RETURNING! (49:21).
Isaiah returns to speak of the comforting of Judah and says that those who oppressed the Jews had
in effect denied the existence of the LORD God of Israel (49:26).
Judah has not been disowned. Judah was not divorced and is still obligated by
the Law. Jeremiah spoke of the Lost Ten Tribes being divorced (Jeremiah 3:8).
Even so in the Last Days God will say that HE never really divorced either Judah
or Israel. They always belong to the Almighty and each in their own way had
their task to fulfil (50:1). In the same way that God punishes or afflicts so
too can He bestow blessings. Do good and ultimately good will come unto you
some how or other. The good will come in the form you yourself would prefer if
you knew all the options and were aware of all your culpabilities (50:2). Judah
was forced to become passive and bear affliction in Exile (50:6). In the end,
the justification for Judah comes from God (50:8).
They who seek righteousness are called upon to seek the Source (51:1), Abraham
and Sarah (51:2). God will bless Zion and make her fertile (51:3).
THE ISLES
(i.e. the Lost Ten Tribes) SHALL WAIT UPON ME? (51:5). Peoples and cultures that
owed a lot to Jerusalem and all it stands for abandoned Jerusalem and the
Jewish people (51:8). The enemies who oppressed the Jews and Jerusalem will be
requited and vengeance taken upon them (51:23).
The Lost Ten Tribes are not keeping the faith of Moses nor are they
acknowledging their true identity (52:4). As long as the Ten Tribes do not know
of their origins and do not turn back to the God of Israel it is as if they were
taken away. For this reason the name of God is blasphemed and people do not
own up to the truth of the Bible (52:5). Israel is the servant of God (52:13).
The Jews were despised and treated as sub-humans. People were astounded at the
depths the Jews were reduced to (52:14). They will be astounded that they whom
they had treated with such contempt had all along been the favored children of
God Almighty (52:15). The Jew sufffered due to other people. He was the first
victim, the eternal scape-goat for the faults and misfortunes of others.
The Gentiles will admit that Judah was considered accursed yet his affliction
was due to our imposing upon him the results of our own calamities (Isaiah
53:4). The Jew was punished for the sins of others (53:5). The Jew often
succeeded in dedicating himself to the Law when he could. When he was forced
(by outsiders) or seduced to abandon it he applied his energies in other
directions: in jurisprudence, trade, science, philosophy, philanthropy. The
Messiah shall come from Judah. The Jew has a natural instinct to reform things,
to rectify the world. When the Jew is deprived of Torah this instinct can be
misdirected. Sometimes it does good and on occasion it can do damage. Either way
the Jew is hated by many Gentiles merely because he is active, is different and
stands out.
The sins of others are transposed onto the Jew (53:11). In the Last Days Judah
shall be rich and powerful and a great nation. Amongst the greatest that exist.
AND HE SHALL DIVIDE THE SPOIL WITH THE STRONG: Judah shall be a military might,
an old lion who must dealt with carefully and with respect.
AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS; Jews were accused and still are of
all the sins under the sun and still more and of being ctriminals and
controlling all the crime and mischief of the world.
AND HE BARE THE SIN OF MANY, Not only was Judah made responsible for the sins
of others but he also took upon himself to make retribution for the faults of
others.
AND MADE INTERCESSION FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS. Jews champion the oppressed and
seek to help whoever needs help even when those who are in need were the cause
of their own downfall (53:12). Judah will return
prior to the Ten Tribes and prepare the way for them. Judah will rebuild the
waste places (54:3). God was angry but HE will yet have mercy (54:8). The art of
enamelling can be traced from Israel and Phoenecia to the Celts of Britain and
Anglo-Saxons with the same methods and the same styles. This appears to have
been unqiue to these peoples (54:11).
The Messiah will appear and he will be a descendant of David
(55:3). We all need to repent and can do so and our repentance will be accepted
(55:5-7).
The descendants of non-Israelites who attach themselves with Israel will receive an inheritance
alongside their fellow Israelites (55:6).
All words of Prophecy will be fulfilled (55:11). Instead of a curse a
blessing and a good life will come forth (55:13).
We are called upon to do justice (56:1). The Sabbath must be kept (56:2). The
stranger who joins themself to Israel (Isaiah 56:3 cf. Ezekiel 47:22) will be
counted as one of Israel (Isaiah 56:4-7).
Isaiah 56:8 was understood to refer to
the Order of Redemption: First Judah will be ingathered, then those who remain
from the Lost Ten Tribes will be brought back by stages. The leaders of Israel
mislead us (56:9), worry mainly about themselves (56:10-12) and cause
righteousness to perish (57:1). They who are immoral in one direction will also
be sinful in others. There is nothing romantic about evildoing (57:3). In
ancient times Israelites killed children in human sacrifice. Nowadays we do the
same through abortions (57:5). God will not keep quiet for ever nor overlook our
transgressions for an eternity (57:6-11). Trust in God and you will be saved
(57:13). They who endeavor to speak well to others, who radiate hope, good
feelings, and a positive attitude will bring a blessing to the world and to
themselves (57:19). Jacob always seeks God (58:2) but our ways of worship and
behavior are not acceptable to the Almighty (58:3-5) since social justice is
lacking. Charity begins at home (58:6-7). Do good and good will come unto you
(58:8). The destroyed areas of ancient times will be rebuilt. If you merit to
participate in this then you are especially blessed (58:12). The Sabbath must be
dedicated to God. We must take pleasure in this holy day (58:13) which is part
of the Israelite heritage (58:14). God wants us to be heard by Him but our
iniquities prevent it (59:2). Our present society breeds sin and oppression
(59:7). Do you realize that tolerance for homosexuality means allowing children
and the weak to be coerced into a way of life they would not chose if given the
choice? That most women who have abortions do not really want to do so? The
"liberal" permissive society is one of tyranny and oppression. THE WAY OF PEACE
THEY KNOW NOT (59:8). Israel is sinning and evil (59:9-15). God will send a
savior who by force of arm will establish righteousness (59:16-17). The saviour
will establish his rulership over the islands and take vengeance from the sinful
(59:18). The Name of God will be feared by those in the West (59:19).
A redeemer
shall come to Zion (59:20) [which in some contexts can connote Joseph, Midrash
Tanchuma] and they who repent in Jacob. God has made a covenant that HIS spirit
will not depart from they who are chosen but always HIS word will be in their
mouth and in the mouth of their seed for ever (59:21). Go with God and HE will
be with you and with your children. The light of God will shine upon Judah and
all those associated with her (60:1). Gentile leaders will come to Judah for
instruction and enlightenment (60:3). "Captive" (Assimilated) Jews and Lost
Israelites will return (60:4). The Lost Ten Tribes who were exiled to the Isles
of the Sea (and other places) will return (60:5). The riches of the world will
be brought unto you (60:5-7). The Exiles of Judah and of the Lost Ten tribes
will return by air travel (60:8). They will come back from the Islands and the
Atlantic Ocean area (60:9). Other peoples will serve you willingly (60:10-11).
Nations that will not serve you will be destroyed (60:12). The persecutors of
the Jews shall repent. Their descendants shall request forgiveness and
acknowledge the basic relative innocence and righteousness of the Jewish people
(60:14-16). Great prosperity will prevail (60:17). Human nature will change.
There will be no more violence (60:18). Through being righteous Israel shall
merit to be blessed (60:21). If you are meritorious the Messianic Age will come
sooner but if not there is a time-limit after which the End Times will come at
all events (60:22).
The Captives will be freed (Isaiah 61:1) and the mourners of Zion comforted
(61:2-3). The wasted places will be rebuilt (61:4) . The land will be renewed.
Strangers shall serve you and produce for you (61:5). All who see you will know
that God has blessed you (61:9). There will be a Restoration of Israel which
will be centered on Jerusalem (62:1). Jerusalem will be blessed greatly and
known throughout all the earth (62:3-10). The people of Jerusalem will be
recognized as the Redeemed of God (62:11-12). A Special Person (The Messiah son
of David? or son of Joseph?) shall take revenge on Bozrah of Edom through the
strength of his might (63:1-5). He will trample down peoples (63:6). God will
do great goodness to the House of Israel (63:7). God says these are my children
who will act according to their parentage and fulfill the task they were
destined to fulfill (63:8). God Himself suffered when HIS people were persecuted
and suffered (63:9). Israel sinned and so God turned away (63:10). Even though
they sin and turn away from HIM, HE will remember and return to HIS people at
some stage, no matter what.
WHERE IS HE THAT PUT HIS HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN HIM? If God puts HIS spirit in us or
in His prophet we can be led onto the right track (63:11). We do not act as our
forefathers would have wanted us to do and we do not merit to receive the
blessings promised to them neither do we fulfill the tasks they accepted upon
themselves on our behalf. They would be in their rights to disown us BUT even so
God will not disown us.
We may not be recognized as the physical descendants of Abraham and Israel even
though that is what we feel ourselves to be and probably are. Even so God will
help us (63:16). We are the tribes of Israel. THE TRIBES OF THINE INHERITANCE.
We need to feel the Divine Presence and return (63:17). The enemy possesses the
Temple Mount and defiles it. OUR ADVERSARIES HAVE TRODDEN DOWN THY SANCTUARY
(63:18). Israel is the People of God. The physical descendants of the
Israelites are the chosen people. There is none other (63:19). If only God would
show Himself then nobody would doubt or rebel against Him (64:1).
[Isaiah 64:4] FOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD MEN HAVE NOT HEARD, NOR
PERCEIVED BY THE EAR, NEITHER HATH THE EYE SEEN, O GOD, BESIDE THEE, WHAT HE
HATH PREPARED FOR HIM THAT WAITETH FOR HIM.
Nobody has seen that which God has prepared for the righteous in the Afterlife.
Only they who have learnt the Torah of Israel have ever received a glimpse of
the Ultimate Truth.
God has hidden His face from us and we are in danger of losing. If however we
overcome and take hold of God He will save us (64:7). God is our father. He is
the potter who forms us according to His will (64:8). God wants the cities of
Israel and especially Jerusalem to be built up and inhabited with Israelites
(64:10). Our soul is afflicted as long as the cities of Ancient Israel are not
settled by Israelites. The world is not as it should be as long as the Temple
is not rebuilt (64:12). God will return to Judah and to the lost Tribes who
forgot who they were and that God was their God, the God of Israel (65:1). God
is calling us all the time (65:2). The Lost Tribes worshipped idols, in groves,
and graveyards, and cults of the dead, and eat pig-meat and abominations
(65:3-4). The Lost Ten Tribes and Judah together shall return (65.9). They
amongst the Israelites who continue in the Druidical and similar pagan
idolatrous practices of their forefathers will be punished (65:11, 13-16).
Creation will be changed. Everything will be renewed (65:17). There will be a
New Jerusalem and a change in human nature with people living to a very very old
age (65:18-21, 65:23-25). God will be close to us (65:22).
We must give our heart to God (Isaiah 66:1). Man can give something of himself
back to God (66:2). God wants righteous behavior and good intention (66:3).
Someone who disregards the will of God is liable also to be disregarded when
they need His help (66:4). God will take vengeance against those who disregarded
Him and against those who desecrated the Temple and Temple site (66:6). Zion
will be delivered suddenly (66:7). We should rejoice with Jerusalem that
represents re-union and reconciliation (66:10). Through Jerusalem Israel will be
comforted (66:13). Those who believed in God and the Bible and did the best they
could will rejoice (66:14). People who keep pagan practices will be punished
(66:17). They who from Israel and Judah were scattered amongst other nations
will return (66:19). Priests and Levites will be drawn also from amongst they
who return (66:21).
The Sages said: When God decides to let it be known who belongs to which Tribe,
he clarifies firstly who belongs to the Tribe of Levi, as it says, And he shall
sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi...
([Malachi 3;3); (Talmud, Kiddushin 70;a).
Maimonides (1135-1204):
<<In the days of the Messianic King: When his kingdom shall be settled and all
of Israel gather unto him, he shall then give the Tribal-genealogy of each one.
He shall do this through Divine inspiration. As it says, HE SHALL SIT AS A
REFINER AND PURIFIER (Malachi 3:3). He will purify the Tribe of Levi first.as it
says, "till there be stood up a priest with Urim and with Thumim" (Ezra 2:63).
He gives the genealogy of Israel only concerning which tribe each one belongs
to..
(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, The Laws of Kings, ch. 12, no.3).
Non-Israelite Gentiles will also be accepted and reconciled. All the world will
worship the God of Israel whose worship will be centered on Jerusalem (66:23).
There will be a Resurrection of the Dead (66:24).
See also:
Brit-Am Commentary to the Book of ISAIAH
Biblical Proofs
http://www.britam.org/Proof/ProofsIntro.html