Isa 1:25-26 | KingComments | STEP | Isaiah contrasts the wicked with “the Lord GOD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel” ( ). It is as if the LORD in His indignation about the injustice of the leaders and the people presents Himself in the whole might of His Being. The distinction between the names translated as “Lord” and “GOD” or “LORD” is important and should be noted throughout the Old Testament. Also during the further study of the book of Isaiah it is necessary to pay attention to this distinction. Every time the name “Lord”, in lowercase letters, is used, it is the translation of the Hebrew word Adonai . With this Name God is referred to as the Commander, the Lord, the Sovereign Governor. If it says “LORD”, with capital letters, it is the translation of the Hebrew word Yahweh . That is the name of God as the God of the covenant, the Name that indicates His relationship with creation and man and especially with His earthly people. The name “LORD” is mentioned for the first time in Genesis 2, first in connection with creation and then in connection with man ( ). In connection with Israel He makes Himself known to them with this Name when He is going to deliver them from Egypt ( ). This Name then indicates the special relationship He enters into with these people. “The Mighty One of Israel”, a title Isaiah uses only here, cannot let the unfaithfulness of His people go unpunished. He is powerful to deal with those He calls “My adversaries” in a way that He will be relieved of them. Relief is needed with pain. He has great pain and sorrow because of their apostasy. His relieve is found in the judgment on their apostasy, by which that apostasy is removed from before Him. He must execute revenge over His opponents and enemies. But pay attention. The opponents and the enemies here are not the Assyrians, as the people like to see that, but God speaks here about them, His people! By “My adversaries” and “My foes” He means them. They, the rebellious Jews, are adversaries and foes of His law and His government. That He turns His hand against His people is meant to cleanse them from their iniquities, so that they will be a pure silver ( ). The wicked mass has become dross and alloy (cf. ). That dross is worthless, and the alloy looks like precious metal, but it is fake. He will remove both elements by the judgment of fire. What remains is a God-fearing remnant that is pleasing to His heart ( ; ).

‏ Isaiah 1:25-26

Judgment Serves to Cleanse

Isaiah contrasts the wicked with “the Lord GOD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel” (Isa 1:24). It is as if the LORD in His indignation about the injustice of the leaders and the people presents Himself in the whole might of His Being.

The distinction between the names translated as “Lord” and “GOD” or “LORD” is important and should be noted throughout the Old Testament. Also during the further study of the book of Isaiah it is necessary to pay attention to this distinction. Every time the name “Lord”, in lowercase letters, is used, it is the translation of the Hebrew word Adonai. With this Name God is referred to as the Commander, the Lord, the Sovereign Governor.

If it says “LORD”, with capital letters, it is the translation of the Hebrew word Yahweh. That is the name of God as the God of the covenant, the Name that indicates His relationship with creation and man and especially with His earthly people. The name “LORD” is mentioned for the first time in Genesis 2, first in connection with creation and then in connection with man (Gen 2:4-22). In connection with Israel He makes Himself known to them with this Name when He is going to deliver them from Egypt (Exo 6:1-8). This Name then indicates the special relationship He enters into with these people.

“The Mighty One of Israel”, a title Isaiah uses only here, cannot let the unfaithfulness of His people go unpunished. He is powerful to deal with those He calls “My adversaries” in a way that He will be relieved of them. Relief is needed with pain. He has great pain and sorrow because of their apostasy. His relieve is found in the judgment on their apostasy, by which that apostasy is removed from before Him.

He must execute revenge over His opponents and enemies. But pay attention. The opponents and the enemies here are not the Assyrians, as the people like to see that, but God speaks here about them, His people! By “My adversaries” and “My foes” He means them. They, the rebellious Jews, are adversaries and foes of His law and His government.

That He turns His hand against His people is meant to cleanse them from their iniquities, so that they will be a pure silver (Isa 1:25). The wicked mass has become dross and alloy (cf. Isa 1:22). That dross is worthless, and the alloy looks like precious metal, but it is fake. He will remove both elements by the judgment of fire. What remains is a God-fearing remnant that is pleasing to His heart (Zec 13:9a; Mal 3:2).

Restoration for Jerusalem

After the execution of judgment righteous “judges” shall be appointed by the LORD “as at the first”, that is, as in the days of David and Solomon (Isa 1:26). With the “counselors as at the beginning” we can think of Moses and Joshua. This will result in a totally different situation than the one we have now with the unjust leaders who are in charge of the service and who control the lives of the people. As a result, Jerusalem can again be called “the city of righteousness, a faithful city” (cf. Isa 1:21; Zec 8:3). We can also say that Jerusalem has once again become a faithful or trustworthy city – “faith” and “trust” are the same word in Hebrew.

The glorious characteristics of Isa 1:26 will be the result of God’s salvation of Zion based on His judgments that He executes in righteousness (Isa 1:27). God’s righteous grace leads to righteousness and steadfastness in the lives of those who are justified. The basis of salvation is the work of Christ Who received on the cross the righteous judgment of God on the sins of everyone who repent.