Isa 42:8-9 | KingComments | STEP | “LORD” ( ) is the Name by which He revealed Himself to Moses as a guarantee that He will fulfill His word with respect to His mission ( ). That Name is also the guarantee for the redemption of His people ( ). His Name is the guarantee of the fulfillment of His Word. He does not give His honor to the idols of the nations and cannot share it with anyone. The Lord Jesus gets this honor ( ), because He is the LORD. The proclamation of His Name is followed by the authoritative assurance that He gives His glory and praise to no one and nothing else. It is an affirmation of the meaning of His Name. His ‘glory’ is the revelation of His nature, features and power. The revelation of His glory provokes the praise of those to whom that revelation is given. Glory and praise belong together and they belong to no one but God. All idolaters should know this. The twofold statement of must also be seen against the background of the contrast with the idols. The first statement is about “the former things”. What God has prophesied would happen at the time indicated, has happened exactly as was prophesied. Also “new things” have been announced ( ) that have not yet been fulfilled, but will be fulfilled in their time as well. The LORD makes everything known in advance. No other god can do that.

‏ Isaiah 42:8-9

Only the LORD Can Predict New Things

“LORD” (Isa 42:8) is the Name by which He revealed Himself to Moses as a guarantee that He will fulfill His word with respect to His mission (Exo 3:14-15). That Name is also the guarantee for the redemption of His people (Exo 6:2-6). His Name is the guarantee of the fulfillment of His Word. He does not give His honor to the idols of the nations and cannot share it with anyone. The Lord Jesus gets this honor (Phil 2:9), because He is the LORD.

The proclamation of His Name is followed by the authoritative assurance that He gives His glory and praise to no one and nothing else. It is an affirmation of the meaning of His Name. His ‘glory’ is the revelation of His nature, features and power. The revelation of His glory provokes the praise of those to whom that revelation is given. Glory and praise belong together and they belong to no one but God. All idolaters should know this.

The twofold statement of Isa 42:9 must also be seen against the background of the contrast with the idols. The first statement is about “the former things”. What God has prophesied would happen at the time indicated, has happened exactly as was prophesied. Also “new things” have been announced (Isa 42:1-7) that have not yet been fulfilled, but will be fulfilled in their time as well. The LORD makes everything known in advance. No other god can do that.