|
 In
our Nov. ‘70 issue, under the heading, “Armstrong’s Folly”
I ventured a comment on Isa. 11:10-f. as follows: “Isaiah said
the Lord would “set his hand again the second time to recover
the remnant of his people from Assyria, etc.” The first
time points to their physical restoration, referred to above.
The second time refers to redemption in Jesus Christ,
where both Jew (all Israelites) and Gentile (all others) have
equal opportunity to be one in their salvation from sin.”
Then
came the most delightful disagreement. Bro. L.A. Mott,
Jr., of Romulus, Mich., wrote: “I am delighted finally to
disagree with you on something. I don’t think I read anyone I
agree with so nearly 100% of the time; nor anyone who has taught
me so much or given me so much to think about in the years I’ve
read Plain Talk
I
agree that “the second time” refers to the spiritual return
and restoration. Rom. 15:12 establishes that. But I doubt that
the implied first time refers to the physical restoration
described in Ezra. Rather, the reference is to the deliverance
from Egyptian bondage when “with a strong hand” Jehovah
brought Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 13:9, 14, 16). The thought
springs from the context of Isa. 11:11-16, where the spiritual
deliverance is thought of as a second exodus from Egypt. Note
esp. vs. 15-16. Note also that Isa. 12: corresponds to the song
of deliverance in Ex. 15.
Second
time is, then, not connected with the whole clause — which
would suggest a second recovery of a remnant. with an
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implied reference to the first one —
but only with the Lord will set his hand. He set his hand and
brought the whole nation from Egypt. He now sets his hand a
second time and recovers the (spiritual) remnant.
I
don’t suppose it is necessary to say that I agree with your
general position in the article but only question the
explanation of that one verse. What do you think?”
I
think that next time I am tempted to rely on past studies, and
make a hasty reference to a prophecy, I will need a reprimand
more like a swift kick than this gentle assist.
Reference
to Egyptian deliverance is common in the prophet’s
promises of further help (Isa. 44:26-ff. 51:10 - 11, etc.) as I
well knew. (Watch me try to pull this one from the fire.) I
should have made the connection in this passage, as context
demands.
Notice
that Egyptian deliverance is used as an example of the physical
reprieve, made possible by Cyrus. But although Isa. 11: may
contain a literal reference to the recovery from Babylon, this
would be only a shadowy fulfillment of the “second” setting
of hand; for the substance of the redemption is certainly
that found in Christ. (Rom. 15:12; Acts 13:23; 28:20)
If
I should have 10,000 readers. I could wish that 9,980 of them be
like bro. Mott. A few old sore heads add chili to the frijoles.
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