Canter Bridge

History, genealogy, and confession can all be faked.

On its way to a profoundly moving promise of ‘new things’ that will be both redemptive and easy to welcome, the 48th chapter of the book of Isaiah digs deep into Israel/Judah’s pretension. We see here the logic of ‘refining’ this people ‘in the furnace of affliction’, for from Isaiah’s perspective only a humble nation can receive YHWH’s future. And Israel will not be humble until she has been humbled.

Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the Lord of hosts is his name. (Isaiah 48:1–2 ESV)

The passage begins as though bent on heroic declaration. Jacob’s historical identity leads the nation to bask in the name ‘Israel’. And we are probably to imagine the very genealogical datum of procreation when we learn that Jacob has come ‘from the waters of Judah’. All this legacy is then complemented by the present-day activities of ‘swear(ing) by the name of YHWH and confess(ing) the God of Israel.’

Then, the prophet’s acclamation, is rudely interrupted.

… but not in truth or right. (v. 2)

It is so very like the Israelite prophets to insist, with ineluctable insight, that appearances and reality diverge even—perhaps especially—when a people claims to enjoy YHWH’s favor.

Centuries later, the apostle Paul considers himself to stand on solid polemical ground when he issues the otherwise startling claim that …

(I)t is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring … (Romans 9:6–7 ESV)

Just as an abundance of smoke hints strongly at the presence of fire, so self-confident claims of YHWH’s favor lead the astute observer to wonder what reality is being hidden, by whom, and for what reason.

Still, the most startling feature of Isaiah chapter 48 is that this harsh diagnosis of Israel/Judah is not placed here as a final word of denunciation and dismissal. Rather, the prophet is in diagnostic mode, for YHWH has in spite of his people’s obstinacy the unswerving purpose to bring them healing and a future.