Isaiah 51:9 Prayer - For The Glory of Jesus

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Prayer

Israel is in prayer for their nation. God should intervene in their destiny and lead them out of Babylon just like He did when He led them out of Egypt.

This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.

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Isaiah 51:9-16

9a. The people are requesting “that God’s arm, the symbol of his personal involvement in history, should become active again.” (Smith, Gary V., The New American Commentary, Volume 15B, Isaiah 40-66. [Nashville, B & H Publishing Group, 2009], 403)

“The remnant in Babylon prayed as though God were asleep and needed to be awakened (Psalm 7:6; 44:23; 78:65-72). They wanted God to bare His arm as He did when He defeated Pharaoh and redeemed His people from Egyptian Bondage.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament Prophets. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2002], 56)

9b. The mention of “Rahab” made me do some research. I was finally led to a footnote for verse 9 in NASB about Rahab: “a sea monster, not to be confused with Rahab in Joshua 2.” The name is the same but different meaning.

10. “These are images that remind everyone of God’s power over nature and history, his ability to accomplish his purposes from his people in the most difficult of circumstances, and his ability to redeem his people.” (Smith, 405)

11. “‘Zion’ is a geographical location (in Jerusalem) on earth. We need to understand that God means what He says here.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume III. [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 307)

God Replies

12. “God replied to their prayer with words of comfort (51:12-16; see vv. 3 and 19). He reminded them again of the frailty of man (see 40:6-8) and the power of God the Creator (51:13).” (Wiersbe, 57)

“God’s answer to this prayer brings encouraging news of salvation.” (Smith, 406)

13. “If they would continually remember that God was the Creator who ‘stretched out the heaven and laid the foundation of the earth,’ they would not live in constant fear of their oppressor who were trying to destroy them.” (Smith, 406)

14. The “people of Jerusalem will not die and end of going down into the ‘pit’ (sahat), a euphemism for the grave or Sheol.” (Smith 408)

15. “The profound reason for this change of destiny is wrapped up in the simple statement that ‘I am the Lord your God’…’the Lord Almighty is his name.’” [NIV] (Smith, 408)

16. “God’s plan for the Servant of the Lord would lead to a new creation of the world for God will some day reestablish his relationship to his people, exactly what they were praying for in 51:11 and what God already promised in 51:3-6.” (Smith 410)

References

New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.

McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume III. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
Smith, Gary V., The New American Commentary, Volume 15B, Isaiah 40-66. Nashville, B & H Publishing Group, 2009
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament Prophets. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2002

Admonition Wrath

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