[Isaiah 27:1] IN THAT DAY THE LORD WITH HIS SORE AND GREAT AND STRONG SWORD SHALL PUNISH LEVIATHAN THE PIERCING SERPENT, EVEN LEVIATHAN THAT CROOKED SERPENT; AND HE SHALL SLAY THE DRAGON THAT IS IN THE SEA.
This present section of the Commentary relies heavily on Hebrew Commentary of Amos Chacham. This is a modern Orthodox Commentary which emphasizes a scientific knowledge of Hebrew and takes cognizance of traditional Commentaries along with the discoveries and claims of archaeologists and Biblical Historians.
“LEVIATHAN” = a mythical monster representing the forces of evil. Ther amy be three beasts here:
LEVIATHAN THE PIERCING SERPENT; 2. LEVIATHAN THAT CROOKED SERPENT;
THE DRAGON THAT IS IN THE SEA
Alternately they may all represent different aspects of the one creature. As separate beasts the three creatures could represent different kingdoms: Assyria, Babylon, Egypt.
It could also be that there is really always only one Empire of Evil that just flips around from place to place:
Anybody who is an anti-semite in effect worships the devil. Nations dedicated to anti-semitic beliefs embody the beast(s) spoken of here.
Only Israelite nations (such as the USA, Britain, and to some extent France, Holland, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries) really have any record of consistently maintaining even some semblance of relative civilization. People are going to be offended by that statement but the record holds.
[Isaiah 27:2] IN THAT DAY SING YE UNTO HER, A VINEYARD OF RED WINE.
Vineyards were prized possessions. Red wine was considered the best.
[Isaiah 27:3] I THE LORD DO KEEP IT; I WILL WATER IT EVERY MOMENT: LEST ANY HURT IT, I WILL KEEP IT NIGHT AND DAY.
[Isaiah 27:4] FURY IS NOT IN ME: WHO WOULD SET THE BRIERS AND THORNS AGAINST ME IN BATTLE? I WOULD GO THROUGH THEM, I WOULD BURN THEM TOGETHER.
Suddenly, the prophet speaks of a vineyard and even seems to have borrowed phrases from a song used by people working in a vineyard though the Prophet has given it a twist of its own.
[Isaiah 27:5] OR LET HIM TAKE HOLD OF MY STRENGTH, THAT HE MAY MAKE PEACE WITH ME; AND HE SHALL MAKE PEACE WITH ME.
[Isaiah 27:6] HE SHALL CAUSE THEM THAT COME OF JACOB TO TAKE ROOT: ISRAEL SHALL BLOSSOM AND BUD, AND FILL THE FACE OF THE WORLD WITH FRUIT.
Israel will be both numerous and manifold in type and characteristics. Plenty of room for a lot of different growths.
[Isaiah 27:7] HATH HE SMITTEN HIM, AS HE SMOTE THOSE THAT SMOTE HIM? OR IS HE SLAIN ACCORDING TO THE SLAUGHTER OF THEM THAT ARE SLAIN BY HIM?
In the end no matter what we have suffered those who afflicted us will be afflicted more than we were.
[Isaiah 27:8] IN MEASURE, WHEN IT SHOOTETH FORTH, THOU WILT DEBATE WITH IT: HE STAYETH HIS ROUGH WIND IN THE DAY OF THE EAST WIND.
[Isaiah 27:9] BY THIS THEREFORE SHALL THE INIQUITY OF JACOB BE PURGED; AND THIS IS ALL THE FRUIT TO TAKE AWAY HIS SIN; WHEN HE MAKETH ALL THE STONES OF THE ALTAR AS CHALKSTONES THAT ARE BEATEN IN SUNDER, THE GROVES AND IMAGES SHALL NOT STAND UP.
When Israel destroys his false altars then will his sins be forgiven him.
[Isaiah 27:10] YET THE DEFENCED CITY SHALL BE DESOLATE, AND THE HABITATION FORSAKEN, AND LEFT LIKE A WILDERNESS: THERE SHALL THE CALF FEED, AND THERE SHALL HE LIE DOWN, AND CONSUME THE BRANCHES THEREOF.
He speaks here of the city of the enemy that shall be destroyed and a desolation.
[Isaiah 27:11] WHEN THE BOUGHS THEREOF ARE WITHERED, THEY SHALL BE BROKEN OFF: THE WOMEN COME, AND SET THEM ON FIRE: FOR IT IS A PEOPLE OF NO UNDERSTANDING: THEREFORE HE THAT MADE THEM WILL NOT HAVE MERCY ON THEM, AND HE THAT FORMED THEM WILL SHEW THEM NO FAVOUR.
“A PEOPLE OF NO UNDERSTANDING” One cannot plead innocence. There are certain things one is obliged to clarify and find out for oneself as far as one is able.
[Isaiah 27:12] AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE LORD SHALL BEAT OFF FROM THE CHANNEL OF THE RIVER UNTO THE STREAM OF EGYPT, AND YE SHALL BE GATHERED ONE BY ONE, O YE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
“THE CHANNEL OF THE RIVER i.e. The Euphrates UNTO THE STREAM OF EGYPT”- i.e. the Nile but the phrase means all of the civilised world will be beaten (suffer calamities) and somehow as a result of this the Israelites amongst them will come forth and gather together into one place. Perhaps the misfortunes that befall Europe and caused refugees of Israelite descent to populate America was one aspect of this prophecy?
[Isaiah 27:13] AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE GREAT TRUMPET SHALL BE BLOWN, AND THEY SHALL COME WHICH WERE READY TO PERISH IN THE LAND OF ASSYRIA, AND THE OUTCASTS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE HOLY MOUNT AT JERUSALEM.
WHICH WERE READY TO PERISH [Hebrew: Ovdim = were lost, or in the process of getting lost, or wandering] IN THE LAND OF ASSYRIA [i.e. the LTTs], AND THE OUTCASTS [i.e. the descendants of Captive Jews] IN THE LAND OF EGYPT
The next chapter continues the theme and mentions “Ephraim”
[Isaiah 28:1] WOE TO THE CROWN OF PRIDE, TO THE DRUNKARDS OF EPHRAIM
This is a confirmation of our understanding that the LTTs are bveing addressed either exclusively or in part alongside Judah.
They will WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE HOLY MOUNT AT JERUSALEM
The Temple will be rebuilt.
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