Isaiah 59:16-19 He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm [z’roah in Hebrew] brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him. For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay, Fury to His adversaries, Recompense to His enemies; The coastlands He will fully repay. So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in, like a flood The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.
The Hebrew expression in this verse from Isaiah is rich with meaning. The root “nus” (from the expression “raise up a standard”) is related to or sounds like numerous words which mean “sign”, “miracle”, “to drive away”, “to flee”, “cause to disappear”, “a waving flag”. This abundance of meanings in Isaiah’s poetic style reveals the multiple dimensions of God’s revelation; in this case, the way he deals with evil. The assertion in this word is that the Spirit of YHVH will be powerfully activated when evil comes.
Whether the enemy comes in like a flood, and then the LORD raises a standard against him…or, the enemy comes in, and like a flood, the LORD works miraculously and drives him away, the clear meaning and promise is that the presence of evil will not go unnoticed. God will respond powerfully, in His own way, and in His own time.
We’ve often spoken of the increase of wickedness in these last days; virtually every day some new scandal appears. Evil is on the rise; its power being consolidated in many areas of social, political, and personal life. Our identification with the one true God who raises His standard in response to this wickedness, calls us to be His “standard bearers” in the midst of the flood of evil around us. This is not easy, but is a high calling for faith-filled and disciplined saints.
Our challenge now, more than ever before, is, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We cannot bear Yeshua’s standard if we yield to become like the world around us. Only by abiding, praying, staying close to Him, can we represent our Lord. Let’s continue to encourage one another…daily.
In Hebrew there is no punctuation marks and a comma can change the entire meaning of a passage. For example, When the enemy shall come in like a flood , compared to When the enemy shall come in, like a flood … one little comma can change the whole meaning of the verse. In one instance, it’s the enemy coming to overwhelm — whereas the meaning behind the passage is not the enemy is overwhelming — but being overwhelmed by the Spirit of God! Who knew a comma could mean so much! :)
@worthyopinions:disqus Praise Almighty God!!! You are SO RIGHT brother George!!!…one comma CAN CHANGE…and often does with the Un-Called For?/UNLEARNED who prematurely? become teachers!!!
My late pastor did the same interpretive error!!! Pastor Charles Jennings at Truth In History Ministry…can be FOUND Online…was the FIRST teacher of this passage that explained it EXACTLY as you did…the Spirit’s Life MUST be INFUSED in The Word…for the letter kills…and the Spirit gives the Word it’s True Light of Meaning…NO Private interpretations makes perfect sense…rightly dividing the Word…NOT suppressing ANY Truth in Unrighteousness…IT ALL MATTERS!!!
In His Name, Love, and Service…Akachristian
I love your article on standard bearer
I would like more.