Finally, in verses 45-50, Stephen reviews hundreds of years of history, from Joshua to David and Solomon. He finishes with a quote from Isaiah.
Reading Isaiah 56:6-8 reminds me of Jesus’ cleansing of the temple.
The Lord’s house is a house of prayer.
So my home can be a house of prayer as well.
In Acts 28:24-28, Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10.
The words of the prophets were the words of the Holy Spirit.
The first reference to the Holy Spirit is found in Psalm 51.
The psalm’s heading reads, “For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.” This account is recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12.
It is fascinating that the Bible’s first mention of the Holy Spirit (in isolation from God the Father and Son) is found in a song and prayer of repentance after David’s most grievous sin.
The only other mention of the Holy Spirit by name in the Old Testament is found in Isaiah 63.
In verses 7-14, Isaiah reviews one of Israel’s many rebellions. It is in this context, anguish in sin, that we read about the Holy Spirit.
I am surprised by this pattern.
At least, in verse 12, we read that God gives Jesus the props he deserves for his selfless sacrifice.
Glad that Jesus did this for the “many.”
Verse 10 highlights just how intentional Jesus’ sacrifice was.
God actively allowed Jesus to suffer so that he could be a guilt offering.
This verse suggests that the Messiah wouldn’t have any children.
Why would this even be mentioned?
Weird considering the possibility that Jesus might have had a family.
In this verse, Jesus models wise behavior in the face of opposition.
It’s a lesson I almost never apply.
I rarely keep my mouth shut when I’m frustrated.
The opening question of this passage implies that without divine revelation, it would be impossible to understand Jesus accurately.
The next four verses describe Jesus’ low status.
The last two verses explain the theological significance of his sacrifice.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on Isaiah 52:13-15
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes, same passage
The phrase which stands out most to me is v. 14b: “his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man”
