Sunday, 9 December 2007

Matthew 3: High and Low in Isaiah

Isaiah 40:4 says that every valley will be lifted high and every mountain laid low. When I was at college I did a search on high and low in Isaiah and here is what I found:


In general there are two that are raised high in Isaiah.
1. God himself. Lots of times. Clearest: 'I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.' (6:1)
2. Human sinners are said to exalt themselves. This is one of the chief sins in Isaiah. 'The Lord Almighty has a day in store for the proud and lofty, for all the exalted and they will be humbled ... for all the towering hills and lofty mountains ... the arrogance of man will be brought low.' (2:12-18)

Perhaps this is what is meant by the highway of God. The arrogant will be brought low. This was certainly part of John's ministry. The humble are also a theme in Isaiah ... they will be lifted up.
I'd prefer to be a valley made high rather than a mountain laid low.


PS. There is one other who is said to be rightly lifted up - and he is the suffering servant. Three times it is said: 'See my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.' (52:13)

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