Repeats and Upgrades is my second post from my study of righteousness, it comes from Isaiah. I choose to focus on Isaiah first because it has about eighty “right” references (NASB), Psalms and Proverbs have more and Romans has many also.

I feel it is important to know about Isaiah and the times he lived in. Isaiah’s visions came during the reigns of four kings (1:1) and was probably killed by the fifth one, Manasseh, by being sawed in two (Hebrews 13:37). Ahaz did not do right in the eyes of the Lord. From Uzziah to Isaiah 40 is about 43 years and it is approximately 59 years to the time of Manasseh. Hosea, Micah, and Amos also prophesied during his lifetime. His story is found in 2 Chronicles 26-32, and 2 Kings 15–20. I get the feeling at times that Isaiah edited his visions so they may not be chronological, but that is just me.

“Jesus verses” abound in Isaiah, but that will be a different post.

Something I noticed was the repeated translation of the English word “will”. Chapters 53-56 and 59-62 have “will” used many times. They will make an interesting study.

Repeats

The repeats I want to focus on are words and phrases. It may be an attention device, or it may be to bring a legal witness to the text. The idea of two witnesses is found in Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15. It is repeated in Matthew 18:16, 2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19, and Hebrews 10:28. Yes, in their courts two or more people were required to determine a fact, but in Genesis 15 God was His own witness in the covenant with Abram. It seems the repeats by the Lord bring righteous relationships into focus; both of the legal and personal nature.

The list will all be from Isaiah, so I will write just chapter and verse with the word or phrase. (I hope I get them all. I used the NASB so there may be different words in your translation.)

• 24:16 I am finished! I am finished! Woe to me! I think this is Isaiah stating a complaint like Jeremiah and Habakkuk.  
• 51 and 52, Awake, Awake – 51:9 A call for the arm of the Lord to be strong; 51:17 For Jerusalem, because they were drunk; 52:1 For Zion/Jerusalem to clothe themselves with strength.
• 51:1,4,7 – Listen to me. 1. Those who pursue righteousness and seek the Lord. 4. His people and nation because His justice will be a light to the nations. 7. Those who know what is right and have His law in their hearts.
• 51:5,6,8 –5. His righteousness is near and His salvation has gone out. 6. His salvation is eternal and His righteousness does not fail. 8. His righteousness is forever and His salvation is for all the ages.
• 52:8 Shouts of joy or joyful shouts are commanded 14 times. (NASB translation)
• 52:11 – depart, depart. To leave the “nations” and not touch unclean things. Levities are highlighted as those who carry the vessels of the Lord.
• 55:1 Has four invitations to come and get things from the Lord without cost.
• 55:2 listen, listen. It is a continuation of the offers from verse 1.
• 57:14 Build up, build up. This is to prepare the road. It sounds like the work of John for Jesus and then Jesus for us to come to the Father. See 62:10.
• 57:19 peace, peace. It is for those who are far and near, so the Lord can heal them. The work of Jesus.
• 62:1 The Lord will not keep silent until righteousness and salvation shine out like dawn; for the sake of Zion and Jerusalem.
• 62:10 Pass through, pass through; build up build up; like 57:14 it is a road.

Upgrades

• 9:10 The people of the Northern Kingdom are proclaiming upgrades in defiance to God. Their bricks will be replaced with dressed stone and figs with cedars.
• 41:18-20 Rivers, springs, and pools of water will be in places where they were not or in places to bring life there. Deserts and wastelands will be populated with desirable trees as a sign that the Lord has done this.
• 60:17 Lesser metals will be replaced with more valuable ones. Peace will be their governor and righteousness their ruler.
• 61:3 Instead of ashes on their heads there will be beautiful crowns. Oil will anoint the head and bring gladness instead of mourning. Torn garments of despair will be replaced with garments of praise. Verses 4 through 7 also have upgrades for the people.