One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the world are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
Thanks.the chapter is intended to give courage in the face of the enemy, by comparing the might of Jehovah with the nations.
In addition to @Complete's very good answer above, I would suggest another reading of the quoted verses, and realise that they aren't referring to God's people, but the nations of the world. Those nations in due time, which I believe is not too far distant, are destined for destruction anyway.One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the word are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
This should not be disturbing to you but cause to shout and glorify God for the work He does on the planet towards those He will save. Let the dead bury their dead. YOU follow ME, He says.One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the world are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the world are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
False dichotomy. what's the supposed connection between "human political systems", and "People of the WORD"???One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the word are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the word are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
17 All nations before him are as nothing;One of the verses that I find disturbing is Isaiah 40:17
The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.
If the people of the word are worth nothing, then why Creation & Salvation through Christ?
Wow! Thanks. That was very insightful.Kinda puts a large crack in the theology that "God loves everyone/world" and "Jesus died for everyone" doesn't it.
God saves His covenant people Israel.
Gentiles are being saved without covenant.
The rest ("all nations") are the scraps and are worth nothing.
The fear mentioned in Scripture usually means "reverent respect" and not the terror you may be thinking it is.Wow! Thanks. That was very insightful.
I suppose the "disturbing" feeling is a shadow of fear, fear of YHWH, which is the beginning of wisdom, right?
That would be true if Jesus as High Priest before offering sacrifice would have prayed for the "world", but He didn't.If you understand the context, then the answer is perfectly correct.
"nations"....... think of it like this...>"the United Nations".. or "Nato"
Think of it like this... reader....... Satan showed Jesus all the nations = all the " KINGDOMS"........
See all that?
That's not the people.........the idea is....."Man's creation" =as a "nation".
Understand that.... "For God so loved the WORLD"....... is not "For God so loved the United Nations", or "the powers of the world under the control of elected leaders or dictators"....ect.
See, God became one of us, not to save Nations, .. but to save the world.
The world is this...
"Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS"..... and not the kingdoms or nations that Sinners have created by the power of the Devil, in many cases.
The fear mentioned in Scripture usually means "reverent respect" and not the terror you may be thinking it is.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
Jn 17:9.
We get sooo deep our voices change.Exactly.
And lets go deeper., reader.
Let me show you what i teach my Students, so that you get the exact understanding of this verse, that scares believers.
Lets solve that nonsense....
1.) "work out your salvation with fear and trembling".
You know that one.... sure.
A.) Read it like this....."Work out the Salvation, that God has given you as , the Gift of Salvation, with awe and wonder"..
See that?
That is the verse's meaning..
2.) Its teaching, that you have salvation......and of course you do, if you are born again, and not just water baptized and religious.
Listen..
IF You are born again.... You Have received Christ who is your redemption, who is your Salvation, and you are "In Christ" and "Christ in YOU, the hope of Glory", and "Glory" is heaven.
A.) So, now having "the Gift of Salvation", you are to learn how to exist in it, according to the knowledge of God.
This means, you are to understand what it means to have become "a NEW CREATION, in Christ"... and learn to have the MIND.
That's how you "work it out".
Its by gaining = THE revelation knowledge, regarding who you have become as "THE.... righteousness..,. OF GOD..... In Christ".
The whole chapter Jesus Christ makes distinction between "THEM" and "the world."That verse is talking about the apostles.
Notice that Jesus has not died for the sin of the world yet.... so, he's not Talking about Gentiles, which concludes that He's still only dealing with the House of Israel, in your verse.
All you have to do, is just keep reading the next few verses, and it'll become clear to you, that Christ is talking about his Jewish apostles., etc.
Try it.
The whole chapter Jesus Christ makes distinction between "THEM" and "the world."