Isaiah 52:11-53:12

ELS for Isa 52 and 53

First described 14^th century rabbi Rabbeynu Bachayah in Torah.  Then taken up by Sir Isaac Newton 18^th century, then during WWI picked up by a Czech Rabbi.  He discovered “ELS”.  Even he thought perhaps random. 

 

However, if you start with Genesis 1:1 and go to the first occurrence of the letter Tav (which is at the end of the first word bereshit, “In [the] beginning”) and count 49 letters, ou come to the letter Vav (50th letter); count another 49 letters and you arrive at Resh; and 49 letters again and you come to the letter Heh—put these together: Tav, Vav, Resh, Heh and you spell a Hebrew word: TORaH. It is most interesting that the same thing happens with the first lines of Exodus, the second book of Torah. If you begin with the first Tav (the end of the second word shemot), count 49 letters, you come to a Vav, another 49 letters to a Resh, and a fourth 49 letters you end up with a Heh—again TORaH in Hebrew. The third book of the Torah, Leviticus, has a similar pattern, but this time the sacred Name of God (YHVH/Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey) is spelled out every seven letters, beginning with the first Yod. Numbers and Deuteronomy continue the pattern, but with the word TORaH spelled backwards, every 49 letters. The sacred Name YHVH also is found at the end each of these five books, also at intervals of 49 letters.

 

What is interesting is the way in which these key terms: Torah and YHVH, appear precisely where they do—at the opening and closing of the Five Books of the Torah, and in a balanced sequence of forward and backward spelling—with YHVH opening Leviticus, at a sequence of seven letters.  Chance?

 

But, now with computers…1988 a group of Jewish scholars, published in the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society.  And in August, 1994 these incredible findings were again documented in a respected scientific journal called Statistical Science. Before publication, the results were studied against random results for two full years. Results were confirmed by opposing scholars who did not want to believe that the Bible could contain such mathematically intricate data. These papers received the following comment from one proponent: “This scientific discovery is earth shaking in its consequences because it reveals a staggering level of mathematical design and intelligence which could only have been produced by a supernatural mind, providing unshakable mathematical proof that the Bible was truly inspired by God.”   

 

These two chapters are perhaps some of the most significant “Messianic” prophesies in all of Scripture.  Using ELS we find some amazing things: 

 

Using every 20 letter in Is 53:10, it reads: “Yeshua is my name”

 

Using various other patterns we have the following:

 

Pierced                                                             (Is 52:10)

His cross                                                          (Is 53:6)

Let Him be crucified                                         (Is 53:8)

The Disciples                                                    (Is 53:12)

Peter                                                                (Is 53:10)

Matthew                                                           (Is 53:8)

John                                                                 (Is 53:10)

Andrew                                                            (Is 53:4)

Philip                                                                (Is 53:5)

Thomas                                                            (Is 53:2)

2 different James’                                             (Is 52:2)

Simon                                                               (Is 52:14)

Thaddaeus                                                        (Is 53:12)

(No number sequence ever gave Judas’ name)

But they did find:

Matthias                                                           (Is 53:5)

                                                           

Not enough?

3 different Mary’s                                             (Is 43:9)

Nazarene                                                          (Is 53:6)

Messiah                                                            (Is 53:11)

Passover                                                          (Is 53:10)

Herod                                                              (Is 53:6)

Anninias                                                           (Is 53:3)

Caiaphas                                                          (Is 52:15)

 

Chapter 53:  “Mt. Everest of Prophecy”, “the deepest and the loftiest thing that Old Testament prophecy…ever achieved.”  Tab built around Holy of Holies.  The reason for the rest...Same here.  The atoning sacrifice of Messiah.  A sacrifice that would “sprinkle many nations” and “bare the sin of many”. 

According Wiersbe, quoted >40 times NT as THE proof JC Messiah and had die and resurrect.  This why Peter could stand at Pentecost, “delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God” to be crucified.  God not only foreknew, planned! 

 

In these meager 15 vss, no less than a dozen specific re: to minute details surrounding Messiah’s brutal death, burial and resurrection.  As if, the eyes of prophet look 700 years advance and lead us as walk w/ Jesus from Pilate's court to His tomb.  Isa watched Him judged, crucified, buried and resurrected, 8 centuries before it took place in history.  Just in case not enough, God has even more amazing proofs.  ELS! 

 

52:13 JC lifted “very high” before God.  Phil 2:9-11, 1 Tim 6:15 “the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords… Up until 12^th century, rabbis agreed this the Son of David promised to Israel.  That is until it struck them that it pointed too clearly to a single man, whom they rejected. 

 

53:1a 2 questions?  Isa constantly faced unbelief, and shown it continue.  He anticipates how strange this Servant greater than all earthly kings and yet “Who believes?”  Jn 12:37-38 quotes…Still true today and makes no sense.   

 

53:2  Jesus wasn’t mighty!  Not even attractive…Not born royalty but very poor peasants.  David’s throne verily dead under Rome.  Very unlikely time for David’s “King” be born.  Born where? A stall.  Followers”  Fishermen and commoners.  Never gained wealth, died w/ thieves.  Even modern followers are non-spectacular.  1 Cor 1:26.  **Side Note**--We often have ideas about what people look like and are dead wrong.  He came to relate, aren’t you glad He wasn’t a supermodel? 

 

53:3  2X “despised”.  How?  “Rejected/Forsaken”, “We hid our faces”, “We did not esteem Him”.  The disciples running?  The thousands under pressure shouted, Mt 27 the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.  His blood be on us and on our children. Isa, seems to mutter “We...did this.”  **Side Note**  If you have ever felt alone or abandoned, so did JC.  Jn 1:11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.  However, He also experienced something no one ever has to experience again, but some will Mk 15:34…Hb 13:5b      

 

53:4  He was rejected and considered accursed by the very people healed.  Mt 9:34 He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons. 
When they succeeded in crucifying, they used as evidence God not with Him.  Mt 27:39-44  Even then He cried out Lk 23:34. 

 

53:5a Who responsible?  Jews?  Romans?  Sinners!  Can see Isa murmuring, “It’s our fault!”  **Side Note**  “Wounded” literally “pierced through.”  A bodily wound, not just mental anguish. 300 years earlier, David…Ps 22:16  For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.  200 years after, Zech 12:10…they will look on Me whom they pierced What be more unlikely?  Crucifixion wasn’t Jewish and wasn’t even Roman until right before Jesus born. 

 

53:5b Do you want to know what awaits a sinner who comes face to face with God.  Look at the cross.  But this “discipline” was poured upon Him for us.  Rm 5:1 we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…

 

53:5c So much debate about this verse.  Spiritual?  Physical?  What did Peter say?  1 Pt 2:24-25…

 

53:6  Ben describing Messiah until now.  Now describes us.  Stupid, headstrong.  (Mt 9:36, sheep w/out Shepherd)  JC said,  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. (Jn 10:11)

53:7  Remember Pilate “marveling” Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!"  But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?"  Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. From then on Pilate sought to release Him…Pilate wanted free JC, but wouldn’t speak.  No whine, whimper complaint.  Job did, Jer, Hab, but not JC.  Opened not His mouth!  Trusted the Father completely, even when all wrong.  1 Pt 2:23 I am continually opening my mouth, how about you?  Peter compares this glacier to my ice cube…1 Pt 2:18-23.

53:10a                  God “crushed” Him on purpose.  A “sin offering”.  Absolutely most important part of chpt.  Means every blow, whip, hammer strike came from Lord to punish the sins of billions.  Sin offerings of Lv tells much.  Lv 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.!  Hands, kill, blood poured out.  Not a “donation”, poured out LIFE for man’s sin (Is 53:12).  This is what John meant Jn 1:29

 

53:11 You cannot pour out your soul as a sin offering AND prolong your days AND see those justified unless you’ve been resurrected!  Jesus rose from the dead and God told us to expect it.  David (1000 BC)  Ps 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption., Hosea 6:2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.

Surely this chapter sets JC alone in history as the only man who could ever qualify to be the Messiah.  If it doesn't refer to Him, it can't refer to any other person in history.  The importance of His suffering infinitely surpasses any and all sufferings that have ever been endured on earth.  A sin offering!  If time permits insert JC Name into Scripture and read again.