Conclusion of Reasons for Confidence in Jehovah

Speaking to the "people who are pursuing after righteousness,"  Jehovah now says:  "Listen to me you the ones knowing righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law.  Do not be afraid of the reproach of mortal men, and do not be struck with terror just because of their abusive words.  For the moth will eat them p just as if wool.  But as for my righteousness, it will prove to be even to time indefinite, and my salvation to unnumbered generations." (Isaiah 51:7, 8) Those trusting in Jehovah will be vilified  and reproached for their courageous stand, but this is not something to be feared.  The reproachers are mere mortals who will be 'eaten up.' just as a woolen garment is consumed by a moth.  Like faithful Jews of old, true Christians of today have no reason to fear any who oppose them.  Jehovah, the eternal God,  is their salvation.  (Psalm 37:1, 2)  Reproach from God's enemies stands as evidence that Jehovah's people have his spirit. -Matthew  5:11, 12; 10:24-31.

As if calling Jehovah to action in behalf of  His captive people, Isaiah says:  "Awake, awake, clothes yourself with strength, O arm of Jehovah! Awake as in the days of long ago, as during the one that broke Rehab to pieces, that pierced the sea monster? Are you not the one that made the depths of the sea a way for the repurchased ones to go across?" -Isaiah 51:9, 10.

The historical example of which Isaiah speaks are well chosen. Every Israelite knows of the nation's deliverance from Egypt and passage through the Red Sea.  (Exodus 12:24-27; 14:26-31)  The expressions "Rehab" and  "the sea monster" refer to Egypt under her Pharaoh who opposed Israel's Exodus from Egypt.  (Psalm 74:13; 87:4; Isaiah 30:7) With its head at the Nile Delta and its elongated body stretching hundreds of miles up the fertile Nile Valley, ancient Egypt resembled  a monstrous serpent. (Ezekiel 29:3) But this monster was cut to pieces when Jehovah poured out the Ten Plagues upon it.  It was pierced, sorely wounded, and enfeebled when its army showed the power of his arm in his dealings with Egypt. Will he be any less ready to fight for his people exiled in Babylon?

Now looking ahead to Israel's deliverance from Babylon, the prophecy continues:  "Then  the redeemed ones of Jehovah themselves will return and must come to Zion with a joyful outcry, and rejoicing to time indefinite will be upon their head. To exultation and rejoicing they will attain.  Grief and sighing will certainly flee away."  (Isaiah 51:11)  However sad their situation may be in Babylon, those who seek Jehovah's righteousness have glorious  prospects.  The time will come when grief and sighing will be no more.  A joyful outcry, rejoicing, exultation-these will be heard from lips of the redeemed , or ransomed, ones.  In the modern fulfillment of those prophetic words, the Israel of God was released from Babylonish captivity in 1919. They returned to their spiritual estate with great rejoicing-rejoicing that has continued down until today.

what will be the price of the redemption of the Jews?  Isaiah's prophecy has already revealed  that Jehovah gives "Egypt as a ransom for you, Ethiopia and Seba in place of you."  (Isaiah 43:1-4) This will take place later. After conquering Babylon and releasing the Jewish captives, the Persian Empire will conquer Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba.  Those will be given in place of the Israelite's souls. This in harmony with the principle stated at Proverbs 21:18: "The wicked is a ransom for the righteous one; and the one dealing treacherously takes the place of the upright ones." 

Next time: Further Reassurance

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, Volume II, 2001