Isaías 1
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Isaías 1:1
Guzik notes that "There are at least seven men by the name of Isaiah in the Bible, but only one is Isaiah, the son of Amoz." Easton's Bible Dictionary says that in regard to Isaiah's personal history little is positively known. He is supposed by some to have been the "man of God" spoken of in 2Chr 25:7, 8. Rich Cathers in his introductory comments notes that… The book of Isaiah is the first book in the section of the Old Testament that we call the "prophets". It is the Old Testament book that has the clearest picture of the coming Messiah. John, the forerunner of Christ, began his ministry with a quote from Isaiah (Mat. 3:3). Jesus preached His first sermon in Nazareth from Isaiah (Luke 4:17, 18, 19, 20, 21). The New Testament quotes from Isaiah more than from any other prophet. This is not a book that was written all at once, in a single sitting. There are various sections of the book, and it is the compiling of the writings of a man over sixty years. There will be times that the prophetic message is aimed at Isaiah’s time. There will be times when the prophetic message is aimed far in the future. There will be times when the message has a double effect with both a near and far prophecy. (Isaiah 1:1-20) Concerning Judah and Jerusalem : This verse clearly states to whom this prophecy is directly addressed - the southern kingdom of Judah and its capital city, the Holy City of Jerusalem. Keep in mind that for the first portion of Isaiah's ministry (739-722BC), the Northern Kingdom was still in existence. As an aside note that the prophecy is not directed to the church, contrary to what some of the commentaries state. McGee as usual offers a pithy comment…I am sure that we will not make the mistake of locating either one anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. There is, however, a marvelous application for America today—one that we need to hear and heed. (Thru the Bible Commentary) Judah and Jerusalem - This combination occurs throughout both the first (1-39) and second (40-66) sections of Isaiah - See the 11 occurrences - Isa 1:1, 2:1,3:1, 3:8, 5:3, 7:1, 22:21, 36:7, 37:10, 40:9, 44:26. Vine adds that…The subject is Judah and Jerusalem and it is to be noticed that this twofold theme is prominent in chapters 40-66 as much as in 1-39, and that it involves a constant reference throughout the book to the whole nation of Israel. Jamieson - Other nations also are the subjects of his prophecies; but only in their relation to the Jews (Isa 13:1-23:18 - In the time of Isaiah, Israel was a little nation often caught in the middle of the wars between three superpowers: Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon); so also the ten tribes of Israel are introduced only in the same relation (Isa 7:1-9:21). Jerusalem is particularly specified, being the site of the temple, and the center of the theocracy, and the future throne of Messiah (Ps 48:2, 3, 9; Jer 3:17). Jesus Christ is the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Re 5:5). Which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah: Isa 6:1; 7:1, 3; 14:27; 20:1; 36:1; 38:1; 39:1; 2Chr 26:1-32; Ho 1:1; Amos 1:1; Mic 1:1) Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah - Three good, godly kings and one evil king (Ahaz) HISTORICAL CONTEXT: A Timeline of Isaiah** 790 - Uzziah (790-739BC) becomes king of Judah, reigns 52 years 759 - Jotham becomes king of Judah assuming reign when Uzziah becomes leprous 742 - Micah begins his prophetic ministry (cp ministry to Hezekiah Jer 26:18, 19, Mic 3:12) 739 - Isaiah begins prophetic ministry in year King Uzziah died (Isa 6:1f) 731 - Ahaz becomes king of Judah (2Ki 15:38, 16:1, 2Chr 28:1) 726 - Hezekiah becomes 12th king of Judah (2Ki 16:20, 18:1,2) and one of 3 best (2Ki 18:5) 722 - Shalmaneser (2Ki 17:3, 18:9) dies while besieging Samaria, Sargon seizes crown 722 - Sargon of Assyria (Sargon) (Is 20:1) conquers Samaria (2Ki 17:6, 18:9, 10, 11, 12) 701 - Sennacherib (son of Sargon) of Assyria lays siege to Jerusalem 695 - Manasseh becomes king of Judah (2Ki 21:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) 627 - Jeremiah begins prophetic ministry 586 - Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah (Source: The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers) HISTORICAL CONTEXT: SUMMARY OF JUDAH'S KINGS (See discussion of kings below) - In some ways, the time of Isaiah was not the darkest in Judah because three of the four kings, Uzziah, Jotham and Hezekiah were good and godly rulers who sought to serve and glorify God. But these days were extremely dark and ominous because of the menace of the formidable kingdom of Assyria in the north. In fact, it was early in the ministry of Isaiah (739-681BC) that the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel were carried away into captivity in Assyria (722BC). And as you will discover in especially the first 6 chapters of Isaiah, these days were spiritually dark days, days in dire need of a prophetic voice of warning and reason (cp Isa 1:18). Ryrie describes the times of Isaiah… (Isaiah) warned vigorously against foreign alliances and urged Judah to trust the Lord (Isa 7:4; 30:1-17). He also attacked the social ills of the day, not because he was a social reformer, but because he saw those abuses as symptoms of spiritual declension (Isa 1:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 58:6, 7, 8, 9, 10). During the latter half of the eighth century Judah seemingly was about to follow the example of apostasy of the 10 northern tribes of Israel (who were captured by Assyria in 722 B.C.). King Ahaz foolishly looked to Assyria for protection, even though Isaiah told him the Northern Kingdom would shortly fall at the hands of the Assyrians (Isa 8:3, 4). Hezekiah, Ahaz's God-fearing son, instituted spiritual reforms but sought the help of Egypt in foreign affairs. Egypt fell before Sennacherib of Assyria, and only through divine intervention was Judah saved from the same fate (Isa 37:36, 37). During the reign of Manasseh, idolatrous practices were reinstated, and Isaiah warned of the inevitability of the Babylonian captivity. He also gave assurance of the preservation of the people and restoration of the nation. (Borrow Ryrie Study Bible) Take a moment to at least briefly survey the lives of these four kings, to get a good sense of the political and cultural climate in Judah during the days Isaiah. Remember that as the rulers of the nation go, so go the people, and you will see Isaiah's prophecy frequently addressing the conduct of the rulers and laity in Judah. A sense of the "spiritual climate" will help understand Isaiah's various prophecies. EXCURSUS ON THE HIGH PLACES To help understand the spiritual compromise and decline that occurred in Judah it is helpful to understand the nature of the high places (Hebrew word = bamah - 01116 - click to study a few of the 100+ uses of Bamah and note especially the stark contrast between the true and the counterfeit high places in the 2 uses in Psalms) which describe… an eminence, natural or artificial, where worship by sacrifice or offerings was made (1Ki 13:32; 2Ki 17:29). The first altar after the Flood was built on a mountain (Ge 8:20). Abraham also built an altar on a mountain (Ge 12:7, 8). It was on a mountain in Gilead that Laban and Jacob offered sacrifices (Ge 31:54). After the Israelites entered the Promised Land they were strictly enjoined to overthrow the high places of the Canaanites (Ex 34:13; Dt 7:5; 12:2, 3), and they were forbidden to worship the Lord on high places (Dt 12:11, 12, 13, 14), and were enjoined to use but one altar for sacrifices (Lv 17:3, 4; Dt. 12; 16:21). The injunction against high places was, however, very imperfectly obeyed, and we find again and again mention made of them (2Ki 14:4; 15:4, 35:2Chr 15:17, etc.). (Click bamah for more description of High Places) ISAIAH'S MINISTRY 739-681BC Isaiah began his prophetic ministry in the final year of King Uzziah’s reign (740BC, Isa 6:1) and extended into the later years of Hezekiah’s reign, which ended in 686BC. Jamieson comments that "The Old Testament prophecies spiritually interpret the histories, as the New Testament Epistles interpret the Gospels and Acts. Study them together, to see their spiritual relations. Isaiah prophesied for only a few years before Uzziah's death; but his prophecies of that period (Isa 1:1-6:13) apply to Jotham's reign also, in which he probably wrote none; for Isa 7:1-25 enters immediately on Ahaz' reign, after Uzziah in Isa 6:1-13; the prophecies under Hezekiah follow next. UZZIAH (AZARIAH) 790-739BC (1) Uzziah (strength of Jehovah - Dictionary Articles) was Judah's 11th king and for the greater part of his 52 year reign he lived in the fear of God, conducting himself as a wise and godly king. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. 3 And he did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 4 Only the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. (bamah)(2Ki 15:2, 3, 4) Unlike his contemporaries, the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Uzziah never deserted the worship of the one true and living God, and was influenced by the prophet Zechariah (2Chr 26:5). God blessed the southern kingdom of Judah with a degree of material prosperity not known since seen the reign of King Solomon. Sadly, Uzziah's end was less noble than his beginning, for… when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly (Pr 11:2, 16:18, 18:12, 29:23, Isa 2:11, 12), and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the LORD, valiant men. 18 And they opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, "It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful, and will have no honor from the LORD God." 19 But Uzziah, with a censer in his hand for burning incense, was enraged; and while he was enraged with the priests, the leprosy broke out on his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, beside the altar of incense. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous on his forehead; and they hurried him out of there, and he himself also hastened to get out because the LORD had smitten him. 21 And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the LORD. And Jotham his son was over the king's house judging the people of the land. (2Chr 26:16-21) Uzziah Nave's Topical summary of Uzziah's life (the best description is 2Chr 26:1-23)… Called Azariah. King of Judah, 2Ki 14:21; 15:1, 2; 2Chr 26:1, 2, 3. Rebuilds Elath, 2Ki 14:22; 2Chr 26:2. Reigns righteously, 2Ki 15:3; 2Chr 26:4, 5 Defeats the Philistines, 2Chr 26:6, 7. Takes tribute from the Ammonites; strengthens the kingdom, 2Chr. 26:8. Strengthens the fortifications of Jerusalem, 2Chr 26:9. Promotes cattle raising and agriculture, 2Chr 26:10. Military establishment of, 2Chr 26:11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Burns incense; stricken with leprosy 2Chr 26:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21; 2Ki 15:5 Jotham ruled 7 years as regent during Uzziah's quarantine of, 2Ki 15:5; 2Chr 26:21. Death of, 2Ki 15:7; 2Chr 26:23. History of Uzziah was written by Isaiah, 2Chr 26:22; Isa 1:1. Great earthquake occurred during his reign, Amos 1:1; Zec 14:5. John
Isaías 1:27-31
Guzik comments… It is good to be ashamed and embarrassed over sin. There is something wrong with us when we are shameless or beyond embarrassment. God promised He would give Judah the gift of shame and embarrassment over sin again. Gardens - These were not place authorized by God for sacrifices. Later in Isaiah God again refers to the gardens, describing His rebellious people as… Isa 65:3, 4 A people who continually provoke (kacas = to provoke to anger as does idolatry - 1Ki 14:9, Ps 106:29, Ezek 8:17) Me to My face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks, who sit among graves (commune with the dead) and spend the night in secret places; who eat swine's flesh, and the broth of unclean meat is in their pots … Isa 66:17 Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens, following one in the center, who eat swine's flesh, detestable things, and mice, Shall come to an end altogether," declares the LORD. Clearly the gardens (the creation) were places which Judah had examined carefully (see word study on bahar/bachar below) and chosen over their Creator as places in which they would commit gross, vulgar, obscene idolatry. LOOKING… … CHOOSING Chosen (0977 - בָּחַר - choice, choicest, choose, chooses, choosing, chose) (bahar/bachar) is an interesting verb for it links looking with choosing. In other words, the picture conveyed by bahar is that the inhabitants of Judah examined the situation (in context they took a keen look at idolatry and the associated debauched, sensual idolatrous lifestyle!) and made their choice for the lifeless, licentious idols instead of the majestic, infinite, living God of all Creation. In other words their rejection of the Creator and choice for the creation (idols - cp Ro 1:25-note) was not simply an arbitrary whim but involved a thorough examination! Bahar/bachar also conveys the sense that what they chose is what they desired or delighted in, and the Greek verb epithumeo (see word study) used in the Septuagint to translate bahar/bachar substantiates this interpretation. Epithumeo (epi = upon + thumos = passion, "covet" in Ro 7:7-note, Ro 13:9-note) and pictures a strong impulse toward something. Judah after looking carefully at idolatry developed a strong desire for the unholy over the holy! Be careful what you look at beloved! NT believers dare not miss this warning (1Cor 10:6,11) - - When we begin to examine closely (gazing rather than glancing!) what the world has to offer and delight in and desire for it more that what Jehovah has to offer (forgetting truths like Gal 6:14, 1Jn 2:15, 16, 17, Jas 4:4!), we are on fast track to coveting evil and will reap what we sow (Gal 6:7, 8)! Let us all seek diligently to set a guard over our eyes (Ps 101:3-note) and heart (Pr 4:23-note) when we see what happened to Judah, lest we think we stand. Instead we must continually take heed that we do not fall into the same deadly temptation and trap! A BRIEF EXCURSUS ON… IDOLATRY & IMMORALITY In Paul's divinely inspired "pattern of moral devolution" in Romans 1 (see below), notice how suppression (which implies they know the truth about God but choose to hold it down!) and rejection of the knowledge of the true God naturally "devolves" into worship of false gods and how this false worship in turn is intimately associated with the practice of sexual immorality in all forms! Paul's analysis below makes it quite clear that idolatry is almost always associated with immorality ... Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures (idolatry). 24 Therefore God gave them over (paradidomi [word study] = a judicial term in Greek, used for handing over a prisoner to his deserved sentence. When men consistently abandon God, He abandons them to their own desires! Woe!) in the lusts of their hearts to impurity (a general term describing decaying matter, like the contents of a grave and in context speaks of sexual immorality), that their bodies might be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie (an idol is a lie, a false representation of God), and worshiped and served the creature (idolatry) rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them over (God's judicial sentence because of their idolatry was to deliverer them over to the power of) to degrading (dishonoring, disgracing, shameful) passions (which resulted in erotic activity with members of their own sex); for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." (Romans 1:22-27)(see notes beginning with Ro 1:22) Comment: When men suppress the truth about God and fail to give thanks to Him and honor Him (Ro 1:18, 19-note, Ro 1:20, 21-note), they jettison one of their greatest "protectants" against sexual immorality - knowing God. Notice the same spiritual dynamic in 1Thessalonians 4:5 (note) where the Gentiles are "defined" as those who do not know God and this failure to know God (cp Jn 17:3) is linked by Paul with their practice of lustful passions. It follows that the way to defeat lustful passions is to know God. In 2Cor 11:3 the deception by the devil is to draw men's thoughts (the battle is in our mind, to lead astray our minds where mind = noema [word study], cp Ep 6:16-note, Ep 6:17-note, 2Cor 10:3, 4, 5-note) away from the simplicity (single-mindedness) and purity of devotion to Christ. Again it follows that the best defense against being led astray (by the devil or by the lust of our flesh, James 1:14, 15-note) is to maintain a single hearted (sincere), pure devotion to Christ (i.e., know God!) Sheep are always safest when they remain close to the Chief Shepherd. In summary, the best defense in our life-long fight (cp 1Pe 2:11-see note -- Note also that "wage war" = present tense = continually; 1Ti 1:18, 6:12, 2Ti 2:22-note, Paul's life shows victory is possible! = 2Ti 4:7-note) against the pull of our fallen flesh to gratify ourselves through illicit sexual activity (of whatever variety), is to actively seek to cultivate our relationship with the Chief Shepherd (Mt 6:33-note, Ps 37:4-note, Col 3:1-note, Col 3:2-note, Ps 43:4-note; Isa 58:14). This same "pattern" is summarized in Galatians 5:16 [note] where we first choose to continually obey Paul's command, moment by moment surrendering our self will (deny self Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23) to the control and empowerment by the Spirit of Christ (Php 2:13-note, Ezek 36:27 = note God's provision of power, and our necessary, now possible response), Who then enables us to not gratify the lusts of the flesh. This description is nothing short of the "victorious Christian life." So let me get practical. How is your quiet time? That is, are you sitting at the feet of the Shepherd (Lk 10:39, 40)? Remember as our Lord said, really only one thing is necessary (Lk 10:41, 42). When we are doing the "good part" (Lk 10:42), daily seated at our Lord's feet, we will be filled with His Word, which the Spirit of Christ uses to renew our mind, control our thoughts and empower our walk. Compare the effects of continually letting the Word dwell richly within us Col 3:16, 17-note with the manifestations associated with letting the Spirit control us in Eph 5:18, 19, 20-note - Upshot? Let the living Word live in you (eating it, obeying it) and you will be empowered to live in the Spirit! Are you daily taking in the living word of God (cp Mt 4:4, 1Pe 2:2-note, Acts 20:32) and obeying the word (James 1:22-note; James 1:25-note), so that you are growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18-note)? If you are, then the things of this world, including the lusts of the passing pleasures (Heb 11:25-note, 1Jn 2:17) of this world will be increasingly growing "strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace" (Play this great old hymn)." Let's Review… Knowledge of the one true and living God (Jn 17:3) and growing intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ (2Cor 11:3) and His Spirit (Gal 5:16-notes) in daily quiet times of worshipful fellowship are the BEST preventative measures (and cure) for those bound with the cords of the sin (Pr 5:22-note) of (in bondage to) sexual immorality and better than any of the Christian books or programs that are flooding the marketplace! Let us return to the "ancient paths" (Je 6:16, 18:15, 2:13, cp Pr 28:13, 1Jn 1:9, Acts 3:19, 20), the "highway of holiness" (Is 35:8) and as Christian men begin to experience a freedom in this area that heretofore we never even thought was possible in light of the pervasive permeation of American culture by idolatry and immorality! Hallelujah. Amen! Isaiah 1:30 For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away or as a garden that has no water. (NASB: Lockman) English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): For they shall be as a turpentine tree that has cast its leaves, and as a garden that has no water. Amplified: For you shall be like an oak or terebinth whose leaf withers, and like a garden that has no water. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. NET: For you will be like a tree whose leaves wither, like an orchard that is unwatered. (NET Bible) NJB: For you will be like a terebinth with faded leaves, like a garden without water; (NJB) NLT: You will wither away like an oak or garden without water. (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: For ye are as an oak whose leaf is fading, And as a garden that hath no water. For you will be like an oak whose leaf fades away or as a garden that has no water: Isa 5:6; Jeremiah 17:5,6; Ezekiel 17:9,10,24; Matthew 21:19) Isa 58:11; Jer 31:12; Ezekiel 31:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18 An oak (or Terebinth) whose leaf fades away - The Hebrew word for oak here is different than oak in Is 1:30, but I cannot determine any specific significance for use of different Hebrew words. Contrast the case of the godly, whose “leaf shall not wither” (Psalm 1:3-note), for here the picture is that of a leaf that once alive is now dying. Jamieson writes that… Ye shall be like the "oaks," the object of your "desire" (Isa 1:29). People become like the gods they worship; they never rise above their level (Ps 135:18). So men's sins become their own scourges (Jer 2:9). The leaf of the idol oak fades by a law of necessary consequence, having no living sap or "water" from God. So "garden" answers to "gardens" (Isa 1:29). Judah's shameful practices of idol worship amongst the oaks will wither away like a fading oak leaf or like a dry unwatered garden. Motyer writes that Isaiah's insistence in Isa 1:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 that religion must have moral commitment is amplified here by the implication that true religion is more than human preference and satisfaction (Isa 1:29) and reaches a source of life not subject to earth’s withering and waning (Isa 1:30)… (idolatrous, false) religion cannot keep its promises; it is ‘a tree with fading leaves’. False religion has no inherent life. With a garden without water the picture turns to one of dependence upon an outside source of life—water. False religion has no external reality to nourish it. It is not a real contact with the divine. (Motyer, J. A.. The Prophecy of Isaiah : An introduction & Commentary. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. 1993) Isaiah 1:31 The strong man will become tinder, His work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together and there will be none to quench them (NASB: Lockman) English Translation of the Greek (Septuagint): And their strength shall be as a thread of tow, and their works as sparks, and the transgressors and the sinners shall be burnt up together, and there shall be none to quench them. Amplified: And the strong shall become like tow and become tinder, and his work like a spark, and they shall both burn together, with none to quench them. (Amplified Bible - Lockman) KJV: And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them. NET: The powerful will be like a thread of yarn, their deeds like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire. (NET Bible) NJB: the strong will become like tinder, his work like the spark; both will go up in flames together, with no one to put them out. (NJB) NLT: The strongest among you will disappear like burning straw. Your evil deeds are the spark that will set the straw on fire, and no one will be able to put it out. (NLT - Tyndale House) Young's Literal: And the strong hath been for tow, And his work for a spark, And burned have both of them together, And there is none quenching! The strong man will become tinder, his work also a spark. Thus they shall both burn together and there will be none to quench them: Strong - Ezekiel 32:21 Tinder - Isa 27:4; 43:17; 50:11; Judges 15:14; Revelation 6:14, 15, 16, 17 His work - Isa 34:9,10; 66:24; Ezekiel 20:47,48; Malachi 4:1; Matthew 3:10; Mark 9:43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49; Revelation 14:10,11; 19:20; 20:10 The strong man will become tinder - In the context he is speaking of Jews who shun Jehovah and yet still consider themselves "strong". By way of application, this verse emphasizes a prophetic principle and promise of the future expectation (certainty) for all men and women who rebel against God and His Christ. Strong (02634 - חָסֹן - strong, strong man) (hason/chacon; Lxx = ischus = speaks of ability or capability to function effectively) describes one who is mighty and is used only one other time in the OT in the context of God destroying godless, pagan, idol worshipers, Amos recording God's declaration… Yet it was I Who destroyed (Hebrew word depicts usually a rather sudden catastrophe such as warfare or a mass killing) the Amorite before them, though his height was like the height of cedars and he was strong (hason/chacon; Lxx = ischuros = mighty, robust) as the oaks; I even destroyed his fruit above and his root below. (Root to fruit speaks of utter, complete destruction, even the Amorite's "accomplishments" were destroyed, as will be all the "accomplishment" of godless, proud men and women!) (Amos 2:9 - note that even in the midst of wrath God remembers mercy - Amos 5:6, 7!) Man… his work - This speaks of complete obliteration of the pride of rebellious men (who may appear strong in their own eyes or the eyes of others) and their "proud" work! Proud men always seek to make a name for themselves by their work, but God says those very works would be a spark (that sets aflame). Will become tinder (05296) (necoret) is string or tow (KJV), which was a weak rope made of flax or hemp, and thus describes a material that was easy to burn when ignited. In context Isaiah is speaking metaphorically of those who considered themselves and their human works to be strong. Isaiah prophesies that both would go up in a proverbial puff of smoke. The fire in context metaphorically pictures God's wrath, although in ancient times defeated cities were also literally burned. The point is that these godless ones would be both the fuel and the cause of the fire! Motyer comments that "tinder and spark, (is) a deadly, combustible combination which illustrates the self-destructiveness of false theology and religion (Motyer, J. A.. The Prophecy of Isaiah : An introduction & Commentary. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press. 1993) It is notable that God's holy, just and righteous judgment is often compared with fire - Ps 79:5; 89:46; Je 21:12; 23:29; La 2:4; Nah 1:6; Jas 5:3. Note how God's wrath is frequently compared to fire (a simile or term of comparison) for fire destroys, purifies, and brings about lasting sequelae. Notice that Jeremiah records that even in the midst of predicted destruction, God remembers and graciously offers mercy to guilty sinners (cp Is 1:16, 17, 18) Circumcise (a command - the idea is that one must surrender their will to God and allow his or her stubborn, godless, rebellious, prideful heart to be spiritually circumcised by God's Spirit - this verse is clearly referring to salvation - which from other passages such as Ge 15:6 is entered into by personal saving faith in Messiah, just as in the New Testament) yourselves to the LORD and remove the foreskins of your heart (outward ritual must be replaced inward change, a change only God can bring), Men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, lest My wrath go forth like fire and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds. (Jeremiah 4:4) Comment: Jeremiah is calling for his hearers open their spiritual ears and to repent and return to Jehovah, for circumcision of one's heart is a supernatural work of God as explained in Romans 2:28, 29 (notes, compare Col 2:11, 12 - note). This prophetic warning was partially fulfilled in Babylon's destruction and burning of Jerusalem, but those fires eventually were extinguished, so the more complete fulfillment must speak of a future pouring out of the wrath of God, as seen in the Great Tribulation and finally in the Lake of fire. See Excursus on Circumcision of the Heat Fire even presents the picture of God's judgement of believer's works (not their sins which were judged once for all on the Cross) at the Judgment seat of Christ (bema seat)… 1Cor 3:15 If any man's work is burned up (cp 1Co 13:11, 12, 13, 14 - note the only "foundation" that endures God's purifying fires), he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire. (Compare 2Co 5:9, 10, even our motives will be judged! - 1Cor 4:5)