Yahweh threatens to “visit on the world evil and on the wicked their iniquity” (Isaiah 13:11). When Yahweh comes for a visit, things get sorted.
And things get shut down. The next clause of 13:11 says that the Lord will “cause to cease” the arrogance of the proud. The verb is the hiphil of shabat : The day of Yahweh is a “Sabbath” visitation, a day of ceasing.
This is Yahweh’s form of Sabbath-keeping: Putting down the proud. No wonder Jesus didn’t think the Pharisees were genuinely keeping Sabbath.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
The Battle of Minneapolis
The Battle of Minneapolis is the latest flashpoint in our ongoing regime-level political conflict. It pits not…
Of Roots and Adventures
I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Georgia (twice), Pennsylvania, Alabama (also twice), England, and Idaho. I left…
Our Most Popular Articles of 2025
It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…
