Isaiah, A reader's note-

Have you heard the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" If we were to answer it from Isaiah we would have to say the "bad events" coming upon both jew and gentile are a part of God's purpose to set his Name apart as very special, rather than very common. In not loving God with all heart, soul, mind, and strength, men profane the name of God. They make it as common as dirt, as inconsequential as the names of Idols. But the God of Abraham is no impotent figurehead. He is no sleeping idol, nor a man that his purpose should be overthrown by another. Thus, the anouncement, "Behold My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and highly exalted," is about the vindication of God, then the salvation of Israel, and then the joining of the nations to his servant Israel in true worship.