Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 3/9/2009

Question
In this verse it refers to God's "Strange," and "Alien," work. What do these words mean. Does it mean that it is strange and alien for God to bring judgement upon Israel? Thankyou

Answer
Hi Pete,


Isaiah 28:21
21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.


Thanks for this great question.  I am sorry for my late response.  I consulted some commentaries and found that you are right.  The wording there indicates that it is against God's normal way of doing things to act against Israel, although it is sometimes necessary.

Here is a quote from JFB commentary:

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Isa 28:21 -

Perazim — In the valley of Rephaim (2Sa_5:18, 2Sa_5:20; 1Ch_14:11), there Jehovah, by David, broke forth as waters do, and made a breach among the Philistines, David’s enemies, as Perazim means, expressing a sudden and complete overthrow.

Gibeon — (1Ch_14:16; 2Sa_5:25, Margin); not Joshua’s victory (Jos_10:10).

strange — as being against His own people; judgment is not what God delights in; it is, though necessary, yet strange to Him (Lam_3:33).
work — punishing the guilty (Isa_10:12).
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I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don