Who heard the word God sent through the prophets according to Isaiah 9:8?
Isaiah 9:8 says the LORD sent a word into Jacob, and it lighted upon Israel. The explanation shows that when God spoke through the prophets, the word went to the whole nation of Israel. They all heard it, but only the believing element—the Israel within Israel—truly responded; the rest did not.
Les explains that Isaiah 9:8 is set within the dividing line that begins with Jacob, even inside Israel, the covenant people of God. Some remain natural and destitute of faith; some become spiritual believers. The word God sent through the prophets went to the whole nation of Israel—Jacob—and all heard it, but only the believing element, called Israel, truly responded. That believing remnant was always small, and Les says it still is today. The same pattern appears when the Gospel is heard and understood by many, yet only a few believe. Paul refers to this in Romans 9, showing that not all the children of Israel would be spiritual, only a few.
The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
More Questions
What does Isaiah 9:8 mean by Jacob and Israel?
In Isaiah 9:8, 'Jacob' refers to the whole nation into which God sent his word, while 'Israel' refers to the believing, spiritual part of Jacob that actually heard and received it.