I just finished reading the biblical book of Isaiah for the first time, as part of my extremely-slow-but-not-quite-dead Great Bible Read. Isaiah’s a remarkably complicated book, and I may write about my thoughts in more depth if I ever get time.
I’ve gotta mention one thing, though. In Isaiah 60:17 (NRSV), God is quoted as saying:
Instead of bronze I will bring gold,
instead of iron I will bring silver;
instead of wood, bronze,
instead of stones, iron.
So, just to clarify, for planning purposes: gold & silver yes, wood & stones no. Bronze & iron … (Rereads verse.) Bronze & iron …
I read that as a one-step uplift for everyone: whatever a person usually receives from life JHVH will do one better.
Yes, I read it that way too. I just got a laugh out of the way it was worded.
correct interpretation: God is an alchemist on the side.
How to Turn Any Metal into Gold
Step 1: Be omnipotent
The bible is simply describing the correct steps to get from wood to gold and stone to silver. Obviously. The bible is actually supposed to give you instructions on how to practice magic, just like the witches of old. Wait…