In the original of Isaiah 53:12 there is no word for `portion', but some such word must be supplied. Two very

distinct lines of teaching arise from the two dividings of this verse.

`I will divide Him a portion with the great'; that is the inheritance apportioned to Him shall be commensurate

with the victory He has achieved, and,

`He shall divide the spoil with the strong'; that is, some of the redeemed will not only be saved, not only

receive pardon and life, but will attain to a crown and a prize, as a reward. In early volumes of The Berean

Expositor we have discussed the great difference that must be observed between `the hope' and `the prize'; between

`the inheritance' of Colossians 1:12, which is all of grace, and the `reward' of the inheritance of Colossians 3:24;

between the `presentation' of Colossians 1:22, which stands only and entirely upon the virtue of His atonement, and

the `presenting perfect' of Colossians 1:28, which is associated with the apostle's `warning'.

We cannot go over the ground again here, but it is saddening, beyond measure, to see men of God, men who

hold the truth of the mystery, men who are teaching others, failing in this vital matter, `rightly to divide the Word of

Truth'. As workmen, such will be `ashamed' in that day, and through failure to `divide' the truth, will fail to

`divide' the spoil, for that honour is reserved for those who resemble David's first three mighty men or his first

thirty. This does not indicate unfair discrimination - this reward is not merely for the obvious overcomer; David's

law will obtain at the end:

`As his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part (divide)

alike' (1 Sam. 30:24).

In whatever rank the believer may find himself in that day, whether `saved so as by fire' or obtaining salvation

`with age-abiding glory', all will share the triumph of the Saviour's cross; all can say from a full heart `Thanks be to

God that giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ'.

While we cannot hope to fathom the depths or scale the heights on any passage of Holy Writ, we believe that the

preceding examination of Isaiah 53 will be a useful guide and a profitable study, not only of that passage as a whole,

but as a climax and crown to the quest for satisfaction, which started with so much disappointment and frustration

under the guidance of Ecclesiastes, that was lifted above the poor substitute of a `proxy immortality' so wonderfully

set forth by the Psalmist, and brought to its victorious and breathtaking avowal of Isaiah 53.

`WHEREFORE IF YE BE DEAD with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are

ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using;) after the

commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and

humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

with Christ, seek ... set ... When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also

IF YE THEN BE RISEN

appear with Him in glory' (Col. 2:20 to 3:4).