ISB ~ Mark 1 v2 - 3

Mark outlines the mission of John and Jesus by splicing together three OT passages:Is 40:3, Ex 23:20, and Mal 3:1.

• The Exodus passage recalls how Yahweh appointed a messenger (angel) to lead Israel from the slavery of Egypt to the safety of the Promised Land. Isaiah projects this memory from the distant past into the future, announcing that both Israel and the nations will experience a New Exodus in the messianic age. Preparations are in order for a new Deliverer, the Suffering Servant, who will bring the nations from the darkness of sin and idolatry to the light of Mt. Zion. Malachi’s oracle presents the dark side of this scenario, warning Jerusalem that the coming of the messianic Lord will mean disaster if the shepherds of Israel are unprepared to welcome his arrival. For Mark, these passages are linked together by a common call to prepare the “way” of the Lord: John is the herald who points out the “way” of this New Exodus, while Jesus is the “Lord” and Suffering Servant who accomplishes it. This is the only time Mark quotes directly from the OT as the Gospel narrator. See note on Mk 8:27-10:52.