Dialogue with Trypho
Chapter 50: It is proven from Isaiah that John is the forerunner of Christ
And Trypho said, "You seem to me to have come from a significant conflict with many people about all the points we have been investigating, and therefore you are quite prepared to answer all the questions posed to you. So, answer me first how you can demonstrate that there is another God besides the Maker of all things; and then you will show, further, that He chose to be born of the Virgin."
I replied, "First, allow me to quote certain passages from the prophecy of Isaiah, which refer to the role of forerunner fulfilled by John the Baptist and prophet before our Lord Jesus Christ."
"I grant it," he said.
Then I said, "Isaiah foretold John's role: ‘And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord he spoke: Let there be peace and righteousness in my days.’ And, ‘Encourage the people; priests, speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and encourage her, because her humiliation is accomplished. Her sin is annulled; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for her sins. A voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the ways of the Lord; make straight the paths of our God.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low: the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough way shall be smooth; and the glory of the Lord shall be seen, and all people shall see the salvation of God: for the Lord has spoken it. A voice of one saying, Cry; and I said, What shall I cry? All people are like grass, and all the glory of man like the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and the flower falls away; but the word of the Lord endures forever. You who bring good news to Zion, go up to the high mountain; you who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift up, do not be afraid; tell the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord comes with strength, and His arm comes with authority. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. As a shepherd He will tend His flock, and will gather the lambs with His arm, and cheer on her that is with young.
Who has measured the waters with his hand, and the heavens with a span, and weighed all the earth with his fist? Who has weighed the mountains, and put the valleys into a balance? Who has known the mind of the Lord? And who has been His counselor, and who shall advise Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him? Or who showed Him judgment? Or who made Him know the way of understanding? All the nations are counted as a drop in a bucket, and as dust on the scales, and shall be regarded as nothing.
But Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor the beasts enough for a burnt offering; and all the nations are considered nothing, and insignificant.’ ”