G.K. Beale, «Peace and Mercy Upon the Israel of God. The Old Testament Background of Galatians 6,16b», Vol. 80 (1999) 204-223

This essay has contended that Paul’s reference to "new creation" and the pronouncement of "peace and mercy" on the readers in Gal 6,15-16 is best understood against the background of Isa 54,10 and the surrounding context of similar new creation themes elsewhere in Isa 32–66, which are echoed also earlier in Galatians, especially in 5,22-26. The analysis confirms those prior studies which have concluded that "the Israel of God" refers to all Christians in Galatia, whether Jewish or Christian. Lastly, the demonstration of an Isaianic background for the concept of new creation in Gal 6,15-16 falls in line with Paul’s other reference to "new creation" in 2 Cor 5,17 and John’s allusion to new creation in Rev 3,14, where Isa 43 and 65–66 stand behind both passages. Isa 54,10 was likely not the sole influence on Gal 6,16, but such texts as Psalm 84 (LXX), the Qumran Hymn Scroll (1QH 13,5), and Jub 22,9 may have formed a collective impression on Paul, with the Isaiah text most in focus; alternatively, the texts in Qumran and Jubilees may be mere examples of a similar use of Isaiah 54 on a parallel trajectory with that of Paul’s in Galatians 6.

        (3) Both Galatians and Revelation 21 focus on the Gentiles’ being included in the redemption experienced by eschatological Israel (note the "nations" streaming into the city of Revelation 21 [cf. vv. 24.26])³¹. This idea may even have roots in the Greek version of Isa 54,3 itself³², especially since Isa 54,1 develops reference to the Abrahamic promise in Isa 51,2, which in that context is used as a reason for God’s restoring of Israel, i.e., Israel’s restoration will be part of the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise: "Look to Abraham our father, and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; when he was one I called him, Then I blessed him and multiplied him"³³. The LXX of Isaiah 54 makes such intimations explicit: "For it is the Lord who is making you; the Lord of hosts is his name; and the one redeeming you, he himself is the God of Israel, and he will be called so by the whole earth" (Isa 54,5); "behold proselytes will come to you through me, and they will sojourn with you, and they will run to you for refuge" (Isa 54,15)³⁴. Even according to the LXX interpretative translation, however, the believing Gentiles enjoy eschatological blessings only as they confess and identify with the "God of Israel" and only as they