© Rabbi David L. Kline
http://good-to-be-a-jew.blogspot.com/
ISAIAH reading guide
1-10; 28-32 Primarily Isaiah of 8th
century Jerusalem. Themes: justice, reliance on God rather than foreign
alliances, righteous remnant.
Brief glosses are common.
1
Note the poetry in this classic chapter. 25-8 are a later interpolation of hope.
2
1-5 are post exilic. The
rest, despite vivid images, is obscure.
3
1-9 social disintegration.
12- 4:1 thoughts about women.
4
2-6 describes post exilic conditions
5
“Vineyard Gone Wild” clear and powerful, poetic and moralist, classic
Isaiah, like 1.
6
“Heaven Calls” easy reading but what can this vision/story/poem mean?
7
“Emanuel” 1-16 the king and the prophet. 17-25 The end
of agriculture?
8
1-4 Symbolism. The rest,
despite quotable lines, is obscure.
9
1-6 Messianic. Exilic? 7-20 Suffering shows God’s anger.
10 God uses Assyria to punish oppression. 24-6 Merciful interpolation.
11
Restoration. Messianic peace.
12
Psalm of thanksgiving.
13-23 Oracles
against the nations, settling accounts.
Probably belong to Trito
Isaiah, see below
24-27 Apocalyptic,
probably late 5th century.
“Last judgment,” Israel survives, God reigns.
28
Drunken foolishness leads to destruction. 23-9 Agricultural parable about suffering.
29 1-5
Woe Ariel, 6-8 Woe attackers, 9-12 Stupidity, 13f Lip service, 15 join to 30 16-24 Redemption,
prb exilic
30 1-17
Woe to rebellious sons who depend on Egypt, 17-33 hopes for bright future
31 Woe
yet more to dependence on Egypt (verses 5,7 are out of place, contradict theme)
32 1-8,
15-18 Messianic promises (exilic) 9-20 Threats, primarily against women
33
Messianic
peace and plenty. Probably early
post exilic
34-35 Probably
exilic, 6th century.
Vengeance against Edom, return of Israel
36-39 Mostly
lifted from 2 Ki 18-20 (Deutronomist historian), inserted by editors as bridge
to exilic setting of Deutero Isaiah
40-55 Deutero
Isaiah. Babylonian exile.
Themes: faith in future,
monotheism, Israel is servant of God, return to Jerusalem. Likely in 538 (Cyrus’ order to return),
this material combined with reinterpreted works of 8th century
Isaiah to form first edition of book.
40
Comfort ye My people. . .
Prepare a way. . . God is
coming
The Creator will succor
41
Israel, My servant, chosen Fear
not The
desert will bloom
42
Light unto the nations. . . My
blind and deaf servant
43
Return from ends of earth You
are My witnesses
44
Monotheism Absurdity
of idolatry Return
to Yahh, all is forgiven
45
Cyrus the messiah Creator,
light and darkness, all
46
Monotheism
47
The end of Babylon
48
The Holy City Implications
of monotheism Leave
Babylonia in joy
49
Servant of Yahh: tasks Tsion,
the abandoned, will be loved and protected again
50
Yah the source of suffering (punishment) but also of deliverance
51
Deliverance, strength, joy, comfort Arise
Jerusalem
52
Good news Suffering
servant
53
Vicarious suffering All
we like sheep. . .
54
Sing and shout! All
shall be well
55
Witness to the world Faith Peace
56-66 Trito
Isaiah. Post exilic, 5th
century, written in Judah, responding to economic, social, and religious difficulties
of restoration. Themes:
individual, persevere in righteousness, keep up the hope.
56
Justice, Shabbat, burnt offerings Outsiders
welcome Greedy,
evil leaders
57
:3 Idolatry persists The
contrite will find shalom
58
The kind of fasting that counts Call
Shabbat a delight
59
Injustice delays redemption Keep
faith in the covenant
60
Rise and shine, Tsion Triumph
61
Joy, jubilee, blessings, beauty
62
For the sake of Tsion,
Heftsibah, Beulah, deliverance, security
63
Grapes of wrath for Edom God
the protector, but led us astray?
64
Show Yourself! Clay
and Potter Don’t
be angry
65
Provoking God’s anger But
for My servants, a new heaven and earth Wolf
and lamb
66
Who needs a temple? Mother
Tsion Glorious
return All
will come worship
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