Isaiah, Part II, Second and Third Isaiah

These are notes from Sunday, April 6:

SECOND ISAIAH

Two centuries have passed (it is now the 6th century B.C.) since Isaiah was delivering his message. During that time the exiles had followed Jeremiah's counsel and had settled down in the communities where they had been placed. With industry, thrift, and skill they had become a vigorous element in the economy. Now all was uncertainty because Cyrus, the Persian king, had conquered Babylon, upsetting everything, even allowing some Jews to return to their ruined homeland. It was a time of religious perspectives. The sinful generation that had prompted the exile was long gone. Why were the new generations suffering when they had not been involved? (Jer. 31;29) Why were they fated to pass their lives in a land not their own? For those who returned home, the realities were grim. Has God forgotten or neglected his people? Why were God's promises unfulfilled? (Only a few came home).

The writer was a master poet who used his literary skills to articulate his theology and message. We find a collection of poems which are dramatic and impassioned in style. His message focuses on 5 distinct areas: God, the people, the event, the prophet, and the word. (Eschatologically based: creation (40:12), redemption, and history).

THIRD ISAIAH

The exiles are back home in Israel, and there are new issue, regarding the basic character of the universe, the meaning of human history, and freedom.

Discussion:
1. Why should the righteous suffer with the guilty (Jeremiah 31:29)
2. The suffering of the "best" -- a baffling problem

Next week we will study the Book of Ezekiel
Notes by Harrell Guard

Isaiah, Part I

These are notes from Sunday, March 30.

Isaiah chapters 1-39 (pre-exile): composed of the literary records of the major prophetic figure for whom the book is named.

The distinction between Isaiah, the prophet, and the Book of Isaiah must be kept in mind. Almost all of the material is of unusual interest and value, both literary and religious. But each part has to be studied for itself to see what it says, what it means, and what it implies.

The contents can be clearly divided into parts or sections but the core of the first 39 chapters undoubtedly consist of the literary records of Isaiah's ministry (8th century B.C.).

The following divisions are provided with some references to other Biblical writings:
Chapter I: A booklet of prophecies
Chapter 2-12: A collection of prophecies mainly about Judah and Jerusalem with some narrations (Hebrews chapters 8 and 9 have some specific references to this section).
Chapter 13-23: A collection of doom oracles on foreign peoples
Chapter 24-27: A booklet of late eschatological (having to do with end times) prophecies
Chapter 28-33: A collection of oracles that begin with "Woe"
Chapter 34-35: Two eschatological prophecies
Chapter 36-39: Narratives concerning the activities of the prophet toward the end of Hezekiah's reign

ISAIAH, THE MAN

He may have been a priest and was most certainly an aristocrat. He prophesied during the reigns of 4 kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. His understanding of God (his theology) was based on God as the one and only exalted, sovereign Lord whose nature was unique goodness and righteousness. His ultimate purpose was to establish a personal relationship with people.

Next week: Chapters 40-66
Notes by Harrell Guard