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
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