Jewish tutorial and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster displays on the enduring recognition of Isaiah.
The e-book of Isaiah has in all probability by no means been surpassed. For a lot of, it’s their favourite a part of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah lived within the eighth century BC and was an advisor to numerous Judean leaders, together with King Hezekiah.
The e-book of Isaiah consists of 66 chapters, that are themselves divided into three sections by many commentators.
Quantity 1 comprises chapters 1-39. Its most important theme is a sequence of warnings adopted by judgment. Judah is judged, however so are the nations of Babylon, Moab, and Egypt. The Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) can also be taken over, primarily as a result of reliance on Egypt.
Half 1 ends with the Assyrian invasion and the position of King Hezekiah. Solely by a miracle is the destruction of Jerusalem averted.
Part 2 comprises chapters 40–55. Quite the opposite, these chapters are stuffed with consolation and hope. The Jews moved quickly from the eighth century BC to the sixth century BC the place they discovered themselves in Babylonian exile.
Gd now guarantees redemption and return to his place of origin together with its restoration. King Cyrus of Persia performs a task on this story, which is additional elaborated within the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Cyrus permits the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.
Chapters 49-55 comprise the Struggling Servant Songs, generally considered the Jewish individuals themselves.
Part 3, the tip of the Ebook of Isaiah, comprises chapters 56-66. Renewal and renewal are capped by the imaginative and prescient of a rebuilt Jerusalem together with common peace.
The renewed covenant of God insists on justice and mercy, justice and peace. Solely then will individuals flock to the brand new Jerusalem and a brand new heaven and a brand new earth will come up.
Why spend a lot time on the e-book of Isaiah?
At the moment of 12 months, from the quick of Av to Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New 12 months), varied weekly readings are taken, primarily from the 2nd part of Isaiah, but additionally from the third, to accompany the Shabbat readings from the e-book of Isaiah. the final Torah Ebook of Deuteronomy.
These prophetic readings soften the customarily stark message from Moses to the Jewish individuals as they embark on the journey throughout the Jordan with out him at their head.
This time period is known as seven weeks, and its values are collectively often known as the seven Haftorot of comfort.
The primary such studying from Isaiah 40 is an instruction to the Jewish individuals to easily be comforted. The second studying consists of Isaiah 49:14 – 51:3. Right here God appears to have deserted Jerusalem.
However now we come to the Haftorah Re'eh, recited this Shabbat. This third studying, Isaiah 54:11 – 55:5, acknowledges that Jerusalem presently seems like an unmoored ship, 'stricken, tossed by a storm, with out consolation'.
However in the course of this studying, the individuals are all of the sudden lifted up with a name to all who’re hungry and thirsty to return and eat and drink. The forex is justice now.
And within the fourth week Gd really says, 'It’s I, I’m the one who comforts you.'
The third week, this week, is a turning level. The town is now rebuilt to justice and mercy, justice and peace. Folks understand that they will solely depend on God. No different nation will assist them for lengthy, particularly when the chips are down.
Quite the opposite, the newly restored Jerusalem will itself entice different nations of the world, who as an alternative of mocking and enslaving the Jewish individuals, or worse, will come and be taught from it.
By no means has this information been as related as it’s at the moment. At a time when, as in the course of the Holocaust, Israel has been deserted by non secular leaders and political organizations, it nonetheless attracts extra immigrants than ever, in addition to numerous volunteers from all over the world.
Moses' job on this Deuteronomic chapter of Re'eh is to put out the plan for the brand new era about to enter the Promised Land. Isaiah's parallel mission presents consolation and sustenance to these nonetheless at sea.
A robust message and by no means extra so than at the moment.
