OT Survey II Isaiah – Part II. “Story” of Isaiah 1-5 The setting: Sin, judgment, calls to...

OT Survey IIOT Survey II

Isaiah – Part IIIsaiah – Part II

““Story” of IsaiahStory” of Isaiah 1-51-5 The setting: Sin, judgment, calls to The setting: Sin, judgment, calls to

repentance then “call” to distant nation repentance then “call” to distant nation (Assyria)(Assyria)

66 Isaiah’s call: The proper response to God’s Isaiah’s call: The proper response to God’s holiness and impending judgment on sinholiness and impending judgment on sin

{Whitespace between chapters 6 & 7}{Whitespace between chapters 6 & 7} Israel and Syria’s response to God’s impending Israel and Syria’s response to God’s impending judgmentjudgment

7:1-127:1-12 Ahaz’s response: Despite God’s promise, Ahaz’s response: Despite God’s promise, I’ll trust in the one sent to judge me!I’ll trust in the one sent to judge me!

7:13 - 8:187:13 - 8:18 Result of Ahaz’s response: Result of Ahaz’s response: Israel/Syria will fail, and Assyria will devastate Israel/Syria will fail, and Assyria will devastate all of Judah except Jerusalem.all of Judah except Jerusalem.

9 - 129 - 12 A better future: A coming ruler who will A better future: A coming ruler who will trust in Yahwehtrust in Yahweh

““Story” of Isaiah (cont…)Story” of Isaiah (cont…) 13-2713-27 Oracles against the nations: Other Oracles against the nations: Other

nations not trustworthy because they too are nations not trustworthy because they too are going to be judgedgoing to be judged

28-3528-35 The Lesson: So, don’t trust in them! The Lesson: So, don’t trust in them! 36-3936-39 The Illustration: Hezekiah exemplifies The Illustration: Hezekiah exemplifies

trust, but unfortunately trusted in Babylon firsttrust, but unfortunately trusted in Babylon first 40-4840-48 Return: God will send Cyrus to bring Return: God will send Cyrus to bring

Israel homeIsrael home 49-5749-57 Redemption: God will send a suffering Redemption: God will send a suffering

servant to bring Israel atonement for their sinsservant to bring Israel atonement for their sins 58-6658-66 Restoration: God Himself as a Restoration: God Himself as a

conquering avenger will destroy rebels and conquering avenger will destroy rebels and restore justice.restore justice.

StructureStructure

“What makes these books [i.e., Jeremiah and some other prophetic books] particularly, and one might say needlessly, difficult is the very manner of their arrangement—or to be more accurate, their apparent lack of arrangement. The reader who meets them for the first time is likely to be quite at a loss. All seems confusion. There is no narrative for him to follow, nor can he trace any logical progression running through them and binding their parts together into a

StructureStructure

coherent whole. No sooner has he grasped a line of thought, and prided himself that he is following it tolerably well, than it breaks off and something quite different is being discussed. The impression he gains is one of extreme disarray; and one can scarcely blame him for concluding that he is reading a hopeless hodgepodge thrown together without any discernable principle of arrangement at all.”

John Bright, Jeremiah, Anchor Bible, lvi.(quoted in Dorsey, Literary Structure of the Old

Testament, 236).

Martin Luther on the Martin Luther on the ProphetsProphets

[The prophets] have a queer [The prophets] have a queer way of talking, like people way of talking, like people who, instead of proceeding who, instead of proceeding in an orderly manner, ramble in an orderly manner, ramble off from one thing to the off from one thing to the next, so that you cannot next, so that you cannot make head or tail of them or make head or tail of them or see what they are getting at.see what they are getting at.

ChiasmChiasm

C

Chiasm: Some ExamplesChiasm: Some Examples C“The last shall be first and the first last”

“The last and the first

last” shall be first

“The lastshall be firstand the first

last”

Chiasm: Some ExamplesChiasm: Some Examples CThe heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.“The heavens

are tellingof the glory of Godthe work of His hands

is declaringtheir expanse”

Chiasm: Some ExamplesChiasm: Some Examples CWhoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed“Whoever sheds

the blood ofa manby man

shall his bloodbe shed”

Chiasm in EstherChiasm in Esther

Taken from:

Gordon H. Johnston, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Gallows! Irony, Humor, and Other Literary Features of the Book of Esther,” in Giving the Sense: Understanding and Using Old Testament Historical Texts, p. 384

““Story” of Isaiah (cont…)Story” of Isaiah (cont…) 13-2713-27 Oracles against the nations: Other Oracles against the nations: Other

nations not trustworthy because they too are nations not trustworthy because they too are going to be judgedgoing to be judged

28-3528-35 The Lesson: So, don’t trust in them! The Lesson: So, don’t trust in them! 36-3936-39 The Illustration: Hezekiah exemplifies The Illustration: Hezekiah exemplifies

trust, but unfortunately trusted in Babylon firsttrust, but unfortunately trusted in Babylon first 40-4840-48 Return: God will send Cyrus to bring Return: God will send Cyrus to bring

Israel homeIsrael home 49-5749-57 Redemption: God will send a suffering Redemption: God will send a suffering

servant to bring Israel atonement for their sinsservant to bring Israel atonement for their sins 58-6658-66 Restoration: God Himself as a Restoration: God Himself as a

conquering avenger will destroy rebels and conquering avenger will destroy rebels and restore justice.restore justice.

Structure of IsaiahStructure of Isaiah

This material is modified from David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the

Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis-Malachi.

See pages 217-235.

Structure of IsaiahStructure of Isaiah 1-121-12: Introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future: Introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future restorationrestoration

13-2713-27: Oracles to nations: Humiliation of proud king of Babylon: Oracles to nations: Humiliation of proud king of Babylon BabylonBabylon

28-3528-35: Collection of woes: Don’t trust in earthly powers!: Collection of woes: Don’t trust in earthly powers!

36-3936-39: Historical narratives: Historical narratives

40-4840-48: Yahweh’s supremacy over idols: Don’t trust in : Yahweh’s supremacy over idols: Don’t trust in

idols!idols!

49-5749-57: Servant messages: Exaltation of the humble servant: Servant messages: Exaltation of the humble servant

58-6658-66: Concluding messages of condemnation, pleading, and future: Concluding messages of condemnation, pleading, and future restorationrestoration

Structure of Isaiah (cont…)Structure of Isaiah (cont…)

At the beginning has a call to repentance At the beginning has a call to repentance and a promise of forgiveness (1:18)and a promise of forgiveness (1:18)

Speaks of God hiding from them and not Speaks of God hiding from them and not answering their prayers since their hands answering their prayers since their hands covered with blood (1:15)covered with blood (1:15)

““The wolf shall dwell with the lamb…and The wolf shall dwell with the lamb…and the lion shall eat straw like the ox…They the lion shall eat straw like the ox…They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain” (11:6-9)mountain” (11:6-9)

[First Verse] “Listen, O heavens, and [First Verse] “Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, "Sons I have reared and brought up, But "Sons I have reared and brought up, But

they have revolted (they have revolted ([vP[vP) against Me”) against Me”

Isaiah 1-12

Isaiah 55-66 At the beginning has a call to repentance At the beginning has a call to repentance

and a promise of forgiveness (55:1, 7)and a promise of forgiveness (55:1, 7) Speaks of God hiding from them and not Speaks of God hiding from them and not

answering their prayers since their answering their prayers since their hands are defiled by blood (59:1-3)hands are defiled by blood (59:1-3)

The wolf and the lamb shall feed The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox…They shall not hurt or destroy in all ox…They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain (65:25)my holy mountain (65:25)

[Last Verse] Then they shall go forth and [Last Verse] Then they shall go forth and look On the corpses of the men Who look On the corpses of the men Who

have transgressed (have transgressed ([vP[vP) against Me. ) against Me. For their worm shall not die, And their For their worm shall not die, And their fire shall not be quenched; And they fire shall not be quenched; And they shall be an abhorrence to all mankind.shall be an abhorrence to all mankind.

Structure of Isaiah (cont…)Structure of Isaiah (cont…) 1-121-12: Introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future: Introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future restorationrestoration





idols!idols!



Structure of Isaiah (cont…)Structure of Isaiah (cont…)King of Babylon (KOB) vs. Suffering Servant King of Babylon (KOB) vs. Suffering Servant

(SS)(SS) KOB KOB smotesmote peoples (14:6); SS was peoples (14:6); SS was smittensmitten (53:4-5, 10) (53:4-5, 10) KOB KOB oppressedoppressed peoples; SS was peoples; SS was oppressedoppressed (53:7-8) (53:7-8) KOB is wicked (14:5), filled with pomp and splendor (14:11), and KOB is wicked (14:5), filled with pomp and splendor (14:11), and

is feared by all (14:16); SS is righteous (53:11), has no form or is feared by all (14:16); SS is righteous (53:11), has no form or comeliness (53:2), and is despised and not esteemed (53:3)comeliness (53:2), and is despised and not esteemed (53:3)

KOB begins with high aspirations (14:13-14) but is brought down KOB begins with high aspirations (14:13-14) but is brought down to Sheol (14:15); SS begins in humility (53:2) but is later highly to Sheol (14:15); SS begins in humility (53:2) but is later highly exalted (52:13)exalted (52:13)

KOB dies and his life is over (14:18-20); SS dies but shall prolong KOB dies and his life is over (14:18-20); SS dies but shall prolong his life and even later have great reward (53:10-12)his life and even later have great reward (53:10-12)

SeedSeed of KOB will be of KOB will be cut offcut off (14:20-22); SS is (14:20-22); SS is cut offcut off but will see his but will see his seedseed (53:8-10) (53:8-10)

Neither buried in own tomb, but KOB cast out (14:18-20) whereas Neither buried in own tomb, but KOB cast out (14:18-20) whereas SS buried in tomb of rich (53:9)SS buried in tomb of rich (53:9)

Dead kings of earth Dead kings of earth arisearise to meet KOB then mock him (14:9-20); to meet KOB then mock him (14:9-20); Kings of earth see servant, Kings of earth see servant, arisearise and bow down before him (49:7) and bow down before him (49:7)

Structure of Isaiah (cont…)Structure of Isaiah (cont…) 1-121-12: Introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future: Introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future restorationrestoration





idols!idols!



Structure of Isaiah (cont…)Structure of Isaiah (cont…)Historical Narrative (36-39)Historical Narrative (36-39)

a Arrival of the hostile Assyrian emissarya Arrival of the hostile Assyrian emissary• Assyrian king sends envoy to Hezekiah with threatening msg & armyAssyrian king sends envoy to Hezekiah with threatening msg & army• Hezekiah does not receive them into the city or give them a replyHezekiah does not receive them into the city or give them a replyb Hezekiah’s distress and appeal to Yahweh for helpb Hezekiah’s distress and appeal to Yahweh for help

• Begins: Hezekiah hears bad news of Assyrian messageBegins: Hezekiah hears bad news of Assyrian message• Hezekiah asks Isaiah to pray to Yahweh for helpHezekiah asks Isaiah to pray to Yahweh for help• Isaiah reassures Hezekiah that Yahweh will deliver him from kingIsaiah reassures Hezekiah that Yahweh will deliver him from kingc Sennacherib’s blasphemous message: Yahweh can’t deliver you!c Sennacherib’s blasphemous message: Yahweh can’t deliver you! d Hezekiah’s prayer to Yahweh: “Save us…that all may know d Hezekiah’s prayer to Yahweh: “Save us…that all may know

that you that you alone, Yahweh, are God. alone, Yahweh, are God.c’ Yahweh’s response to Sennacherib: Yahweh delivers Jerusalem!c’ Yahweh’s response to Sennacherib: Yahweh delivers Jerusalem!

b Hezekiah’s sickness and appeal to Yahweh for helpb Hezekiah’s sickness and appeal to Yahweh for help• Begins: Hezekiah hears bad news of his approaching deathBegins: Hezekiah hears bad news of his approaching death• Hezekiah prays directly to Yahweh for helpHezekiah prays directly to Yahweh for help• Isaiah reassures Hezekiah that Yahweh will deliver him from king Isaiah reassures Hezekiah that Yahweh will deliver him from king

and add 15 years of lifeand add 15 years of lifea Arrival of the friendly Babylonian emissaries (irony!)a Arrival of the friendly Babylonian emissaries (irony!)

• Babylonian king sends envoys to Hezekiah with peacefull msg & giftBabylonian king sends envoys to Hezekiah with peacefull msg & gift• Hezekiah welcomes them into the city and shows them all his Hezekiah welcomes them into the city and shows them all his

treasures.treasures.

Major ThemesMajor Themes The holiness of YahwehThe holiness of Yahweh

““Holy” (or some form of this word) used 68 Holy” (or some form of this word) used 68 times in 66 chapterstimes in 66 chapters

““Holy one of Israel” used 25 times, only 6 Holy one of Israel” used 25 times, only 6 other times in all of OT (once by Isaiah other times in all of OT (once by Isaiah himself, 2 in Jeremiah, 3 in Psalms)himself, 2 in Jeremiah, 3 in Psalms)

On the one hand, His holiness bespeaks His On the one hand, His holiness bespeaks His separation from sin (Isaiah 6!, e.g.)separation from sin (Isaiah 6!, e.g.)

On the other hand, His holiness bespeaks On the other hand, His holiness bespeaks His separation from all creation. He is His separation from all creation. He is different from and greater than all nations different from and greater than all nations or idols, so His people should trust in HIM!or idols, so His people should trust in HIM!

Major Themes (cont…)Major Themes (cont…) The salvation (=deliverance) of YahwehThe salvation (=deliverance) of Yahweh

““Isaiah” means Yahweh is salvationIsaiah” means Yahweh is salvation Deliverance offered to Ahaz (7)Deliverance offered to Ahaz (7) Deliverance from Sennacherib for Hezekiah (37)Deliverance from Sennacherib for Hezekiah (37) Deliverance from exile through Cyrus (40-48)Deliverance from exile through Cyrus (40-48) Deliverance from sin from suffering servant (49-57)Deliverance from sin from suffering servant (49-57) Deliverance from sinners through conqueror (58-66)Deliverance from sinners through conqueror (58-66) Deliverance for Gentiles (e.g., 11:10; 19:21-25)!Deliverance for Gentiles (e.g., 11:10; 19:21-25)!

Jerusalem (Zion)Jerusalem (Zion) The center of God’s future kingdom (2:1-4; 4; 66:20-The center of God’s future kingdom (2:1-4; 4; 66:20-

24)24) The location of the spared remnant (1:8; 10:20-34; The location of the spared remnant (1:8; 10:20-34;

36-37; cf. 8:8)36-37; cf. 8:8)

Major Themes (cont…)Major Themes (cont…) The sinfulness of Judah (e.g., 1; 3; 5; 49; The sinfulness of Judah (e.g., 1; 3; 5; 49;

56; 58-59)56; 58-59) The Sovereignty of YahwehThe Sovereignty of Yahweh

Ability to declare things yet future (41:21-Ability to declare things yet future (41:21-23; 42:9; 44:6-8; 45:21; 46:9-11)23; 42:9; 44:6-8; 45:21; 46:9-11)

Ability to declare things from/in the past Ability to declare things from/in the past (41:21-23; 43:9; 44:6-8; 48:3)(41:21-23; 43:9; 44:6-8; 48:3)

Trusting in Yahweh and no one elseTrusting in Yahweh and no one else Other nationsOther nations Other godsOther gods

Purpose StatementPurpose Statement

As the holy God, Yahweh must As the holy God, Yahweh must punish those who rebel against Him. punish those who rebel against Him. In addition, as the holy God, He is In addition, as the holy God, He is also—unlike the nations and other, also—unlike the nations and other, false gods—able and willing to save false gods—able and willing to save those who trust in Him.those who trust in Him.

Interpretive IssuesInterpretive Issues Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord Himself

will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel

Isaiah 65:17; 66:22 – New heavens and new earth.

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