The 2nd and 3rd Books of Isaiah
Fall 2004 Bible Study

Second Isaiah 40, 41, 42

"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."

Greetings

I was not able to attend the sacred gathering at the ol country church but have it on credible hearsay that it was a holy evening indeed. We shared a fantastic opening prayer and Betty got to business. Here is the overview.

SECOND ISAIAH Ch. 40-41-42

This is not the easiest "read" we have attempted in these five or so years we've been roaming through the Bible. Those who didn't care for Job are going to have more "fun" deciphering this book. It helps to sort out some important people and identify pertinent events, at least it helps me, so I will share it with you---only one approach to being a facilitator, remember.

First, let's establish there is more than one author in Isaiah and it was written in more than one time period. It was considered one book until two German scholars established three divisions (which was in the 18th Century) . They named this one Dutero-Isaiah, and the third section they called Trito-Isaiah. That's interesting because the writing itself covers a period in the 6th Century before Christ. For those of us who don't count well, that's an awesome contrast.

Second, Is. 1-39 is complicated narratives, roughly in chronological order, and collected judgments and promises of "Isaiah of Jerusalem". This one is prophetic poetry, without any historical settings and features God's comfort and promise to Israel with a generous condemnation of idolatry.

Now we are situated, let's look at people. First, Nebuchadnezzar (which I will only spell once) was the powerful ruler of Babylon, which was proving itself to be tougher than anyone else (at that time). He polished off the Assyrians, defeated the Egyptians, and while he was very busy doing this, Jehoiakim of Jerusalem thought he saw his chance to hold back the "tribute" he had been paying Neb. for three years to protect his kingdom. At first, it was a small size mistake. Neb. Couldn't get to him right away so his allies, the Syrians, Moabites & Ammonites, harassed the country for him for a while. Neb. Did get around to "visiting" Jerusalem and did a very good job of destroying it. The books of 2nd Kings and Jeremiah tell a lot about it.

One important feature was Neb. Killed or resettled in Babylon the upper classes and craftsmen. He left the poorest peasants to tend the vineyards, etc. Apparently they were not considered capable of revolting against him. See Jeremiah 29:10; II Kings 25:12. He put in Zedekiah as ruler but Zedekiah surprised him and revolted after about ten years. Another mistake! The result was Jerusalem and most other fortified cities were in ruins, the Temple (which was the absolute center of the religion) (remember, this was a tribal religion with sacrifices, etc.) was totally destroyed, noblemen and craftsmen, leaders; all were gone. Jeremiah describes the country as extremely disorganized and lawless. Many Jews(of those left) went to Egypt to start life over.

The Jewish people in Babylon did suffer from the attempt to obliterate their culture and religion but they were not enslaved. They were given some social freedom and economic opportunities. And they did very well! It was a lot better than they got in European dingy ghettos and concentration camps. Anti-Semitism was unknown at that time. But, Their faith had been oriented to the land of Palestine as their inheritance from God, and to the Temple where Yahweh "tabernacled". Read Psalm 137 :1-6

I hope this helps put Second Isaiah into perspective.

Discussion time

Which leads us to a big problem: Like modern visitors to the United States, they must have been dazzled by Babylon. They had a farming and grazing kind of country, Babylon had a high level industry and agriculture and elaborate religious rituals and marvelous Temples. Many Jews must have wondered whether this might be due to the superiority of Babylonian religion. Tack that on to the "when I win a war, it's because My God is superior to your God" kind of thought process and it is mind blowing.

Surprisingly, the sense of belonging to the covenant community was intensified, not weakened, by their life under captivity; they held on to their common history and their tradition and accessed God through prayer. In Jeremiah's letter to the exiles he insisted they could reach God through prayer. Ezekiel said so too, and Psalm 130 composed during the Exile reflects that. Read Ps 130

During this period, they came together in small groups. The Greek word we know as synagogue( meant "gathering together" )which they did for worship and teaching might be the custom we know and may have started during the Exile, but were not organized.. All we can say is the later synagogues developed in response to this need first experienced during the Exile.

Discussion

All of this long accounting of stuff sets the scene for an important point: Most writings during and after the exile were written by members and descendants of the group which returned to Judah after the Babylonian Exile. The middle-aged people who were resettled were dead, the young ones had spent their lives exposed to Babylonian culture and religion. No other conquered group maintained it's distinct identity. They all write as if the situation is the parallel action of Yahweh in the Exodus. That is their viewpoint.

FINALLY, we have arrived. Second Isaiah 40: 1-11 Before we read it: this poem is a "dialogue", a form used a lot in Isaiah. We have to figure out who's talking in a dialogue; it isn't designated as it is in reading a play. The first words are God's. The voices are understood as heavenly voices. The setting is like a King and members of the court situation. We have some examples in our old familiar hymns like "Crown Him with Many Crowns", etc. Jerusalem is personified as a woman (v.2). In v. 6, constancy as loving kindness, close and mutual relationship. Sentence designates a term of service, not as in prison. Double payment references: was imposed upon a thief in the book of Exodus and the goods of Job were returned to him double. The breath of the Lord is the hot desert wind which scorches grass.

Read

Some possibilities for discussion: Could we have held on to our culture and our faith if we had been conquered in WW II? .....If Russia had dominated us after WWII as it did East Germany? Do we appreciate or frown on newcomers to the US who are trying to maintain their "separateness"? Do we support new immigrants and help them to understand our ways without expecting them to become mirrors of ourselves?

Another big focus is "us and God against idols". The rhetorical questions in this section remind us of those in Job 38-41.

Read verses 40-12-17. The implied answer is always God only, no idols

Now .Read Is. 40:18-20.

Second Isaiah speaks more strongly against pagan gods than any previous biblical book. Read 41:21-24. This is part of a section where Yahweh is the speaker and is talking to the other nations' gods. Their gods cannot foretell the future. Read The second section is in the form of a trial. The issue is "Which of the gods had foretold the rise of Cyrus? The concluding section is 41:28-29 Read., Not on idols, but fascinating Note: no other nation had such a collection of historical memories all centered on the saving acts of God as the Jewish people did. Important tidbit.

For discussion: What are some of our idols? Do you think we tend to make politicians...sports figures.....CEO's.....(smirky Donald Trump comes to mind) into idols? Do we put money in the idol category? Do we think money is the best solution for caring for our future needs?

For beautiful words of comfort, Read 41:9-10 For discussion: Do we trust that God will prevail and take care of us when things go very wrong and we hurt a lot? Is it easy?

Because it is so beautiful: Read v. 28-31 which is the basis for the Beautiful Song "On Eagles Wings". It was Dick's favorite both for faith and for a pilot who lived to fly.

Ch 42 . In v.1, The servant is "chosen". This was applied in the OT to David, Israel, Zion, etc. The Servant is a mediator of the revelation of Yahweh-this is his mission. His mission is to "the nations", NOT just to Israel. The "spirit" is the charismatic impulse which causes people to do big deeds of wisdom and courage. Here "judgment" in one translation, "justice" in ours, means the establishment of peace and righteousness. "Instruction" is almost equivalent to "revelation". "the crushed reed and the fading wick" signify the poor and the helpless.

Read the "Servant Song" 42:1-4

Discussion

If we have time, Read "42:10and 16 which speaks to the fact we do not measure up to our ideals, but God loves us and will not forsake us anyway.

v. 17 is one last hit against those who trust in false gods. And v. 23 to those who are indifferent.

How do you like Isaiah? Is it hard? Is it rewarding? Does it speak to you?

Thank you Betty! The discussion was passionate and respectful before you could say, "Boy, are we blessed!" it was 8pm and we all know what that means. Glenn and Judith were on tap for treats tonight and I half expected their world-famous Macaroni and Cheese (with Ketchup) dish! I was told however that while that was not the case, we were not disappointed. How did you say it Betty? Something like, "Delicious ice cream sundaes with a huge variety of toppings ranging from hot fudge (I am a chocolate freak) to caramel to others I didn't sample (don't leave out the whipped cream, nuts and crushed Oreos for the tops!! Many thanks to them for indulging us."

I thought that's what u said! Wow, it just doesn't pay to miss!

It was a lovely night, lots of good discussions, great treats and much laughter. Isaiah was awesome but everyone got something out of it.

Though we didn't realize it, it was getting late and we finally had to pack it in for the night. We closed with a wonderful poem-prayer which we nabbed a copy of...

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;

Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;

Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;

Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;

Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;

Love your neighbor as much as yourself.