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

Second Isaiah 56-58

"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 say yes, my Lord
I say yes, my Lord

In a nutshell, that is what we're doing. That is who we are. We are being yes. Ok, ok, I'll speak for myself.

We opened this brisk-autumn-evening gathering with wonderfully read words that explored and rejoiced in the tension of opposites. The eternal dance of physical life as we know it here on earth. The speaker said, "yes" to those seeming opposites.

We closed with something that also said yes. More on that later.

I also want to say we were honored to have "mommykins" (Claire's mom) join us for the first time. Welcome Betty!

Our facilitator got us to business shortly after 7 and we discussed all three chapters and read parts of 58 along with their counter parts in Matthew. We asked questions and shared observations throughout, broke for treats and came back to large group where we discussed many wonderful and important issues. Justice, peace, organizations vs. the individual, responsibility, service, the nature of religion, etc.

Here is the overview...

Third Isaiah
Chapters 56-58
(With liberal borrowing from the Collegeville Bible Commentary...)

Isaiah 56 Qualifications for admission to the temple

Essentially, this chapter outlines the qualifications for admission to the temple. Only two things are necessary for admission to the rebuilt temple:

1. Observance of the Sabbath
2. Fidelity to the covenant.

1. Eunuchs: many of these people could not be circumcised, a requirement initially set forth in Deut 23:1. "To hold fast to my covenant" (v 4) appears to be a broad moral attitude rather than a matter of specific rituals, except for the case of Sabbath observance.
2. Foreigners - converts who want to join themselves to the Lord.

Isaiah 57 Denunciation of abuses

Is 56:9-57:21 Some scholars read this passage as an attack on the postexilic priestly leaders of the community and think that idolatry here is a metaphor for a style of religion of which the author did not approve. Much of the Jewish community after the Exile was quite lax in its religious observance. The leaders are at best negligent, and there is widespread pagan worship.

The rhetoric in much of this passage is simply abusive. It is the language of polarization, which presumes that the situation is beyond remedy.

The temptation to resort to abusive rhetoric is very difficult to resist. There are situations and times when we want to strike out with nastiness. As a community committed to Peace and Justice, we must constantly recommit ourselves to Peace in our hearts and our responses, both verbally and physically.

Isaiah 58 The value of fasting

After the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BCE, it became customary to observe four fast days, in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months. Third Isaiah denies that this observance has any intrinsic value. Ritual only has value when it is the expression of a just society.

Read chapter aloud

Verses 6-7 offer concise summary of the essentials of true religion:

1. free the oppressed
2. feed the hungry
3. shelter the homeless
4. clothe the naked

Also compare Isaiah 58:6-7 with Matthew 23:23-25 Jesus has harsh words for those he deems hypocrites. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness."

Given the events of the past few months, I find myself reading these passages and identifying strongly with the oppressed, able to clearly point out my (our) oppressors.

• How does Isaiah 58 make you feel? Angry? Vindicated?
• How does this passage relate to our feelings about U.S. foreign and domestic policy? Or our feelings about the Catholic Church?

• Can you think of times when you have been the oppressor?

It is very easy for me to transfer the lessons of these three chapters into the lessons of the Gospels.

The message seems to boil down to some very basic concepts common to both Isaiah and Jesus:

• A call for inclusivity. If the desire is there to belong to the community, the circumstances of one's social or physical condition should not be used as a barrier to that participation.
• A denunciation of observance of the law at the expense of justice. A disdain for outward piety that masks interior selfishness.
• A call to conversion and the promise of reward for those willing to work for justice.

God Bless, Rik
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694