Isaiah was looked on by other Jewish prophets as a model of greatness, truth and courage to be replicated and followed. Isaiah’s writing technique meant that his message was able to be conveyed in a versatile manner that communicated to both the superior and inferior in society. His example can be seen to influence and impact both the Jews of his time and those of the contemporary faith, through his focus on politics, social justice and the future of Jerusalem. Isaiah was cultivated in both religious and social law. He incorporated precedents that were simple and used descriptions that were easy to understand. Isaiah was trying to address the fear, hopelessness, corruption, distrust and social dysfunction that existed in the bygone society that he was speaking to. Following the disintegration of the Northern Kingdom under the Assyrians in 722BC, Isaiah, began to, during the last year of King Uziah’s reign, urge the people of the Southern Kingdom to turn away from the sin that was so prevalent amongst them in both the upper and lower classes and to bring their hearts and their worship back to God. Of the prophets of Israel, Isaiah is considered the most political and was bold in the way he addressed Israel’s disobedience to Yahweh. Isaiah does this by drawing Israel’s attention back to the Mosaic covenant and judged their behaviour accordingly. Isaiah announced that Yahweh would purify the nation of their evil desires through suffering should they not turn back to him, “Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand and struck against them” (Isaiah 5:25). Isaiah’s prophecies were diffused through the nation and by this he was able to instil in the hearts of the Israelite people a new f... ... middle of paper ... ...s=pGFw7C_5Yo&sig=La9nMRgjhuFaPLIAhyfDW4NsZ98&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BX8AU5-RFsWSkwXTooCoDg&ved=0CEEQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false>. Oswalt, John. Isaiah: the NIV application commentary : from biblical text- to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2003. Print. Provan, Iain W., V. Philips Long, and Tremper Longman. A biblical history of Israel. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003. Print. "Summary Points." Religious Tradition Depth Study 3. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. . Webb, Barry G.. The message of Isaiah: on eagles' wings. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1996. Print. Wood, Derek. New Bible dictionary. 3rd ed. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1996. Print. copyright, Elias. "Analyse the impact of Isaiah on Judaism." Judaism 1 (2009): 2. Elias. Web. 15 Feb. 2014.
To discuss the topic of idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism, it is not hard to find out that there are many examples in the Holy Bible that teach people about the Sin of Idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism. Some of the prophets who were chosen by God, such as Isaiah, Ezekiel, Jonah, Micah and Hosea, are good examples of those issues. God used those people and their stories to teach other people about His words and His will.
He indicated that the nature of the piece is representative of a shift of both power and allegiance. During this time period, Babylon and to some extent Assyria re-emerged as the predominant powers in the Ancient Near East. The re-emergence of Babylon as the dominant nation brought them into a closer connection with the kingdom of Judah, thereby bringing the Babylonian dominance into the forefront of Jewish thought, especially for the prophetic faction. The greatest concern for the prophets, including Jeremiah, would have been the return of the Babylonian gods Baal and Asheroth to the forefront of Jewish worship. The Jewish people, particularly the kingdom of Judah, had long rotated their allegiance between Yahwehistic worship and the worship of Babylonian fertility gods. Thompson argues, and is agreed with by many scholars including J.
After God abandons Assyria as His rod at the end of Isaiah chapter 10, in the beginning of Isaiah chapter 11, God will raise up a shoot from the stump of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1). This shoot from the stump of Jesse is personified as He and this Person is endowed with the Spirit of the Lord in Isaiah 11:2. He will provide justice for all. His reign will be characterized with righteousness and faithfulness (Isaiah 11:3-5). This reign of righteousness and faithfulness leads to many profound impacts and drastic changes to the whole creation. The hostilities between predators and preys, b...
Coogan , Michael. A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament. New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. (accessed December 6, 2013).
Micaiah and Isaiah's revelation of God are analyzed in the world in front of the text. Isaiah's prophet "call" and the account of Micaiah's prophecy has similarities and difference between the two texts. Isaiah 6 and Micaiah 22 passages describe Yahweh enthroned at divine council. A judgment is being held regarding the future of the human realm. The two prophets, Isaiah and Micaiah, witness the discussion of this issue between God and the heavenly council. The Lord asks for assista...
Sanders, E. P. Paul and Palestinian Judaism: A comparison of Patterns of Relgion. London: SCM, 1981.
Young, Edward J. The Book of Isaiah, the English Text, with Introduction, Exposition, and Notes. 5th ed.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976
King uses a powerful image of justice taken from the Bible to illustrate the injustice of the society he was protesting against. The final thing he dreams about is how “one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight.” This selection from Isaiah 40 helps show the Biblical version of justice, and also how it plays into our modern society. The people of the mid-twentieth century were being treated unequally based on the color of their skin, and the equality that they strived for was the same equality that the ancient Hebrew people looked for thousands of years ago. Unfortunately, we are still looking for it. Throughout the world, people are assigned worth by their communities based on things that are not the content of their character. From social shunnings in the classrooms of the Western world to the closure of classrooms by extremist government, valleys and mountains arise in spite of our best attempts to stamp them out. Crooked cops and rough living situations still exist. Looking around, it can seem that this Biblical ideal that Dr. King and Isaiah proposed has died a shivering blue death, left out in the cold by a society which does not care. But to me, this ideal is not to be reached, but to be carried, held close to the warmth of the heart as you stride onwards with unyielding
Leske, Adrian M. “Isaiah and Matthew: The Prophetic Infleuence in the First Gospel”, Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins, ed. William.H.Bellinger and William.R.Farmer, Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1998.
Asali, K J. "Jerusalem In History." Asali, K J. Jerusalem In History. Broklyn: Olive Branch Press, n.d. 53.
In conclusion, the harsh words used to describe God was a driving factor as to how similar Jeremiah and Israel were; their predestined birth and faith with God. The descriptions of God and Israel in Jeremiah’s words is quite similar yet God was describe as a warrior and Israel as his enemy. However, Jeremiah and Israel are quiet similar in many ways yet their faith toward God is completely different. Both their birth were predestined by God and led to many journeys; at this point where Jeremiah laments, he still sees the holy and good in God and continues to praise him. In contrary, Israel mocked the prophet God has chosen, Jeremiah and even threaten to denounce him; their faith toward God declines causing God to send Jerusalem into exile in Babylon.
The book of Isaiah, written and compiled more than 2,000 years ago, speaks to us today in a place and time when we must hear the difficult words about God’s anger over sin, wickedness, and injustice. We also need the words of Isaiah because we need a message of hope, comfort and salvation during difficult times.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House. 1994:30. Hill, Andrew E. & John H. Walton. A Survey of the Old Testament.
The book of Isaiah is a prophetic book that was written by Isaiah himself around 700 BC. Isaiah prophesies the coming Messiah as well as judgement for those who have sin and blessings to those who seek after God.
The time of the prophets was indeed a spiritual one. God raised up individuals to speak His word, and predict the very future of the nation of Israel as well as the rest of the world. These men of God stoop up in times of adversity, and spoke the message of the Lord to His people and the surrounding nations. They stood up when nobody else would, and while they may have been afraid at times, they knew they had the Lord Himself with them at all time. Given that they prophesied and preached about many issues, this essay will focus on three things; idolatry, social injustice, and religious ritualism. These three topics focus on the core of human behavior at the time, and, while extremely relevant to that time period, is still relevant to this