EGN NEWS DESK
Jewish educational and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster displays on the enduring recognition of Isaiah.
The Book of Isaiah has in all probability by no means been surpassed. For many it’s their favorite a part of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah lived within the eighth century BCE and was adviser to various Judean leaders, together with King Hezekiah.
The Book of Isaiah consists of 66 chapters, that are themselves sub-divided by many commentators into three sections.
Section 1 contains chapters 1-39. Its most important theme consists of various warnings adopted by judgement. Judah is judged, however so are the nations of Babylon, Moab and Egypt. The northern Kingdom (Ephraim) can also be taken to activity, primarily for reliance on Egypt.
Section 1 ends with the Assyrian invasion and the function of the King Hezekiah. Only by means of a miracle is the destruction of Jerusalem averted.
Section 2 contains chapters 40-55. These chapters are, against this, stuffed with consolation and hope. The Jewish individuals are quick forwarded from the eighth century BCE to the sixth century BCE, the place they discover themselves in Babylonian exile.
G-d now guarantees redemption and return to their place of origin, along with its restoration. King Cyrus of Persia performs a task on this story, elaborated extra absolutely within the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Cyrus permits the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild their Temple.
Chapters 49-55 embrace the Songs of the Suffering Servant, usually considered the Jewish individuals herself.
Section 3, the tip of the Book of Isaiah, contains chapters 56-66. Restoration and renewal are accomplished with the imaginative and prescient of Jerusalem rebuilt, along with common peace.
G-d’s renewed covenant insists on justice and mercy, righteousness and peace. Only then will individuals flock to the brand new Jerusalem and a brand new heaven and a brand new earth come up.
Why spend a lot time on the Book of Isaiah?
At this time of 12 months, from the Fast of Av till Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) a special weekly studying is taken, primarily from the 2nd part of the Book of Isaiah, but in addition from the third, to accompany the Shabbat readings from the ultimate Torah Book of Deuteronomy.
These prophetic readings attenuate the usually stark message from Moses to the Jewish individuals, as, with out him on the helm, they embark on their journey throughout the Jordan.
This time frame is named the seven weeks and its readings are identified collectively because the seven Haftorot of Consolation.
The first such studying from Isaiah 40 is the instruction to the Jewish individuals to easily be comforted. The second studying contains Isaiah 49:14 – 51:3. Here G-d seems to have deserted Jerusalem.
But now we come to Haftorah Re’eh, recited this Shabbat. This third studying, Isaiah 54:11 – 55:5, acknowledges that Jerusalem at the moment appears like an unmoored boat, ‘troubled, storm-tossed, unconsoled.’
But half means by means of this studying, the individuals are abruptly uplifted by the decision to all who’re hungry and thirsty to return and eat and drink. The foreign money is now righteousness.
And by the fourth week, G-d truly states: ‘It is I, I’m He Who comforts you.’
Week three, this week, is a turning level. The metropolis is now being rebuilt in justice and mercy, righteousness and peace. The individuals understand that they will rely solely on G-d. No different nation will assist them for lengthy, particularly when the chips are down.
On the opposite, the newly restored Jerusalem will itself appeal to the opposite nations of the world who, as a substitute of mocking and enslaving the Jewish individuals, or worse, will truly come and study from them.
Never have these readings been as related as as we speak. At a time when, as soon as once more, Israel has been, as on the time of the Holocaust, deserted by spiritual leaders and political organizations alike, she is nonetheless attracting extra immigrants than ever, in addition to numerous volunteers from all around the world.
Moses’ quest on this Deuteronomic chapter of Re’eh is to set out a roadmap for the brand new era about to enter the Promised Land. Isaiah’s parallel mission provides consolation and nourishment to those that nonetheless discover themselves at sea.
A robust message, and by no means extra so than in our personal day.
