1richardbsmith
Some commentaries suggest that Isaiah chapter 1 is a good introduction and summary to the recurrent themes throughout Isaiah.
With that in mind I thought it would be good to look at the various themes in the chapter. Below are the section divisions as they seem to me, and my thoughts on the themes of each section.
Verses 2-4 Israel has rejected Yahweh. Specific sins are not described. The section seems to fit with the times of Jotham and Ahaz.
Verses 5-9 Likely period seems to me 705 to 701 with Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Northern kingdom would in that case be gone. Theme of continuing suffering, yet the continuation is unnecessary. Comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the inference intended from that comparison?
Verses 10-17 Contined comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah. Isaiah rejects ritual worship empty of justice. Specific mention is made to injustices towards widows and orphans. This theme also appears in the Canaanite Tale of Aqhat.
Verses 18-20 obedience brings good. Disobedience brings bad. This and verses 10-17 seem better placed in the early ministry.
Verses 21-26 Justice and righteousness will be restored and Yahweh's enemies will be put down. Specifics - greed, corruption, and widows and orphans.
Verses 27-28 Zion will be redeemed. Period is difficult. Some think this is much later, like from the exile. It is difficult to be certain in what sense righteousness and justice are to be read. The preposition can mean by, in, or with.
Verses 29-31 Call for cultic loyalty to Yahweh. This is interesting to me given the call for justice over ritual worship and Isaiah's primary focus on political matters. I am interested in watching for the development of this theme in the rest of Isaiah.
Please comment on these divisions of the verses and these identifications of themes. If the commentaries are right we can look for these themes to be developed throughout the book.
With that in mind I thought it would be good to look at the various themes in the chapter. Below are the section divisions as they seem to me, and my thoughts on the themes of each section.
Verses 2-4 Israel has rejected Yahweh. Specific sins are not described. The section seems to fit with the times of Jotham and Ahaz.
Verses 5-9 Likely period seems to me 705 to 701 with Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. Northern kingdom would in that case be gone. Theme of continuing suffering, yet the continuation is unnecessary. Comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the inference intended from that comparison?
Verses 10-17 Contined comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah. Isaiah rejects ritual worship empty of justice. Specific mention is made to injustices towards widows and orphans. This theme also appears in the Canaanite Tale of Aqhat.
Verses 18-20 obedience brings good. Disobedience brings bad. This and verses 10-17 seem better placed in the early ministry.
Verses 21-26 Justice and righteousness will be restored and Yahweh's enemies will be put down. Specifics - greed, corruption, and widows and orphans.
Verses 27-28 Zion will be redeemed. Period is difficult. Some think this is much later, like from the exile. It is difficult to be certain in what sense righteousness and justice are to be read. The preposition can mean by, in, or with.
Verses 29-31 Call for cultic loyalty to Yahweh. This is interesting to me given the call for justice over ritual worship and Isaiah's primary focus on political matters. I am interested in watching for the development of this theme in the rest of Isaiah.
Please comment on these divisions of the verses and these identifications of themes. If the commentaries are right we can look for these themes to be developed throughout the book.
