Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster reflects on the enduring popularity of Isaiah.
The Book of Isaiah has probably never been surpassed. For many it’s their favourite a part of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah lived within the eighth century BCE and was adviser to numerous Judean leaders, including King Hezekiah.
The Book of Isaiah consists of 66 chapters, that are themselves sub-divided by many commentators into three sections.
Section 1 comprises chapters 1-39. Its essential theme consists of numerous warnings followed by judgement. Judah is judged, but so are the nations of Babylon, Moab and Egypt. The northern Kingdom (Ephraim) can also be taken to task, mainly for reliance on Egypt.
Section 1 ends with the Assyrian invasion and the role of the King Hezekiah. Only through a miracle is the destruction of Jerusalem averted.
Section 2 comprises chapters 40-55. These chapters are, in contrast, filled with comfort and hope. The Jewish individuals are fast forwarded from the eighth century BCE to the sixth century BCE, where they find themselves in Babylonian exile.
G-d now guarantees redemption and return to their homeland, along with its restoration. King Cyrus of Persia plays a task on this story, elaborated more fully within the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Cyrus allows the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild their Temple.
Chapters 49-55 include the Songs of the Suffering Servant, normally thought to be the Jewish people herself.
Section 3, the tip of the Book of Isaiah, comprises chapters 56-66. Restoration and renewal are accomplished with the vision of Jerusalem rebuilt, along with universal peace.
G-d’s renewed covenant insists on justice and mercy, righteousness and peace. Only then will people flock to the brand new Jerusalem and a latest heaven and a latest earth arise.
Why spend a lot time on the Book of Isaiah?
At this time of 12 months, from the Fast of Av until Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) a special weekly reading is taken, mainly from the 2nd section 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 customarily stark message from Moses to the Jewish people, as, without him on the helm, they embark on their journey across the Jordan.
This time frame known as the seven weeks and its readings are known collectively because the seven Haftorot of Consolation.
The first such reading from Isaiah 40 is the instruction to the Jewish people to easily be comforted. The second reading comprises Isaiah 49:14 – 51:3. Here G-d appears to have abandoned Jerusalem.
But now we come to Haftorah Re’eh, recited this Shabbat. This third reading, Isaiah 54:11 – 55:5, acknowledges that Jerusalem currently appears like an unmoored boat, ‘afflicted, storm-tossed, unconsoled.’
But half way through this reading, the individuals are suddenly uplifted by the decision to all who’re hungry and thirsty to come back and eat and drink. The currency is now righteousness.
And by the fourth week, G-d actually states: ‘It is I, I’m He Who comforts you.’
Week three, this week, is a turning point. The city is now being rebuilt in justice and mercy, righteousness and peace. The people realize that they will rely only on G-d. No other nation will help them for long, especially when the chips are down.
On the contrary, the newly restored Jerusalem will itself attract the opposite nations of the world who, as an alternative of mocking and enslaving the Jewish people, or worse, will actually come and learn from them.
Never have these readings been as relevant as today. At a time when, once more, Israel has been, as on the time of the Holocaust, abandoned by religious leaders and political organizations alike, she is nevertheless attracting more immigrants than ever, in addition to countless 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 generation about to enter the Promised Land. Isaiah’s parallel mission offers comfort and nourishment to those that still find themselves at sea.
A robust message, and never more so than in our own day.
