Isaiah, Faith, Attribution and Practicality

Paper Summary:

In this discussion of the prophetic work of Isaiah, the writer maintains that the work speaks to an overlying theme of God as the giver of judgment and salvation. The writer notes that the text provides a full display of God's rebellious people who must be punished and, eventually, redeemed. The writer then points out that a new form of redemption is introduced in the text--a redeemer to be found in a Messianic age. The writer relates that Isaiah's book of prophecy seeks to lay the foundation for revolutionary change. The writer also relates that the basic foundation for the text appears to be its poetry and its readability. Additionally, the writer maintains that the text works as an implement of understanding for God's people, helping them relate the events of their past to the promises of their future.

From the Paper:

"Through this new figure, there is no longer a need for sacrifice and man-made emblems. In this instance, it is possible to infer that the prophecy does not point to God, but to a Messianic figure. Of course, the problem still remains whether or not this new figure could question the monotheistic institution within the Israelite nation. If Isaiah is referring to a new divine figure, it this character a byproduct of Yahweh, or is it a fresh and equal cohort? Why does Isaiah use this new title as opposed to formal and informal names used by his predecessors? Perhaps Isaiah's purpose rests in unsettling the one-god issue. The unique characterization of the divine figures in the text only emphasizes the unique quality of the text itself. If monotheism is challenged, then it is done so to provide a considerable awareness of the change that is to come.
"Often, Isaiah uses personification to poetically explain his prophecy. This literary device creates a metaphoric system that seems to implement the clarity of the text."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV)

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