The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

following the original author’s intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one andonly one subject.1. First paragraph2. Second paragraph3. Third paragraph4. Etc.CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTSA. Chapter 2 begins with another introductory phrase, like 1:1. It is possible that editors orcompilers put Isaiah’s sermons/visions/messages together based on1. chronology (under which king)2. topic3. catch words4. unknown literary scheme5. a written copy of several Isaiah messagesSee note in The Jewish Study Bible, p. 787.B. This chapter is typical of the prophet’s messages.1. hope for all nations through His covenant people (vv. 2-4)2. judgment for covenant violations and wickedness (vv. 5-22)C. YHWH wants a righteous, holy, covenant people to reflect His character to the nations so thatthey can respond to Him in faith and righteousness (cf. 45:22; 49:6; 60:3; 66:18,23).D. Remember in these poetic literary units (visions), do not push the details or single lexicalstudies, but the overall pattern of parallelism, word plays, and contrasts! The whole poem ismeant to convey one major truth! Be careful of picking and choosing themes, words, ortruths you are comfortable with or that fit you’re á priori systematic theology. Let Isaiahspeak!E. Because of the unifying theme of Jerusalem (judged and blessed), chapters 2-4 form a literaryunit.F. A book that has helped me understand the language of prophecy and apocalyptic is D. BrentSandy, Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy andApocalyptic, IVP, ISBN 0-83-8-2653-X.BRIEF OUTLINEA. The Parabolic Song, vv. 1-6B. The Ironical Interpretation, v. 740