The Teachings of Isaiah and Their Relevance to the Contemporary Reader Essay Example for Free

The Teachings of Isaiah and Their Relevance to the Contemporary Reader Essay Isaiah, 30. 21 Isaiah (meaning â€Å"the Lord saves†) was a prophet who lived in Jerusalem about 2700 years ago and is considered â€Å"one of the greatest figures in the prophetic series† (Blunt 1953: 49). Little information is known Isaiah the man, and what information exists is often contradictory or ambiguous. What Charpentier (1982) gathers from his writing is that he had a wife (known as the prophetess) and three children. Isaiah’s most famous prophecy was that of the birth of Jesus when he wrote, â€Å"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) but his other writings are also often accredited with being some of the most accurate of all the prophets. So prominent is the reality that those who preserved a knowledge concerning Isaiah have done so with a sole interest in his message surely stresses its importance to the contemporary reader. Due to its geographical location between the strong nations of the Egyptians, Persians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and Assyrians it was rare to have a time when Canaan was not under attack. What is more, after the death of Solomon the kingdom was divided in two, with Israel to the North and Judah to the south remaining under the rule of David. In 721 BC Assyria invaded from the north and conquered the northern capital Samaria. Therefore when Isaiah undertook his ministry in 736 BC, the year that Uzziah died, the north and south were divided, and soon after, the â€Å"northern kingdom was in turmoil† (Charpentier, 1982:20). It has been contested by many scholars (Clements Heaton)that the book of Isaiah has in fact been written by more than one person. This is due to the variations in writing style, tone throughout the book. Furthermore, at different parts of the book, the political situation Isaiah refers to seems to change, some information coming from a time after he was thought to have ended his ministry. Some claim that the book is merely a collection of teachings from numerous writers, but it is generally accepted that there were three main authors, due to the trio of defined preaching styles evident in the book. The author of the first section is known as â€Å"Isaiah of Jerusalem† in which the prophet denounces Israels prejudice and foolish trust in rituals, and he calls the people to repent. The second section, by Deutero-Isaiah is thought to encompass chapters 40-55 and refers to the time Isaiah’s people spent in exile in the sixth century BC. This period is after Isaiah had allegedly finished his ministry. The final section of the book spans the entire period from Isaiah’s call to ministry, to the return to Jerusalem after exile. Whilst these differences provide substantial evidence against a sole author, it must be noted that there are similarities throughout the book. Phrases are repeated and certain prophecies refer to messages in other prophecies. Therefore, the existence of more than one author can be seen as an advantage as wider time-frame has been covered, and yet the teaching has remained constant; by listening to God’s message you will receive his saving mercy. Judgement and redemption† (Clements, 1980: 17) are the core themes of Isaiah, but the manner in which this message is conveyed varies throughout. The chapters below outline the key focuses of Isaiah’s teachings and their relevance for today. The opening chapter serves to introduce Isaiah’s prophecies in an open and direct manner. From the very outset the tone is one of disappointment and anger as he presents the message from God, â€Å"I have nourished and brought up my children and they have rebelled against meâ⠂¬  (Isaiah 1:2). Isaiah, who was a strong supporter in the Davidic dynasty, used the term â€Å"Yahweh† (meaning â€Å"God of Israel†) throughout his writing, to convey the strength of his belief that Israel as a whole nation was God’s chosen people and so should not be divided. In this chapter he expresses his disgust at the division between North and South, and at King Ahaz’s acceptance of allegiance with Assyria at the expense of the Northern kingdom; â€Å"Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence. † (Isaiah 1:7). To him this signified movement away from their duty as the chosen people and thus deserted God. He condemns the people’s hedonistic acts such as corruption, excessive amounts of festivals and, â€Å"vain oblations† (Isaiah 1:13). What is more he warned that if the people did not change their ways, God would turn away from them and, â€Å"when ye make your prayers I will not hear them† (Isaiah 1:15). However, Isaiah made clear that not all was lost, and stressed that if they did repent, the people would receive forgiveness and though their â€Å"sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18). In short this chapter allows Isaiah to show the people the error of their ways and explain their need to repent. Just as the people of Judah and strayed from God’s message and become preoccupied with worldly ventures, today’s society is full of materialistic desires that can consume one’s attentions. Isaiah’s message is relevant to the contemporary reader in the sense that attending Church and participating in religious festivals is often viewed by today’s society as adequate in affirming one’s faith. However, it is the living out of God’s message daily that pleases God, such as helping others without the expectation of thanks, having an open mind and keeping true to your Christian values, especially when it is most difficult. In Chapter 6 Isaiah reveals how he was called to his ministry through a vivid vision of God. As this is the point when Isaiah is sent by God, his mission is clearly stated; that he must go to the people and make them understand God’s message so that they could â€Å"convert and be healed† (Isaiah 6:10). What is significant about this chapter is the tone of awe and wonder with which Isaiah speaks of God. This vision was sufficient to sustain him through the rest of his ministry, even when the people repeatedly refused to listen, as God knew they would. The strength of Isaiah’s faith should provide inspiration to any reader, contemporary or otherwise. Indeed this passage has inspired the prayer â€Å"Holy, Holy, Holy Lord† and hymn â€Å"Here I am Lord† for this very reason. As in chapter one, this chapter re-iterates the warning that judgement day will come and those who have not repented shall be punished. This passage further prophesises that there will be â€Å"a great forsaking in the midst of the land† but that â€Å"it [the people] shall return† (Isaiah 6:12-13). This refers to half a century the people would spend in exile before returning to Jerusalem late into the 5th Century BC. Today, due to technological and scientific advancements it has become more and more difficult to impress us as a society, but here Isaiah’s awe at the presence of God should remind us of the awesome power that one can barely begin to fathom. This teaching reminds one that it is not necessary to see to believe but that one should keep an open mind and heart to receive God’s message. What is more, just as when Isaiah was called he answered by taking action, today’s society is called too and each individuals actions can contribute to the attainment of a common goal, whether that be ending world poverty, caring for the environment or achieving world peace. Chapter 41, whilst allegedly from a different author continues Isaiah’s message with a noticeable change in tone. This can largely be attributed to the fact that at the time, the people of Jerusalem were in exile and thus the tone is one of comfort and reassurance. The God portrayed in this passage one of compassion and mercy, as the people are assured that â€Å"I have chosen thee and not cast thee away† (Isaiah 41:9). The people are given hope as Isaiah tells them that God knows the future will bode well for the Israelites; â€Å"Fear thy not†¦ for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee. † (Isaiah 41:10) This chapter also foretells the coming of the hero Cyrus who would free the Israelites by defeating Babylon. Today the contemporary reader can gain a sense of reassurance from this text that it is never too late to turn back to God and that regardless of past sins; true repentance will allow one to experience the saving mercy of God. What is more it teaches us that God knows what is to come and we must have faith to trust in him, even if sometimes it is difficult to understand how his mercy works. Regardless of arguments over the contributions of authors other than Isaiah to the writing of this book, I believe the message of Isaiah’s teachings (which are constant throughout the book) can be of value to contemporary readers. In fact the large time-span covered by the writings can only serve as advantageous as it allows us to see a people who in a time of relative peace had strayed from God’s message distracted by materialistic desires, then a people punished and in despair, but in the end a people with a hopeful future. This range of situations allows us to see God’s work from various angles, whilst the message of his saving mercy remains ever-prevailing. Such a message will remain of value to Christians throughout the centuries.