Isaiah Overview and Key Themes

Study Notes

Isaiah

Deutero Isaiah wrote during the Babylonian Exile.
The “Suffering Servant” is a key figure who foreshadows Christ in the Christian tradition.
Jewish people did not have consensus on who this was – Israel, Deutero Isaiah, or someone else.
Jewish people would not have connected the Suffering Servant with the Messiah (who, as they believed, was supposed to be a victorious king and worldly leader incompatible with someone who suffered).
Isaiah condemns idolatry, emphasizing that idols are made by humans, not God.
Isaiah calls out the Jewish people for adopting pagan ways.
Isaiah prophesies that God will restore Israel.
Restoration is fulfilled when Cyrus conquers Babylon, allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple.
Redemption differs from restoration as it is not going back to a previous state, but entering a new relationship with God.
Redemption is not simply the freedom to be in a promised land given by God, but being in an authentic relationship with God.
Redemption requires becoming a new creation in our relationship with God, not in a biological sense.
Self-sacrifice is necessary for redemption, linking the expected Messiah with the suffering Servant.

Jeremiah

Jeremiah prophesies the destruction and restoration of Israel.
Ramah will weep, Rachel will mourn – The Jewish stronghold will fall as the mother of the Jewish people mourns.
This happened in 586 BC (Babylonian Exile).
After the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, survivors went to Ramah, from where they were taken into exile.
Jeremiah prophesies a New Covenant:
- It will not be like other covenants, which were broken.
- “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jer 31:31)
- God will be known (31:34) and will forgive (31:34).
- God’s mercy, a new covenant is his response to sin (32:36-44).

Kings

Israel wanted a King like other nations, a move that negates the concept of being a "holy nation".
Saul becomes King.
Saul disobeys God.
- He offers sacrifices, attempting to manipulate God.
- He keeps pagan items, attempting to incorporate them into the Kingdom of God.
God states that Saul’s line will not be the royal line.
Samuel anoints David as King.
David is not the obvious choice, showing that God’s way is different than man’s.
David and Goliath:
- David cannot defeat Goliath in his own strength.
- He recognizes it is the Lord who will deliver Goliath.
- David’s victory illustrates that we accomplish nothing on our own, only the Lord working through us can bring about good deeds.

David and Bathsheba

David commits adultery with Bathsheba and attempts to cover it up with murder.
The child born of adultery dies.
The death of the child is not vengeance enacted upon an innocent victim; Rather, it is the removal of blessings.
David’s actions highlight the rejection of the continuation and proliferation of sinfulness and conversion from sin.

Description

This quiz explores the key themes and figures in the book of Isaiah, particularly focusing on Deutero Isaiah's writings during the Babylonian Exile. It examines the concept of the 'Suffering Servant' and the implications of redemption and restoration for the Jewish people. Test your knowledge on the prophetic messages of Isaiah and their significance in both Jewish and Christian traditions.