Major Prophets: Isaiah

Study Notes

Major Prophets

Isaiah (Is)

Isaiah proclaims the need for the Chosen People to have faith and rely on God's promises.
He emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior in the presence of a holy God.
The book includes the four Songs of the Servant of the Lord, which are often applied to Christ in Christian tradition.
The four Songs are:
- Isaiah 42:1-9
- Isaiah 49:1-7
- Isaiah 50:4-9
- Isaiah 52:13-53:12
The book contains 66 chapters.

Jeremiah (Jer)

Jeremiah is a harsh messenger who predicts the divine punishment of Israel.
He witnesses the destruction of Jerusalem and the holy city.
He suffers arrest, imprisonment, and public disgrace.
He voices the suffering and hope of the Chosen People.
The book contains 52 chapters.

Lamentations (Lam)

The Book of Lamentations is a collection of five poems that respond to the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC.
The book expresses honest emotions about the harsh realities of a violent world.
It serves as a witness to a biblical faith that acknowledges pain and suffering.
The book contains 5 chapters.

Baruch (Bar)

The book attempts to explain the trauma of the exile in terms of sin, punishment, repentance, and return.
It includes a prayer of the exiles, which is a confession of sin and a request for mercy.
The book also includes a hymn in praise of Wisdom and a poetic text that encourages the exiles to hope for their return.
It concludes with a polemic against idolatry.
The book contains 6 chapters.

Ezekiel (Ez)

Ezekiel was sent into exile and prepared his fellow countrymen in Babylon for the final destruction of Jerusalem.
The first part of the book reproaches Israel for past and present sins and predicts further devastation and exile.
After the destruction, the book promises salvation in a New Covenant.
Ezekiel's prophecy expresses his firm belief in a forthcoming restoration, symbolized by the vision of the dry bones in chapter 37.
The book also contains the vision of the four living creatures.
The book contains 48 chapters.

Daniel (Dn)

The book takes its name from its hero, Daniel, who was one of the first Jews deported to Babylon.
The book was written to strengthen and comfort the Jewish people during the persecution of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (167-164 BC).
The book contains traditional stories (chapters 1-6) that tell of the trials and triumphs of Daniel and his three companions.
The moral of the stories is that people of faith can resist temptation and conquer adversity.
The book includes well-known episodes such as the writing on the wall, Daniel in the lion's den, and the story of Susanna.
The book contains 12 chapters.
The four companions are:
- Daniel (Belteshazzar)
- Hananiah
- Mishael (Meshach)
- Azariah (Abednego)
The writing on the wall includes the words "Mene, Teckel, Pares" (5:25).

Description

Assess your knowledge of the Book of Isaiah, one of the greatest writers in the Bible. This quiz covers Isaiah's proclamations on faith, ethics, and the need for the Chosen People to rely on God's promises. Test your understanding of this important biblical text!