Background for “Isaiah Speaks of Jesus” BS 49a
Historical setting for Isaiah
Isaiah lived during the late eighth and early seventh centuries BC, which
was a difficult period in the history of Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of four kings -- Uzziah
(also known as Azariah), Jotham,
Ahaz, and Hezekiah. According to tradition, he was
martyred during the reign of Manasseh, who came to the throne in 687 BC, by
being cut in two by a wooden saw. That he is described as having ready access
to the kings would suggest an aristocratic origin. This was the time of the divided kingdom, with Themes Isaiah
is concerned with the connection between worship and ethical behavior. One of
his major themes is God's refusal to accept the ritual worship of those who are
treating others with cruelty and injustice. Isaiah
speaks also of idolatry,
which was common at the time. The Canaanite worship, which involved fertility
rites, including sexual practices forbidden by Jewish law,
had become popular among the Jewish people. Isaiah picks up on a theme used by
other prophets and tells Judah that the nation of An
important theme is that God is the God of the whole earth. Many gods of the
time were believed to be local gods or national gods who could participate in
warfare and be defeated by each other. The concern of these gods was the
protection of their own particular nations. Isaiah's God is conceived as the
only true god, and the god of all humankind, not just the Israelite nation. No
one can defeat God; if God's people suffer defeat in battle, it is only because
God chooses for that to happen. Furthermore, God is concerned with more than
the Jewish people. God has called A
unifying theme found throughout the Book of Isaiah is the use of the expression
of "the Holy One of Israel". Some Christians interpret this as a
title for Christ. It is found 12 times in chapters 1-39 and 14 times in
chapters 40-66. This expression is unique within the Old
Testament to the book of Isaiah which suggests that, although scholars
believe that the book of Isaiah was written in various sections by different
authors (on which, more below), the work was intended
to be a unified body evidenced with the attention to literary consistency. A
final thematic goal that Isaiah constantly leans toward throughout the writing
is the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, with rulers and subjects who
strive to live by the will of God. |