Week 18 - Isaiah 51:9-16
This week we will continue our study of Isaiah with a look at a squabble that seems to be persisting between Yahweh and Israel. Israel complains that Yahweh is sleeping (non-responsive) and Yahweh responds that he has been active but that Israel is forgetful. It doesn't have the rancor of the divorce court scene from last week’s presentation but there's still tension. And then in the midst of the back and forth between God and Israel there is a verse thrown in about Israel returning to Jerusalem with "everlasting joy". Bruggemann writes: “It is curious that the urgent appeal in vs 9 has by verse 11 become an exuberant doxology, in certainty that Yahweh will be aroused and act."
Given the facts of their exile it seems obvious that some of Isaiah's hearers would be a bit skeptical of this announcement of audacious hope. How are they to believe the words of the prophet when they remember "the fury of their oppressor" vs.13? How does one have hope and "understand the future in spite of the present" (Heschel)?
- Cal
Reading: Brueggemann pages 129-132
Questions for Reflection
- Have you ever felt like God was sleeping? What if anything did you do to wake God up and rouse God to action? Did whatever you do work?
- How do you interpret vs 11 which speaks of "everlasting joy" and "sorrow and sighing fleeing away"? Is this some form of exaggeration? How much does this poetic language comfort you? What is the source of joy in your life?
- Yahweh complains that Israel is forgetful of God's past actions. Is this criticism just? What is it about us that makes us live our lives forgetful of how God has acted in the past?
- What gives you hope when you are under the thumb of oppression? How does one have hope and "understand the future in spite of the present" (Heschel)?
permission pending from Julian Majin
