FORM 3 TERM TWO
ü DEUTRO/SECOND ISAIAH (Chapters 40-55)
ü Describe the political events that led Judah to be taken into exile?
When Hezekiah showed his wealth to the Babylonian embassy, Isaiah told him that all the wealth and the people would be taken into exile
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Babylon became the world power and defeated Assyrian in 612 BC
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In 605 BC, Babylon defeated Egypt and took control of all countries that were under Egypt including Judah.
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Johoiakin tolerated Babylonian rule but later rebelled, hence Babylon invaded Judah
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In 597BC, Jehoiakin and other leading families were taken to Babylon
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Later, Judah under Zedekiah was made to assure Babylon of her loyalty. He also rebelled.
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In 586BC, Babylon attacked and destroyed Jerusalem temple. Some people were taken to Babylon as captives where Zedekiah was killed
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In Babylon, some lost hope in Yahweh though Prophet Ezekiel encouraged them
ü Chapter 40-55 are called a book of consolation because their prophecies were meant to comfort the exiled Jews.
ü Jews were to be comforted because they had been forcefully taken to foreign land, at times they were treated harshly and suffered spiritually like missing the temple and falling away from their religion
ü RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE OF EXILED JEWS
ü What were the distinctions between Jews and their neighbours?
o The Jews did not use idols in their worship
o They underwent the outward right of circumcision
ü Describe their religious life
o They observed the Sabbath more strictly
o The OT books especially Law and prophets were compiled and written
o They began the synagogue service on Sabbath and Pharisees‟ influence
o They observed circumcision
o They retold the stories of their ancestors like Abraham
o They had prophets to guide them; especially Ezekiel and Deutero Isaiah
ü Describe their social-political life
o They were taken as captives however not allowed to leave Babylon
o They learnt how to eat like the Babylonians
o Their learnt Assyrian dialect, Aramaic
o They grouped themselves in settlements of their own
o Some Jews were employed as eunuchs at the palace or king‟s court
o Some Jews, the elite, became the important leaders in Babylon
ü Describe their economic life
o Some Jews became traders
o Some Jews learnt new professions like carpentry, building and sculpture
o Some Jews became rich and important
o They were employed as eunuchs at king‟s palace
o Some Jews were employed by the Babylonian government
ü Suggest reasons why God allowed the Jews to be taken into exile?
ü It was a punishment for their sins
ü He wanted them to realize their sins and repent
ü He wanted to purify them
ü He was preparing them for the mission of bringing salvation to all nations
ü Why were the Jews worried and disappointed when they had reached Babylon?
ü It looked as if God had abandoned them since they were God‟s chosen people
ü Babylonian had conquered their land (Canaan) God had given them
ü They could not understand why God allowed Jerusalem and the temple, his dwelling place, to be destroyed
ü It seemed Babylonian gods had greater powers than Yahweh, the omnipotent.
ü It seemed as if Nebuchadnezzar was the controller of history and not Yahweh
ü They began to doubt Yahweh‟s promises about a Messiah, a descendant of David
ü Why were Jews very eager to start worshipping Babylonian gods?
ü Nebuchadnezzar ascribed his success to Babylonian god, Marduk
ü Babylonian religious ceremonies and processions were impressive and attractive
ü The highly educated Babylonian followed their religions seriously
ü God seemed to have abandoned them
ü The worship of Yahweh had a lot of restrictions
ü Marduk was seen while God was unseen
ü How did some Jews keep their faith in foreign country? (things that held Jews together)
ü They stayed together hence they shared and maintained their faith
ü They did not mix with the Babylonians or intermarry with them
ü Their belief that God was only true God
ü They did not worship idols
ü On Sabbath, they gathered together in synagogues
ü They keenly followed their ancestral customs like circumcision, Sabbath, abstaining from unclean food
ü They had prophets to guide them like Ezekiel
ü THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM AND THE MAJESTY OF GOD
ü MESSAGE OF HOPE: GOD’S INVITATION MESSAGE (40:1-17)
ü Narrate Lord’s message to the prophet
o Comfort my people.
o Encourage the people of Jerusalem.
o Tell them that:
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They have suffered long enough
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Their sins are now forgiven
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I have punished them in full for all their sins
ü What were the exiles instructed to do in order to prepare the way for their return? (What does the voice that cries out say?)
o Prepare a road in the wilderness
o Clear the way in the desert for our God. How?
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Fill every valley
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Level every mountain
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Make hills plain
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Make rough country smooth
o Thereafter, God‟s glory will be revealed and the whole human race will see it.
ü What was the significance of these instructions given to the exiled Jews?
o No obstacle or human opposition would prevent God‟s plan of salvation from being fulfilled.
ü Why a rod/way is prepared in the desert?
o For the return will surely take place
o For Yahweh travels with his people
o So that travelers should know that God cares
o So that nations should see how Yahweh takes care of His people
ü Why were strong faith and great courage needed for the Jews to go back to Judah?
ü It was a long journey, about 1500 kilometers
ü The future of Judah was uncertain, since they stayed in Babylon for about 50 years
ü Some Jews were reluctant to give up their uncomfortable life enjoyed in Babylon
ü To some Jews, Judah was an unknown to them as they were born in Babylon
ü How Deutero Isaiah encouraged his fellow Jews to return to Judah
o He told them that God will take care of them during their journey
o He told them that the temple and Jerusalem will be rebuilt
o He told them that their return will glorify God
o He told them that God will bless them in their land
o He told them that the exile was just a preparation for the Jews to fulfill their mission of preaching God to other nations
ü What does the return of the Jews to Judah reveal about God?
o The strength of God
o The greatness of God
o The gentleness of God
o The glory of God
ü MESSAGE TO BE PROCLAIMED BY PROPHET & JERUSALEM
ü “A voice cries out. Proclaim a message. What message shall I proclaim?” (40:6)
ü Narrate the message to be proclaimed
o All human beings are like grass
o They last no longer than wild flowers
o Grass withers and flowered fade
o People are no more enduring than grass
o But the word of God endures forever
ü What was the significance/meaning of the above message?
o Man is weak and does not last long
o Salvation does not depend on man‟s effort
o Salvation depends on God‟s word, His promises are everlasting
ü What were the duties of this prophet?
ü Announce that their return to Judah is eminent
ü Tell exiles that their return is to be prepared in desert to make their return easy
ü Tell exiles that all creation is nothing compared to God‟s power and majesty
ü Comfort Jerusalem (Yahweh‟s people in exile) and tell them that their sins are forgiven
ü What good news did God send Jerusalem to proclaim?
o Tell the towns of Judah that God is coming to rule them with power, bringing with him people He has rescued
o He will take care of his flock like a shepherd
o He will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms
o He will gently lead their mothers
ü Describe the qualities that God display in this passage
ü Power and strength: He is to deliver/redeem the Jews from slavery, take them home and rule them powerfully
ü Gentleness and loving care: He will feed his lambs, carry them and lead them gently.
ü How does God show himself to be incomparable? (Isaiah 40:12-17)
o He measures the ocean by handful
o He measures the sky with his hand
o He hold the soil of the earth in a cup
o He weighs the mountain and hill on scales
o No one can tell him what to do
o No one can teach him or give him advice
o He does not consult anyone in order to know, understand and learn how things are/should be done
o To him, nations are nothing, no more than a drop of water
o To him, the distant islands are as light as dust
o All animals in the forests of Lebanon are not enough for a sacrifice
o And its tree are too few to kindle the fire
ü GOD ASSURES ISRAEL OF HIS PROTECTION AND FAVOUR (41:1-2
ü How did God show that he is controller of history?
o He brought the conqueror from the east
o He made Cyrus triumphant wherever he goes
o He gave him victory over kings and nations
o It is God who made things happen
o He was there at the beginning and he will be there at the end
How did God show his greater loving care and compassion to all exiles?
He told them that he chose them to be his servant
He kept the promises he made to their ancestors
He did not abandon them despite exile
He would make them stronger than their adversary/enemy
What did God say to Israel to assure it of his favour and protection?
o Israel is my servant
o Israel are the people I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham, my friend
o I brought you from the ends of the earth
o I called you from the farthest corners of the earth
o Don‟t be afraid for I am with you
o I am your God, let nothing terrify you
o I will make you strong and help you
o I will protect and save you
o Israelites‟ enemies would be defeated and will disappear from the earth
I will make you like a threshing board, with spikes that are new and sharp (Isaiah 41:15-18). What would be the result of making a threshing board?
o She will thresh mountains and destroy them
o Hills will crumple into dust
o She will toss hills and mountains in the air and wind will carry them off
o She will be happy and praise God
Meaning: God will use Israel to punish and judge his enemies
How will God help Israel in the desert? (Isaiah 41:17-20)
God will give them abundant water
God will Give them luxuriant vegetation
God’s democratic quality
o He gave Israelites chance to choose obeying Him or not
o After punishing the Israelites, HE sent His prophets to tell them that their punishment was over
o He gave chance to the Israelites to return or not
o He invited the Israelites to present their case.
THE FIRST SERVANT SONG (Isaiah 42:1-7)
Who is the speaker and what is the main mission of this servant?
o The speaker is Lord. The main mission is justice.
Describe the qualities of this servant.
o He is gentle, not violent
o He is patient and compassionate to the poor, weak and helpless
o He is courageous and persevering
o His faithfulness and obedience delights/ pleases God
o He will be filled with Yahweh‟s spirit
How was this servant prepared for his tasks?
o He was strengthened
o He was given God‟s spirit
o God made him powerful (he was given strength)
What is astonishing about the servant?
o He will not shout or raise his voice
o He will not break off a bent reed or put out a flickering lamp
o He will not lose hope
o He is gentle rather than violent
o His work is fruitless yet he gets authority from God
Describe the duties of this servant.
o To bring justice to every nation
o To bring light to nations
o To open the eyes of the blind
o To set free those who live in dark prison
YAHWEH ATTACKS IDOL WORSHIP (Isaiah 44:9-20)
Define ‘idol worship’
o It is the veneration of images set up by man
o The images may be physical or something in the mind
Why Deutero Isaiah made a fierce attack against idol worship
o The worshippers of idols hurt his love for Yahweh
o He knew that his fellow Jews were tempted to believe in idols while in Babylon
o Attack on idol worship gave him comfort
o He knew that idol worship was meaningless and made by man
How does God (Isaiah) make fool of idol worship
o Those who worship idols are blind and ignorant.
o Everyone who worships it will be terrified, humiliated and suffer disgrace.
o It‟s not good making a metal image to worship as a god
o The people who make idols are human beings and nothing more
o The metal worker and carpenter who make idol are creatures and nothing more
o Man, a creature which depends on God gifts, cannot make a creator
o Wood and metal cannot make God because they burn in fire
o God‟s gifts like energy, skill, wood and metal cannot be turned into gods
Suggest reasons why Jews in exile worshipped idols?
They were influenced by their marriage partners
They had lost faith in Yahweh since they were in exile
Idolatry was attractive and entertaining
They thought Yahweh was powerless since Jerusalem was in ruins
They wanted to worship a god they could see with their naked eyes
God seemed to take too long to answer their prayers
The worship of Yahweh had a lot of restrictions
Suggest reasons why people worship idols nowadays
They want to have wealth
They want to find protection from enemies and unforeseen circumstances
They want to gain or obtain positions, employment and other recognitions
They are indoctrinated in traditional religions
They have more conviction and assurance in idols than God
Suggest reason why people today are afraid of abandoning idolatrous practices
o They fear losing their status in society or group
o They fear losing their wealth
o They fear losing their life
o They fear becoming deformed
LORD APPOINTS CYRUS (Isaiah 45:1-13)
Who was Cyrus?
o He was the king of Persia who overthrew Babylonian Empire
o He was uncircumcised pagan who never knew Yahweh.
o He allowed the exiled Jews to return to their homeland
How did Cyrus emerge to be the super ruler?
o At first Cyrus was a ruler of a small part of Persia under the Medes
o In 580BC, he defeated the Meds at the battle of Ecbatana
o In 546BC, he conquered Lydia at the battle of Sardis
o In 539BC, he put the power of Babylon to an end
Outline the edict that Cyrus issued in favour of the exiled Jews (Ezra 1:1-11)
o All the exiled Jews are allowed to return to their country
o The Temple vessels once carried off by the Babylonian must be returned
o Jerusalem and its Temple must be rebuilt
o The returning Jews will receive a grant from Cyrus
o Sheshbazzar was appointed as the leader for the returning Jews
What did God appoint Cyrus to be a king? (Isaiah 45:1, 4 & 13)
o To conquer nations
o To strip kings of their power
o To help His servant Israel, the chosen people.
o To fulfill God‟s purpose and put things right. (45:13)
o To rebuild His city, Jerusalem
o Set His captive people free.
Lessons from God‟s use of Cyrus
o God thinks differently from human being
o God is the creator; therefore He can use His creation without limitations.
How did God bless/prepare a way for Cyrus?
o He opened the gates of the cities for him
o He leveled mountains and hills for him
o He broke down bronze gates and smash their iron bars for him
o He gave him treasures
o He made him victorious
o He strengthened him & called him by name
Jews’ Surprise
Suggest reasons why were Jews puzzled when God had appointed Cyrus?
o Cyrus was a gentile and in a Jewish view a gentile could not be God‟s anointed
o Cyrus was not part of God chosen people
o Cyrus was not circumcised
o Cyrus was a worshiper of idols and not fit to be God‟s anointed
o Cyrus did not know the God of Israel
o God had given him power and made him a shepherd.
What was the prophet’s answer to such people
o A clay pot does not argue with its maker
o A child does not complain to its parents why it is made in the way it is.
o God is Holy, His thoughts are totally different from man‟s
o God is too Great to be questioned
o Cyrus is chosen by God to fulfils his purpose
Why did God choose Cyrus, a gentile to carry out his task?
To show that He is the only true God and there is no other god
To show that He is God for all nations and salvation is universal
To show that He is the creator and controller of all things
To show that He is at liberty to use anyone He wants to carry out his task
To show that He is holy; His thoughts are different from man‟s
Suggest reasons why Cyrus allowed exiled Jews to return to Judah
He thought the Jews would pray for the king of Persia if they returned
As a politicians, he encouraged religion to maintain peace, stability and submission
He was inspired by Yahweh‟s spirit
He wanted to keep his vast empire together by making friends
He was a good man and acted out of mercy and kindness
GOD CONDEMNS IDOLATRY (45:20-25)
Lord of the world and idols of Babylon
o The passage presents a court setting dealing with idol worship.
o God summons idol worshippers for a trial in court.
o This passage emphasizes that idols are nothing because
they cannot save people
they cannot even predict the future
people who parade with idols know nothing
God is inviting people to do the following (vs 22-25)
o To turn to God so that they can be saved
o God is the only true God
o Gods promises are always true and they do not change
o People shall come and kneel down before God
o Victory if found in the Lord only
o Those who hate God will suffer
o God will rescue the descendants of Jacob
BABYLON’S PRIDE AND HUMILIATION (Isaiah 47:1-15)
What does the following terms mean?
o Darkness: Babylon‟s defeat by Cyrus
o Vengeance: God‟s control of the world
Give reasons why is Babylon personified as a virgin:
o She was a city unconquered
o She was soft and delicate (youth and beauty
o She was an independent nation
o She was a prosperous world ruler/power and unspoiled
What accusation are leveled against Babylon
Cruelty: She was harsh especially towards the aged
Arrogant: She thought she would last forever
Pride: She thought she was the greatest
Eternity: She thought she was god
Pleasure loving: She loved pleasure and feasting
Idolatry: She practiced sorcery, magic and divination
How would Babylon be punished?
She will no longer rule the world
She will suffer humiliation for losing her possession
She will experience a war that will lead to death of men and children
She will be defeated, devastated and ruined
He fortune tellers and magicians will not help her
The country will lose her sense of direction
She would now be a slave
How the Babylonian astrologers worked?
By looking at the movement of the stars, they could predict the fate of individuals and nations
They also compiled monthly calendars of lucky and unlucky days
How would these Babylonian astrologers be punished?
Fire will burn them up
They be unable to saves themselves and other people
THE SECOND SERVANT SONG (Isaiah 49:1-6)
What is the main mission of this servant?
o The speaker is the servant himself (second Isaiah)
o The main mission is to bring crypto (lost) Jews back to God
Who is the servant?
o For the Jews, it is Israel
o For Christians, it is Jesus (or faithful Christian leaders) who brings unfaithful people back to God
Describe the qualities of this servant.
o He is able to express himself powerfully
o He is a pillar of strength due to her faith in God
o He knows his aim in life
How was this servant prepared for his tasks?
o His words were sharpened like a sword
o He was sharpened like an arrow
o He was protected
o God gave him His law.
o He was chosen while in his mother‟s womb
o By the suffering of the servant in exile
Describe the duties of this servant.
o To bring the crypto Jews back to God
o To be the light to the nations so that the whole world may be saved
o To restore the greatness of the people of Israel who have survived
o Bring together the scattered people of Israel
Why the servant never gave up despite his work being hopeless & fruitless/accomplishing nothing?
God will defend his cause
God will reward him for what he does
God will give him honour
God is the source of his strength
THE THIRD SERVANT SONG (Isaiah 50:4-9)
What is the main mission of this servant?
o The speaker is the servant himself (second Isaiah)
o The main mission is suffering.
Describe the qualities of this servant.
o He spends time with God to know his will (attentive disciple of God)
o He is obedient to God even if it is the will of God that he suffers
o He is strong, resolute and fearless
o He is innocent, faithful and gentle
Describe the duties of this servant.
o To strengthen the weary
How was this servant prepared for his tasks?
o He was taught what to say
o He was made eager to listen to God‟s words
o He was given an understanding
How the servant suffered?
He was flogged/beaten up at the back
He was spat upon his face
His beard was pulled out
He was mocked and insulted
Why the servant kept faith in God despite the suffering
God helps and strengthens him all the time
God declares him innocent and no one can say he is guilty
God is with him and no one can oppose him
God will justify him as he is near
What is astonishing about the servant?
o He bared his back to those who eat him
o He suffers pain and shame without resisting
o He will not be disgraced
o God will prove the servant innocent
THE FOURTH SERVANT SONGS (52:13-54:12)
What is the main mission of this first servant?
o The speaker is the Lord and audience (Isaiah, Jews and Gentiles)
o The main mission is triumphant glory.
Describe the qualities/ characteristics of this servant.
o He does not look attractive or successful
o Suffering/affliction puts its mark on him
o He bears suffering without complaining or defending himself
o He is honest, sincere, truthful and trustworthy
o He was silent and submissive (like lamb‟s meekness when slaughtered & sheep‟s docility when
o sheared)
o He was disfigured that he hardly looked like human
o He had no dignity or beauty to make people notice him
What were the duties of this servant?
o To carry the sorrows and sins of others
o To heal others by the sorrows inflicted upon him
o To make himself an offering for sins of others
Describe how the servant suffered
o He was beaten up
o He was wounded
o He received the blows
o He was treated harshly
o He was arrested, sentenced and led off to die.
o He was killed and buried among the wicked
o He was judged unjustly and condemned to death
What will happen when the servant succeeds his tasks?
o Will be highly honoured
o Many people will marvel at him
o Kings will be speechless with amazements
o They will see and understand something they had never known
Compare the servant with Jesus Christ
He was rejected and so was Jesus
He was insulted and beaten up because of our sins
He was judged unjustly and so was Jesus
He was buried among the wicked and so was Jesus
FINAL INVITAION TO THE BANQUET (55:1-9)
Narrate God’s invitation message to the banquet
o Come everyone who is thirsty, here is water
o Come you that have no money-buy corn and eat
o Come! Buy wine and milk. It will cost you nothing.
o Why spend money on what does not satisfy?
o Why spend your wages and still be hungry?
Invited groups
Jews, Gentiles, thirsty, people without money
What conditions must one fulfill to receive God’s mercy?
Must repent (leave sinful life)
Listening to God‟s words and putting it into action
They should not hesitate or delay
Must be well disposed/prepared as salvation is free
What will happen to those who would listen and do what God said?
o They will enjoy the best food of all
o They will have life
o God will make a lasting covenant with them
o God will give them blessings promised to David.
What should be known about the banquet?
It is free
It is for all Jews and Gentiles
All is ready and people should not delay
Describe the role that Israel will play as a light to the nations.
o They will summon foreign nations
o Through Israel, nations will come running to join her
o God will give Israel honour and glory
Why should people turn to the Lord/repent?
o God is merciful.
o He is quick to forgive.
How did God show himself to be different from man?
o His thoughts are different from man‟s
o His ways are different from man‟s
o His ways and thoughts are as high as heavens are above the earth
‘Turn to the Lord and pray to him’ (Isaiah 55:6). What does this mean?
Return to Jerusalem
Spiritual return to Yahweh i.e. conversion or spiritual freedom from sins
What does the passage reveal about God
He is the God of Israel
He is immanent: he is always with his people
He is caring and protecting His people
He controls history and His plans are beyond men‟s knowledge
Comparing Isaiah’s invitation and the Great Feast in Luke (Luke 14:15-24)
What are the similarities?
o Both invitation are addressed to the Jews first then Gentiles (universalism)
o In both invitations, the poor & the marginalized are invited
o Both invitation are not earned by „good works‟ but God‟s love
o In both cases, the attendant will be blessed
o It is offered to those who are well disposed and salvation/meal is for free
o People are invited to repent and return to him
o Those who refuse the offer will be punished and will not enjoy the best food of all
What are the differences between the two invitations?
o In Isaiah, it is about the future glory after Babylonian exile. In Luke, it is urgent, invited guest should not delay
o In Isaiah, the kingdom would be established by God, in Luke it is by Jesus
o In Isaiah, there is still time to decide and prepare, while in Luke the decision must be taken immediately
THEMES IN DEUTERO ISAIAH
Monotheism: Yahweh is the supreme and only God
Salvation: Jews are being liberated from their captivity and sins
God‟s power over creation and history
Condemnation of idolatry: Idols are useless and nothing
Justice and hope
THIRD ISAIAH (Chapters 56-66)
o At this time, Jews had returned to Judah from Babylonian exile.
What troubling experience did the returned Jews face in Judah?
o Only few Jews had returned home
o They found a ruined, poor and backward country
o There were idolatry and injustices perpetuated by corrupt leadership
o The tiny country suffered from attacks from neighbouring nations
o There was tension between resident Jews and returned Jews
o There was hostility between Jews and Samaritans
o There was famine due to drought
o The work of rebuilding the temple was quite labourious or cumbersome
o Hostility and divisions among returned Jews themselves i.e. the righteous and wicked
o The universal Messianic kingdom and blessings promised by Deutero Isaiah was nowhere to be seen
o Politically, Judah was semi-independent as she was under a governor appointed by Cyrus
Give reasons why only few Jews returned to Judah?
o The distance from Babylon to Judah was too long, about 700 miles. This discouraged many
o Jews stayed in Babylon for about 50 years, and most of the Jews who had been exiled in 587BC were dead.
o The journey to Palestine was dangerous and difficult as it passed through desert
o Life in Palestine was uncertain as some were born in Babylon and knew nothing about Judah
o Those who were well established in Babylon were unwilling to leave their possession behind
o Some Jews had lost faith in Yahweh and his words meant nothing to them (they were worshipping Murdak)
o Due to intermarriages, some were unwilling to leave their marriage partners and children behind
ADMISSION OF GENTILES AND EUNUCHS (Isaiah 56:1-8)
Jews who had returned home had built the Temple.
Foreigners and Eunuchs were not allowed into the temple worship.
Eunuchs were men who had been castrated by their Babylonian masters
According to the passage what does the Lord say to his people?
o Do what is just and right, for I will soon save you
o I will bless those who always observe Sabbath and do not misuse it
o I will bless those who do nothing evil
Why did Jews despise each of the following groups?
The foreigners
o They were not part of God‟s chosen people
o They worshipped idols
o They were uncircumcised, hence unclean
o Jews considered any contact with gentiles as defilement
o Jews considered themselves as selected and privileged nation
o Jews had always been exclusive of any other nation
o They did not observe the Sabbath and keep ten commandments
The eunuchs
o They were unable to pass on life or bear children
o They had mutilated their bodies, the creation of God
What answer did God give to each of the following despised people?
The eunuchs
o God accepts them on three conditions. If they:
Honour God by observing Sabbath
Do what pleases God
Faithfully keep God‟s covenant
o The reward will be their name will be remembered in the temple and among the people longer than those with children
The foreigners/gentiles
o Love and serve God
o Observe the Sabbath
o Faithfully keep Gods covenant
o As a result
He will bring them to Zion his sacred hill
He will give them joy in His house of prayer
He will accept their sacrifice which they offer on his altar
His temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations
God will bring still other people to join the Jews
Reasons for excluding some church members from the congregation today
o Infidelity, theft, corruption, premarital sex, beer drinking, smoking, witchcraft
CONDEMNATION OF BAD AND CORRUCT LEADERSHIP (56:9-12)
What types of leaders are being condemned?
o Social leaders, judges, political leaders, religious leaders
The leaders became corrupt because they
o Follow the example of Gentile leaders
o Use their positions to enrich themselves
o Did not understand what it meant to be leaders
o Forget that God appointed them to be leaders and will need a report
Because of corrupt leadership, the country suffered from:
Injustice, idolatry, sacred prostitution, child sacrifice, sacrifice of animals combined with sacred prostitution.
What were the vices of these leaders? (reasons for denouncing them)
They were blind and did not warn God‟s people
They had an excessive love of pleasure (drunkards)
They were irresponsible and did not understand their role
They were greedy
They were selfish and lazy/inactive
They were not speaking against superstition and idolatry
They were corruptive and unjust
Why are they liked to greedy dogs and dumb watchdog?
They did not rebuke (denounce) the evil (abuses, injustices)
They were mainly interested in their own advantage
They did not understand their role/responsibility
They were not satisfied with what they had
EVIL AND IDOLATROUS PRACTICES (57:1-15)
Mention the evil practices condemned by Trito Isaiah
They mocked God by making fun of the righteous
They worshipped fertility god by having sex on hills and under sacred trees
Their animal sacrifices were combined with scared prostitution
They worshipped a god called Molech
They were fond of sacrificing children to their god
They indulged in immoral behaviour
They were guilty of lying, violence and murder
Their court cases were unjust because of false witnesses and bribing of judges
Why did the returned Jews turn to this evil practices?
o They forgot God and his covenant love
o They were misled by evil and corrupt leadership
o They were copying from foreign nations
o They were copying from other Jews and Samaritans they had found in Palestine (Religious syncretism)
Why did God condemn them?
o People did not know that they were sinning against God
o Their sacred prostitution done to please their gods did not please Yahweh
o Their secret and unlawful practices done like idolatry and sacred prostitution were done just to satisfy their lust.
What punishment was to fall on the unfaithful Jews?
o Foreign nations would come like wild animals and devour them
o When they cried for help, God will refer them to their idols
o The idols that they relied so much will not help them
o Their idols will be carried off by a puff of wind
o The leaders would be exposed, judged and punished
o Faithfull Jews will live in the land and worship God in the temple
PEOPLE’S COMPLAINTS AND GOD’S ANSWER (Isaiah 59:1-11)
What were the complaints of the Jews?
o They thought God was weak
o They thought God was too deaf to hear them
o They thought God was blind
o They thought God did not love them
o They thought God would not defend them
o They thought God had abandoned them
o They thought salvation promised by Deutero Isaiah was cancelled
Narrate prophet’s (God’s) answer to their complaints
o God is not weak
o God is not deaf
o It is because of your sins that he cannot hear you
o Your sins separates you from God
o You are guilty of lying, violence and murder
o Your unjust
What sins (acts of injustices) separated people from Yahweh
o Carrying out plans to hurt others
o Following crooked deeds/paths
o Going to court without justices
o Depending on lies to win the case
o Murdering innocent people
o Ruining and destructing wherever they go (violence)
PROPHET INSPIRED MESSAGE/GOOD NEWS OF DELIVERANCE (61:1-11)
How as the prophet prepared to carry out his tasks?
o He was filled with God‟s spirit
o He was chosen and sent by God
What was the mission of the servant?
o Announce good news
o To heal the broken hearted
o Announce release of captives and prisoners
o To proclaim that time of salvation and defeat of enemies
o To comfort all those who mourn
o To give joy and gladness to mourners
What would be the future glory of God’s people?
o Their shame and disgrace would be ended
o They would live in their own land
o Their joy would last forever
o God would make an eternal covenant with them
o They would be famous among nations
o Foreign nations would serve them. How?
They would farm their land
They would take care of their flocks
They would tend their vineyards
o Jerusalem would be rebuilt
o They would enjoy the wealth of other nations
o The would be called priest of the Lord
What role does Jesus play as the inspired prophet?
He was chosen by God and given his spirit
He preached to the poor, outcasts, sinners and publicans
His preaching and miracles of healing brought comfort to all (released them from the bondage of evil.)
WHAT THEMES ARE PORTRAYED IN TRITO ISAIAH?
Condemnation of people‟s sin Condemnation of idolatry
Universalism
The importance of keeping Sabbath
Restoration of people‟s glory
Justice and righteousness.
MEANINGS OF THE WORD ISRAEL
Personal name given by Yahweh to Jacob
Collective name given to all descendants of Jacob (Hebrews, Jews, Israelites)
Political name for the Northern kingdom after the division of Solomon‟s kingdom in 932 BC
Selective name for the faithful remnant at the time of exile
Theological name for those to be redeemed by Messiah who will become members of God‟s
o kingdom
Spiritual name for the Church founded by Christ
Political name for a modern independent state of Israel.