BibleProject | One Story That Leads to Jesusનમૂનો

In a traditional English Bible’s book list, Chronicles follows Kings. So what are we doing in Isaiah? Today’s video introduces the traditional Jewish order of the Hebrew Scriptures, also called the TaNaK, and will help explain the reasoning. Note that the “N” in TaNaK refers to the Nevi’im, which is Hebrew for prophets, referring to the later prophets’ work.

The first of these latter prophets is Isaiah, who lived in Judah during the kingships of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Like most of the prophetic books, Isaiah consists almost entirely of poetry, a literary style designed to ignite your imagination through the experience of verbal art.

Today’s reading introduces the main themes that will shape the rest of the book. Yahweh partnered with Abraham’s family to spread God’s Eden-style blessing to all nations. Abraham’s descendants have abandoned this partnership and embraced idolatry, which blesses nobody and which led to oppression and violence.

Isaiah warns the people of Judah that God will bring judgment on their injustice. Yet the prophet also offers a message of hope. Even though the people have failed to keep their covenant commitments, Yahweh remains faithful to his promises. Keep reading to learn about the surprising future of God’s rescue plan for humanity in the book of Isaiah.

Reflection Questions

• Meditate on the contrast Isaiah draws between the people’s mistreatment of the poor and their diligent attention to worship practices like temple sacrifices, Sabbath, and sacred feast days. What does this tell you about the kind of faithfulness God seeks from his people?
• Look closely at Isaiah 1:27-31. What hyperlinks do you think Isaiah is creating with all these images of trees and gardens? What do you think Isaiah is trying to communicate by accusing Israel of giving its allegiance to false trees of life in false Edens?