Week 21 Study Page - Isaiah 58-66 Psalm 42-53

Week #21 Study Page

Isaiah 58-66
Psalm 42-53

About the Book(s)

Isaiah

Date of Authorship: 740-690 BC. Isaiah is writing during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah as mentioned in 1:1

Author: Isaiah is the author of this book. There are some reasons to consider Isaiah to be the author of only chapters 1-39, while chapters 40-66 may belong to to the Babylonian period two centuries later. Much of the materiel in these later chapters is dealing expressly with the Babylonian period, more than a century after the death of the prophet Isaiah. Either these chapters are the products of disciples of Isaiah, or Isaiah himself describing, with remarkable clarity, the future conditions of Judah.

Purpose: Isaiah is a prophetic message of judgment, coming punishment, deliverance, and restoration. This week's reading will continue on the 'restoration' theme which we began reading last week; now focusing on the future prominence of Zion - Jerusalem.

PSALMS

About: "Psalm" is a translation of the Hebrew word mizmor, which is is a technical term for a song sung to the accompaniment of musical instruments. The book of psalms or the "Psalter" came into being over a period of centuries. It is a collection of songs / prayers which are sung / spoken to God. The Psalter is divided into five books, each ending in a doxology. This week's reading will begin book II. Psalms is the only book of the Bible that we're not reading straight through.

As you Read Notes

Zion: The Mountain of God

The word Zion appears 152 times in the Old Testament, and the two books that we are reading this week are the epicenter for the use of this word. Zion appears in Isaiah 46 times, and 38 times in Psalms for a combined 55% of all the appearances of Zion in the Old Testament. Zion is the name of one of the 4 hills that make up the elevated area on which the city of Jerusalem was built. This name pre-dates the Israelite settlement of the city, likely belonging to the Jebusite period of Jerusalem. Zion is often referred to as the "holy hill," or "holy mountain," by the psalmist as we'll see twice in our reading this week (Ps. 43:3, 48:1) Although Zion is the name of only 1 of the 4 hills of the city (the others being Moriah, Acra, Bezetha), this word became an emotionalized designation for the entire city of Jerusalem that is overwhelmingly a poetic and prophetic designation in the Old Testament, as it is rarely used in ordinary prose.
Zion is not the hill on which the temple was built - the temple was set on Moriah which was the location where Abraham was stopped from sacrificing Isaac in Genesis 22. However Zion was the largest of the hills in Jerusalem and the location of David's palace, it should be thought of as the capitol of Israel (Judah in the divided kingdom) to read more about the hills of the city of Jerusalem there is a helpful article here

It is helpful to remember the geography of Jerusalem when reading our passages in Psalms this week. It appears that many of these Psalms are written for use in festival processions in which a group led by priests and accompanied by singers, string players and other musicians make its way to the entrance of the Jerusalem temple (see Psalm 42:4). this may be the occasion for many of the Zion hymns in the Psalms - two of which are in our reading this week (46 and 48). Worshipers expressed thankfulness to God for settling among the Israelites and projecting power from his chosen mountain. For this reason, many times throughout the Old Testament, the perspective of the author/speaker is up towards Jerusalem. Every Old Testament passage on this side of David is influenced by the fact that God has chosen to dwell on Zion.

Isaiah 59:17: Armor of God

There is likely not a footnote in Ephesians 6 under the "armor of God" passage in your bible that points you back to Isaiah 59:17, but there probably should be. Paul certainly had these words in mind:

He put on righteousness as his breastplate,
and the helmet of salvation on his head; (Isaiah 59:17a)

when he wrote these words,

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:14-17)

It is reveling to contrast these two passages. In Isaiah, it is God who is being equipped for battle because Israel has been unfaithful and he, himself must establish justice and bring salvation. In Ephesians, however, it is the Church who is being equipped for battle because we partake in Jesus, who is the truly-faithful Israel, and we have been given this incredible mission to show the world the light, peace, and righteousness of this salvation. Where Israel failed to accomplish these things, the Church will not. Not because we are better or holier than the Israelites, but because our Savior Jesus Christ has led us in victory and the Spirit of God is in us. Now it is up to us, to pick up this light and to go to war in our dark world.

Isaiah 61: The Mission of Jesus

Isaiah 61 plays a major role in the Gospel of Luke. After Jesus is tested in the wilderness by the devil, he returns to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit." He enters a synagogue in Nazareth, and reads Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:14-21) . This passage in the Gospel of Luke serves as a thesis statement for Jesus ministry; a self-declaration of his purpose. I don't think that only verses 1-2 of this chapter are being referenced by Jesus. As is often the case with New Testament citations of the Old Testament, the whole passage is at play. Jesus is announcing the arrival of God's Salvation for Zion in this proclamation, and we should understand Jesus' proclamation that Isaiah's promise of God's deliverance is fulfilled in the incarnation. At hand in Luke 4 is not just the first verses of chapter 61, but the final verse as well:

For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations (Isaiah 61:11)

Isaiah 63:10-11: The Holy Spirit

Our reading this week, brings us two of the most prominent references to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. God's nature as a trinity was not revealed as fully to the Israelites and in the Old Testament scripture as it is through the New Testament. However, the Holy Spirit does not go unmentioned. This passage in Isaiah 63:10-14 depicts the Holy Spirit as the presence of God which is dwelling among the Israelites. It was the Spirit who guided them through the exodus and is the grieved party when Israel is unfaithful to God in the promised land. In Psalm 51:11 the Holy Spirit makes another appearance as David begs God to not remove it from him as a result of his sin with Bathsheba. To have that presence removed or to be excluded from communion with God is the ultimate punishment imaginable. On a national scale it would be the end of the covenant relationship and the total destruction of the people. For a reigning monarch, who is God's representative, being cut off from Yahweh's voice or presence would be the signal that his dynasty has been rejected and will come to an end.
We are promised the Holy Spirit upon our baptism. Consider the pleas for the continuance of the Holy Spirit's presence in these two passages in your own life and prayers.

Isaiah 65:21: Afterlife & Work

Twice we have discussed the popular understanding of Sheol as the state of the afterlife for all who die in the Old Testament, but there are two passages which allude to a more robust understanding of the afterlife in our reading this week. Psalm 49:13-20 contrasts the state of the afterlife between "those who trust in themselves," who will descend to the grave, and "the upright" who will be taken to the presence of God. The second half of Isaiah 65 also seems to be referring to Heaven. There the theme of a new heaven and earth mentioned in a couple occasions in the New Testament are introduced. One aspect of Isaiah 65 that I want to focus on, is the promise of meaningful work in God's new creation mentioned in verse 21. God created mankind to work and tend to his creation. This aspect of our existence is portrayed as a gift - a gift that we will be restored to in heaven. Popular conceptions of heaven as disembodied souls engaged in never-ending song are not well-supported in Scripture. When we get there together i look forward to working next to you in the bounty and delight of God's presence.

Psalms: Sons of Korah Psalms

There are 11 Psalms of the "Sons of Korah" in the Psalter, and 7 of them are in this week's reading (42, 44-49). These individuals should not be connected with Korah's rebellion in Numbers 16-17, but with a family who served as temple musicians referenced in 2nd Chronicles 20:19. As Temple musicians, there Psalms take on a very temple-centric message, dealing primarily with the worship of the Israelite people at the temple.

Psalm 51: "Sinful at Birth"

Psalm 51:5 is often used to argue that all humans possess and transmit an "original sin" understood as guilt shared by all human beings resulting from the sin of our 'federal head' Adam. I think that is a mis-reading of What David is saying in Psalm 51, and i'll offer some quotes from people smarter than me below to explain why:

"the focus is on David's personal sins, specifically the sins connected with his lust for Bathsheba (v. 1-4) and not on some kind of inherited sin. Why does he refer to iniquity connected with his birth? Basically he does so in order to express and confess his awareness of the depth of sin in his heart and the seriousness of his sin with Bathseba. He is humbling himself before God in figurative language, in the same way that biblical writers sometimes refer to man as a worm (Ps. 22:6, Job 17:14, 25:6, Isaiah 41:14). (just as man is not actually* a worm, neither is man sinful at birth) This is hyperbole, or exaggeration for emphasis. the same device is used in Psalm 58:3, "The wicked are estranged from the womb; these who speak lies go astray from birth." This is not an affirmation of original sin since it is not applied to all human beings; it is an exaggeration intended to insult the wicked and emphasize the depth of their perversity. So with Psalm 51:5, which is meant to apply to the repentant David alone."
(The Faith Once for AllI, Jack Cottrell, p181-182)

"Although this psalm has been used by some commentators to bolster the doctrine of "original sin," it seems a more appropriate interpretation to see it as part of the general confession of the penitent...the Israelites would have acknowledged a general inclination to sin that was characteristic of all people. They did not go the next step of [some] Christian theology by seeing Adam's sin imputed to all people" (The IVP Bible Background Commentary notes on 51:5)

Study Questions:

Isaiah 58 recognizes that the Israelites are worshiping God, but criticizes them for doing it the wrong way. What were the Israelites doing wrong? What can you do that will really please God?
in Isaiah 63:5, God is appalled that he has no partner to achieve his plans. What does God want us to help him do? Why does he want us (humans) to help him (God)? What can you do to serve God today?
Isaiah 64:8 describes us as clay in the hands of the potter (God) how has God shaped you? what tools has he used?
In Psalm 44:1-19, The Psalmist laments their misfortune, but declares that they have done nothing to offend God. Is it possible that we could suffer even when we have done nothing to offend God? Why would God allow this? what should our response be when this happens?
Psalm 46 is about God's provision for the Israelites. How does God provide for us today? what does He protect us from?
In Psalm 48:9 the psalmist says that God's people meditate on His unfailing love within the temple. When and where do you meditate on God's unfailing love?
Psalm 51 is David asking God for forgiveness after his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah the Hittite. When was the last time you cried out to God for forgiveness? Is there anything that you should do this for today?

Joel NielsenMay 19, 2018Madison Church of Christ