Teaching the Book of Isaiah
Unrelentingly complex
Dead Sea Scroll scholar Eugene Ulrich calls the book of Isaiah “unrelentingly complex.” The complexity includes its length (66 chapters), its age (perhaps over 2800 years old) and its setting (in the midst of the Old Testament). Most of Isaiah unfolds in poetry with obscure metaphors, constantly changing images and pronouns without clear antecedents. Indeed, Isaiah is complex.
But Ulrich continues by calling the book “unrelentingly” difficult. The poetry refers to historical events, but students of the book continually debate about which events are in view. The book unfolds in different time periods, but many remain a riddle to the contemporary reader. It seems that once one solves one of the problems posed by a study of Isaiah, five more challenges loom on the horizon.
Yet “unrelentingly complex” does not mean we give up or reduce the book to a handful of misleading simplifications. There are good reasons to wade into Isaiah.
Persistently Contemporary
First, Jesus read Isaiah. We know that because he cited the book frequently. When he returned to his hometown synagogue in Luke 4, someone handed him the Isaiah scroll. He opened it to a passage he wanted to read (what we call Isa 61). He knew where to find the passage. He understood what it meant. He knew that his ministry emerged out of what Isaiah wrote centuries before.
Second, Isaiah speaks deeply about God. A quick visit to any substantial bookstore reveals a host of new books about God. Many question his existence. Some call him names. Others seek to find out who he really is. When Isaiah encountered God in the temple he heard the song, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God of hosts.” That description of God became Isaiah’s favorite way of referring to the divine being. Isa 40-55 takes up the nature of God and is the longest sustained treatment of God in the entire Bible. No section of Scripture comes any closer to what we call apologetics than Isaiah.
Third, Isaiah’s point is that the Word of God is reliable. Isaiah makes his case in a simple way: “God told me what was about to happen. I wrote it down on a scroll which I set aside for safe keeping. Then the event happened just the way God said. I produced my scroll as evidence that the Word of God is reliable.” Remarkably the book of Isaiah covers several centuries of events in which the future things become the former things showing God’s word is correct.
Fourth, there are few lines anywhere in human literature that offer more hope and reassurance than the lofty poetry of Isaiah. Scholars call these poetic sections “salvation oracles.” Isaiah writes these hopeful words in the midst of war, death, and destruction. These affirmations that buoy up the human spirit must not remain locked away from the general population, but must be shared and taught.
Isaiah may be “unrelentingly complex” but is it also persistently contemporary. The result will be worth the investment.
Introduction to the Study of the Book of Isaiah
The accompanying study of the book of Isaiah includes three basic parts:
1—A lesson which traces the central themes of a particular section of Isaiah while also pointing to the overarching issues that the book addresses. These lessons include general orientation to the passage, a section by section explanation of the themes Isaiah to which Isaiah turns, and suggestions about the historical back story that stands behind the poetry. The lessons offer discussion questions and proposals for digging deeper into the Isaiah material.
2—A student sheet which includes blanks for those in the class to complete during the individual or group study.
3—A corresponding teacher’s sheet which includes the appropriate responses in the blanks.
Additional Materials
Additionally the lessons include some of these materials:
- links to maps, pictures and other materials on the internet.
- reviews of previous lessons.
- historical background summaries
- explanations of Hebrew words and poetry.
Plan of action
Gaining familiarity and understanding of the Book of Isaiah takes an investment of time and energy. Consider following this plan prior to any public teaching of the material.
1—Photocopy a section of Isaiah from your study Bible. The sections are: 1-12; 13-23; 24-27; 28-39. 40-55; 56-66. Use the photocopied section as the workshop for your study of the book.
2—Personal Study. Read and reread the section of Isaiah.
- Write down questions you have in the margins around the text. As you study, seek to answer those questions.
- Underline significant theological words (faith, righteousness, justice, Word of God, holy, etc). If possible underline each specific word with the same color. Look for other significant words that are repeated.
- Identify summary verses, passages which seem to put in capsule form the point of a section.
- Circle pronouns. List the possible antecedents for the pronouns in the margin.
- Identify lists. Isaiah will often provide a long list of items. Spend some time pondering why the list is there.
- Pay close attention to what Isaiah is saying about
*Jerusalem
*God
*God’s word
3—After your photocopied section of Isaiah is well marked, then turn to the accompanying lessons. Read and reread the section of Isaiah in light of the lesson provided.
- Mark the divisions suggested for the text on the photocopies.
- Answer unanswered questions and pose new questions raised by the lessons.
- Write down short statements that summarize Isaiah’s theological message.
- Jot down teaching ideas and questions to raise with the class.
- When you are familiar with the section of Isaiah and understand his basic theological message, assemble the class
4—Teach the class
- Determine what parts of Isaiah’s theological message are most appropriate for your students and their lives.
- Plan the class presentation to help the students make the same journey you have made. Be their guide as you unfold Isaiah’s grand message to them.
Prayer
Dear LORD,
We want to have ears to hear and eyes to see. Open our ears and eyes to your word and to your person. Use the word of your prophet Isaiah to enrich our lives.
In the name of Jesus the Messiah, Amen.