Isaiah chapters 55-57: Endurance Through Faith

 From the temple of Marduk


    The Babylonian god Marduk

Isaiah Chapters 1-39 are considered to be Pre-Exilic writing; chapters 40-55 Exilic and our current readings, chapters 56-66 Post- Exilic.  The only way for the exiled to get past God’s punishment and back to the Promised Land was to endure the situation that they could not control. The righteous of Israel have kept the Sabbath and the Brit Milah rituals. In doing so, they have separated themselves from the “pagan” peoples with which they were living. They have taken to heart a renewed faith in God that had been absent in their community for so long. All people (non-Israelites among them) are now welcome to make a home in Zion contingent upon their adherence to God’s laws and the acknowledgment that there is one true God.                                                

Bob: In response to 55:13  …These (wonders) shall stand as a testimony to the LORD,/ As an everlasting sign that shall not perish.

Everlasting? We know that these blessings will not be everlasting.

Ellen: When it (good times) ends, this means that we have done something wrong. We have transgressed and will be punished.

Julie: When is anything everlasting? This is symbolic language.

Paul: In response to 56:3-4 …(anyone) Who has chosen what I desire/ And hold fast to my covenant…I will give them,…/A monument and a name/Better than sons or daughters.

It seems that in the past the covenant was made with an individual; for example David, but now it is being extended to all.

Rabbi: This is a reassertion of the covenant relationship with all of the nation.

Julie: This is a state that is internal; one that is inside each person regardless of place.

Ellen: In response to the nature references in 55:10-13.  Rain will bring vegetation and abundance. These are agrarian peoples so this kind of language is important. It is about the earth.

Rabbi: Yes, but it is more inclusive than this one reading. It is a metaphor.

Bob: There is the small picture and there is a larger one. This is not just about the bounty of the earth. Once people move from hunting and gathering they want to acquire land and this is where conflict between the individual and the community begins.

Julie: I think that there is always internal struggle/conflict.

Ceil: An ethical base is developing.

Ellen: There is an agricultural ethic too.

Jane: Referring to 56:6, All who keep the Sabbath and do not profane it,/…I will bring them to My sacred mount…

This is an, If you do this … Then you get that, contingency plan.

Julie: referring to 56:5-8.  It seems that all people are welcome as long as they follow God’s ways.

Bobby: More traditional temples would not be so inclusive.

Jonathan: There is a very abrupt shift between Chapter 56:1-8 to Chapter 57.

Rabbi: Yes, this is a big shift in mood. The transition is a bit jarring. God is now addressing the idolaters.  I believe this is also referring to the after-life (chapter 57:1-12.) The righteous will die in peace and the wicked will be troubled and never rest.

 Ellen: How did you get that from this passage? Do we really know what God is looking for? We don’t need to follow all of the 613. We just need to do our best and remind ourselves that sometimes bad things happen but it may not be our fault.

Jane: Yes, like the saying, “ Why do bad things happen to good people? “

Rabbi: In Isaiah, when bad things happen it is because the people have transgressed the laws. “My plans are not your plans…” Tikkun Olam is important but Isaiah wants the people to keep the laws too. It is not an either – or choice – we must do both.

 

I have heard the following story 3 times in the last two months so I will take it as an omen and share it with you. Each telling was slightly different but the gist of it was consistent.

A man is running along a precipice in an effort to evade a pack of hungry wolves. They are rapidly closing in on him and in a moment of desperation he reaches out and leaps onto a hanging vine. As he is swinging he notices that below him are more wolves waiting for him to fall. From a tiny outcropping, too small to support his weight, there is a mouse who is chewing through the vine. The man begins to scream for God. “God, God please help me.” “Yes”, he hears coming from above him. “God is that you?” asks the man. “God, please help me, tell me what to do. If you help me I will never ask for another thing and I will follow all of your Commandments.” God reassures the man and tells him, “Don’t worry about all that now, I will help you my son.”  Much relieved, the man asks, “Yes, I am listening God, what should I do?”  To which God replies, “Let go!” The man pauses for a moment then begins to scream, “ Help! Help! Someone, anyone, please help me.”