Isaiah 1-39

by Seitz, Christopher R.

• ISBN13: 9780804231312
• ISBN10: 0804231311
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1993-09-01
• Publisher: John Knox Pr

Summary

This unique commentary allows the interpretation of Isaiah 1-39 to be guided by the final form of the book. It focuses on the theological aspect of the book of Isaiah, giving special attention to the role of literary context. Christopher Seitz explores structural and organizational concerns as clues to the editorial intention of the final form of the material, which he argues is both intelligible and an intended result of the efforts of those who gave shape to the present form of the book.Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Introduction	1	(1)
The Character and Position of the Book of Isaiah	1	(3)
Why a Commentary on First Isaiah?	4	(3)
Literary Structure	7	(3)
Historical Structure	10	(5)
Superscription and Call	11	(1)
The Syro-Ephraimite Coalition (734-732 B.C.)	12	(1)
King Hezekiah and the 701 B.C. Debacle	13	(2)
Theological Structure	15	(4)
COMMENTARY
The Presentation of Isaiah: Word and Prophet Isaiah 1-12	19	(96)
Overview	19	(12)
Introduction	19	(2)
Prophetic Agency	21	(1)
Isaiah 1-4: The Presentation of Word and Prophet	22	(3)
Isaiah 5:1-30	25	(1)
Isaiah 6:1-9:7	26	(2)
Isaiah 9:8-11:16	28	(1)
Isaiah 12:1-6	29	(1)
Conclusion	29	(1)
Historical Structure	30	(1)
Theological Structure	30	(1)
1:1-31 Like a Booth in a Vineyard	31	(7)
2:1-4:6 In That Day	38	(8)
Zion and the Nations (2:1-5)	38	(2)
The Lord of Hosts Has a Day (2:6-4:6)	40	(2)
Conclusion	42	(4)
5:1-30 My Beloved Had a Vineyard	46	(6)
Matters of Structure	46	(1)
The Song of the Vineyard (5:1-7)	47	(2)
A Signal Is Raised (5:8-30)	49	(2)
Conclusion	51	(1)
6:1-13 The Holy Seed Is Its Stump	52	(8)
Introduction	52	(2)
Form (6:1-8)	54	(1)
The Commission (6:9-13)	55	(5)
7:1-9:7 If You Do Not Stand Firm in Faith, You Shall Not Stand at All: Isaiah and the House of David	60	(1)
Excursus: Who Is Immanuel?	60	(28)
The Problems	60	(6)
History and Interpretation	66	(5)
Royal Theology and Christian Interpretation	71	(4)
Isaiah's Word to Ahaz: It Shall Not Stand (7:1-9)	75	(3)
Isaiah's Word to Ahaz: You Shall Not Stand (7:10-25)	78	(2)
Immanuel Stands Firm (8:1-10)	80	(2)
The Teaching Stands Firm (8:11-22)	82	(2)
A Child Is Born (9:1-7)	84	(4)
9:8-10:34 The Rise and Fall of a Great Forest	88	(7)
Introduction	88	(1)
His Hand Is Stretched Out Still (9:8-21)	89	(2)
Assyria, Rod of My Anger (10:1-34)	91	(4)
11:1-16 The Vineyard Restored	95	(16)
Introduction	95	(1)
A Shoot from the Stump of Jesse	96	(2)
Isaiah, Prophet of Salvation	98	(7)
His Delight Shall Be in the Fear of the Lord (11:1-9)	105	(3)
The Root of Jesse (11:10-11)	108	(1)
An Ensign for the Nations (11:12-16)	108	(3)
12:1-6 A Final Hymn of Praise	111	(4)
God of Israel, God of The Nations Isaiah 13-27	115	(88)
Overview	115	(12)
Literary Structure	115	(1)
Scope	116	(3)
Internal Arrangement	119	(1)
Function and Theological Intention	120	(7)
13:1-14:32 A World Judgment and the Judgment of the Lord	127	(11)
The Plan of God	128	(4)
A World Judgment (13:1-22)	132	(2)
The Taunt Against Babylon (14:1-23)	134	(2)
An Ominous Ending (14:24-32)	136	(1)
Conclusion	137	(1)
15:1-16:14 Oracles Concerning Moab	138	(3)
17:1-14 Oracles Concerning Syria-Ephraim	141	(2)
18:1-20:6 Oracles Concerning Ethiopia and Egypt	143	(14)
Introduction (20:1-6)	143	(2)
Swift Messengers Dispatched (18:1-7)	145	(1)
Problems of Interpretation	145	(2)
A Unitary Reading	147	(2)
An Oracle Concerning Egypt (19:1-25)	149	(1)
Introduction	149	(1)
On That Day (19:16-25)	150	(3)
I Will Confound Their Plans (19:1-15)	153	(4)
21:1-22:25 The Valley of Vision and the Wilderness of the Sea	157	(11)
Introduction	157	(2)
Isaiah 22:1-25	159	(3)
Isaiah 21:1-17	162	(6)
23:1-18 The Oracle Concerning Tyre	168	(4)
24:1-27:13 A Tale of Two Cities	172	(31)
Introduction	172	(7)
A Return to the Days of Noah (24:1-23)	179	(6)
An Appropriate Response (25:1-12)	185	(8)
The Way of the Righteous (26:1-21)	193	(3)
A New Vineyard, Sing of It! (27:1-13)	196	(7)
A King Will Reign in Righteousness Isaiah 28-39	203	(64)
Overview	203	(6)
28:1-29 Strange Is His Deed-Alien His Work!	209	(3)
29:1-24 Zion Is Distressed, the Nations Are Routed	212	(3)
30:1-33 In Returning and Rest	215	(7)
31:1-9 A Severe Protection	222	(6)
32:1-20 A King Will Reign in Righteousness	228	(5)
33:1-24 Woe to You, Destroyer	233	(3)
34:1-35:10 The Ransomed of the Lord Shall Return	236	(6)
36:1-37:38 Hezekiah Reigns in Righteousness	242	(12)
38:1-22 The Power of Prayer	254	(7)
39:1-8 The Word of the Lord Is Good	261	(6)
Bibliography	267