55...THE THIRD MAN...'TRITO' ISAIAH

Based on Isaiah (IS) CH.56-65...Read more there

If you haven't done so already, it's suggested you read EP.52 for the background to the three 'Isaiah's & their unravelling. 'Trito' IS (TR-IS) may have been a collective figure, perhaps a group of small 'p' prophets who are or have been disciples of DT-IS. Like DT-IS, the setting is later than that of 1st IS. The passages selected for comment here are, as in EP.54, passages referred to in the Gospels. Here again we are dealing almost entirely with poetry, so let’s enjoy it, & perhaps try reading aloud for better effect?

In 56:7 [cf. MK 11:17] we find a widening of the scope of YHWH God's concern from the more narrowly Hebrew centred one we've become familiar with. Is this a development following the Hebrews' recent exposure to other nations, both for ill & good? It certainly stakes YHWH's claim beyond its former boundaries. History hasn't always shown this new attitude to be true, or fulfilled, any more than other peoples & other religions have widened their horizons to embrace others & their religions. The gist of 56:1-7 is re-stated in v.8 [cf. JN 10:16]. Then, in 59: 9-10 we have a prophetic foreshadowing of JN 8:12 & Jesus' (& John's) contrasting light with darkness.

The primary thrust of 60:6 [cf. MT 2] is a foreshadowing of a 'new Jerusalem', which will indeed arise after the return of exiles from Babylon. This is a follow-on from the theme of 'consolation' we've seen in DT-IS, with Jerusalem becoming a hub for trade & prosperity. In a longer-term sense it came to be seen as fore-telling gifts brought to the young child Jesus by visitors from afar. 61:1-2 picks up the theme of ‘consolation’ again, a theme we’ve already met in DT IS. The Prophet’s words echo down the years & are used by Jesus himself in the synagogue of his home town of Nazareth [cf. LK4:16+] to describe the kind of ministry he comes to bring. (Jesus leaves out the bit about vengeance!)

66:1-2 As well as reflecting Jesus’ own attitudes, provides Stephen with the basis for his defence when he is brought before the Sanhedrin [cf. AC7:49] In both cases it shows up the sharp differences between the ‘official’ Hebrew viewpoint & the new understandings of God Jesus & his followers build on older prophetic foundations [cf.JN16:1-4]. Still in 66, vv.18+ may well be a later addition in what is called an ‘apocalyptic’ [N.1] style centring on the end of the world [cf. REV]. Apocalyptic however has often been used as an   escape mechanism from the realities of living in God’s present time, whenever that is! God is always the God of Now, rather than Then, or When! And there’s more too come…56: Jeremiah - Not All Doom & Gloom. 

[N.1] Apocalyptic is about the revealing of things hidden from others.

Q: How conscious are we of the need for newer faith-understandings built on old?