Lesson 26: Isaiah 40-66

The Prophet Isaiah (40-66)

The Book of Isaiah 1-39 chronicles the ministry of one of the Lord’s greatest prophets who was called to his ministry in the midst of the crucible of the history of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). Isaiah 40-66 does not have such clear time markers, but there are numerous references that indicate these chapters are speaking to a people who are/have experienced exile from Jerusalem, and possibly already returned to the grim reality of their destroyed city and Temple. Can they trust God to fulfill his promises?

The fundamental point that chs. 40–55 address is the possibility of restoration. That possibility is called into question by two factors. First, ability: can God restore? Second, intention: does He want to restore? More than anything else, the exile would raise questions about the character of the God whom Isaiah and the pre-exilic prophets had been proclaiming. Tough stuff.

Enjoy the video, but take a moment to read:

Introduction to Isaiah Chapters 40-66

For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.

In the Christian Tradition, we look back to the “Suffering Servant Songs” of Isaiah 50-53. Listen to Bishop Robert Barron unfold the meaning of suffering, Isaiah’s prophetic message, and the mission of Jesus.

Lesson 25: Isaiah 1-39

The Prophet Isaiah (1-39)

The Book of Isaiah chronicles the ministry of one of the Lord’s greatest prophets who was called to his ministry in the midst of the crucible of the history of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the Southern Kingdom). The halcyon days of King David and Solomon were 200 years in the past. Around them the great powers of Assyria and Egypt were ever enticing or threatening the kingdoms, luring the Kings into alliances and counter-alliances. Some kings “did what was right in the Lord’s eyes” setting examples of religious orthodoxy and practice while trusting in the Lord. Others did quite the opposite.

The Books of Kings and Chronicles can be thought of as documenting the story of Kings vs. God, with the voice and message of God coming via the Lord’s prophets. There is perhaps no better example of this conflict of kingdoms than the story of the Prophet Isaiah. He served the Lord during the reigns of kings from Uzziah to Hezekiah, covering some 40-50 years. While there were moments of success, the arc of the nation was ever away from Covenant faithfulness.

If the whole of the Book of Isaiah is well captured in the image below, the first part of Isaiah (chs 1-39) tells the story of Israel and why the Lord’s judgment will be upon them. It is for the remainder of Isaiah to offer the oracles of hope that are fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Enjoy the video, but take a moment to read:

Intro to the Book of Isaiah

Introduction to Isaiah Chapters 1-39

For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.

In the Books of Kings and Chronicles, the story of King Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah is well told. Hezekiah was king after God’s heart and listened to Isaiah, but in the end was human. Hezekiah’s mistake lead to Isaiah’s oracle of the Babylonian Exile.

Lesson 24: An Introduction to the Prophets

Introduction to the Prophets

There are 16 prophetic books in the Old Testament – which taken as a whole is equal to the entire New Testament in length. So many of the NT quotations are from the prophetic books and so it is nigh on impossible to understand the work and message of Jesus without understanding the Prophets. Who were they? What was their role in their own day? In the flow of salvation history? How are we to read and understand their prophetic messages?

Prophetic books do not easily fall into one particular literary genre. Some are anthologies or oracles, narratives and visions. All use poetic language, parallelism, hyperbole, symbols and metaphors. At times the prophets “act” their prophecies like street theater. All not all prophets are alike, yet they all speak on behalf of God to his people. It is always good to remember that if the people of God had stayed close to God, there likely would not have been any prophets sent. The basic mission of a prophets is to call the people back to covenant relationship with God – something the kings were suppose to do.

Enjoy the video, but take a moment to read:

Kings vs. Prophets

Introduction to the Prophets Presentation

For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.

Lesson 23: Song of Songs

Song of Songs

The Song of Songs (or Canticle of Canticles) is an exquisite collection of love lyrics, arranged to tell a dramatic tale of mutual desire and courtship. It presents an inspired portrayal of ideal human love, a resounding affirmation of the goodness of human sexuality that is applicable to the sacredness and the depth of married union. Although the poem is attributed to Solomon in the traditional title (1:1), the language and style of the work, among other considerations, suggest a time after the end of the Babylonian exile (538 B.C.) when an unknown poet collected extant love poems, perhaps composing new material, and arranged the whole into the masterpiece we have before us.

The Song of Songs, with its vivid and erotic language (Song of Songs 1:1-4), moves even the most casual reader to ponder the meaning and purpose of this song. Did the author intend for his poem to be an allegory, symbolizing the passionate exchange between God and his people? Or was he painting colorful depictions of intimacy between two lovers? Or is there perhaps a deeper meaning, which modern translators have largely overlooked?

Enjoy the videos, but take a moment to read:

Song of Songs Presentation

For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.

Lesson 22: The Book of Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes

Wisdom literature in the Bible include the Books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. The opening chapters of the Book of Proverbs draws attention to wisdom itself and its inherent value rather than exhorting particular wise actions. These chapters personify wisdom as a woman and draw an extended analogy between finding a wife, or founding and maintaining a house(hold), and finding wisdom. The final chapter of the book use household chores as the analogy and then sums up the whole book in the final verse: “Acclaim her for the work of her hands, and let her deeds praise her at the city gates.” (Proverbs 31:31) Such are the rewards of right living pleasing to God. It is almost as though a tenant of that book is that God rewards the righteous and upright and punishes the wicked.

Ecclesiastes has a different view. It would say that pursuing all kinds of actions, accomplishments, and accolades is “Vanity of vanities…All things are vanity!” (Ecc 1:2) Why? Because bad things happen to good people and vice versa. Ecclesiastes is not exactly uplifting – at first blush, but it offers an alternative posture in life that assumes if you are righteous and faithful that your life will be without problems. And that posture includes an admonishment to live gratefully for all that God provides to the world, regardless of the specific circumstances of your life

Enjoy the videos, but take a moment to read Is Life Really Meaningless?

Ecclesiastes Presentation

For those who would like to explore details of this book, please consider videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz’s “Bible in a Year” program. You can find the entire playlist here.