In response to the suggestion not to summarize and reflect too much, I decided to ask a few general questions about the reading first.

Friday's reading at the Sixth Hour is the "center' of the chiastic structure for chapters 2 thru 4. This reading is important in these chapters since being the center it may imply that it is the major point the author is trying to make.

In reading Isa 3:1-14, what do you think the theme or big point Isaiah was making?

Historically, Isaiah 1-39 was written during tumultuous times. What is starting to break down in 3:1-7? Who is behind the breakdown? What is the reason (since beginning Isaiah's text) for the wrath? Do you sense any jealousy involved in these things?

What impression do you get about this prophet Isaiah? Is he a conservative wanting to maintain the status quo while trying to save the pieces? Is he a revolutionary with agendas of social restructuring and liberation theology? Is he someone other?


Joe

Good Evening Mr. Thur,

Its helps to read 2kings 15 from King Uzziah(Azariah) to King Mennasseh and from 2Chornicles 26. They were the rulers during Isaiah's time as prophet. The morality is breaking down. The problem is people are still offering sacrifices to other Gods even King Ahaz sacrificed his own child to fire. Isaiah was an adviser to King Ahaz.He rejected Isaiah's plea to turn back to God.Isaiah warns of what God will allow to happen. I'm not clear if he's foretelling this before Ahaz comes to power or during the reign of Ahaz.In 2Chornicles 28 it tells of the retribution. It is what Isaiah is describing in chapter 3. I don't see him as a conservative. The Israelites have turn away from God before. He is just trying to help the people avoid punishment again. Isaiah sounds so familiar.He could be describing our world today.Isaiah is much scarier then the book of Revelation.Even after the coming of Christ the world is still acting the way it did during Isaiah's time.

Nicky's Baba

Nicky's Baba,

Isaiah is a scary book, especially the first thirty nine chapters. Yet despite the doom and gloom in this book, there is the message of hope. Those who wish to drag us through their own perverted misery will have their day, and sometimes succeed in winning us over. But it is our fidelity to our covenantial relationship with God that will earn us salvation and blessings.

Joe

Is 3:1-7 refers simply to the destruction of the strong and the wise of the world. Those whom the world honours shall be brought low, and those whom the world despises shall reign (did Jesus really say anything original?) It seems by the end, general anarchy sets in. Now we have Jerusalem and the Chosen of God comming to a bad end due to their sins (vv8-9). What does this mean to the Church, the New Jerusalem, and the new People of God, us? Are we, too, spiralling to our destruction?

Isaias certainly is calling for structural reform on all levels, beginning with the individual (vv 10-11). Only when the individual changes, can there be a true societal reform. If we do not effect this change in ourselves, "the Lord will enter into judgement with the ancients of his people and its princes;" and they shall render a just ruling.