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| Isaiah with Lee Campbell |
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Week 4: Humanity and Chapters 40-55
Anthropology in Isaiah
Biblical anthropology focuses attention upon humans in relation to God rather than in relation to the world. In this section we will concentrate on what Isaiah teaches about biblical anthropology. However, the themes of this book constrain us to look especially at the effects of sin and faith upon man.
From Isaiah we are told that people are created beings [1] with spiritual[2] and physical features; that they have free will[3] ; that they naturally incline toward rebellion[4] and that God will rescue some from the effects of rebellion.[5]
In spite of God's sovereign right to rule his own creation[6] and his desire for intimacy with people, they wish to be free of God - free to live their lives according to personal preferences. This desire is intrinsic to human nature. Acting out this craving is only possible when God distances himself from his creation,[7] because the rebellious are terrified of God;[8] they know they are guilty.[9] Isaiah elaborates on the way that rebellion works itself out in a manner that provides real insight into God's perspective on us and our relationship with sin.
Rebellion[10] manifests itself in three kinds of urges:
The desire to acquire (i.e. lust of the eyes) 5:8-10, 23
The desire to stimulate the senses (i.e. lust of the flesh) 5:11-12, 20, 22; 56:10-12; 57:5
The desire to exalt oneself (i.e. boastful pride) 5:16-19, 21; 10:8-19; 13:11
Devaluing others is the sister of pride and is manifest:
through exploitation 1:16-23; 3:15; 10:1-2; 24:16; 32:6-7; 39:8b; 56:10-12
through mockery 28:22; 29:20; 57:4
through affectations aimed at manipulation 3:16-4:1; 58:1-5
Proud religious people seek to manipulate the spiritual realm for their own advantage 1:11-15; 17:7-8; 28:15(18); 29:13-14; 46:6-7; 57:5-9; 58:1-5
Proud people are very confident in their ways and means of getting what they want 2:6-22; 22:5-11; 28:15(18); 29:13; 30:1-5; 30:12,16-17; 31:1; 47:9-15; 50:11; note the tendency to depend on or use others as a method (i.e. compare this with 51:7-8,12-16).
Proud people are radically committed to their rebellion 1:5-9; 23:17f ; 47:15b; 48:4-8; 57:10,17
When every personal device fails unrepentant pride results in hopelessness 22:12-13; 37:23
Rebelliousness leads to troubles and increasing spiritual stupidity
See for example: 5:12-13; 6:9-10; 9:13; 28:7-15; 30:9-11; 42:18-25; 44:12-20; 45:20; 46:5-7; 47:7b; 56:10-12; 59:9-10
The rebellious are restless and anxious 57:10, 20-21
The rebellious are mindless of their own demise 28:15(18); 47:7,8
The rebellious think they can avoid God 29:15-16; 47:10a
The rebellious blame God for their own choices 63:17
Those who trust God:
are satisfied 3:10; 7:9b; 25:9; 26:3; 30:15; 32:17; 42:16; 48:18f
are used by God for good 26:12
are persecuted by the rebellious 50:6-9; 59:15
get insight and wisdom from him 48:17; 50:4,5,10
have closeness with him 57:15; 66:2b
God has a plan to rescue people from their own rebellion:
through atonement 1:18; 6:7 e.g. of Isaiah; 43:25; 44:22; 53:5ff; 55:7; 59:16
through immortality 25:7f; 26:19; (c.f. ICor.15:21-55; Rom.6:14; 2Tim.1:10; Rev.1:17f; Heb.2:14; 1Th.4:14; Rev.21:4)
through restructuring of our character 26:8f;
redemptive discipline 1:5-9, 25-27; 10:25-27; 19:23-25; 29:22-24; 48:10; 51:17-23; 57:16-19; 59:18f
instruction away from evil and toward good 2:3; 48:17 (c.f. Gal.5:16-25; Rom.6:12; Phil.4:8; Mt.26:4 thinking and acting like God is the best way to avoid temptations toward rebellion)
spiritual guidance 32:15; 51:16; 59:21
An Overview of Chapters 40-55
Major themes
Theology proper (i.e. the doctrine of God)
Soteriology (i.e. the doctrine of salvation)
Selected textual notes
40:1-48:22 Deliverance from Babylon
40:1-11 Focus not on the exile but on the sin and eventual return.
40:12-31 God is wise and powerful.
41:1-29 deliverance from Babylon is in the works.
42:1-25 deliverance from sin is in the works.
43:1-44:5 You will be redeemed from Babylon.
44:6-23 God is superior to idols.
44:24-45:25 You will be restored through Cyrus.
46:1-47:15 Babylon and her gods will fall.
48:1-22 You will be released from punishment for your rebellion.
49:1-57:21 The Person and Work of the Servant of the Lord.
49:1-26 The servant and the restoration of Israel
50:1-11 The suffering of the servant
51:1-16 A double meaning: God will restore his people
51:17-52:12 Good news for Jerusalem
52:13-53:12 Salvation through the atonement of the servant.
54:1-17 Jerusalem will rejoice and prosper.
55:1-13 Trust God!
56:1-8 Nations will flock to Israel for God's sake.
56:9-57:21 A synopsis of Israel's sins
Homework Assignment
Read and annotate chapters 56-66
Memorize the following verses: 57:15, 64:4 and 66:2b
The pattern of sin explicitly described in 1 John 2:16 is repeated in many places in the Bible (e.g. see Mt. 6). Isaiah illustrates that rejection of God's leadership in favor of self-rule leads to such practices. How are you currently pursuing materialistic desires, sensuality and dependence on yourself? How might you resist these tendencies?
Prepare responses to the following questions:
1. Read Isaiah 2:6-22. Notice references to arrogance, idolatry and trusting man. How are these human attitudes and behaviors related (c.f. Col.3:5)?
2. List 5 features of God's nature that are described by Isaiah. Provide citations for each example you give.
Notes
[1] 1:2; 30:18-21; 43:7; 44:21; 45:12; 49:14-16; 54:5-8 Return to Text
[2] Nephesh 15:4; 19:10; 26:9; 38:15, 17; 53:11; 61:10; 66:3; Ruach 26:9; 38:16; 54:6; 57:15f; 61:3; 65:14; 66:2. Return to Text
[3] If not, it would be absurd for God to urge Israel to change her mind or to argue issues out with Him Return to Text
[4] Note, for instance, that even in a perfect environment rebellion foments (26:10). Return to Text
[5] Some will be forgiven...55:1,3,7; 59:16,20,21, but not all...22:14 (c.f. 1Jn.4:16 5:16f; Heb. 6:4; 10:26; unpardonable sin); 26:14; 27:11b; 29:9-12; 45:15; 55:6; 65:13ff. Return to Text
[6] His right and ability to rule can be seen with every use of Adoni and Yahweh; see also, 1:1:3; 40:15,17,23; 45:9, 11; 14:26-27; 37:6f; 40:12; 43:13b; 44:25; 45:6b-7, 9 23-24; 46:10b; 48:15; 49:22; 50:1-3; 51:13-16 Return to Text
[10] Jer.2:13 offers a terrific picture of the nature of rebellion and the inability of our rebellion to meet needs. Return to Text
