In this team blog, we are working through the book of Isaiah. We are starting out with a curiosity about the Messianic prophecies, but are open to other insights that come from the study.
This first post is for the first 5 chapters; after this we will be working in 2-chapter segments until January 6th. Originally, we had decided to read just for the Advent season but it was easily extended to early January so we don't bite off more than we can chew.
We are taking turns writing about the chapters so if you would like to join the study as a writer, drop a comment and we'll put you in rotation!:)
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As the only Catholic working on this blog that I know of, I think it would be really interesting if Q. could write something on the Messianic nature of the Apocrypha. When she has time, of course. And the desire :)
Also, are we going to divide up the readings as was done in the Easter blog, or just kind of go with the flow?
I know we decided against spending much time on Isaiah 1-5 since we want to dive right into the prophesies, but I want to briefly raise a topic that seems related to me. Ch. 1-5 really impressed on me the importance of God's guidance. There are some pretty strong images of what the nation of Israel looks like without it: children ruling the land, poverty and oppression, corruption and bribery in the government, the country laid to waste by fire etc. I think my favorite is 3:6 when they try to elect a leader based on the fact that he is dressed, but can't convince him. "When a man seizes his brother in his father's house, saying, 'You have clothes! Be our ruler, and take in hand this ruin!' Then he will answer in that day: 'I will not undertake to cure this, when in my own house there is no bread or clothing!'" Given this, the promise of a Messiah would be that much more inspiring. The idea that someday a leader will come who won't go away after 12 or 40 years like the judges, but will leave his mark permanently. We often say that the people did not recognize Jesus because they were expecting a military leader - a great king to free them from Roman rule. This is true I think, but I recently heard a talk from Brant Pitre who said that they were expecting much more than that. They knew the leader would have to be spiritual as well as political. They believed that he would in some way bring not only the nation of Israel back to God, but the Gentiles too. This shocked me. The Gentiles suddenly matter? If this is so, then the Israelites were definitely looking for a new kingdom entirely. As we go through Isaiah, I’m very curious to see what support we find for this.
Now to more technical matters. I don't think we quite decided how to post. We could rotate like before, and if anyone joins us, just slide them into the rotation. I propose we go alphabetically to avoid back and forth politeness. Alphabet-wise...oh look, Caddy goes first! Hehehe. Also, I will definitely try to write something about the Messianic nature of the Apocrypha. That sounds fascinating! It'll be a while though because first I have to learn about it myself... I knew this study would be a good challenge!
I think probably the backwards alphabet is what we are going to have to work with. Besides, I've already posted:D I know, I know, I have a big mouth. Quele has volunteered to write next, so Caddy if you are comfortable taking tomorrow's reading that would be lovely. Any objections, pull them out now!
The part that I come back to in reading these passages are the first few verses; in it God says that his children no longer know what home is, or how to recognise love when they see it. Quite frankly, that scares me.
Ach! I will post on the next 2 chs. today once I get done with my exam, so it won't happen till tonight, or tomorrow for those of us in mysterious time zones.
Also, how do you get all follow-up comments emailed to yourself? So far, I only get emails telling me that I've posted a comment, which I don't need to be told unless I have developed a multiple-personality disorder.
Hallo, Caddy. When you post a comment, there should be an area below it saying:
Choose an identity
Google/Blogger:
You're currently posting as rivkah m.
Use a different account
Email follow-up comments to youremailaddress@host.com
Nickname:
Anonymous
And then you can choose to tick the box or not.
About the readings: I didn't realise your exams were so soon. I don't mind posting again, at all. Just say the word!
Ok, I have another tech question:
I would like to add another link to the "relevant lit" section, but I don't know how. Weep weep. This makes me sad. Finding electronic sources is my forte (I'm passing an entire class on this skill alone).
Your electronic resourcefulness is not at fault: I just forgot to grant you admin privileges. It has been done. Log in and then view the blog--it should have a bunch of tools next to the different features. That will save the world.
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