Embarking Upon a Study of Isaiah
There will be three sessions on the study of Isaiah. The first session beginning on Sunday, October 20 in the Wilkinson Center at 9:00 AM.
The book of Isaiah is important not only to the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) and people but also to the New Testament and Christians. We will embark on a journey into the world of the prophet of Isaiah and discover how he communicated God’s message through images and metaphors, sounds, and words. In these first seven sessions of the study, titled “Holy, Holy, Holy,” we will explore the first 30 chapters of Isaiah.
The next session beginning on Sunday, December 8, “Do Not Be Afraid,” part two of the study of Isaiah, we will cover chapters 40 to 55. This section of Isaiah is known as Isaiah Two or Second Isaiah. At this point the Hebrew people, now being called Jews, are exiles in Babylon. The Jerusalem Temple has been leveled by the Babylonians and the city is in ruins. Everything that was central to their lives was gone. In this section of Isaiah, the prophet speaks about God’s grace in response to the people’s pain and lament. There are six sessions in this study.
The study will conclude with “Your Light has Come,” the third session beginning on Sunday, January 19, by exploring chapters 56-66. This portion is known as Isaiah Three (Third Isaiah). Many of the Jews in Babylon, but not all, return to Jerusalem. This is made possible because the Persians defeated the Babylonians and the Persian conqueror, Cyrus, allowed them to go back to their homeland. The returning exiles are struggling to integrate among the Jews who were able to remain behind. How will God’s people come together to share in God’s future? Isaiah speaks of God reaching out to all nations and communicates God’s promises, capturing the attention and imagination of a struggling community – and eventually a New Testament community that records Jesus reading from Isaiah 61 to identify himself and his mission. There are five sessions in this study.
These three studies will enrich our understanding of Isaiah and enhance our appreciation and significance of the message of Christmas, Epiphany, Lent and Easter. During these seasons of the Church Year, we will hear Isaiah speak to us in the lessons.
Contact Fr. James for more information and to reserve a copy of the Resource Book or call/text 757.561.3093.
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