Illustrate & Share Assignment 1 - Isaiah 3

Transcription

1 Illustrate & Share Assignment 1 - Isaiah 3 Context: In this chapter Isaiah is prophesying that Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for their disobedience. The Lord will plead for his people and will be the judge of his people. The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness. Covenants: The kingdom of Judah is called to repentance Understanding: When Judah falls, men with skill and leadership will be taken away, leaving only the young and inexperienced to rule. Verses 1 8: The Fall of the Kingdom of Judah Isaiah 3:1. "The stay and the staff" Think of a staff as the center pole of a tent and then imagine what happens when you take it away the entire tent collapses. In this verse "the stay and staff" are also identified as bread and water, both as food and drink and as a metaphor for the teachings and spiritual blessings of the gospel. Isaiah 3:2 3. They went that way. The Babylonians not only conquered the land, but the invading armies also took captive and led away the most influential and powerful people, thereby reducing the threat of a future revolt. Isaiah 3:4 5. "Babes shall rule over them" Only the young or inexperienced will be left in Judah to rule. Seven of the kings who ruled over Judah during the time of Isaiah up to the Babylonian captivity were between the ages of eight and twenty-five when they began their reigns, and all but one are characterized as "evil" in the Old Testament account. Under these circumstances, neighbors will oppress one another, and the young will lose respect for their elders. Isaiah 3:6 7. "Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler" You know you're in trouble when simply having clothes makes you a candidate for public office. Isaiah 3:8. "Their tongues and their doings" An interesting way of characterizing their words and their actions, both of which "provoke the eyes of his glory," or in other words, defy the work and glory of the Lord, which is to bring to pass their eternal life (see Moses 1:39).

2 Illustrate & Share Assignment 2 - Isaiah 3 Context: In this chapter Isaiah is prophesying that Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for their disobedience. The Lord will plead for his people and will be the judge of his people. The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness. Covenants: The kingdom of Judah is called to repentance Christ: Jehovah pleads for and judges His people. Understanding: The people have brought this punishment upon themselves because they have provoked the Lord and oppressed each other. Verses 9 15: The Lord Explains the Reasons for Judah's Punishment Isaiah 3:9. "Their countenance doth witness against them" Perhaps you can judge a book by its cover, at least to some degree. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught, "You will always discover in the first glance of a man, in the outlines of his features something of his mind" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 299). It seems that, over time, one's behavior eventually shows up on one's face. Goodness also shows up on one's face, which is why Alma asked, "Have ye received [the Savior's] image in your countenances?" (Alma 5:14). Isaiah 3:9. "Their sin to be even as Sodom" The city of Sodom, which the Lord destroyed because of its iniquity, is a type for wickedness in the scriptures. Isaiah 3:12. "Children are their oppressors, and women rule over them" Isaiah is suggesting "the leaders will be weak as or will actually be women, an insult in ancient Israelite culture. This implies a dissolution of the traditional patriarchal social structure that was the norm of the time. Isaiah 3: "The Lord standeth up to plead" Since the leaders are ignoring the people, the Lord will plead or contend for them and judge them. Verses 16 26: The Immoral Daughters of Zion, a Metaphor for Disobedient Covenant Israel

3 Illustrate & Share Assignment 3 - Isaiah 3 Context: In this chapter Isaiah is prophesying that Judah and Jerusalem will be punished for their disobedience. The Lord will plead for his people and will be the judge of his people. The daughters of Zion are cursed and tormented for their worldliness. Current Events: The daughters of Zion are the unfaithful covenant people Understanding: The daughters of Zion (another metaphor for the people of Judah and all of covenant Israel) are obsessed with appearance and fashion (attracting other lovers), but they will be humbled like slaves, and their men will perish in wars. Isaiah 3:16. "The daughters of Zion" While personal vanity, materialism, and an obsession with fashion are certainly addressed here, the "daughters of Zion" is also a metaphor for disobedient covenant Israel or, more specifically in this case, the people of Judah. They are supposed to be under covenant with Jehovah (who is also called the bridegroom in later scripture) but are being unfaithful by leaving him and trying to attract other lovers. Isaiah 3: Successive Excessive Accessories: Stretched forth necks -- Haughtiness (see footnote a in Isaiah 3:16) Wanton eyes -- Seductive eyes that focus on carnality Walking and mincing -- Short, rapid steps that draw attention Tinkling with their feet -- Ornaments and bells on their ankles Smite with a scab -- Itchy rash, or perhaps a sign of slavery Discover their secret parts -- Or "uncover," put to shame, humiliate Cauls -- Hair nets or headbands Round tires -- Crescent-shaped ornaments Chains -- Pendants, necklaces, earrings Mufflers -- Veils Bonnets -- Headdresses Ornaments of the legs -- Ankle chains and sashes Changeable suits of apparel -- Various pairs of clothes Hoods -- Women's turbans Mantles -- Gowns, robes Wimples -- Cloaks or shawls Crisping pins -- Purses or satchels Glasses -- Polished mirrors, or trans- parent clothing (see foot- note to Isaiah 3:23) Stomacher -- Fancy robe Isaiah 3:24-25b. "Instead of..." Verses 24 and 25 outline the consequences of covenant Israel's apostasy and the trials that will come because of their unfaithfulness. A "rent" is a tear. "Baldness," or a shaved head, was a symbol of captivity (newly captured peoples were often shaved bald for humiliation, sanitation, and identification. Scabs would result because those who shaved the newly captured were not particularly careful). "Burning" could be a result of branding, which was also a mark of slavery. Isaiah 3:26. "Her gates" Jerusalem's gates, or the gates of the city, and the route of travel where beggars often sat and mourners mourned.

4 Illustrate & Share Assignment 4 - Isaiah 4 Context: Zion and her daughters shall be redeemed and cleansed in the millennial day Covenant Israel - Promises made to covenant Israel are outlined Christ: is the righteous branch, who will wash away filth and give protection Current Events: Conditions after wars are described in verse 1 Coming Events: Millennial conditions described Learn the Manner of Prophesying - look for symbols and metaphors: branches, fruit, clouds, etc Have the Spirit of Prophecy read prayerfully Live in the Last Days - verses 2 6 describe millennial events Verse 1 - Seven Women to Take Hold of One Man Isaiah 4:1. "In that day - Which day? Verse one is about "the day" of Judah's destruction, and verse two is about the millennial day. Isaiah 4:1. "Seven women shall take hold of one man" The footnotes in the LDS edition of the King James Bible clarify that seven women will seek one man "because of the scarcity of men due to wars" (Isaiah 4:1, footnotes). Isaiah 4:1. "Take away our reproach" What is the reproach? Footnote d to Isaiah 4:1 explains "the stigma of being unmarried and childless." The situation is so desperate, that the women also offered to provide for themselves by saying, "We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel," duties that would normally fall upon the men as providers. Verses 2 6: Covenant Israel to Be Cleansed and Established in Zion Isaiah 4:2. "The branch of the Lord" This may refer to a remnant of covenant Israel, or to the Messiah who is called "a righteous Branch" in Jeremiah 23:5 6. Isaiah 4:2. "Fruit of the earth" Fruit is a common metaphor in the scriptures. Covenant Israel has been counseled to "bring forth fruit meet for repentance" (Alma 13:13), and Jesus taught that the key to identifying false prophets is "by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). Fruits are often referred to as the results of our labors in the Lord's vineyard, but this reference to fruit could also be literal. The footnote to Isaiah 4:2 explains, "The earth will be renewed, and will be productive, prosperous, and beautiful." Isaiah 4:2. "Escaped of Israel" Those who escaped the destruction of the wicked or those who rely on the Lord and not their former captors/rulers for sustenance (see 2 Nephi 20:10). Isaiah 4:3. "They that are left" Same as above. Isaiah 4:4. Washed, purged, and burned. Each of these are metaphors for cleansing and purifying. Isaiah 4:6. "A tabernacle for a shadow... a place of refuge" In our culture and geography, a perfect day might be described in these words: "Sunshine, and not a cloud in the sky." To desert peoples, a cloud was considered a blessing, which brought shade and protection from the heat, if not the promise of rain. Similarly, the Lord, his servants the prophets, and our covenants serve as a protection and place of "refuge" from a world of heat and storm.

5 Illustrate & Share Assignment 5 - Isaiah 5 Context: The Lord's vineyard (Israel) shall become desolate and his people shall be scattered Woes shall come upon them in their apostate and scattered state The Lord shall lift an ensign and gather Israel Covenant Israel = the vineyard Christ = the Lord of the vineyard Current Events = Isaiah describes covenant Israel's apostate condition Coming Events = Assyrian attack and latter-day gathering described Learn the Manner of Prophesying - look for Isaiah's dualistic prophesies of both war and gathering in verses 26 30) Have the Spirit of Prophecy - read prayerfully Live in the Last Days - significant latter-day events prophesied Verses 1 7: Isaiah's song of the Vineyard Isaiah 5:1 4. "My well-beloved hath a vineyard. In Isaiah's day, they celebrated the harvest with "grape harvest songs" to be shared in thanksgiving. Isaiah s song, involved a different kind of vineyard and had a much more frightening and ominous ending than the other songs. Usually, Isaiah speaks in complex symbols. These first seven verses, however, are Isaiah's only parable, which is a bit easier to understand than much of his writing. We find the Lord of the vineyard who does everything he can to ensure a good harvest. However, despite the owner's best efforts, the vineyard produces wild, worthless fruit. Isaiah 5:5 6. "I will take away the hedge thereof" Notice that the Lord of the vineyard doesn't remove or destroy the vines, he just removes his protections the tower, the hedges, and the wall, leaving the vines to contend with the briers and thorns and other outside influences on their own. Isaiah 5:7. Interpretation of the parable Isaiah informs us that the vineyard is the house of Israel. The Lord looked for "judgment," or justice, but instead he saw oppression. Instead of righteousness, he heard a "cry." Not a cry of sadness, but a "riotous or raucous outcry" (Isaiah 5:7, footnote c). Obviously, this is not the harvest the Lord wanted and worked for. Isaiah 5:10. The Lord's harvest of souls was disappointing the wicked's harvest will be disappointing too As a punishment for this lust for wealth and security in the form of real estate, the Lord prophesies a terribly unproductive harvest. Ten acres of vineyard will produce one "bath," or about 8 1/4 gallons; and one "homer," or 6 1/2 bushels of seed, will only produce one "ephah," or about 8 1/4 gallons of produce. (see Bible Dictionary, "Weights and Measures," 789). In other words, they're actually reaping less than they sowed.

6 Illustrate & Share Assignment 6 - Isaiah 5 Current Events = Isaiah describes covenant Israel's apostate condition Learn the Manner of Prophesying - look for Isaiah's dualistic prophesies of both war and gathering in verses 26 30) Have the Spirit of Prophecy - read prayerfully Verses15 25: Description of the Sins of the People and the Resulting Punishments Isaiah 5:15. Both the "mean" (average) and "mighty" (wealthy) to suffer "The Lord does not distinguish between the wealthy and the poor, only between the wicked and the righteous. Isaiah 5:17. A bad situation - The once productive farmland given them for an inheritance is now used by strangers or invaders for the grazing of their sheep. Isaiah 5:18. "Draw iniquity with cords of vanity" There are a couple of different ways to look at this. One is that the wicked are attached to their sins and can't escape them, and another is that the wicked love their sins and want to keep them nearby, so they pull them around behind them. Isaiah 5:20. "Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil" This is perhaps one of the most quoted phrases from Isaiah in our day, probably because we see its fulfillment all around us. Isaiah 5:22. "Mighty to drink" The Holy Bible, New International Version renders this verse, "Those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks." Isn't that an interesting phrase? Heroes at drinking. It reminds us of the "let's party" attitude of our day and the growing problem of binge drinking on some college campuses ("heroes at drinking" are often honored by bar-room sitcoms and in beer commercials aired during sporting events). Isaiah 5:23. "Take away the righteousness of the righteous" In other words, "wo" to those who deprive the innocent of their rights or justice (see Book of Mormon Reference Companion, 365). Isaiah 5:24. "As the fire devoureth the stubble" Stubble is what is left in the field after the grain has been harvested, and this is what will ultimately happen to the vineyard of which Isaiah spoke in the first six Isaiah 5:22. "Mighty to drink" The Holy Bible, New International Version renders this verse, "Those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks." Isn't that an interesting phrase? Heroes at drinking. It reminds us of the "let's party" attitude of our day and the growing problem of binge drinking on some college campuses ("heroes at drinking" are often honored by bar-room sitcoms and in beer commercials aired during sporting events). Isaiah 5:24. "As the fire devoureth the stubble" Stubble is what is left in the field after the grain has been harvested, and this is what will ultimately happen to the vineyard of which Isaiah spoke in the first six

7 Illustrate & Share Assignment 7 - Isaiah 5 Coming Events = Assyrian attack and latter-day gathering described Learn the Manner of Prophesying - look for Isaiah's dualistic prophesies of both war and gathering in verses 26 30) Have the Spirit of Prophecy - read prayerfully Live in the Last Days - significant latter-day events prophesied Verses 26 30: Two Interpretations of the "Ensign to the Nations" Prophecy: Destruction and Gathering These verses make up another frequently quoted passage from Isaiah. It has been interpreted as both a "Current Event" call to the armies of the Assyrians to come and punish covenant Israel and also as a "Coming Event" or latter-day prophecy about the gathering of Israel. Isaiah 5:26. The Lord "will lift up an ensign to the nations" An ensign is a banner or a flag a rallying point, at which armies would gather. Isaiah 5:26. "Hiss unto them" "Or whistle; that is, signal for the gathering" (Isaiah 5:26, footnote b) Isaiah 5:26 27 The approaching army and the gathering of Israel This seems to describe the swift approach of the Assyrians with all their weaponry. But it can also apply to the gathering of covenant Israel in the latter days. Isaiah scholar Victor L. Ludlow has written: Taken in historical context, these verses probably describe Assyrian soldiers in all their terrible power. They come with speed, need no rest, and do not even pause long enough to take off their shoes.... In addition, the raised signal or ensign may represent the assemblage of a future spiritual force rather than an ancient political army. The ancient American prophet Nephi placed this chapter in a latter-day context when he quoted it in Isaiah 5. (Isaiah: Prophet, Seer, and Poet, 122) In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord speaks of latter-day Zion as "an ensign unto the people, and there shall come unto her out of every nation under heaven" (D&C 64:42). Isaiah 5: "Wheels like a whirlwind" Since there were no such things as trains and airplanes in that day, Isaiah could hardly have mentioned them by name, but he seems to have described them in unmistakable words. How better could "their horses' hoofs be counted like flint, and their wheel like a whirlwind" than in the modern train? How better could "Their roaring... be like a lion" than in the roar of the airplane? Trains and airplanes do not stop for night. Therefore, was not Isaiah justified in saying "none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken"? With this manner of transportation the Lord can really "hiss unto them from the end of the earth," that "they shall come with speed swiftly." (230)