Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The prophet recites a warrior poem, delivers a sermon about Israel’s history, and petitions God for help.
II. Photo
A warrior describes himself: “I trod out a vintage alone, of the peoples no man was with Me. I trod them down in my anger, trampled them in my rage; Their life-blood bespattered my garments, and all my clothing was stained!” (v. 3)
III. Important Verses
2-3: Why is your clothing so red, Your garments like his who treads grapes? “I trod out a vintage alone; Of the peoples no man was with Me. I trod them down in My anger, Trampled them in My rage; Their life-blood bespattered My garments, And all My clothing was stained.
11-14a: Then they remembered the ancient days, Him, who pulled His people out [of the water]: “Where is He who brought them up from the Sea Along with the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put In their midst His holy spirit, Who made His glorious arm March at the right hand of Moses, Who divided the waters before them To make Himself a name for all time, Who led them through the deeps So that they did not stumble — As a horse in a desert, Like a beast descending to the plain?”
15-16: Look down from heaven and see, From Your holy and glorious height! Where is Your zeal, Your power? Your yearning and Your love Are being withheld from us! Surely You are our Father: Though Abraham regard us not, And Israel recognize us not, You, O LORD, are our Father; From of old, Your name is “Our Redeemer.”s
IV. Outline
1-6. Warrior poem 1. Introduction 2-3. The warrior’s bloody clothes 4-6. The warrior tramples his people 7-14. Historical sermon 7. Introductory praise 8-9. God protected the people 10a. The people rebelled 10b. God attacks his people 11-14. Historical recollections 15-19. Petition and complaint 15. Petition 16. Affirmation of consanguinity 17. Complaint: God allows the people to sin 18. Complaint: the temple is destroyed 19a. Complaint: God’s name is detached from Israel 19b. Petition for help
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Collins, John J. “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible,” (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004).
Sweeney, Marvin A. “Isaiah 1-39 with an Introduction to Prophetic Literature” The Forms of Old Testament Literature vol. 16 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 1996).
Photo taken from http://www.lakecountryjournal.com/files/imagecache/blog_main/blogs/05_GrapeStomp08.jpg