Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The prophet encourages the people to live righteously and keep the Sabbath.

II. Photo
God will reward those who keep the Sabbath: “As for the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who have chosen what I desire and hold fast to my covenant — I will give them, in my House and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons or daughters.” (vv. 4b-5a)

III. Important Verses
2: Happy is the man who does this, The man who holds fast to it: Who keeps the sabbath and does not profane it, And stays his hand from doing any evil.
4-5: For thus said the LORD: “As for the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, Who have chosen what I desire And hold fast to My covenant — I will give them, in My House And within My walls, A monument and a name Better than sons or daughters. I will give them an everlasting name Which shall not perish.
6-7: As for the foreigners Who attach themselves to the LORD, To minister to Him, And to love the name of the LORD, To be His servants — All who keep the sabbath and do not profane it, And who hold fast to My covenant — I will bring them to My sacred mount And let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices Shall be welcome on My altar; For My House shall be called A house of prayer for all peoples.”
12: “Come, I’ll get some wine; Let us swill liquor. And tomorrow will be just the same, Or even much grander!”

IV. Outline

1. Oracle: God asks the people to be righteous
2-7. Encouragement for Sabbath observance
    2. Beatitude
    3. Foreigners and eunuchs should keep the Sabbath
    4-7. Oracle: encouragement for eunuchs
    6-7. Oracle: encouragement for foreigners
8. Oracle: God will gather in more exiles
9-12. Quote: the city will become easy pickings

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://gallery.islayinfo.com/d/1735-3/islay-american-monument-oa.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God offers to renew the Davidic covenant and insists that his ways are beyond man’s grasp.

II. Photo
God invites the people to a meal: “Ho, all who are thirsty, come for water, even if you have no money; Come, buy food and eat, buy food without money, wine and milk without cost!” (v. 1)

III. Important Verses
1-2: Ho, all who are thirsty, Come for water, Even if you have no money; Come, buy food and eat: Buy food without money, Wine and milk without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, Your earnings for what does not satisfy? Give heed to Me, And you shall eat choice food And enjoy the richest viands.
3: Incline your ear and come to Me; Hearken, and you shall be revived. And I will make with you an everlasting covenant, The enduring loyalty promised to David.
6-7: Seek the LORD while He can be found, Call to Him while He is near. Let the wicked give up his ways, The sinful man his plans; Let him turn back to the LORD, And He will pardon him; To our God, For he freely forgives.
8-9: For My plans are not your plans, Nor are My ways your ways — declares the LORD. But as the heavens are high above the earth, So are My ways high above your ways And My plans above your plans.

IV. Outline

1-5. Oracle #1
    1-2. Invitation to a lavish meal
    3-5. Invitation to renew the Davidic covenant
6-7. The prophet urges the people to follow God
8-13. Oracle #2
    8-10. God’s ways are unknowable
    11. God’s words are fulfilled
    12. Anticipated joy
    13. Trees will bear witness

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://shanghaiist.com/attachments/Giacomelli/7.5milk.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Three metaphors are given to console the people: the barren woman will give birth, the estranged wife will be reunited with her husband, and the distressed person will be granted security.

II. Photo
The barren woman will give birth: “Shout, O barren one, you who bore no child! Shout aloud for joy, you who did not travail! For the children of the wife forlorn shall outnumber those of the espoused — said the Lord.” (v. 1)

III. Important Verses
1-3: Shout, O barren one, You who bore no child! Shout aloud for joy, You who did not travail! For the children of the wife forlorn Shall outnumber those of the espoused — said the LORD. Enlarge the site of your tent, Extend the size of your dwelling, Do not stint! Lengthen the ropes, and drive the pegs firm. For you shall spread out to the right and the left; Your offspring shall dispossess nations And shall people the desolate towns.
7-8: For a little while I forsook you, But with vast love I will bring you back. In slight anger, for a moment, I hid My face from you; But with kindness everlasting I will take you back in love — said the LORD your Redeemer.
9-10: For this to Me is like the waters of Noah: As I swore that the waters of Noah Nevermore would flood the earth, So I swear that I will not Be angry with you or rebuke you. For the mountains may move And the hills be shaken, But my loyalty shall never move from you, Nor My covenant of friendship be shaken — said the LORD, who takes you back in love.

IV. Outline

1-3. Metaphor #1: The barren woman
    1-3. The widow will give birth to many children
4-10. Metaphor #2: The estranged wife
    4-6. God will return to his first love
    7-10. Oracle: God’s new covenant with his love
11-. Metaphor #3: The distressed
    11-12. The distressed will receive great wealth
    13-14a. A culture of righteousness to come
    14b-17. No harm will befall the distressed

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.psychologytoday.com/files/u45/babies.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The prophet laments the death of God’s servant; He proclaims that the servant was righteous and died because of other people’s sins.

II. Photo
God’s servant accepted his fate: “He was maltreated, yet he was submissive, he did not open his mouth; Like a sheep being led to slaughter, like a ewe, dumb before those who shear her, he did not open his mouth.” (v. 7)

III. Important Verses
3-5: He was despised, shunned by men, A man of suffering, familiar with disease. As one who hid his face from us, He was despised, we held him of no account. Yet it was our sickness that he was bearing, Our suffering that he endured. We accounted him plagued, Smitten and afflicted by God; But he was wounded because of our sins, Crushed because of our iniquities. He bore the chastisement that made us whole, And by his bruises we were healed.
7-9:  He was maltreated, yet he was submissive, He did not open his mouth; Like a sheep being led to slaughter, Like a ewe, dumb before those who shear her, He did not open his mouth. By oppressive judgment he was taken away, Who could describe his abode? For he was cut off from the land of the living Through the sin of my people, who deserved the punishment. And his grave was set among the wicked, And with the rich, in his death — Though he had done no injustice And had spoken no falsehood.

IV. Outline
1-3. The growth of God’s servant’s power
4-6. The servant suffered because of the peoples’ sins
7-10. The servant dies because of the people
11-12. The servant’s death will turn the many to righteousness

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://farm4.static.flickr.com/3211/3037958816_af1176b856.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Jerusalem will be redeemed and God’s servant will prosper.

II. Photo
The prophet addresses Jerusalem: “Awake, awake, O Zion! Clothe yourself in splendor; Put on your robes of majesty, Jerusalem, holy city!” (v. 1a)

III. Important Verses
1-2: Awake, awake, O Zion! Clothe yourself in splendor; Put on your robes of majesty, Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall never enter you again. Arise, shake off the dust, Sit [on your throne], Jerusalem! Loose the bonds from your neck, O captive one, Fair Zion!
7: How welcome on the mountain Are the footsteps of the herald Announcing happiness, Heralding good fortune, Announcing victory, Telling Zion, “Your God is King!”
11: Turn, turn away, touch naught unclean As you depart from there; Keep pure, as you go forth from there, You who bear the vessels of the LORD!
13-15:  “Indeed, My servant shall prosper, Be exalted and raised to great heights. Just as the many were appalled at him — So marred was his appearance, unlike that of man, His form, beyond human semblance — Just so he shall startle many nations. Kings shall be silenced because of him, For they shall see what has not been told them, Shall behold what they never have heard.”

IV. Outline
1-2. Exhortation: Jerusalem should rise to glory
3-6. Oracle: God will redeem Israel so that they can learn his name
7-8. Accounts of rejoicing
9-10. Call to praise: God will redeem Jerusalem
11-12. Exhortation: keep the temple vessels clean
13-15. God’s servant will prosper

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.travelsapa.com/imgs/24f690bb245396e1a5065a36fe4e3936-Fabric%20used%20by%20the%20Flower%20Hmong%20to%20make%20their%20colorful%20dresses.%20Bac%20Ha,%20Vietnam.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
The prophet predicts a population increase and the ingathering of the exiles. God pledges to rebuild Jerusalem and punish its enemies.

II. Photo
God urges the people to ignore the detractors: “For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, the worm shall eat them up like wool!” (v. 8a)

III. Important Verses
1-2: Listen to Me, you who pursue justice, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock you were hewn from, To the quarry you were dug from. Look back to Abraham your father And to Sarah who brought you forth. For he was only one when I called him, But I blessed him and made him many.
9-10: Awake, awake, clothe yourself with splendor. O arm of the LORD! Awake as in days of old, As in former ages! It was you that hacked Rahab in pieces, That pierced the Dragon. It was you that dried up the Sea, The waters of the great deep; That made the abysses of the Sea A road the redeemed might walk.
17-19: Rouse, rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem, You who from the LORD’s hand Have drunk the cup of His wrath, You who have drained to the dregs The bowl, the cup of reeling! She has none to guide her Of all the sons she bore; None takes her by the hand, Of all the sons she reared. These two things have befallen you: Wrack and ruin — who can console you? Famine and sword — how shall I comfort you?

IV. Outline

1-3. Prophetic sermon
    1-2. A patriarchal model for population increase
    3. The rebuilding of Jerusalem
4-8. Oracle #1
    4-6. God will provide salvation for the people
    7-8. Exhortation: do not listen to the detractors
9-11. Prophetic prediction
    9-10. Hymnic praise: God defeated the sea and its monsters
    11. Prediction: the exiles will return
12-23. Oracle #2
    12-16. God reassures the people of their safety
    17-20. Jerusalem’s deplorable state
    21-23. God guarantees salvation for Jerusalem and disaster for its enemies

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://wildparty.typepad.com/home/images/2008/04/06/tineid_hole.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God rebukes the people for ignoring him. The prophet assures the people that he was sent by God.

II. Photo
The prophet recounts his tribulations: “I offered my back to the floggers, and my cheeks to those who tore out my hair. I did not hide my face from insult and spittle!” (v.6)

III. Important Verses
1-3: Thus said the LORD: Where is the bill of divorce Of your mother whom I dismissed? And which of My creditors was it To whom I sold you off? You were only sold off for your sins, And your mother dismissed for your crimes. Why, when I came, was no one there, Why, when I called, would none respond? Is my arm, then, too short to rescue, Have I not the power to save? With a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, And turn rivers into desert. Their fish stink from lack of water; They lie dead of thirst. I clothe the skies in blackness And make their raiment sackcloth.
4-6: The Lord GOD gave me a skilled tongue, To know how to speak timely words to the weary. Morning by morning, He rouses, He rouses my ear To give heed like disciples. The Lord GOD opened my ears, And I did not disobey, I did not run away. I offered my back to the floggers, And my cheeks to those who tore out my hair. I did not hide my face From insult and spittle.
10-11: Who among you reveres the LORD And heeds the voice of His servant? — Though he walk in darkness And have no light, Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God. But you are all kindlers of fire, Girding on firebrands. Walk by the blaze of your fire, By the brands that you have lit! This has come to you from My hand: You shall lie down in pain.

IV. Outline

1-3. God rebukes the people for ignoring him
4-11. The prophet’s words of confidence
    4-5. Listening to God’s call
    6. Shame and pain
    7-9. God will vindicate the prophet
    10. Appeal to follow God
    11. Suffering comes to those who do not follow God

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.essentiawhips.co.uk/gfx/blackwhitecat.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God tells Israel that they have not been forgotten and that they will become a light unto the nations.

II. Photo
God promises to return the exiles: “As I live — declares the Lord — you shall don them all like jewels, deck yourself with them like a bride!” (v. 18b)

III. Important Verses
1-3: Listen, O coastlands, to me, And give heed, O nations afar: The LORD appointed me before I was born, He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. He made my mouth like a sharpened blade, He hid me in the shadow of His hand, And He made me like a polished arrow; He concealed me in His quiver. And He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel in whom I glory.”
6: For He has said: “It is too little that you should be My servant In that I raise up the tribes of Jacob And restore the survivors of Israel: I will also make you a light of nations, That My salvation may reach the ends of the earth.”
14-16:  Zion says, “The LORD has forsaken me, My Lord has forgotten me.” Can a woman forget her baby, Or disown the child of her womb? Though she might forget, I never could forget you.  See, I have engraved you On the palms of My hands, Your walls are ever before Me.
24-26: Can spoil be taken from a warrior, Or captives retrieved from a victor?  Yet thus said the LORD: Captives shall be taken from a warrior And spoil shall be retrieved from a tyrant; For I will contend with your adversaries, And I will deliver your children. I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh, They shall be drunk with their own blood as with wine. And all mankind shall know That I the LORD am your Savior, The Mighty One of Jacob, your Redeemer.

IV. Outline

1-4. The prophet recalls his being chosen and his personal travails
5-11. Israel’s future glory
    5-6. Israel will become a light unto the nations
    7. The nations will honor God
    8-11. God will make Israel prosper in its land
    12-13. Peoples and objects praise God
14-26. God’s words of assurance
    14-16. God has not forgotten Israel
    17-21. The children will return
    22-23. The children will be treated like royalty
    24-25. God will take the captives back
    26. Israel’s enemies will suffer

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://lucianodesigns.com/store/prodimages/IMG_6803C.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
God insists that he predicted and caused the fall of Babylon. He also urges the exiles to return.

II. Photo
God urges the people to follow him: “If only you would heed my commands! Then your prosperity would be like a river, your triumph like the waves of the sea!” (v. 18)

III. Important Verses
3-5: Long ago, I foretold things that happened, From My mouth they issued, and I announced them; Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. Because I know how stubborn you are (Your neck is like an iron sinew And your forehead bronze), Therefore I told you long beforehand, Announced things to you ere they happened — That you might not say, “My idol caused them, My carved and molten images ordained them.”
8b-9: Though I know that you are treacherous, That you were called a rebel from birth, For the sake of My name I control My wrath; To My own glory, I am patient with you, And I will not destroy you.
20-21: Go forth from Babylon, Flee from Chaldea! Declare this with loud shouting, Announce this, Bring out the word to the ends of the earth! Say: “The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob!” They have known no thirst, Though He led them through parched places; He made water flow for them from the rock; He cleaved the rock and water gushed forth.

IV. Outline

1-16a. Speech #1
    1-2. Condemnatory address to Israel
    3-8a. God told Israel of the things to come
    8b-11. God punishes Israel instead of destroying it
    12-13a. God is the creator
    13b-16a. God predicted Babylon’s fall before it happened
16b-22. Speech #2
    16b-17a. The prophet’s introductory remarks
    17b-19. Following God engenders success
    20-21. The Babylonian exiles should be told to return
    22. The wicked will not prosper

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://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo255/blue2happy/image007.jpg

Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Babylon is criticized and many of its citizens are doomed to die.

II. Photo
Babylon’s astrologers are futile: “You are helpless, despite all your art. Let them stand up and help you now, the scanners of heaven, the star-gazers, who announce, month by month, whatever will come upon you!” (v. 13)

III. Important Verses
1-3: Get down, sit in the dust, Fair Maiden Babylon; Sit, dethroned, on the ground, O Fair Chaldea; Nevermore shall they call you The tender and dainty one. Grasp the handmill and grind meal. Remove your veil, Strip off your train, bare your leg, Wade through the rivers. Your nakedness shall be uncovered, And your shame shall be exposed. I will take vengeance, And let no man intercede.
6: I was angry at My people, I defiled My heritage; I put them into your hands, But you showed them no mercy. Even upon the aged you made Your yoke exceedingly heavy.
9: These two things shall come upon you, Suddenly, in one day: Loss of children and widowhood Shall come upon you in full measure, Despite your many enchantments And all your countless spells.
13-14: You are helpless, despite all your art. Let them stand up and help you now, The scanners of heaven, the star-gazers, Who announce, month by month, Whatever will come upon you. See, they are become like straw, Fire consumes them; They cannot save themselves From the power of the flame; This is no coal for warming oneself, No fire to sit by!

IV. Outline
1-5. Shame for Babylon
6-7. Babylon’s crime: excessively punishing Israel
8-9. Babylon’s men and children will die
10-15. Babylon’s futile star-gazers

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.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/universe/stars.jpg