What's On
Menu
This is the second part of a two-part course on the Book of Isaiah. Participants will explore in depth some of the key passages in the Book of Isaiah which provide a summary of Isaiah’s message. The Book of Isaiah continues to exert influence on religion and culture. We will conclude with a look at the book’s “afterlife”, and specifically, how it has been understood and incorporated in Judaism, Christianity and the arts.
Week 1
Isaiah Chapter 1
The opening chapter of Isaiah provides readers with a summary of the book’s major concerns and themes, introducing the book’s two main characters: the LORD and the city of Jerusalem. The rest of the book explores the troubled relationship between these two characters.
Week 2
Isaiah 7:God with Us
The Immanuel prophecy is among the most familiar texts in the book because of its citation in Matthew’s Gospel. This session sets the text within the context of Judah’s life experience, showing what it meant to the original audience apart from the more familiar Christian interpretation.
Week 3
Isaiah Chapter 40
Isaiah 40 is another familiar text because Handel uses this text to begin his oratorio, The Messiah. This session examines how these words of hope and encouragement spoke to the exiles of Jerusalem at a most difficult time in the life of their community.
Week 4
The Servant of the Lord
Isaiah’s image of the “Servant of the Lord” provided the New Testament with a metaphor with which to understand the person and ministry of Jesus. This session focuses on Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 in order to understand the individual ways New Testament writers use this metaphor.
Week 5
The Restoration is Stalled (Isaiah 58) and the Future of Jerusalem (Isaiah 66)
After the return from exile, the restoration of Judah and Jerusalem appeared to stall – people’s hopes appeared unfulfilled. Isaiah 58 offers an explanation for this, pointing out the critical importance of creating a society of social and economic justice. The final chapter reprises some of the central motifs of the book and focuses on the relationship of the LORD and Jerusalem, which it likens to the relationship of mother and child.
Reading
Read Isaiah Chapter 1
Further Reading
Brian Purfield, Isaiah, Son of Amoz, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, 2023.
Brian Purfield, Introduction to the Old Testament: The Pentateuch & The Deuteronomistic History, Notes forPrivate Use, London Jesuit Centre, 2023.
Questions for Reflection
1.What is the function of Chapter 1 of the Book of Isaiah in relationship to the book as a whole?
2. How does Isaiah 1 characterize ancient Israel’s liturgical activities?
3.What is the principal problem in Israel’s life as voiced by the prophet in Isaiah 1?
Summary of Session 1
Reading
Read Isaiah Chapter 7
Further Reading
James Crampsey SJ, “Emmanual shall come to thee” in Thinking Faith: The Online Journal of the Jesuits in Britain, 19 December 2016.
John Bergsma & Brant Pitre, A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: Old Testament, Ignatius Press, SanFrancisco 2018, pp. 727-730 & 747-749.
Raymond E. Brown S.S., A Coming Christ in Advent, The Liturgical Press Collegeville, Minnesota 1988, pp. 36-39.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. What does the name “Immanuel” mean? What does this name affirm about the relationship of God with the people of Israel?
2. What was the advice given by the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz when his throne and his kingdom were threatened?
3. Why can one say that Isaiah had a better understanding of the political and military situation faced by Ahaz than the king himself?
4. Jesus is Emmanuel, “God is with us” – not a figure from the past but someone who accompanies us today. Is this promise a reality for you? Where in your life do you meet Jesus? How could you grow in awareness that he is with you?
Summary of Session 2
Reading
Read Isaiah Chapter 40
Further Reading
Brian Purfield, Second Isaiah, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, 2023.
Mary E. Mills, “God as First and Last in Isaiah” in Images of God in the Old Testament, Cassell London, 1998, pp.59-70.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. How does the mood of the Book of Isaiah change beginning with chapter 40?
2. What is the “good news” that Jerusalem is to proclaim to the cities of Judah?
3. To whom were the verses of Isaiah 40-55 directed? Who made up this audience?
4. When have you been the recipient of words of comfort? What did you learn from the experience? How could you be a herald of comfort to someone else?
Summary of Session III
Reading for Session IV
Read Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12
Further Reading
Brian Purfield, The Servant Songs in Second Isaiah, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, 2023.
Questions for Reflection
1. How does the NT appropriate the image of the servant in Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12?
2. Evaluate this statement: the Servant Song in Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 is a prophecy of the passion & death of Jesus.
3. Who do you think the Servant of Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 is?
Summary of Session IV
Reading
Read Isaiah Chapters 58 & 66
Further Reading
Brian Purfield, Third Isaiah, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, 2023.
Brian Purfield, The Afterlife of the Book of Isaiah, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre, 2023.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. Why is there a sense of disillusionment in Isaiah 56–66?
2. Why does God reject the people’s fasting in Isaiah 58? What is the fast that God prefers? Why?
3. What do you find most satisfying about chapter 66? What do you find most troubling about it?
Suggested Questions for Reflection on the Book of Isaiah as a whole
1. Isaiah is sometimes called the ‘fifth gospel’. By this people mean that its prophecies are so vital to the NT & to making sense of the life of Jesus, that it can be ranked alongside the four gospels. What do you think? Is this a good or a bad title for it?
2. What’s your favourite verse/passage from Isaiah?
3. Did you read anything in the book that touched you, expanded your faith or made you think more deeply about your life & how you live it?
Summary of Session V
We would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to provide us with feedback on your experience with our course. Please complete an evaluation form here:
Evaluation Form - Reading the Prophet Isaiah · ChurchSuite Forms
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this request.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Brian is a tutor in the theology stream. Originally from Birmingham, Brian studied philosophy and theology at the Gregorian University, Rome and later gained a Masters Degree in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure’s University, New York. He has given retreats and courses throughout the UK and Ireland, North America, the Far East and Australia. He taught at the International Franciscan Study, Canterbury and at Campion House, Osterley before joining the Mount Street Jesuit Team when it began in 2004. Brian also taught at Heythrop College on the Foundation Degree in Pastoral Ministry. His particular interest is in opening up the Scriptures to people, young and old, at a level that they can understand and seek to apply to their daily lives. Brian is married to Deborah who works for CAFOD. They live in Buckinghamshire.
