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This is part one of a two part course on the Book of Isaiah. Participants will be introduced to the setting of the Book of Isaiah in its literary, theological and historical contexts. Texts from the prophet Isaiah are read at various times in the liturgy, particularly during the seasons of Advent and Lent. It is hoped that this overview of the Book of Isaiah will aid greater understanding and appreciation of one of the world’s greatest works of religious literature.
Week 1
Introduction to the Book of Isaiah
The Book of Isaiah is a product of another time and culture. As such, the text can seem obscure to a modern audience. This session attempts to examine some of the literary features of the book to bring some clarity to the reading experience.
Week 2
The Literary Context of the Book of Isaiah
Prophecy is an oral phenomenon that has taken literary shape in the books of the prophets. The composition of the book of Isaiah is more complex than most other prophetic books. This session examines the growth of the book over several centuries.
Week 3
Judah’s Religious Traditions
The religious beliefs of ancient Israel provide the background for the prophet’s preaching. This session looks at those beliefs – especially Judah’s relationship with God as expressed through the traditions about David and Zion.
Week 4
The Setting and the Life of the Book of Isaiah
The oracles in the Book of Isaiah were proclaimed at specific moments in ancient Israel’s life. This session sets these oracles in the context of Israel’s encounters with the great kingdoms of the ancient Near East who so profoundly affected Israel’s life and existence.
Week 5
The Social and Economic Conflicts in the Kingdom of Judah
Chapters 2-39 of the Book of Isaiah reflect the problems that arose because of the social and economic conflicts between the people of means and the ordinary Judahite. This session explores the prophetic assertion that in this conflict God takes the side of the ordinary Judahite.
Readings
Read (or begin to read) the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Lawrence Boadt, Reading the Old Testament. An Introduction. Paulist Press, New York, N.Y./Mahwah, N.J., 2012,pp.284-292.
A complete animated overview of the Book of Isaiah in two parts:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0A6Uchb1F8
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TzdEPuqgQg&t=333s
For those who wish to read further
John Eaton, Mysterious Messengers, SCM Press London 1997, pp.68-84, 128-143.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. Why did you choose to sign up for this course?
2. What do you hope to gain from your study of and reflection on the Book of the prophet Isaiah?
3. When have you been called upon to speak the truth prophetically in situations you have faced? Who has spoken prophetically to you in your life?
4. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Summary of Session 1
Readings
** Continue reading (or begin to read) the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
William Sanford Lasor, David Allan Hubbard, Frederic William Bush, “Isaiah: Background” in Old Testament Survey(Eerdmans, Cambridge, 1996) pp.276-288.
Brian Purfield, “Isaiah” Notes for Private Use – brief overview of the Book of Isaiah.
www.biblegateway.com for audio versions of the text and to search for passages etc.
For those who wish to read further
Bernhard W. Anderson, “The Book of Isaiah” in The Living World of the Old Testament (Fourth Edition, Longman, Harlow Essex, 1988) pp.321-337.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. What do you understand by the word “prophet”? How does this relate to the understanding of that word in the biblical traditions?
2. Many think that prophets are people who can look into the future. In reality they are people who have insight into the morality of our actions in the present. Some have said that Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were modern prophets. Who would you add to this list, and why? Name some of the issues we face today that could use prophetic insight.
3. Do you think that the Book of Isaiah is especially relevant today? Find one passage from the Book of Isaiah that sounds appropriate to contemporary times, and explain why you think it is so.
4. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Summary of Session 2
Reading
**Continue reading (or begin to read) the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
Anthony R. Ceresko, “Isaiah” in Introduction to the Old Testament, A Liberation Perspective, Orbis Books, Maryknoll New York, 1992, pp.189-201.
For those who wish to read further
Walter Brueggemann, “The Book of Isaiah” in An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, 2003, pp.159-175.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. What were the principal beliefs of ancient Israel’s religious tradition that centred on David? On Zion?
2. Describe the main difference between the religious tradition that centred on David/Zion& the tradition that centred on Moses/Sinai.
3. What was Isaiah’s understanding of the David/Zion tradition?
4. Do you see any comparisons or links with the church or society today with material covered in this session?
5. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Summary of Session 3
Readings
** Continue reading the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.
John Drane, Introducing the Old Testament, A Lion Book, Oxford, 1989, pp.130-137.
For those who wish to read further:
Werner H. Schmidt, Old Testament Introduction, St. Pauls, Mumbai 2002, pp.22-45.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. How did the Mesopotamian kingdoms (Assyria and Babylon) impact the lives of the people of Israel and Judah?
2. How does the Book of Isaiah characterise Cyrus the Great of Persia?
3. How does the Book of Isaiah envision the future of Jerusalem?
4. What global events impact the lives of people today? Impact the life of the Church?
5. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
Summary of Session IV
Readings
B.W. Anderson, The Eighth Century Prophets, SPCK London 1978, pp.40-45.
Brian Purfield, Isaiah, Son of Amoz, Notes for Private Use, London Jesuit Centre 2023.
For those who wish to read further
Joseph Blenkinsopp, A History of Prophecy in Israel, Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville 1996, pp.98-110.
Suggested Questions for Reflection
1. What were some of the social and economic issues raised by the prophet Isaiah?
2. How did the decisions made by people of means in Israel impact the poor?
3. Why did the prophet take the side of the poor in the social and economic conflicts of ancient Israelite society?
4. Do you see any parallels from material in this session with our society today?
5. Did you find anything unexpected, surprising or disturbing in this session? If so, explain what it was and why you found it that way.
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 - The Book of Isaiah · ChurchSuite Forms
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to this request.
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.
