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One of the most famous poems of Second Isaiah, Isaiah 52:13-53:12, depicts a human being, a servant of God, at what seems to be the very lowest point of his life. Suffering horribly, he is isolated from the rest of the world, which views him with horror and keeps its distance. Everything is not as … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Commentary by Callie Plunket-Brewton”

When reading this text, Christians have typically wondered about the identity of the servant, and more specifically whether it makes reference to Jesus. The other “servant songs” in Second Isaiah are often consulted for hints as to the servant’s identity (Isaiah 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9). Questions about the servant’s identity, of course, are entirely appropriate, and … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Commentary by Michael J. Chan”

The church always reads this marvelous text on Good Friday. 1 Few Old Testament passages have provided preachers with as much theological and imagistic grist for the homiletical mill as this fourth and final poem in the so-called Servant Songs of Second Isaiah (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13–53:12). Nevertheless, the passage remains remarkably unyielding with regard … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Commentary by Mark Throntveit”

Preparing to preach on Good Friday is preparing to wander about in the heart of the mystery of God’s reconciling activity in Jesus Christ and (most importantly!) inviting your hearers and by extension the world into the all-important mystery of faith. Isaiah’s Servant Songs, of which this Good Friday text is the fourth and final, … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Commentary by Samuel Giere”

The larger context of these verses (see 51:17-23) vividly describes how the people of Israel have been devastated and depopulated in the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 587 BCE. These events are ascribed to the wrath of God; that is, the people have experienced the effects of God’s moral order — sins have … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:7-10 Commentary by Terence E. Fretheim”

The text from Second Isaiah follows closely on Christmas Eve’s reading from First Isaiah though historically they are situated far apart. As mentioned in yesterday’s commentary, Second Isaiah is prophesizing the return to Jerusalem out of the Babylonian exile.  The people are waiting — waiting for the messenger who announces the return of the Lord, … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:7-10 Commentary by Dirk G. Lange”

This passage is joyfully noisy. First, the messenger announces and speaks. Then, sentinels lift up their voices in a song of joy. Finally, Jerusalem herself joins in the cacophonous acclamation of God’s deeds. The good news of what God has done is too good to be quietly noted. One must give voice in witness and … Continue reading “Isaiah 52:7-10 Commentary by Kristin J. Wendland”

Isaiah 51 emphatically seeks to break open an unimaginable future. Expectations are reversed; life is to be changed. We are conditioned to expect condemnation when prophetic texts begin with the imperative to hear or listen. For example, the first address of the book summons Israel to hear the charge of rebellion (1:2; other instances include … Continue reading “Isaiah 51:1-6 Commentary by Richard W. Nysse”

Large transitions disorient us. Moving, changing jobs, personal transitions…all of these mix up our lives by taking us out of our patterns. Such transitions are all the more disorienting when they are forced upon us. When we have no say in the sudden disruptions that life can bring, disorientation is worsened by loss, remorse, confusion, … Continue reading “Isaiah 51:1-6 Commentary by Ingrid Lilly”

Although the lectionary excludes the last two verses of this passage (verses 7-8), they are clearly related (see their repetitions of verses 1 and 6). Just as the Matthew passage for the day deals with identity, so does this short passage from the exilic section of the book of Isaiah. For Matthew the question was, … Continue reading “Isaiah 51:1-6 Commentary by Patricia Tull”