The Suffering Servant, Trito-Isaiah, Philemon and Hebrews

Dear Bible Challenge participants,

We're in the midst of many transitions in our reading. Having enjoyed Deutero-Isaiah of the near-end-Exile, we're moving into Post-Exilic Trito-Isaiah. Having wound our way through the Pastoral Epistles, we're stopping briefly back in Pauline-land for time with Philemon, and then on to the beautiful, neo-Platonic and somewhat mysterious Hebrews.

The Suffering Servant is one of the aspects of Deutero-Isaiah that stands out. There are a number of theories about who Deutero-Isaiah was referring to in his own context: was the Servant Israel itself? The Prophet? A Prophet? or a separate Messiah figure (which later Christian writers would opt for).

Trito-Isaiah's collection begins with Chapter 56, and again, there is a linguistic, thematic and stylistic shift. While there is some "lyric" in Trito-Isaiah, it is much more oracular in style. While Deutero-Isaiah focused on Israel's sins being forgotten, Trito-Isaiah recalls them once more.  

As post-exilic literature it's helpful to imagine reading this in the context of the trials and tribulations recalled in Ezra and Nehemiah. All was not lovely and simple and easy when the exiles returned. It was difficult and challenging. Trito-Isaiah reminds them that they shouldn't expect all light and joy, given the sins that came before. And on the other hand, there is hope for a bright tomorrow (Arise! Shine! For your Light has come!).

In Isaiah 61 we hear the prophetic words that would shape Jesus' first sermon in Luke's Gospel:

The Lord God's spirit is upon me,
     because the Lord has anointed me.

He has sent me
    to bring good news to the poor,
    to bind up the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim release for captives,
        and liberation for prisoners,
      to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
        and a day of vindication for our God,
    to comfort all who mourn,
      to provide for Zion's mourners,
    to give them a crown in place of ashes,
    oil of joy in place of mourning,
    a mantle of praise in place of discouragement.  

And Trito-Isaiah, when lyrical, sings some of our most beloved passages:

But now, Lord, you are our father.
     We are the clay, and you are our potter.

    All of us are the work of your hand.

In Isaiah the Lord is our father, and our mother,

    so I will comfort you;
    in Jerusalem you will be comforted. 

And finally, Trito-Isaiah's vision is wildly inclusive-- and departs greatly from that of Ezra-Nehemiah, and Ezekiel, whom we will encounter after our Jeremian adventures, for in Trito-Isaiah we hear not only that foreigners will be welcome to worship the Lord in Jerusalem, but also be Levites and priests!  It's a new heaven and new earth, indeed.

Philemon, our brief sojourn back into the Pauline epistles, is a wonderful example of Paul's rhetorical technique.  Try reading it aloud, if you can, and hear how Paul works Philemon. It's a hoot. ("I'm not going to tell you what to do... though you do owe me your very life..." ah, Paul...) Onesimus ("Useful") seems to have been useful, indeed, as there will later be a Bishop Onesimus in the early church. Looks like Philemon released and forgave him.

And soon we journey into Hebrews. Although called an "epistle," it's more a sermon, or collection of sermons, than a letter.  The author is unknown, and unnamed in the text. This is the one book of the New Testament that some like to speculate may have been written by a woman (hence, no attribution-- had it been attributed to a woman, it's said, it'd never have been included in the canon...)  My take is that this is a playful idea, but that we really have nothing on which to base the idea but a particular kind of silence. 

Those who have read some Plato can have some fun with Hebrews, keeping in mind Plato's idea of the Cave.  Hebrews is rife with neoplatonic themes. Namely, what came before in Judaism is a mere shadow of what is real, Christ being the true prophet, priest and sacrifice.  Forward Movement has published a nifty booklet on Hebrews that may be found here. 

Enjoy Hebrews, and Trito-Isaiah! and 

As ever, thank you for being on this journey!

Peace,

Paige+