DOCSLIB.ORG

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS a Study on the Book of Isaiah “How to Fast” Isaiah 58 Introduction: I Want to Talk with You Toda

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS a Study on the Book of Isaiah “How to Fast” Isaiah 58 Introduction: I Want to Talk with You Toda FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS A Study on the Book of Isaiah “How To Fast” Isaiah 58 Introduction: I want to talk with you today about one of the most life-changing spiritual principles I have ever experienced in my 37-year personal relationship with Jesus. Even Isaiah addressed it in his book. It is the spiritual principle of fasting. Fasting is abstinence from food with a spiritual goal in mind. It is when you deny the most natural thing your body desires, which is food, in order to pursue the God of heaven to do something supernatural in your life. I have seen fasting change lives, including my own. I have seen fasting begin major spiritual movements. I have seen fasting result in churches seeing revival. When fasting is done the way God wants it done, the results are God-sized and supernatural. Listen: Other than having a daily time with God, I do not know of a spiritual principle that has had a more powerful, long-lasting impact on my life than fasting. Why? Obedience and sacrifice. (Balance) 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. This verse captures the real heart of the entire 58th chapter of Isaiah, which we are going to talk from today on “How To Fast.” Tension in Isaiah 58: Performance-based religion versus an obedience-driven relationship with God. Isaiah uses the example of fasting, a spiritual practice, to illustrate this tension that not only exists in fasting, but in all spiritual practices. (Go over tension again.) *Are you doing things from the basis of performance, or are you doing things from the basis of obedience to God? *Are you doing things because formal religion requires it or from a genuine obedience in your relationship with God? Let’s talk about this from Isaiah 58. The prophet Isaiah was told by God in verse 1 to cry aloud, literally “to call with your throat,” meaning do not hold anything back, preach this message with everything you have in you. ell the people how they are sinning against me. Then Isaiah preaches about . 1. Performance-based religion. The four characteristics of a performance-based religion - check these against your own life today. (1) Passion for the things of God. (v. 2) Is. 58:2 Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. (Seek Me daily, want to know My ways, delight to draw near to Me.) (2) Motives that are selfish. (v. 3) Is. 58:3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. (1st part: People asked God questions. 2nd part: God tells them why He has ignored them: motives are selfish because they seek their own pleasure.) Ill: Isaiah illustrates this to them using the Sabbath, the day for worship, found in v. 13. This is the day when you are to adjust your thoughts, concentrate on God, and worship Him. It is a holy day, NOT a day to use for your own pleasure. You are to keep the Sabbath with an obedient heart. (3) Lifestyle that is not Christ-like towards others. Is. 58:3c . and oppress all your workers. Is. 58:4 Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. (Relational disconnect here: misuse your authority over others, you argue with others and fight with them. You cannot treat people wrongly and expect God to move in your life greatly, even if you are religious and fasting.) (4) Project outward spirituality. (v. 5) Is. 58:5 Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? (In order for your voice to be heard in heaven, you try to mock repentance, you fast to prove your humility; you bow your head like you are praying; you even put on sackcloth to try to show your humility and repentance.) *God asks them: do you call this a fast? Do you think this is acceptable to Me? All you are doing is trying to project outward spirituality, yet your heart is wrong for the reason you are doing it, and the way you treat others is horrible. All you are doing is performing. I WILL NOT HEAR YOU. Psa. 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. The deception of performance-based religion: You feel you can be truly spiritual and yet relationally indifferent to the way you treat people and respond to their needs. God says, “I will not hear your prayers, I am not impressed, even if you fast.” 2. Obedience-driven relationship with God. Listen: Obedience to God is the right motive and results in you desiring God to work in you, through you, and around you. (This is the heart of fasting.) *Proper fasting is from an obedient heart that desires God to work in you, through you, and around you. (Desperation) Therefore, God loves for us to fast and pray. He loves for us to abstain from food with a spiritual goal in mind. He loves for us to come to Him in fasting and prayer from an obedient heart that is desperate for Him to work in us, through us, and around us. (There is power in fasting.) I believe there are 22 promises in Isaiah 58 given to people who fast and pray with a pure heart. This morning, I want to highlight only seven of these promises. Therefore, when you fast and pray with a pure heart, coming to God out of obedience to Him, these seven promises are yours: (1) Freedom from anything that binds you. (v. 6) Is. 58:6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? (God says this is the right kind of fast, the one that results in setting free those who are bound by sin and oppressed by others. Whatever chains someone and binds them up - God can break every yoke. Fasting can be used to break that yoke. There can be some breakthroughs that occur.) Ill: Many of us are like the church deacon who, week after week, prayed before the church fervently: “Oh Lord, in your mercy, I beg you to clean the spider webs out of my life.” He prayed it weekly. A fellow deacon who had heard him pray that week after week was called upon to pray one day, and he prayed, “Oh Lord, It’s time, kill the spider!” (Do not settle with those spider webs, God can use fasting and prayer to kill the spiders!) *Fasting can set you free from sin. *Fasting can be used to help you treat others with the highest respect, rather than with injustice and inequality. (2) Learn to share. (v. 7) Is. 58:7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? (When we fast and pray, God teaches us to share with people who have spiritual, physical, and material needs. We are to feed people, house the homeless poor, to clothe people, as well as to take care of our own family.) Ill: Our Blessing Basket Ministry (3000 families) (3) Light will shine. (vs, 8a, 10) Is. 58:8 . Then shall your light break forth like the dawn; Is. 58:10 if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. (When your heart gets right, fasting and praying and you are beginning to meet the needs of others, God says your life will shine like the dawning of a day! With the brilliance of the morning sun, God will glow through our lives when we fast and pray. Look to v. 10 as it tells us, even in a dark work, God will shine through us. The darker the day, the brighter we can shine forth with the glory of God that comes to us when we fast and pray. Even your gloomiest moment will never be any less than the power of the noonday sun, all because of God’s glory shining through you as a result of fasting and prayer.) (4) Healing for body, soul, and spirit. (8b, 12) Is. 58:8 . and your healing shall spring up speedily; Is. 58:12 And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. (Personal restoration and healing can come to those who fast and pray; Notice in v.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mystery Babylon Exposed
    Exposing Mystery Babylon An Attack On Lawlessness A Messianic Jewish Commentary Published At Smashwords By P.R. Otokletos Copyright 2013 P.R. Otokletos All Rights Reserved Table of Contents About the author Preface Introduction Hellenism a real matrix Hellenism in Religion The Grand Delusion The Christian Heritage Historical Deductions Part I Conclusion Part II Lawlessness Paul and Lawlessness Part II Conclusion Part III Defining Torah Part III Messiah and the Tree of Life Part IV Commandments Command 1 - I AM G_D Command 2 - No gods before The LORD Command 3 - Not to profane the Name of The LORD Command 4 - Observe the Sabbath Love The LORD Commands Summary Command 5 - Honor the father and the mother Command 6 - Not to murder Command 7 - Not to adulterate Command 8 - Not to steal Command 9 - Not to bear false testimony Command 10 - Not to covet Tree Of Life Summary Conclusion Final Thoughts About P. R. Otokletos The author Andrew A. Cullen has been writing under the pen name of P. R. Otokletos since 2004 when he began writing/blogging Messianic Jewish/Hebraic Roots commentaries across a broad range of topics. The author is part of an emerging movement of believing Jews as well as former Christians recapturing the Hebraic roots of the Messianic faith. A movement that openly receives not just the redemptive grace of the Gospel but also the transformational lifestyle that comes with joyful pursuit of G_D's Sacred Torah … just as it was in the first century Ce! Despite a successful career in politics and business, the author is driven first and foremost by a desire to understand the great G_D of creation and humanity's fate.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah Commentaries & Sermons
    Isaiah Commentaries & Sermons SONG OF SOLOMON JEREMIAH NEWEST ADDITIONS: Verse by verse Commentary on Isaiah 53 (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) - Bruce Hurt Verse by verse Commentary on Isaiah 35 - Bruce Hurt ISAIAH RESOURCES Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals Click chart to enlarge Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Another Isaiah Chart see on right side Caveat: Some of the commentaries below have "jettisoned" a literal approach to the interpretation of Scripture and have "replaced" Israel with the Church, effectively taking God's promises given to the literal nation of Israel and "transferring" them to the Church. Be a Berean Acts 17:11-note! ISAIAH ("Jehovah is Salvation") See Excellent Timeline for Isaiah - page 39 JEHOVAH'S JEHOVAH'S Judgment & Character Comfort & Redemption (Isaiah 1-39) (Isaiah 40-66) Uzziah Hezekiah's True Suffering Reigning Jotham Salvation & God Messiah Lord Ahaz Blessing 1-12 13-27 28-35 36-39 40-48 49-57 58-66 Prophecies Prophecies Warnings Historical Redemption Redemption Redemption Regarding Against & Promises Section Promised: Provided: Realized: Judah & the Nations Israel's Israel's Israel's Jerusalem Deliverance Deliverer Glorious Is 1:1-12:6 Future Prophetic Historic Messianic Holiness, Righteousness & Justice of Jehovah Grace, Compassion & Glory of Jehovah God's Government God's Grace "A throne" Is 6:1 "A Lamb" Is 53:7 Time 740-680BC OTHER BOOK CHARTS ON ISAIAH Interesting Facts About Isaiah Isaiah Chart The Book of Isaiah Isaiah Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll Visual Overview Introduction to Isaiah by Dr John MacArthur: Title, Author, Date, Background, Setting, Historical, Theological Themes, Interpretive Challenges, Outline by Chapter/Verse.
    [Show full text]
  • Joel B. Green Thomas G. Long Luke A. Powery Cynthia L. Rigby Carolyn J
    Year A, Volume 2 Lent through Pentecost Joel B. Green Thomas G. Long Luke A. Powery Cynthia L. Rigby Carolyn J. Sharp General Editors Connections-Year A-Vol 2.indd 5 9/5/19 9:35 AM Contents LIST OF SIDEBARS ix Fifth Sunday in Lent PUBLISHER’S NOTE xi Ezekiel 37:1–14 93 INTRODUCING CONNECTIONS xiii Psalm 130 97 Romans 8:6–11 100 INTRODUCING THE REVISED John 11:1–45 104 COMMON LECTIONARY xv Liturgy of the Palms Ash Wednesday Psalm 118:1–2, 19–29 109 Isaiah 58:1–12 2 Matthew 21:1–11 111 Psalm 51:1–17 8 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10 11 Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21 15 Liturgy of the Passion Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 19 Isaiah 50:4–9a 116 Psalm 31:9–16 121 First Sunday in Lent Philippians 2:5–11 123 Matthew 27:11–54 128 Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7 24 Matthew 26:14–27:66 133 Psalm 32 29 Romans 5:12–19 32 Matthew 4:1–11 36 Holy Thursday Exodus 12:1–4 (5–10), 11–14 141 Second Sunday in Lent Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19 146 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 148 Genesis 12:1–4a 41 John 13:1–17, 31b–35 152 Psalm 121 45 Romans 4:1–5, 13–17 47 John 3:1–17 52 Good Friday Matthew 17:1–9 56 Isaiah 52:13–53:12 157 Psalm 22 162 Third Sunday in Lent Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9 166 John 18:1–19:42 170 Exodus 17:1–7 60 Hebrews 10:16–25 177 Psalm 95 64 Romans 5:1–11 67 John 4:5–42 71 Easter Day/Resurrection of the Lord Jeremiah 31:1–6 182 Fourth Sunday in Lent Psalm 118:1–2, 14–24 187 Colossians 3:1–4 190 1 Samuel 16:1–13 77 John 20:1–18 195 Psalm 23 82 Acts 10:34–43 200 Ephesians 5:8–14 84 Matthew 28:1–10 204 John 9:1–41 88 Connections-Year A-Vol 2.indd 7 9/5/19 9:35 AM viii Contents Second Sunday of Easter
    [Show full text]
  • What Does Isaiah 58:13-14 Mean?
    Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 13/1 (Spring 2002): 81Ð90. Article copyright © 2002 by Ed Christian. ÒSabbath Is a Happy Day!Ó What Does Isaiah 58:13Ð14 Mean? Ed Christian Kutztown University of Pennsylvania As a Seventh-day Adventist who worships on the Sabbath and considers the fourth commandment GodÕs will for us, GodÕs call in Isa 58:13Ð14 for us to avoid Òdoing your pleasureÓ on the Sabbath resonates, but what does it mean? I want to do what God asks, but what does He mean by what He asks? Many de- nominations over the centuries have at times had strict rules against ÒSabbath- breaking,Ó though theyÕve defined it in various ways, whether carrying a purse, attending plays, purchasing liquor, or mowing the lawn.1 Have they been correct in this? Generations of young people have found the Sabbath a burden and moaned about the many pleasures forbidden them on that day.2 Just how happy a day should Sabbath be? The fourth commandment does not forbid pleasure on Sabbath, but only work. The Hebrew word translated Òyou shall labor,Ó ta{∞boœd (dObSoA;t), is Òsweat of your browÓ work, like that done by an {ebed, a servant or slave. The Hebrew word translated Òyour work,Ó m§la}kttekaœ (ÔKR;tVkaAlVm), especially suggests occu- pations, such as shopkeeper or craftsman, the work of commerce, though it also means all work.3 The Old Testament says very little about Sabbath worship, but it strongly emphasizes Sabbath rest. The Hebrew word for Sabbath, sûabbat (tD;bAÚvAh) is a noun.
    [Show full text]
  • Linguistic Links Between Verses 12 and 13 of Isaiah 58
    Andrm University Studies, Summer 1992, Vol. 30, No. 2, 115-121. Copyright 6 1992 by Andrews University Press. LINGUISTIC LINKS BETWEEN VERSES 12 AND 13 OF ISAIAH 58 RON DU PREEZ Southern College Collegedale, TN 37315 More than six decades ago, C. C. Torrey made a charge regarding Isa 58:13-14 that has been widely accepted in OT studies: namely, that this passage is "utterly out of keeping with its surroundings," its author being the same person who allegedly inserted another sabbath pericope in 56:2-6.' In a similar vein Berhard Duhm and others have insisted that this passage comes from very late, possibly the time of Nehemiah in the mid-fifth century B.c., for the sabbath was stressed at that time, during a period of Jewish history which was purportedly a time of particularly heavy emphasis upon externals? While some commentators, such as George A. F. Knight, merely assume that this passage is an "appendix,'" or like A. S. Peake simply state that it %ears the marks of a later ~orollary,'~ 'Charles Cutler Torrey, The Second Isaiah: A New Interpretation (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1928), 439. 'See Edward J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1972),3: 425; see also Neh 13:15-22. Reference to Duhm is Das Buch Jesaia (Gottingen: Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht, 1968). 3George A. F. Knight, The New Israel: A Commentary on the Book of Isaiah 56-66 (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1985), 29. 'Arthur S. Peake, ed., A Commentary on the Bible (London: Thomas Nelson and Sons, 1919), 469.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah 56–66
    Isaiah 56–66 BERIT OLAM Studies in Hebrew Narrative & Poetry Isaiah 56–66 Paul V. Niskanen Chris Franke Series Editor A Michael Glazier Book LITURGICAL PRESS Collegeville, Minnesota www.litpress.org A Michael Glazier Book published by Liturgical Press Cover design by Ann Blattner. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Scripture are the author’s. © 2014 by Order of Saint Benedict, Collegeville, Minnesota. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, microfilm, microfiche, mechanical recording, photocopying, translation, or by any other means, known or yet unknown, for any purpose except brief quotations in reviews, without the previous written permission of Liturgical Press, Saint John’s Abbey, PO Box 7500, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321-7500. Printed in the United States of America. 123456789 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Niskanen, Paul. Isaiah 56–66 / Paul V. Niskanen. pages cm. — (BERIT OLAM: studies in Hebrew narrative & poetry) “A Michael Glazier book.” ISBN 978-0-8146-5068-4 — ISBN 978-0-8146-8256-2 (ebook) 1. Bible. Isaiah, LVI–LXVI—Commentaries. I. Title. BS1520.5.N57 2014 224'.107—dc23 2014008292 CONTENTS List of Abbreviations .........................................vii Introduction ................................................ix Isaiah 56–57 ..................................................1 Isaiah 58 ....................................................17 Isaiah 59 ....................................................27 Isaiah 60 ....................................................35
    [Show full text]
  • Prayer and National Security: a Study of Isaiah 58
    International Journal of Theology & Reformed Tradition Vol 4 Prayer And National Security: A Study Of Isaiah 58 Collins Ik. Ugwu & Onyekachi G. Chukwuma Abstract One of the obligations of a nation is to provide security for its citizens. In Nigeria today, security has been hampered by a number of activities, particularly by that of the Boko Haram sect. The paper presents that well-principled prayer can go a long way in stemming the tide of insecurity in Nigeria. The paper acknowledges that prayers are being said by various religious groups but there is something lacking. Hence, the message of Isaiah 58 maintains that prayers go unanswered because the religious practices of the people are shallow and mixed with compromises. The study employed the biblical analytical method and the findings indicated that this situation can be averted if the right principles of prayer were followed by those who are praying for the peace of the nation. Introduction In simple terms, security which is a basic human need means safety from harm. It refers to the various activities aimed at protecting a country, building or person from attack or danger. Security is so fundamental to life and existence that every nation endeavours to ensure the safety of lives and property of its citizens. Suffice it to mention that one of the principal obligations of a nation is to provide security for its citizens. In addition, the fundamental human right to life demands that the government protects her citizens from abuse and attack by other citizens. On this, Fagothey (1953:243) rightly stated that “the right to life is the most fundamental because there can be no further rights or duties unless there is someone there to have them.” According to the Universal Declaration of Human rights; article 3 (1948), “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” More so, the Nigerian constitution recognizes the sanctity of human life and clearly indicates that the lives of its citizens are held in the highest regard and are guaranteed against attacks.
    [Show full text]
  • SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS – Isaiah 58:1-59:21
    SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS – Isaiah 58:1-59:21 For starters – Should social justice (sometimes called “mercy ministry”) be a major part of the church’s mission? Why or why not? READING TO UNDERSTAND – ISAIAH 58:1-14 1. What is the rebellion/sin Isaiah is called to declare to Israel? 2. What are the characteristics of the type of fasting Israel performs? (vv. 3- 5) 3. What are the characteristics of the type of fasting that is acceptable to the Lord? (vv. 6-7) 4. What is promised to those who fast in the way the Lord has chosen? (vv. 8-14) 5. Why will following the way of the Lord and not your own way result in joy in the Lord? READING TO UNDERSTAND – ISAIAH 59:1-21 6. What is the result of our sin? (v. 1) 7. What does Isaiah 59 say is missing from the people of God? 8. Why is justice such an important characteristic of God’s people? (Read Matt 5:13-16 and Luke 10:25-37) 9. How can our church continue to be a better light in our community? 10. What did the Lord do when he looked at saw no one doing justice? 11. In what was Jesus the coming of God’s justice? 1 NEW CITY CATECHISM – QUESTION 12 Q. What does God require in the ninth and tenth commandments? Discuss what you think the answer is before looking at the answer below and then discuss the answer given. A. Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love.
    [Show full text]
  • TRITO (Third) ISAIAH After the Return of the Exiles Chapters 56-66
    62 TRITO (Third) ISAIAH After the Return of the Exiles Chapters 56-66 Historical context. When we come to chapter 56 and people. Yet, once the punishment is accomplished, the subsequent chapters of the Book of Isaiah, God reaches out with double the effort to restore the scholars generally believe that they were written by people and make them even better and greater than disciples of the Servant who wrote chapters 40-55. before. The writer is no longer thought as someone in Babylon, but one already back in Jerusalem. Unlike COMMENTARY Second Isaiah with its grand poetry and drawn out description of the coming salvation of God, chapters CHAPTER 56:1-8: An inclusive God 56-66 are a mixture of prose and poetry, of hope and despair at the same time. The major portion of Isaiah “Observe what is right, do what is just….” (v.1) 56-66 arose against the background of the severe “Let not the foreigner say when he would join himself hardships that prevailed in the time between to the Lord, ‘The Lord will surely exclude me from Sheshbazzar’s unsuccessful attempt to rebuild the his people’; nor let the eunuch say, ‘See, I am a dry Temple and its completion under Zerubbabel in 515 tree.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘To the eunuchs who B.C. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah are observe my Sabbaths and choose what pleases me contemporaries of Trito-Isaiah. and hold fast to my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name.’” Message.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah: Salvation Comes From
    Isaiah: Salvation Comes From God The creator of “Interesting Facts About Isaiah” from Barnes Bible Charts says that “Isaiah is like a miniature Bible: The first Daily Steps 39 chapters, like the 39 books of the Old Testament, are filled 1. Read the scripture selection for the day. with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. The final 27 2. Use the Bible study questions to help you process the content. chapters, like the 27 books of the New Testament, declare a message of hope.” 3. Pray for understanding, application, and obedience. 4. Spend a few moments memorizing the verse for the month and its reference. Day Reading Day Reading 1 Isaiah 1-2 16 Isaiah 35-36 Specific Questions to Process 2 Isaiah 3-5 17 Isaiah 37-38 1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character? 3 Isaiah 6-8 18 Isaiah 39-40 2. What does this passage teach me about Israel and God’s 4 Isaiah 9-10 19 Isaiah 41-42 relationship with it? 5 Isaiah 11-13 20 Isaiah 43-44 3. What does this passage teach me about who God uses in the 6 Isaiah 14-15 21 Isaiah 45-46 redemptive process? 7 Isaiah 16-17 22 Isaiah 47-48 4. What does this passage teach me about a personal relationship with 8 Isaiah 18-20 23 Isaiah 49-50 God? 9 Isaiah 21-22 24 Isaiah 51-52 10 Isaiah 23-24 25 Isaiah 53-55 5. What does this passage reveal about future events? 11 Isaiah 25-26 26 Isaiah 56-57 12 Isaiah 27-28 27 Isaiah 58-59 Further Application Questions 13 Isaiah 29-30 28 Isaiah 60-62 Is there a… 14 Isaiah 31-32 29 Isaiah 63-64 Grow 15 Isaiah 33-34 30 Isaiah 65-66 Sin to confess? Promise to claim? Memorization verse: “The grass withers, the flower fades, Example to follow? but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 Command to obey? Stumbling block to avoid? .
    [Show full text]
  • Conference Speakers
    Conference Speakers Albert Pietersma Professor of Septuagint Studies and Hellenistic Greek (emeritus), University of Toronto. Paper Title and Abstract: “Translation and Commentary: Retrospect and Prospect” Seeing that A New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS) has now appeared (2007), a retrospective description would seem in order, the more since this translation stands in the context of many others into modern languages, all together testifying to the greatest renewal of interest in the Septuagint in modern times. Conceived as two-staged interpretive undertaking, NETS is the first stage. This paper will therefore describe NETS in retrospect and anticipate the commentary series to follow, namely, the Society of Biblical Literature Commentary on the Septuagint (SBLCS). Basic to both is the so-called interlinear paradigm, which by now has had a reception history of its own. While translation into modern languages provides maximum access to the text for a wide spectrum of students of biblical literature, commentary aims to elucidate the meaning of that literature. Retrospect and prospect will thus be shown to be two sides of the same coin. Benjamin G. Wright Professor, Department of Religion Studies, Lehigh University. Paper Title and Abstract: “Moving Beyond Translating a Translation: Reflections on A New English Translation of the Septuagint” Every translation is grounded in some historical moment, every translation is intended to fit a niche in its target culture, and every translation has an observable relationship to its source text. This is true for both the Septuagint and A New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS). As work on NETS progressed, the interconnectedness of these three elements became more and more apparent, and that relationship played an increasingly explicit role in how I conceived of NETS within the larger field of Septuagint Studies.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Jeremiah: Realisation of Threats of the Torah – and Also of Promises?
    Verbum et Ecclesia ISSN: (Online) 2074-7705, (Print) 1609-9982 Page 1 of 9 Original Research The Book of Jeremiah: Realisation of threats of the Torah – and also of promises? Author: The relationship between the Torah and the Prophets has been a matter of dispute. This article 1,2 Georg Fischer SJ discusses the links of the Book of Jeremiah especially with the warnings in Leviticus 26 and the Affiliations: curses in Deuteronomy 28, but then goes on to show that it also picks up promises from the 1Theological Faculty, Torah and thus indicates a way to salvation. In doing so, it comes close to the Book of Isaiah. Leopold-Franzens-Universität The intertextual comparison between these two prophetic books reveals that the entire Book of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria Isaiah may be the source for similar announcements in the Book of Jeremiah, yet also for taking a more nuanced stance. 2Department of Old Testament and Hebrew Intra-disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The literary relationship between Scriptures, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa the Torah and Prophets as well as between the Books of Isaiah and Jeremiah is seen anew from an Old Testament perspective with its dogmatic implication for a portrayal of God. Corresponding author: Georg Fischer SJ, Keywords: Relationship Torah – Jeremiah; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28; Fulfilment of Torah [email protected] Promises; Relationship Book of Isaiah – Book of Jeremiah. Dates: Received: 06 Mar. 2019 Accepted: 04 July 2019 Introduction Published: 12 Dec. 2019 The Pro Pent congress 2014 on ‘Torah and Prophets: Isaiah and Jeremiah’ invited participants to How to cite this article: reflect ontwo fascinating relationships, namely, firstly, on the connection between two large parts of the Fischer SJ, G., 2019, ‘The Tanak, and secondly, on the link between two major prophetic books.
    [Show full text]