scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

God of All the World: Universalism and Developing Monotheism in Isaiah 40–66

01 Apr 2006-Harvard Theological Review (Cambridge University Press)-Vol. 99, Iss: 02, pp 139-163
TL;DR: The relationship between Israel, the nations, and Israel's God in the eschatological future has long occupied exegetes and theologians as mentioned in this paper, and the meaning of the pilgrimage of the nations to Zion and the servant's charge to become a “covenant to the people (), a light to the nations ()” (Isa 42:6) is a significant locus of dispute.
Abstract: The relationship between Israel, the nations, and Israel's God in the eschatological future has long occupied exegetes and theologians. The meaning of the pilgrimage of the nations to Zion and the servant's charge to become a “covenant to the people (), a light to the nations ()” (Isa 42:6) is a significant locus of dispute. Some argue that here the text charges the Israelites to missionize the Gentiles, while others contend that Second Isaiah holds only a passing interest in the status of foreigners. These disagreements are not unfounded, for the text itself contains seemingly contradictory exclamations right next to one another. In Isa 45:22, for example, YHWH proclaims: “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” In the very next verses, however, Isaiah depicts the nations as subservient to Israel and elsewhere as even licking the dust of the former exiles' feet (49:23)—an image which, at least at first glance, seems incompatible with the notion that foreigners and Israelites similarly benefit from YHWH's saving acts.
Citations
More filters
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: The pivotal role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah illustrates how Cyrus' actions correlated with Israel's developing understanding of God as mentioned in this paper, through the life of Cyrus The Great, king of Persia.
Abstract: God’s revelation is seen here through the life of Cyrus The Great, king of Persia. The pivotal role of Cyrus in Second Isaiah illustrates how Cyrus’ actions correlated with Israel’s developing understanding of God. Isaiah viewed Cyrus, the military and political victor, as God’s instrument through the returning of captive Israel to Jerusalem and Judah. Here, God is seen as the Lord of history employed in the political actions of the day.

2 citations

Trending Questions (1)
What is the context of Isaiah 41?

Some argue that here the text charges the Israelites to missionize the Gentiles, while others contend that Second Isaiah holds only a passing interest in the status of foreigners.