Pathways through the Bible: Classic Selections from the Tanakh (Third Edition)

Isaiah of the Exile

Isaiah of the Exile Cc The following chapters are attributed by some modern scholars to an unknown male author. They call this author “The Second Isaiah,” “Deutero-Isaiah,” or “Isaiah of the Exile.” Here we adopt this view, although it cannot be proven. According to the scholarly theory, this other “Isaiah” delivered his poems at about the time when Cyrus, king of Persia, announced that the Jews could return to the Land of Israel to rebuild their Temple and nation. Because these writings were similar to Isaiah’s in grandeur of ideas and in beauty of language, they were added to the original book of Isaiah. ■ 336 ■ 1. “SPEAK TENDERLY TO JERUSALEM” Isaiah of the Exile sees glowing visions of the return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. He describes the exiles gathering from all lands, streaming across plains, mountains, and deserts, and joyfully “coming home” to Jerusalem. His words are rich in beauty and tenderness. They bring comfort and encouragement to a saddened and weary people. God Has Pardoned Israel “Comfort, oh comfort My people,” Says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, And declare to her That her term of service is over, That she has made amends for her iniquity; For she has received at the hand of God Double for all her sins.” God’s Highway A voice rings out: “Clear in the desert A road for God! Level in the wilderness A highway for our God! Let every valley be raised, Every hill and mount made low. Let the rugged ground become level And the ridges become a plain.” The Presence of God shall appear, And all flesh, as one, shall behold— For it is God who has spoken. The Prophets: Isaiah of the Exile/“Speak Tenderly to Jerusalem” ■ 337 Good Tidings for Zion Ascend a lofty mountain, O herald of joy to Zion; Raise your voice with power, O herald of joy to Jerusalem— Raise it, have no fear; Announce to the cities of Judah: Behold your God! How welcome on the mountain Are the footsteps of the herald Announcing happiness, Heralding good fortune, Announcing victory, Telling Zion, “Your God Rules!” Hark! Your watchmen raise their voices, As one they shout for joy; For every eye shall behold God’s return to Zion. Raise a shout together, O ruins of Jerusalem! For God will comfort this people, Will redeem Jerusalem. The Exiles on the March “Fear not, for I am with you: I will bring your folk from the East, Will gather you out of the West; I will say to the North, ‘Give back!’ And to the South, ‘Do not withhold!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the end of the earth— All who are linked to My name, Whom I have created, Formed, and made for My glory!” 338 ■ Pathways Through the Bible A New Heaven and Earth “For behold! I am creating A new heaven and a new earth; The former things shall not be remembered, They shall never come to mind. Be glad, then, and rejoice forever In what I am creating. For I shall create Jerusalem as a joy, And her people as a delight; And I will rejoice in Jerusalem And delight in her people. Never again shall be heard there The sounds of weeping and wailing.” Glory and Peace “They shall build houses and dwell in them, They shall plant vineyards and enjoy their fruit. They shall not build for others to dwell in, Or plant for others to enjoy. For the days of My people shall be As long as the days of a tree, My chosen ones shall outlive The work of their hands.” “And all your children shall be disciples of God, And great shall be the happiness of your children.” (Isaiah 40.1–5, 40.9, 52.7–9, 43.5–7, 65.17–19, 65.21–22, 54.13) The Prophets: Isaiah of the Exile/“Speak Tenderly to Jerusalem” ■ 339 2. CYRUS—GOD’S SHEPHERD King Cyrus of Persia frees the Jewish exiles after he has conquered Babylonia.* Because of Cyrus’s great justice and kindness to the Jewish people, Isaiah of the Exile considers him the instrument or agent of God’s plan to restore Israel to their ancestral land. The prophet, however, emphasizes the gratitude that the Jews owe to God...