The 40th chapter of Isaiah is difficult to interpret because of the ambiguity of the text. This chapter has caused numerous scholarly discussion leading to many different interpretations of the chapter. This paper will focus on verses one through eleven, answering questions regarding some of the difficulties of the text. A few questions that will be addressed are the following: Who is the speaker of the text? Is there multiple speakers in this passage? What is the main point of the message? Who is crying out in verses three and six? Answers to these questions will be provided by doing exegesis and looking at scholarly sources.
Who is Speaking? The passage in Isaiah 40:1-11 is ambiguous which makes it difficult to know who is speaking throughout …show more content…
It does seem that He is speaking to a prophet, or to the prophets, but the text is too ambiguous to be certain. In verses 3-5, there is an unknown voice calling out to give a message. Again, the text is ambiguous, so it is difficult to determine who the voice is. Some scholars suggest it is the voice of the prophet (some point to John the Baptist as being the fulfillment), while others state it is a heavenly voice. Further, there is even more ambiguity in verse 9 as to who the speaker is. Again, some see the voice as the prophet, while others as the divine …show more content…
The rest of the text is the Lord comforting His people. The words אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם and עַמִּ֑י are used to describe God’s relationship to His people (v. 1). It is similar to Him saying, “You will be my people and I will be your God.” This formula is used many times to speak of God’s chosen people. The Lord is not only calling His people back to Himself, but He is wooing them back (vv. 1-2). The “warfare” is now over, and God is forgiving His people. He is now going to end their suffering from the possible suffering they endured from the Babylonian exile. The theme of the text goes from judgment to salvation and forgiveness. The message is that God has forgiven His people and that He will keep His promise and covenants that He has established with them. God sees Israel as the one who has suffered rather than focusing on their punishment. Eddinger says that this is a parallel to the Exodus, and in a similar way, He is preparing a new Exodus for Israel. In other words, God is a God of mercy and love that He shows to His people as His has promised to
Who is Speaking? The passage in Isaiah 40:1-11 is ambiguous which makes it difficult to know who is speaking throughout …show more content…
It does seem that He is speaking to a prophet, or to the prophets, but the text is too ambiguous to be certain. In verses 3-5, there is an unknown voice calling out to give a message. Again, the text is ambiguous, so it is difficult to determine who the voice is. Some scholars suggest it is the voice of the prophet (some point to John the Baptist as being the fulfillment), while others state it is a heavenly voice. Further, there is even more ambiguity in verse 9 as to who the speaker is. Again, some see the voice as the prophet, while others as the divine …show more content…
The rest of the text is the Lord comforting His people. The words אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם and עַמִּ֑י are used to describe God’s relationship to His people (v. 1). It is similar to Him saying, “You will be my people and I will be your God.” This formula is used many times to speak of God’s chosen people. The Lord is not only calling His people back to Himself, but He is wooing them back (vv. 1-2). The “warfare” is now over, and God is forgiving His people. He is now going to end their suffering from the possible suffering they endured from the Babylonian exile. The theme of the text goes from judgment to salvation and forgiveness. The message is that God has forgiven His people and that He will keep His promise and covenants that He has established with them. God sees Israel as the one who has suffered rather than focusing on their punishment. Eddinger says that this is a parallel to the Exodus, and in a similar way, He is preparing a new Exodus for Israel. In other words, God is a God of mercy and love that He shows to His people as His has promised to