Introducing Isaiah: Prophet of Hope

Introducing Isaiah: Prophet of Hope

Session Four: The Way of Wholeness – Isaiah 35:8-10

Leader Resources

Getting Ready

Have on hand: Bibles for all (same translation, if possible; RSV or NRSV preferred); copies of Participant Resource for all; pencils; chalkboard and chalk or newsprint and markers.
Prepare yourself: If possible, read about chapter 35 and Isaiah in general in a biblical commentary (“Jerome,” “Interpreter’s One-Volume” are good); read the article on “holiness” in a good Bible dictionary (such as “Harpers”).

I Working with the Text

Have Isaiah 35:8-10 read aloud while others follow in their Bibles. Ask participants to talk about what God is saying through Isaiah in this passage. After these general impression, move to a detailed examination of the text.

1. Begin with the poetic patterns.

+ The negative statement is “the unclean shall not travel on it.”

+ The positive statement is “but the redeemed shall walk there.”

+ Joy and gladness come to the people while “sorrow and sighing shall flee away”

+ These contrasting elements serve as a counterpoint to the main thrust of the verse. They create tension which serves to further illuminate the message. Isaiah uses all the literary devices at his disposal to sharpen his message. The book of Isaiah, as we have it in our Bibles, is a literary masterpiece.

2. In this section, you will help the group to see how Exodus themes underlie what Isaiah is saying to the people.

+ Discuss why this verse reflects Exodus themes, for it is not so obvious from the text. The reference to highway on which God’s people would travel would suggest the Exodus to Isaiah’s hearers. The journey from Egypt to the Promised Land was a living memory, even though it took place some 500 years earlier. That journey formed God’s people and began the process of welding them into the nation of Israel. In the Old Testament, the Exodus serves as a picture of the exiles return to Jerusalem. Isaiah 40:1-5, familiar because it is a text in Handel’s “Messiah,” also picks up the highway theme. The titles given will vary; verse 1-2 might be titled “You’ve paid your dues”; 3-5 might be titled Welcome home!”

+ The “redeemed” are Isaiah’s audience who have paid the price for their sins (40:2) and now will return home to Jerusalem. Looking into their past, Isaiah’s audience would recall their people’s bondage in Egypt and their “redemption” or deliverance by God through Moses. Isaiah 11:16 makes this dual time frame explicit.

+ All these passage draw upon some Exodus image. . In the New Testament, it pictures the Christians journey from death into resurrection life

+ Peter apparently had the Exodus passage in mind. Both make the point that God has delivered his people in order to make of them something special to serve the world and to bring God’s light into the world.

+ In this powerful passage, Paul’s use of the terms slavery, bondage, and freedom would recall the Exodus for his readers. We are delivered from bondage by redemption and live by the Spirit of God.

3. Now explore the image of highway.

+These passages all talk about “way” or “path,” which we might think of as “journeys” in life. This is a favorite image in the book of Isaiah. One might think of this image as presenting God’s path or way or highway in contrast to alternative journeys through life that the world offers us. Early Christians picked up the image of “way” and spoke clearly about two ways in life that face each person, the way of light and life (in Christ) and the way of darkness and death. In John we have Jesus calling himself “the Way,” and in Acts, “the Way” is an early term for the Christian faith.

+ When Jesus calls himself “the Way” he makes it clear that he is God’s way; follow me, he means, and you will follow the Father.

+ Isaiah called it the Holy Way because no unclean shall travel on it. Isaiah had a ritualistic sense of holiness. Today, we can expand the understanding of holiness beyond ritual cleanliness..

+Some New Testament incidents related to highways or roads include: the “Good Samaritan” helping a man waylaid on the road, Jesus’ road to Golgotha; Jesus meeting two disciples on the road to Emmaus; and Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus.

4. Now explore the section on joy.

+ The meaning here is Jerusalem, for the Temple had not yet been rebuilt.

+ The image is of travelers carrying joy on their heads. The baggage they carry will be joy because they are returning home.

+ Psalm 126 also celebrates the return to Jerusalem and echoes some themes from Isaiah.

+ Zion his the new Jerusalem where the Lamb reigns and the saints live. Our move from the bondage of sin, death, and the devil to salvation and eternal life, our “promised land,” reflects the Exodus.

II Bringing the Text Home

A. Responses will vary. God wants us to take his love with us, and to leave behind despair and hopelessness. But your group will expand on this. Encourage them to express their ideas, because this is an exercise in articulating their faith.

B. Let participants choose one item in each category. Then go through the categories asking them to express their choice and reasons for the choice in each category. List their choices on newsprint or chalkboard. When the four lists are up, discuss them. What would the group eliminate? What would they add? How well do the choices reflect a positive, grace-filled perception of the Christian faith?

C. Responses will vary. Encourage sharing, but don’t force anyone to speak who does not wish to share.

D. Responses will vary. List their ideas on chalkboard or newsprint.

E. Responses will vary.

Talk about ways to accomplish “During the Week” and discuss other options that will put insights from this session into action.