Saul Weinreb - Let the Prophets Speak

Isaiah 53 - The Peoples of the World and the Suffering of Israel

The people's of the world now stand at the time of redemption, and they look back at the long and difficult exile of the Jewish people. The people have suffered and bore th brunt of the sins of the world, but they remained faithful to God and they still brought redemption to the nations of the world. How could this be? How could the innocent have suffered?  How is it that despite the suffering they briought us peace and redemption instead of revenge and destruction?

Isaiah 53 Introduction Part 2

In this podcast, we develop the sources in the book of Isaiah that support the eight ideas expressed in the first part of our introduction to Isaiah 53.

Isaiah 53 Introduction Part 1

The first part of our introduction to Isaiah chapter 53. We explain the 8 ideas that Isaiah has been teaching us that are crucial to understanding the message and ideas expressed in Isaiah 53.

1. The nations of the world are guilty of oppressing the people of Israel more than they deserved.  God did exile the people and allow the oppression to occur, but it was the choice of the people to oppress the Jews.
2. When judgement arrives, the nations that chose to oppress the Jewish people, and indeed the nations and leaders who chose to oppress all peoples will suffer for their choice
3. God makes it extremely clear, that when the Jews were made to suffer exile, it was because of their own sins, not because of the sins of anyone else
4. When judgement comes, the arrogant nations that still refuse to humble themselves before God, and still refuse to treat others with Justice and righteousness, will be humbled and destroyed.
5. When judgement comes, the nations who "get the message" and choose to humble themselves before God, and to cease oppressing others and act kindly towards the oppressed, these people will be redeemed.
6. The nations of the world never understood that God's ways and God's justice is something we cannot understand.  We can question it, but we cannot understand it.  The fact that someone suffers, does not mean that they are guilty, the facte that someone prospers, does not mean that they are righteous.
7. The term "My servant" in Isaiah, refers to the people of Israel
8. The people of Israel are charged with bringing this message to all of the nations of the world. Through the people of Israel, by teaching the world of these ideas, the entire world will be redeemed.  

Isaiah 52 - How Beautiful it Will be upon the Mountaintops!

The people of Israel bring their message of peace, joy and redemption to Zion and Jerusalem. The news of peace and redemption reverberates to the ends of the Earth. No longer will evil and arrogant people be free to destroy, mock, and oppress the people of God.

Isaiah 51c - The People's Message to Zion

God declares, as i asked you to comfort Zion, I will be the One who comforts you! With knowledge of My strength and support, you can convey this message to Jerusalem: No longer shall you drink the cup of suffering and torment, as God is bringing your children back, and the cup of torment will be passed to your tormentors to drink.

Isaiah 51b - Isaiah Prays - God! Wake Up! Redeem Your People

In this portion, Isaiah beseeches God. You God created the tormentors of israel and the beasts that cause suffering. Please God, Wake up! wake up! and redeem them like You did in the days of old.

Isaiah 51a - The Good Old Days

Isaiah begs the people to listen, and asks them to look back at their past.  As Abraham and Sarah were unique in their day,  so to are God's faithful people today. Don't be afraid because you are alone. Just as God was with them, He is with you.

Isaiah 50 - Isaiah Speaks about His Mission

In this chapter, Isaiah reminds us how God gave him the gift to speak like the angels, and that God warned him that the people would not listen. Nonetheless, Isaiah carried on with the message God commanded him to convey to the people, despite much abuse and personal hardship. I did what I was told to do, Isaiah says, it is your job to listen.

Isaiah 49c - God Remembers Zion

Zion cries that she has been forgotten, and bereft of her children. God reassures Zion that she will never be forgotten. Her children will return, and indeed they will bring along the nations of the world to populate Jerusalem and worship the One God together.

Isaiah 49b - The Redemption of all Oppressed Peoples

Isaiah describes again the process of redemption and the sepcial role of the Chosen people. God redeems His chosen, and through their redemption follows the redemption of all oppressed peoples. Then, and only then will the mountains rejoice in song, and thirst and hunger will no longer afflict the poor.