This collection of podcasts primarily focus on the second section of the Book of Isaiah (chapters 40-55), often attributed to an anonymous prophet known as Deutero-Isaiah. We will examine the literary characteristics of Isaiah 40-55, exploring its structure, rhetorical devices such as questions and repetition, and the complex relationship between its written form and potential oral performance, ultimately suggesting it is best understood as a rhetorical composition. Also will be an examination of these chapters historically, placing their composition in the time of Cyrus the Great and the decline of the Babylonian Empire, discussing allusions to Cyrus's rise and the situation of Judean communities in exile. Finally we’ll address the formation and canonicity of Isaiah 40-55, arguing for its original independence from Isaiah 1-39 due to differing historical contexts and theological emphases, while also exploring the interpretation of key themes like the "servant" figure and the significance of fulfilled prophecy within these chapters.
Second Isaiah Timeline and Cast of Characters
Deutero-Isaiah as Part of the Book of Isaiah
The Historical Context of Deutero-Isaiah
The Theology Of Deutero-Isaiah: Coping With Disaster