Isaiah 40-66: A Commentary, Second Edition

by Michael E W Thompson

Overview

The book of Isaiah remains one of the most significant works of the Old Testament, dealing with actual responses to a series of political changes and crises—those responses being both of the people of God and also of the dominant great empires of that age. Above all, here are prophetical reactions to the great political changes of the day. Further, here are changes in the way the historical faith of Israel is to be lived out in new ages for the people of Israel's life in both the religious and political settings. In this short and accessible commentary, Michael E. W. Thompson opens up this ancient text for contemporary people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781666788242
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	04/18/2024
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	202
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.63(d)

About the Author

Michael E. W. Thompson is a retired British Methodist minister whose work focuses on the use of the Old Testament in the Christian church.

Table of Contents

General Introduction ix

Preface x

Select bibliography xiii

Abbreviations xvi

Introduction

The book of Isaiah xvii

Isaiah 40-55

Authorship xix

Themes xix

God xx

Israel xxii

Jerusalem/Zion xxiv

Style xxv

Announcements and promises of salvation xxvi

Trial scenes xxvi

Disputations xxvi

Hymns xxvii

The language of metaphor xxvii

Isaiah 56-66 Authorship and Setting xxix

Themes xxx

God xxx

Israel xxxi

Jerusalem/Zion xxxi

Once more the book of Isaiah xxxii

Commentary Isaiah 40-55 1

Chapters 40-48 1

Prophet and gospel 40.1-11 2

The incomparable God 40.12-26 10

The Holy One of Israel 40.27-31 15

The Lord's instrument 41.1-5 16

See after 40.20 41.6-7 18

Do not be afraid! 41.8-16 18

The desert transformed 41.17-20 21

God alone, he alone 41.21-29 23

A servant 42.1-4 26

One called 42.5-9 29

Sing a new song 42.10-17 32

Blind and deaf 42.18-25 34

God's great love for Israel 43.1-7 35

Israel and Babylon 43.8-15 38

The new exodus 43.16-21 41

Sin - and sacrifice? 43.22-28 43

Israel, chosen by God 44.1-5 45

The Lord is the only God 44.6-8 47

Idol worship is foolish 44.9-20 48

The Lord and Israel 44.21-23 51

The Lord and Cyrus 44.24-45.7 53

The Lord almighty 45.8-13 58

The sovereign Lord 45.14-25 59

Gods who are carried and the Lord God who carries 46.1-13 62

Babylon, proud but fallen 47.1-15 65

The plan of God for his people 48.1-22 69

Chapters 49-55 74

A light to the nations 49.1-6 75

The great reversal of fortunes 49.7-13 79

Zion full of people 49.14-21 81

The victorious Lord 49.22-23 83

The delivering Lord 49.24-26 84

Separated but not divorced 50.1-3 85

Service and conflict 50.4-9 86

Hope and judgment 50.10-11 89

Let the exiles take heart 51.1-8 90

Awake, Lord! 51.9-11 92

I am the Lord your God 51.12-16 93

The wrath of God 51.17-23 95

Wake up, Zion! 52.1-6 96

The new day dawns 52.7-12 98

The life, death and exaltation of the servant 52.13-53.12 100

Sing! 54.1-10 114

The new Jerusalem 11-17 117

Come to me 55.1-5 119

Now is the time! 55.6-13 121

Isaiah 56-66 125

The people of God 56.1-8 125

Corrupt leaders and corrupt worship 56.9-57.13 128

God is with the humble 57.14-21 131

True fasting 58.1-14 134

Mercy and repentance 59.1-21 137

The new glory of Zion 60.1-22 143

Prophet's call and message 61.1-11 148

City and people restored 62.1-12 153

God alone 63.1-6 155

Anguished prayer 63.7-64.12 158

Punishment and salvation 65.1-25 165

Judgment and salvation 66.1-24 171

Notes 180

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“Michael Thompson here completes his commentary on Isaiah in a way that showcases all his best qualities: a clear and concise explanation of the text of these much-loved chapters, based on deep scholarship but presented in truly accessible style. He tells us what we need to know, without being distracted by side issues. It should be the first port of call for ministers and all serious students of the Bible who want an initial reliable guide.”

—H. G. M. Williamson, regius professor emeritus of Hebrew, University of Oxford



“In this revised version of his Epworth Commentary, Michael Thompson guides the reader through Isaiah 40–66 in a judicious and accessible way. He addresses background issues and offers careful exegesis of the text, section by section. There are helpful treatments of major themes, including some thoughtful reflections on the ‘Servant’ passages. A valuable resource for teachers, preachers, and all seeking to engage with these theologically important chapters.”

—Adrian Curtis, honorary research fellow, University of Manchester

Editorial Reviews

Michael Thompson here completes his commentary on Isaiah in a way that showcases all his best qualities: a clear and concise explanation of the text of these much-loved chapters, based on deep scholarship but presented in truly accessible style. He tells us what we need to know, without being distracted by side issues. It should be the first port of call for ministers and all serious students of the Bible who want an initial reliable guide.”

—H. G. M. Williamson, regius professor emeritus of Hebrew, University of Oxford



“In this revised version of his Epworth Commentary, Michael Thompson guides the reader through Isaiah 40–66 in a judicious and accessible way. He addresses background issues and offers careful exegesis of the text, section by section. There are helpful treatments of major themes, including some thoughtful reflections on the ‘Servant’ passages. A valuable resource for teachers, preachers, and all seeking to engage with these theologically important chapters.”

—Adrian Curtis, honorary research fellow, University of Manchester

From the Publisher