The City in Isaiah 24-27 : a theological interpretation in terms of judgment and salvation

[摘要] As the title indicates, our study is focused on a theological interpretation of the city in Isaiah24-27 from the point of view of God's judgment and salvation. The main reason for the studyis that in Isaiah 24-27, the city plays a very significant role. The research therefore employsthe socio-rhetorical approach which is a method that explores a multi-dimensional way ofdealing with the text.Applying Robbins' (1966a & b) textural analysis to the text of Isaiah 24-27, the inner andinter textures are examined in order to demonstrate the narrator's rhetorical strategy. Throughthe prophetic genre of judgement and salvation, the narrator challenges the audience/reader tochange their minds and attitudes, especially about the city. The challenge is that the fortifiedcity alone would never provide safety and peace but rather bring God's judgment. In contrast,God alone provides salvation and protection through God's reign on Mount Zion/Jerusalem. Itis shown that this rhetorical strategy is deeply embedded in the social and cultural context.The expectation was that the historical and political chaos which was triggered byinternational pressures and Israel's unfaithfulness and injustice might cause Israel to reflect onwhat happened and what would happen to the city in God's eschatological time. Therhetorical strategy also highlights the eschatological-apocalyptic character of the text and theauthor of Isaiah 24-27 uses it to focus on the ideological and theological textures by means ofwhich he warned that 'Zion theology could become 'Zion ideology if it became locatedbeyond prophetic voice and criticism.Furthermore, it is shown that the theological texture highlights God's theological viewpointthat is symbolized by subjects such as universalism and the restoration of Zion/Jerusalemthrough judgment and salvation both of which are dialectically reflected in the destiny of thecity of Zion/Jerusalem. At a deeper level, this theological engagement is based on God'ssteadfast covenant love and justice, through which, God as husband and king, makes ademand on the city Jerusalem/Zion, the wife and the faith community. We have attempted toshow from Isaiah 24-27 that God's kingship is expressed in an apocalyptic manner which isbeyond human power and intervention in order to emphasize God's absolute sovereignty incontrolling human destiny, especially the city. In line with the odd literary genre of the text,there still exist traditional prophetic thoughts which demand human responsibility on issuessuch as repentance, execution of social justice and righteousness in life.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University