1. What societal role do prophecies play in ancient Israel? Why would Isaiah give a joyous or conciliatory prophecy rather than one of doom? Pick a prophecy in First Isaiah and use it as an example.
2. How do we grapple with the multiple authors of Isaiah? What is important about knowing each author and their contributions to the text?
1. What parts of Isaiah have been emphasized in your tradition? What does that story or prophecy tell us about the way we read this part of the Bible?
2. Although a single author did not write the entire text, we are rather sure a historical Isaiah existed at one point. How does historical reality affect the way that you read and approach this text?