Questions for Discussion
1. In Isa. 7:15-25, does the prophet lay out a clear sequence of events, or does the passage simply present a series of images that illustrate the way in which Israel’s life with God is a never-ending alternation between judgment and promise? For example, is the name given to the child, Immanuel, “God is with us,” a sign of God’s blessing or God’s judgment” [Isa. 7:14; 8:9; 8:10]; how does Matthew understand the name [Matt. 1:23; cf. also Matt. 2:13-18]? Are the oracles that begin “on that day” in Isa. 7:18-24 positive or negative?
2. Is the incident described in Isaiah 8:1-4 related at all to the promise of the child in 7:14?
3. In Isa. 9:2, who are “the people who walked in darkness”? Are they related to the ones who see but don’t understand in Isa. 6:9-10?
4. Is the royal child born in Isa. 9:6 related to the child mentioned in Isa. 7:14 or 8:1-4? Is there any way to know at what time in the future the birth will take place?
5. Does Isaiah’s concept of the multiple fulfillment of prophecy allow for the possibility that such fulfillments might take place beyond the biblical period and even extend down to our own time?
6. Do you experience the events of your own life as an alternation of God’s judgment and God’s promise? How would that worldview help? What are its dangers?
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