Politics in the Bible by Paul Abramson

Author:Paul Abramson [Abramson, Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biblical Studies, Religion, Political Science, General
ISBN: 9781351498302
Google: FK00DwAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 36705437
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2017-09-08T00:00:00+00:00

“The Little Apocalypse”

Basic Text: Although chapters 24–27 are included in the first thirty-nine books that are attributed to The First Isaiah, they are generally considered postexilic. However, many critics do not consider them to be apocalyptic. Herbert (1973: 143) argues that this is misleading, and Joseph Blenkinsopp (2000 : 346), the translator of all three Anchor Bible volumes of Isaiah, argues that these chapters have some of the attributes of an apocalypse, while lacking others.4 These four chapters begin with a discussion of the earth and its inhabitants (Isa. 24:3–13), an ode to God’s majesty and his ability to destroy (24:14–23), a banquet prepared by God (25:6–8), and three psalms of thanksgiving (25:1–9, 9–12, and 26:1–6). This is followed by what Blenkinsopp calls an “Eschatological Psalm” (27:1), that is, a psalm predicting the imminent end of the world, a vineyard revisited (27:2–6), and a discussion of the city and of God’s people. Isaiah makes one optimistic prophecy: “In days to come Jacob shall take root, Israel shall blossom and put forth shoots, and fill the whole world with fruit” (Isa. 27:6). (In the KJV, “He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.”)

Political Implications: According to Herbert (1973: 144), these four chapters reflect the political conditions when they were written. “These chapters seem to indicate a world in confusion … in which the Jews were inevitably involved, yet in no way responsible.” He continues, “It was in the fourth century that the struggle for supremacy between Persia and Greece was taking place, a struggle in which the political stability of the world was threatened. In many respects, the conditions of the postwar world of our own time would form a fitting context for these chapters. Where in the midst of confusion is there any ground for hope? What contribution has religion to offer? Clearly, the old nature-religions are ill-equipped to meet these strains, and religion deriving from national supremacy can hardly survive. It may be regarded as one of the triumphs of Israel’s faith, mediated through prophet and cultus [a system of religion based on cultic practice], that in these chapters it could not only survive but prove victorious.”

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