Read Isaiah 40-44 and then make observations on these 5 chapters. Read the whole thing through before making any observations. At this point you're looking to get an overview of this section of Isaiah.
It's probably best to start a WORD doc or something to keep all your work in. Then copy and paste your best work when you post. Make sure you post on the assignment that has your name in it. Then comment on at least one other person's post in your group (and any others that you want to).
Post your material by midnight Thursday. That will give you time to comment on other posts by Sunday.
Here are the TOP TEN tips for making good observations:
10. Report what is said, not what is inferred
9. Look for repetition/variations/possible patterns
8. Use different lenses: wide angle and zoom
7. Don’t just repeat the text; observe what it says and how it says it
6. Note major changes in form and content
5. When possible, make charts/lists
4. Raise questions
3. Be cautious of generalizing
2. Make your observations a variety of lengths
1. Don’t hesitate to state the obvious
0. Note the verse(s) you are making observation about (v12)
im sitting with the text right now over coffee. we're about to get aquainted on a basic level. i will report what i see in him- no later than thursday night. i think i'll like him.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool Nicole...so glad you are with us on this journey!
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ReplyDeleteHey McGlashens get off your hineys and start posting!!!:)
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I am totally new to this type of study. It will be a very interesting ride! I am excited to see what the Lord will reveal of himself in the days and weeks ahead.
ReplyDeleteThe observation that I cannot escape is the repetitive mention of who God is. In chapters 41-45, "I am the Lord", "I am God", "I am the Lord your God", or some variation of the these is stated over and over again.
41:4, 41:10, 41:13, 41:17, 42:6, 42:8, 43:3, 43:11, 43:12, 43:15, 44:6, 44:24, 45:5, 45:6, 45:7, 45: 18, 45:22
More specifically, in the 45th chapter, the phrase that is repeated is: "I am the Lord, and there is no other."
okay--- i have read all the chaps and written all over my bible-- cuz that is what i do in this type of class...i havent transferred all my obs to my word doc...so here is what i have doc'd thus far:
ReplyDelete1) God calls out for comfort for his people (2x, 40:1)
2) God commands addressee to deal tenderly with Jerusalem (40:1-2)
3) Jerusalem is denoted as a feminine figure. (4x, 40:2)
a. Addressee is to cry to her
b. Reason: she has served her term
c. Reason clarification 1: her penalty is paid
d. Reason clarification 2: she has received the Lord’s punishment—in form of hyperbole, indicative of measure of punishment.
4) Tenderness follows the discipline of the Lord (40:2)
5) “A voice cries out” introduces the addressee (40:3)
6) The Lord is the first voice to speak (40:1-3)
7) The second voice calls out to inhabitants of the wilderness with specific directions of action. (40:3b)
8) The inhabitants of the wilderness are responsible for making something set aside for one: God. Their focus is to be on God. (40:3)
9) Preparation by the inhabitants is first, Nature responding is second and The glory of the Lord revealed is third, and people will recognize as a whole group. (40:50
10) Two things occur after the Lord speaks: The Glory of the Lord is revealed and people recognize it. (40:5)
11) The second voice contends and argues against the people using metaphoric language-- for “all people are grass.” (40:6-8)
12) The metaphors are used as understatements to present the main subject of the Lord. The People- like grass wither, and the Lord lasts forever (this is a Litote) (40:7-8)
13) Two names for God’s people: Zion and Jerusalem (40:9)
14) God’s people is to be a herald of good tidings—major theme of their calling. (40:9)
15) The one who is to be the herald of good tidings is instructed to not fear. (40:9)
16) People, fear. The Lord comes in might. (40:9 & 10)
More to come.
Yolanda,
ReplyDeleteVery good observation! I noticed that too, and you did a very thorough job of finding all the verses and the variations on that theme
Nice work!
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteHow can I comment on yours when you should be teaching this class! :>)
Love it! Hyperbole, metaphors, and litotes, oh my! Perk up everyone. We have a true scholar in our midst! :>)
Way to go girl...so glad we get to do this together! Miss you!
Clay
I think there is something missing from this BLOG: ERIC OSBORNE's Post!!!!!!!!!!!! Jesus believes in learning and growing together. Don't let Jesus down, Eric. :)
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not Nicole, I have been putting time into this. You see I was trying to observe all 5 chapters. But now that I see that you took the shortcut and only did one chapter maybe I can post my blog now. You did a fantastic job albeit only chapter 40. Slacker!!
ReplyDeleteHey everybody! This is Christian Davis! I am 11 years old and I have just joined this group. If I can do this, then surely you can (Eric)! I'll catch up with you guys next week.
ReplyDeleteChristian
1) Even the most powerful people on earth “wither” when God breathes on them:
ReplyDelete(40:7) The grass withers, the flower fades, When the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. (40:23-24) He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, Who makes the judges of the earth meaningless. Scarcely have they been planted, Scarcely have they been sown, Scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, But He merely blows on them, and they wither, And the storm carries them away like stubble. To the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it.
2) God gives strength to:
• (40:29a) the weary
• (40:29b) and to him who lacks might
• (40:31) those who wait for the LORD
• (41:1) Those that wait in silence (paraphrase)
• (41:10) those that “do not anxiously look about...”
3)God takes the weapons he uses to defeat things of the world, to Israel:
(41:2) Who has aroused one from the east Whom He calls in righteousness to His feet? He delivers up nations before him and subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, As the wind-driven chaff with his bow.
(41: 14-16) Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you,: declares the LORD, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. “Behold, I have made you a new sharp threshing sledge with double edges; You will thresh the mountains and pulverize them, And will make the hills like chaff. You will winnow them, and the wind will carry them away, And the storm will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD, You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
4) (41:19) What is the significance of the trees, and in particular, the different types of trees that God “puts in the wilderness?
5) (42:1) “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” This verse sounds similar to Jesus’ baptism in Matthew.
Collin
ReplyDeleteAs always, this is great stuff!
I love the observation on the theme of God giving strength and how you noted those occasions!
Asking questions is also good (41:19). The reference to Jesus' baptism is intriguing and something to note for later, although right now we are trying to stick to only the passage we are dealing with.
I like how you think man!
Clay