Martyrdom and law

Robert Cover (in an essay contained in On Violence: A Reader )) suggests that the very extremity of martyrdom makes it a “proper starting place for understanding the nature of legal interpretation.” For the martyr, “if there is to be a continuing life, it will not be on the . . . . Continue Reading »

Division is Murder

Ephraim Radner’s dense studies are always sobering, and his recent A Brutal Unity: The Spiritual Politics of the Christian Church is no exception. In a chapter chillingly titled “Division is Murder,” he exposes the complicity of Christians in political violence. Our ecclesial . . . . Continue Reading »

Rain and snow, seed and bread

Isaiah 55:7-13 is lovely poetry. It’s also a theologically rich passage. It starts with an exhortation to the wicked to abandon his own ways and thoughts, his conduct, goals, and plans (v. 7). If he does so, he can find pardon. Penitence is the only path to pardon. “Thoughts” and . . . . Continue Reading »

Water to wine

Isaiah 55:1 is an invitation to a food market, opened in the restored Zion. Like Lady Wisdom of Proverbs, she offers food and drink. The verse is chiastically organized: A. come to waters and drink B. without silver C. come, buy D. eat C’. come, buy B’. without silver or price A’. . . . . Continue Reading »

Makeover

Diseased and wounded Zion (Isaiah 1:5-6) finally the makeover she has wanted (Isaiah 54:11-12). She is a bride, adorned with jewels. She is a city whose foundations, gates, and border fences sparkle. She is dressed as a priest, gem stones on her breastplate. She is adorned like the firmament, a . . . . Continue Reading »

Poetry of Reconciliation

When Yahweh returns to abandoned Zion, she breaks into song. He breaks into poetry (Isaiah 54). He describes Zion as a “woman forsaken and grieved in Spirit, a wife of youth refused” (v. 6). “Forsaken” translates ‘azuvah , and “grieved” translates . . . . Continue Reading »

Double Duty

Isaiah sees Zion as a grieving “widow” (Isaiah 54:4). But Yahweh is her husband. Yahweh must have died if she is left in her widowhood. Then he comes back as her ba’al (54:5), her lord and husband, making her a Lady, a be’ulah (54:1). This isn’t merely a separation and . . . . Continue Reading »

Blessing of Forgetfulness

Because of the Servant’s work (Isaiah 53), Zion is restored to her husband (54:4-5). That restoration is marked by the outbreak of song (54:1-3) but also by a series of negations. Verse 4 begins with three clauses that all begin with the Hebrew particle lo , “not”: Do not fear, . . . . Continue Reading »