Is.50:4-9

1. This is considered
   the third servant song, though I am starting to doubt this
   convention and its usefulness, Opinions differ if the servant is
   always the same, or is sometimes an individual or sometimes Israel
   seen through a representative figure.

   
   

2. Would the weary
   be the poor, exiles, suffering people? If one reads Christ into
   this, one cannot help but think of “come unto me all you who
   are weary and heavy-laden.”

   
   

3. I would assume
   that the stoci countenance of the servant here may have influened
   Mel Gibson’s Christ in the face of horrific suffering . In the
   film, it borders on, if not enters into, violent fetishism.

   
   

4. Clifford, a good
   reader, finds similarity in this section to Is. 8 and 30 and
   thanksgiving psalms or the sections of laments where the decisive
   turn comes.

   
   

5. What kind of words
   brings comfort?

   
   

6. I ilke the image
   of a worn=out rag, as thin as the shirts I use when cutting grass.
   Even though evil or indjustice appear so formidable, they will wear
   out. The ones who consume so much will themselves be consumed by
   something as little as a moth.

   
   

7. Sometimes
   Christians are accused of glorifying suffering. Here is a good
   example of the reality o pain being faced, but it is not right here,
   as elsewhere, to have abuse and shame heaped upon someone, including
   oneself. It does take courage to face this, as in Lam.3:30

   
   

8. God is near could
   mean in spatial presence or in temporal presence.

   
   

Ps.31:9-16

1. This is a poignant
   choice in that 31:5 contain the dying words fo Jesus in Luke and
   Stephen’s last words in Acts.
   

   
   

2. This contains
   remarkably full complaint. It reminds me of Peterson’s
   commendation in Lamentations section of 5 Smooth Stones that the
   completeness of a prayed complaint is cathartic and healing. See
   also the wise words of Ellen Davis, Getting Involved with God.

   
   

3. This psalm
   understands the isolating effects of trouble; see especially v. 12.

   
   

4. Like many laments,
   this is also a statement of trust in God. This is bold prayer,
   challenging God to be faithful to God’s side of the covenant.

   
   

5. This is prayer
   that knows its Scripture. The covenant words are drawn from the
   great definition of Ex. 34:6-7

   
   

6. V.11b is textually
   difficult in Heb it is sin, but Greek and other versions read it,
   with a slight change, as misery.

   
   

7. The broken vessel
   image sounds like Paul’s earthen vessel notion, no?