Is. 43:1-7

1) it is fitting for early in the year for us to have one of the rare times the word, create (bara Gen.1) appears in the OT, as it frames our pericope. In v. 7 we have create and form and make (RSV) the word could mean shout as well, this is its only appearance in the OT) in one phrase.

2) v.3-4 have a strong sense of redemption as payment to receive someone back in return for a payment.

3) v. 6 has an exilic sense reversing into an ingathering. this fixes the plight of Is. 11:2

4) Fear not is a refrain here that can work as a preaching point for a fundamental spiritual image. What causes fear? What fears do we face right now? What fears are not as important now than in the past, personally or socially? What are antidotes to fear?

5) v. 4 will definitely speak to those who labor with a view of God that is punitive. Look at the phrasing: precious-honored-love. How can we bring out that feeling that God holds us so dear?

6) Earlier, the material about fire and water may refer to previous material in Isaiah and maybe some historical events. fire image is in 6:13. Assyria is a river in 8: and 11:15. Ethiopia and Cush are connected in the nations in Gen. 10. Again, is. 20 has Ethiopia and Egypt in line with it doom sections. Historically, we a a slight issue as the son of Cyrus, later than Assyria by 2 centuries, conquered Egypt.

7) Let me note the commentary by Childs as a very good recent book.

 

Ps. 29

1) Limburg wants this psalm to open us up to the God of the cosmos as we now understand it.

2) The heavenly ones in v. 1 would probably be the same as the divine council in Ps. 82. Glory=kabod=weight, gravity but move more in the direction of the awe-insoring, the magnificent, the sheer presence of god, the manifestation of god, this time in nature. I would think it similar to blessing or extolling god.

3) The storm is an extended theophany such as Sinai. It may well be using Baal material, a thunder god, and applying it to God. It could also be a polemic against Baal in light of the thundering of God. In either case, notice that Israel's faith is not so small that it cannot be in contact with other religious material. This could be a signal lesson for us as we are constantly in contact with other faiths, including Christian voices that seem far removed from orthodox thought.

4) Mostly people say they find God in pretty, sentimental nature. This is a different type of encounter surely.

5) After all of this power look at the serene benediction at the end.