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Spiritual Policy: The Emergence Of Prophetism, YeshaYahu

THE ASSYRIAN INVASION AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL (885-721)

The Prophet YeshaYahu, His mission extended over three quite distinct periods (740-About 700)

It was at this moment that the prophet YeshaYahu unexpectedly irrupted into the political life of Yahudah. YeshaYahu's mission can be divided into three parts.

First from 740 to 735, that is, for five years, he traveled through the country (at one time he even crossed into Yisraelite territory) to announce the terrible punishment that would fall on the sons of Yacob if they did not at once return to the Law of YAHWEH.

Then, in 735 (that is, at the beginning of the reign of Ahaz), YeshaYahu protested vigorously against the serious shortcomings of the king and the nation in respect of the Law of YAHWEH.

Lastly, in the time of Hezekiah (716-687), the son and successor of Ahaz, the prophet took charge of the affairs of Yahudah. But subsequently he suffered greatly when he was abandoned by the sovereign who, in the first half of the reign, had accepted the prophet's wise counsels.

Thus YeshaYahu's mission extended over three quite distinct periods, but the theme of his preaching remained always the same: YAHWEH is mighty; we must trust not in men but in YAHWEH; all things belong to YAHWEH, the Master of all, the Strong One, the Holy One.

The Call Of YeshaYahu, Here I am, send me (YeshaYahu 6)

The vocation of YeshaYahu is related in detail in the chapter which he wrote or, at least which he dictated to his disciples. In the year of the death of King Uzziah (that is, 740) YeshaYahu, kohen of Yerusalem, was praying in the tabernacle. Suddenly YAHWEH took hold of this man who had been meditating on the set apart mysteries for many years. YeshaYahu was then granted an imposing vision (an interior one, very probably, of a symbolic nature) in which he saw YAHWEH in all HIS honour, to all appearances like an eastern potentate of colossal stature. HIS train filled the tabernacle. The cries of the seraphs surrounding HIM proclaimed HIM as KING of Yisrael, but also and more especially as KING of the whole world. It was a marvellous, transcendent vision outside time. The heralds of the ALMIGHTY flying round this vision proclaimed the presence of YAHWEH by chanting this song of praise; MIGHTY, QADASH, QADASH, QADASH 1 is YAHWEH Sabaoth.2 His honour fills the whole earth. (YeshaYahu. 6:3)

As was pointed out above, when the prophets were told of their mission most of them, terrified by the heavy responsibilities that would fall upon them, endeavoured to refuse. With YeshaYahu nothing like this happened. To YAHWEH's question YeshaYahu answered unhesitatingly and with the impetuosity of enthusiasm: 'Here I am, send me.'

1 Threefold repetition is a Hebrew literary device for expression of the superlative

2 Sabaoth the 'Sovereign Ruler of armies'; the armies in question are those of the heavenly powers

First Mission: Struggle Against Materialism And Injustice (740-734)

For six years the prophet had gone round unmolested in the territory of Yahudah and from time to time in Yisrael, denouncing the scandals of the huge fortunes based on the wretchedness of the people, cursing the wealthy who wallowed in drunkenness and impurity.

Woe to those who from early morning chase after strong drink and stay up late at night inflamed with wine.

Nothing but harp and lyre tambourine and flute and wine for their drinking bouts.

Never a thought for the works of YAHWEH, never a glance for what his hands have done. (YeshaYahu 5: 11-12)

YAHWEH's people had turned away from HIM. They had betrayed HIM. Repentance had to enter their hearts and immediate reforms should bring back into honour that 'justice' which was the Law of YAHWEH.

In the streets of Yerusalem YeshaYahu encountered beautiful women belonging to the aristocracy; he describes for us their ostentatious luxury which was an insult to the poverty of the people. These women were made up, and walked about affectedly. YeshaYahu inveighed against their display of jewelry and ornaments, the price of extortion. The way they walk with their heads held high and enticing eyes the way they mince along tinkling the bangles on their feet. (YeshaYahu 3:16)

There was surprise at these furious denunciations. 'Who is he getting at?' sniggered the skeptics who still had no idea of the disasters which would soon befall them. But YeshaYahu could see, foretell and describe them. All these beautiful women one day soon would be raped by the Assyrians; their heads with the elaborately done hair would be shaved and they would be tied together like animals; then in long lines they would have to take the road for far-off Mesopotamia. YAHWEH will give the daughters of Zion itching heads and uncover their nakedness. That day YAHWEH will take away the ankle ornaments, tiaras pendants and bracelets, the veils, headbands, foot chains and belts, the scent bottles and amulets, signet rings and nose rings, the expensive dresses, mantles, cloaks and purses, the mirrors, linen garments, turbans and mantillas. Instead of scent a stink; instead of belt a rope; instead of hair elaborately done, a shaven scalp; and brand marks instead of beauty. (YeshaYahu  3:18-24)

Actually, all these prophecies were fulfilled point by point in time. And YeshaYahu is untiring in repeating the reasons for this terrible punishment promised by YAHWEH: When you stretch out your hands. I turn my eyes away. You may multiply your prayers I shall not listen. Your hands are covered with blood wash, make yourselves clean.

Take your wrong-doing out of my sight. Cease to do evil Learn to do good search for justice help the oppressed be just to the orphan plead for the widow. (YeshaYahu  1:15-17)

We find here the same kind of language as that favoured by Amos. But YeshaYahu was intended shortly for another role.

YeshaYahu's Political Mission, to intervene and endeavour to open the king's eyes

We return now to the time when Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Samaria marched in concert on Yerusalem to lay siege to the city, depose the king and place on the throne a creature of their own. Then YeshaYahu tells us, the heart of the king and the hearts of the people shuddered as the trees of the forest shudder in front of the wind (YeshaYahu  7:2).

Ahaz, king of Yerusalem, was quite young at this time; he had been scarcely two years on the throne and was rather inexperienced. To obtain the protection of the Canaanite deities he began by sacrificing his own young son to pass through fire in the Valley of the Sons of Hinnom (2 Divre Hayamim 28:3). So even the royal family had gone back to human sacrifices!

After invoking idols came an appeal to the declared enemies of the people of YAHWEH. Ahaz sent an envoy to Tiglath-Pileser for the purpose of presenting him with a handsome tribute made up of the silver and gold that was found in the Tabernacle of YAHWEH and in the treasury of the royal palace. In addition, the Judaean envoys were instructed to throw themselves at the feet of the oriental monarch, and declare in Ahaz's name: I am your servant and your son. Come and rescue me from the king of Aram and the king of Yisrael who are making war on me (2 Melechim 16:7)

When he heard of the king's decision, YeshaYahu as a devout follower of YAHWEH was, as we may well imagine, very grieved. He decided to intervene and endeavour to open the king's eyes.

YeshaYahu As The Bearer Of A Message Of Hope, YAHWEH had announced that there would be a remnant

Ahaz, in company with his military leaders, was making a tour of inspection of the ramparts of Yerusalem which would have to be put in order before the arrival of the armies of Damascus and Yisrael. The king was at the southwest quarter of the city looking at the work in progress. YeshaYahu came into his sovereign's presence. The prophet was then about thirty years old; by the hand he led his four-year old son to whom he had given the name Shear-jashub, a name, full of hope but implying a long preliminary period of misfortune. The name meant 'a remnant will return'.

This prophet of violent speech, the foreteller of misfortunes, was well known; the king and his leaders expected more fearful predictions. But for once they were wrong; YeshaYahu had a more reassuring message to deliver this time: the king, he declared, was not to worry about the opposing armies which had set out for Yerusalem. In a short time the kingdoms of Damascus and Yisrael would be destroyed and wiped off the map.

We shall see shortly how the prediction was fulfilled. YeshaYahu concluded his message by declaring that after the destruction of Samaria there would nevertheless remain some hope for the sons of Yacob; YAHWEH had announced that there would be a remnant; this referred to the small enclave of Yahudah. The Assyrian threat, fatal for Yisrael, would be turned aside from Yerusalem if Ahaz and his subjects returned to YAHWEH. Otherwise, the enemy would also sweep down to Yerusalem like a devastating wave and the southern kingdom would then be reduced in its turn to a wilderness.

Ahaz, whose faith was by no means strong, took scarcely any notice of these prophecies. He continued to trust in the fortifications of his capital and the armed forces of his ally, the king of Assyria.

YAHWEH said to YeshaYahu, 'Go with your son Shear-jashub, and meet Ahaz at the end of the conduit of the upper pool on the Fuller's Field road, and say to him: "Pay attention, keep calm, have no fear do not let your heart sink..."YeshaYahu 7: 3-4

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