Until the Spirit Comes: The Spirit of God in the Book of Isaiah

by Wonsuk Ma

Publisher:

Sheffield Academic Press

, 1999

Overview

The surge of the Pentecostal movement in this century has brought new relevance to the study of the Spirit of God in the Old Testament. Surprisingly, however, this theme has been largely neglected by Pentecostal scholars. Ma seeks to fill this gap by providing an in-depth study of the Spirit of God in the Isaianic traditions. He argues that the Old Testament concept of the Spirit of God has more than one root, and that the development of the various spirit traditions can be fruitfully traced. The study utilizes a synchronic approach together with historical analyses in order to elucidate the message of the book of Isaiah. The author concludes that the concept of the Spirit of God retains a strong eschatological significance throughout the book.

Key Features

• Examines the composition, meaning, and interpretive challenges in Isaiah
• Discusses questions of authorship, historicity, and canonicity
• All Scripture references linked to the Hebrew texts and English Bible translations in your library

Contents

Top Highlights

“It is assumed that the רוח of God, with its diverse categories, functions to aid the eschatologization of the book. It takes on a variety of roles: in the blessing on the restored community (e.g. 32:15–20; 44:1–5); in selecting and empowering the future leader (11:1–3a; 28:6; 42:1–4); in the purification of the remnant (4:4); and in the ushering in of the new age.” (Page 16)

“The presence of the definite article or its equivalence, often appearing in a construct state, is a rule of thumb for judging the spirit of God.” (Page 20)

“However, once it assumes a definite personality, that tradition (1 Kgs 22:17–23) eventually develops its own separate category—angel (מלאך). In the later tradition, these two are clearly distinguished (Isa. 63:9, 10–14).” (Page 26)

“Secondly, רוח is a superhuman element granted to God’s chosen vessels, and this is the dominant tradition in the pre-exilic Isaianic thinking (11:1–3; 28:5–6).” (Page 68)

“ahweh’s רוח is the very element that turns an ordinary person into an extraordinary one suitable for the work of God.” (Page 70)

Product Details

• Title: Until the Spirit Comes: The Spirit of God in the Book of Isaiah
• Author: Wonsuk Ma
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 256

About Wonsuk Ma

Wonsuk Ma is Academic Dean and Lecturer in Old Testament Studies at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary, Baguio City, Philippines.