This commentary presents an Indonesian theologian’s contemporary interpretation of Isaiah 1-39. According to S. H. Widyapranawa, in Isaiah we see the dynamics of faith in a turbulent world and we hear the prophetic admonition to uphold faith in the Lord and to oppose secularism, false prophecies, and sinful cultic practices. Indeed, this teaching from the eighth century B.C. is of paramount importance for the preaching of God’s truth and justice in today’s world.
“originally stood apart, being compiled after Isaiah’s day” (Pages 228–229)
“He will reign as a ‘Father’ over his children, for his reign will be based on fatherly love and care (cf. Isa. 1:2–3; 22:21). His is that faithfulness which is everlasting.” (Page 54)
“We might best translate it as ‘the Divine Being,’ since el is the root word for divinity in all the Semitic languages. Consequently el is a concept that all the gentile nations could appreciate. We may best use the English phrase ‘divine warrior’ to express the original, the victorious hero who can defeat all his enemies (cf. Exod. 15:3).” (Page 54)
“God the Creator reveals himself as ‘light’ because he is the Light of light, the source of all life” (Page 52)
“we see that the new liberation to come will be the Lord’s doing and initiated by him” (Page 53)