Isaiah 56–66: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture (Concordia Commentary | CC)

by R. Reed Lessing

Publisher:

Concordia Publishing House

, 2014

Overview

Isaiah 56–66 is the culmination of the prophet’s message condemning humanity’s sin and promising the Suffering Servant—who atones for that sin, rises in majesty, and prepares an eternal city for all the redeemed. Among its well-known oracles are “arise, shine, because your light is coming” (60:1); “the Spirit of the Lord Yahweh is upon me” (61:1); and “behold, I am about to create new heavens and a new earth” (65:17). These chapters answer questions about grace and faith, the “true Israel,” the fate of the church.

The Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred enables pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the biblical text. This landmark work covers all the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, interpreting Scripture as a harmonious unity centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Every passage bears witness to the good news that God has reconciled the world to Himself through our Lord’s life, death, and resurrection.

With Logos Bible Software, this volume is enhanced with cutting-edge research tools. Scripture citations appear on mouseover in your preferred English translation. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Powerful topical searches help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Tablet and mobile apps let you take the discussion with you. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Analyzes Isaiah’s language, imagery, and themes
• Affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture Text
• Engages contemporary life and culture

Contents

• Isaianic Scholarship on Chapters 56–66
• The Relationship between Isaiah 40–55 and Isaiah 56–66
• The Historical Background of Isaiah 56–66
• The Two Groups in Isaiah 56–66
• The Outline of Isaiah 56–66
• Poetry in Isaiah 56–66
• Commentary on 56:1–59:21—Yahweh Intervenes for His Faithful Remnant
• Commentary on 60:1–62:12—Zion’s Light Shines for All to See
• Commentary on 63:1–66:24—Yahweh Creates New Heavens and a New Earth
• Indexes

Top Highlights

“Their empty religiosity results in fighting and violence (58:4), slavery (58:6, 9), accusations (58:9), and libel (58:9).” (Page 147)

“The movement, then, in the book of Isaiah that began with Yahweh gathering dispersed converts from Assyria (11:11), Egypt and Assyria (19:18–25), and other Gentile nations (49:22) extends to ‘the end of the earth’ (62:11) to bring all baptized believers into the new Jerusalem. And our response? ‘I rejoiced when they were saying to me, ‘[To] Yahweh’s house let us go!’ ’ (Ps 122:1).” (Page 315)

“Do we serve God only for rewards, or do we serve God חִנָּם‎, sola gratia, simply out of loving gratitude for his prior mercy?” (Page 150)

“this new Jerusalem will finally live up to its name, Jerushalom, a city of peace (Gen 14:18–20” (Page 438)

“‘The New Testament is concealed in the Old; the Old Testament is revealed in the New.’^{10” (Page 25)}

Praise for the Print Edition

As with his earlier work on Isaiah 40–55, Professor Lessing has given us a highly useful commentary on chapters 56–66. More than many others, it nicely balances linguistic and grammatical precision, exegetical acumen, and profound theological insights. Without forcing the text to say what it does not, Lessing is able to give an unashamedly Christian interpretation which will be very helpful to Christian pastors and teachers. This is a welcome addition to the list of Isaiah commentaries and is much to be preferred over many of them.

—John Oswalt, visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

Reed Lessing offers a fresh theological interpretation of Isaiah 56–66, the often-neglected concluding chapters of the book. With rich exegetical detail, he demonstrates the continuity from Isaiah 1–55 to these chapters, showing how the latter bring the ‘righteousness’ and ‘servant’ themes to culmination and highlight the growing ‘communal rupture’ which will lead ultimately to the split between Judaism and Christianity and the inclusion of Gentiles within the people of God. . . . No other recent commentary so deftly integrates a consideration of the canonical context of Isaiah 56–66, their New Testament appropriation, and the fulfillment of the prophet’s eschatological vision in the first and second advents of Jesus Christ and the birth of the church.

—Richard Schultz, Blanchard Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

Dr. Lessing’s philological and literary exegesis of the Masoretic text gives evidence of an extensive learning and familiarity with the multiple subdisciplines in contemporary research of ancient texts. Moreover, the commentary pays full attention to multi-layered connections of chapters 56–66 to chapters 40–55 (expounded in Dr. Lessing’s previous volume [CPH, 2011]). The immense field of earlier and recent secondary literature is taken into account and discussed in a summarizing, remunerative way. The author acknowledges the hermeneutical principle of ‘Scripture interprets’ which has guided interpreters through the ages. Since he applies this principle both as an article of faith and as a practical mode of literary analysis, the book is entitled to a place among excellent reference works.

—Willem Beuken, retired professor of Old Testament studies, Faculty of Theology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium

Product Details

• Title: Isaiah 56–66
• Author: R. Reed Lessing
• Series: Concordia Commentary
• Publisher: Concordia Publishing House
• Print Publication Date: 2014
• Logos Release Date: 2015
• Pages: 613
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Isaiah 56-66 › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780758615954, 0758615957
• Resource ID: LLS:CONCOM23IS56
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-30T23:20:05Z

About R. Reed Lessing

R. Reed Lessing is senior pastor at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He earned his MDiv, STM, and PhD degrees from Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry in 1986, and from 1986 to 1999, he served pastorates in West Monroe, Louisiana, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Lessing was also a professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, from 1999 to 2013. Lessing has written Interpreting Discontinuity: Isaiah’s Tyre Oracle, and along with Andrew Steinmann, he coauthored an introduction to the Old Testament, Prepare the Way of the Lord. Lessing is also the author of the volumes on Jonah, Amos, and Isaiah 40–55, as well as the forthcoming volume on Zechariah, in the Concordia Commentary series.