28 Dec Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet during th

World Religion

Discussion Assignment 3, Question 1

This assignment is due midnight 11/26. If you are not clear on the requirements for this assignment, please review the Discussion Instructions [tab to left].

Isaiah was a Hebrew prophet during the eighth century BCE, who prophesied impending doom for the Israelite monarchy. He also proclaimed a message of hope to those who were looking for the restoration of their kingdom.

In the opening verses of the second chapter of his book (from the Hebrew Bible), Isaiah attempts to describe what the future Jerusalem will be like. Please interpret the passage below and try to explain what you think Isaiah’s vision means for his people.

“The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come

the mountain of the Lord’s house

shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

and shall be raised above the hills;

all the nations shall stream to it.

Many peoples shall come and say,

‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,

to the house of the God of Jacob;

that he may teach us his ways

and that we may walk in his paths.’

For out of Zion shall go forth instruction,

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations,

and shall arbitrate for many peoples;

they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,

and their spears into pruning-hooks;

nation shall not lift up sword against nation,

neither shall they learn war any more.” [Isaiah 2:1-4]

Discussion Assignment 3, Question 2

This assignment is due midnight 11/26. If you are not clear on the requirements for this assignment, please review the Discussion Instructions [tab to left].

Jesus of Nazareth used many parables to teach common people theological or ethical concepts in a way they could more easily understand. One of his more famous parables is the one concerning a Pharisee (in Palestinian Judaism, this was an expert in teaching the Mosaic Law) and a tax collector (seen by many Palestinian Jews at the time as corrupt and/or collaborators with the Roman Empire). Please explain in detail what you think this parable means; and what was the main point that Jesus (as the teller of the parable) was trying to get across to the people of his day.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10’Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” 13But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’ [Luke 18:9-14