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The Unity and Structure of Isaiah – Chiasm
There is much written about Isaiah as to how it is written by 2 or more authors, and the first is judgment and the second offers hope. Here is a simple (very simple) chiastic method of showing its unity and structure:
A – Judgment – FIRST WORDS: “Listen, heavens, and hear, earth; For the LORD has spoken: Sons I have raised and brought up, But they have revolted against Me” (1:2)
B – Hope– LAST WORDS: And the redeemed of the LORD will return and come to Zion with joyful shouting, and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and signing will flee away (35:10)
C – HISTORICAL INTERLUDE – 36-39
B’ – Hope– FIRST WORDS: “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her guilt has been removed…..” (40:1-2)
A’ – Judgement – LAST WORDS: “Then they will go out and look at the corpses of the people who have rebelled againse Mt. For their worm will not die and their fire will not be extinguished; and they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.” (66:24)
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