Content Essay: Isaiah Assignment
The content essay assignment provides you with the opportunity to take a “deep dive” into the content of a particular interpretive issue within an Old Testament book. The ability to engage with the historical, literary, and theological elements of interpretation is an essential skill to develop in biblical studies. Developing these skills through research and writing is a time-tested means toward becoming a more competent reader and interpreter of Scripture. The content essay assignment probes challenging issues by answering the interpretive questions that rise from the text of Scripture.
INSTRUCTIONS
You will write two (2) content essays during the course, one on Isaiah and a second on Amos.
Content Essay: Isaiah Assignment
In an essay, answer the following questions pertaining to Isaiah 14:3-23:
1. Who is the King of Babylon, and to which “Babylon” is this taunt referring? Be sure to consider this question within the context of Isaiah, along with the context of historical Babylon and historical Judah. What impact does the preceding oracle in Isaiah 13 have on our interpretation of Isaiah 14:3-23? Is this Babylon referring to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the city of Babylon during the Assyrian period, or an eschatological Babylon?
2. Does the taunt in Isaiah 14:12-15 in some manner shift away from the King of Babylon to the “power” behind the King? Does it provide a prophetic glimpse back in time to image the fall of “Lucifer” (or Satan)? How should we understand the reference in verse 12 to the “Day Star, son of Dawn”?
Each essay must be at least 1000 words and follow current Turabian format. At least three (3) academic sources (beyond course textbooks) must be cited. Preferred source material includes academic commentaries, journal articles, and academic monographs. Avoid popular sources, including non-peer reviewed websites and blogs.
Please make one of the four requested sources to be cited from the course textbook, which is Handbook of the Prophets by Robert B Chisholm Jr. published by Baker Academic.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
