Die identiteit van God se volk in die boek Jesaja

Abstract

In the study of the book Isaiah it is apparent that the events in the book can be interpreted as events before, during and after the exile. Yahwe, the Holy One of Israel, determines the complete process In the first part of Isaiah (1-39) judgement is passed on the people of God as He makes it clear that He will destroy them. This judgement is carried out during the exile. However, in the last part of Isaiah (40-66), a message of hope and new life is brought to Israel. In spite of the destruction of the people of God, they continue to exist. Therefore the identity of Israel in the beginning of the book differs h m his identity at the end of the book. An identity model is used to show how old Israel failed in his expected identity as servant of Yahwe. Yet God brought about a new identity for his people through His perfect Servant. Through the Servant the relationship between God and His people is repaired, bringing about a new identity for them. Yahwe gathers the new Israel from all the nations on the globe. He does this through His Word. The core element of identity is therefore not attachment to a specific nation or country, but a spiritual bond with God. Through an individual relationship with God believers become part of a professing society, resulting in a stable identity for the whole community even in an eschatological way.