Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-255).
Part One -- Second Isaiah -- Isaiah 40-55 -- Overview -- 40:1-11 A new message for Israel -- 40:12-31 An argument with doubt -- 41:1-29 The nations and their Gods in the courtroom of history -- 42:1-9 Here is my servant -- 42:10-17 The Lord goes forth like a warrior -- 42:18-25 The deaf must hear! The blind must see! -- 43:1-7 You are precious in my sight -- 43:8-15 You are my witnesses -- 43:16-21 I am about to do a new thing -- 43:22-28 The burden of your sins -- 44:1-5 I will pour out my spirit -- 44:6-23 Besides me there is no God -- 44:24--45:7 Cyrus, my anointed -- 45:8-13 Will you question me? -- 45:14-19 The mystery and mercy of God -- 45:20-25 Every knee shall bow -- 46:1-13 Gods that are carried or the God who carries -- 47:1-15 The fall of Babylon and the failure of the human illusion -- 48:1-22 The promise of God and the problems of his people -- 49:1-13 The servant and the salvation of the world -- 49:14-26 Answer to a lament -- 50:1-3 Encounter with the truth -- 50:4-11 The teacher who is taught -- 51:1--52:12 The taught teacher's lesson -- 52:13--53:12 The power of the powerless servant -- 54:1-17 The wrath and love of God -- 55:1-13 The word of God stands -- Part two -- Third Isaiah -- Isaiah 56--66 -- Overview -- 56:1-8 The God who gathers the outcasts -- 56:9--57:13 All have turned to their own way -- 57:14-21 God is with the humble and contrite -- 58:1-14 Your own interests, or the interests of God? -- 59:1-21 Mercy that requires repentance -- 60:1-22 Peace your overseer and righteousness your taskmaster -- 61:1-11 A prophet for the lowly -- 62:1-12 A city not forsaken -- 63:1-6 The divine warrior comes -- 63:7--64:12 Where are your zeal and compassion? -- 65:1-25 By judgment and salvation a new heaven and earth -- 66:1-24: Those to whom God looks.
"The latter half of the sixth century B.C.E. found the Jewish community fragmented and under great strife after having been conquered by the Babylonian armies. As a response to a growing despair over life in servitude and exile, Isaiah 40 - 66 was written. Paul Hanson examines the writings of Second Isaiah. What he discovers is a poetic argument for a loving and attentive God and the rightful place of God's creatures in the unfolding of history." "This commentary provides a wealth of insight into the world and worldview of Second Isaiah."--Jacket.