Isaiah 40 –
55, Concordia Commentary. By R. Reed Lessing. St. Louis, Mo: Concordia
Publishing House, 2011, 737 pp., $49.99.
The author is Professor of
Exegetical Theology and director of the graduate school at Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, Missouri. He received degrees from St. John's College, (B.A.), and
Concordia Seminary (M. Div., S.T.M., Ph.D.). He also served pastorates for some
thirteen years. The book is part of the Concordia Commentary series which, the
publisher says, endeavors to “enable pastors and teachers of the Word to
proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the
divine intent of the biblical text.” Further the series interprets “Scripture
as a harmonious unity centered in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Every
passage bears witness to the Good News that God has reconciled the world to
Himself through our Lord's life, death, and resurrection. The commentary fully
affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture as it
emphasizes ‘that which promotes Christ’ in each pericope.”
This is an exceptional commentary
and is to be highly commended and recommended. Any serious student of Isaiah,
and particularly of this section (chapters 40 -55) of Isaiah, would benefit
from the accessible scholarship in this volume. Lessing demonstrates a skilled
touch with the text, offering his own translation, and is clearly comfortable
in dealing with the vocabulary, syntax and thematic diagramming that provide
the basis for his interpretations. His analogy of a ‘sonata allegro’ is well
considered and shows an extensive and intensive grasp of the text: “The main
theme of Isaiah 40-55 is stated in 40:1-2 and is then repeated and developed
throughout the 16 chapters. The way in which Yahweh comforts His people, speaks
to Jerusalem’s heart, ends her warfare, and forgives her sins comes through the
second topic of the Suffering Servant, which complements the main idea.
Yahweh’s plan of comfort through His Servant is further developed as other
themes are explored such as Cyrus, creation, idolatry, and mission. These sections come in unpredictable places
and are connected to the main composition while also distinct from it. Other multiple keys enhancing the composition
are employed as Stichworter, or ‘catchwords.’
They include ‘arm, peace/well-being, everlasting, covenant love, and gather’”
(page 49).
Lessing focuses on the “Servant
Songs: in 42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; and 52:13- 53:12 and effectively unveils that
is it Jesus of Nazareth who entirely fulfills the four servant songs. It is a
masterful treatment: “While this commentary considers typology to be the hermeneutical employed by the NT citations of
42:1-9, rectilinear prophecy defines
the manner in which the NT understands the Servant in the Second, Third, and
Fourth Songs. This Servant is Jesus, and
Jesus alone” (page 83).
There are substantial
bibliographical resources cited, some 400 entries. Lessing weaves an effective
argument for the literary, historical, canonical and poetical designs of Isaiah
in general and of this section in particular. He also offers a succinct summary
of the historical theologies as they touch on Isaiah. The Index of Subjects (28
doubled column pages) is very detailed and complete. The Index of Passages (36
triple column pages) is both useful and illustrative as to the attention the
author has given to all of the Scriptures. Lessing always seems to write with
clear, confident connections to the greater context of Isaiah and to the whole
Bible. He does so without slighting either the near or far view of Scripture’s
scope and sequence. This is not a small thing and is one of the great strengths
of this commentary.
In the setting of such earnest
scholarship it is also refreshing to read: “Commentary writers are not doing
the primary work of the church. To import a war analogy, the front line of the
battle is taking place as pastors preach and teach the Gospel and administer
the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper… Authors of commentaries are
behind the front lines, assisting soldiers to be fully equipped with their
chief offensive weapon: ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God’”
(page 11).
In light of that, this volume
serves as an exegetical and hortatory resource for preachers and teachers. It
would serve the beginner well but also the seasoned expositor. There is a
considerable devotional thread woven throughout the volume and Lessing has managed
to avoid the pedantic pitfalls of commentaries that conceal more than they
reveal. The design – to make this commentary useful – may also explain the few
faults that might be found in this volume. Minor to be sure, but they are
noticeable.
At times the commentary takes a
colloquial turn with a penchant for cliché (“the tables will be turned’) but on
the whole this may help expositors, especially inexperienced ones, and so that
mutes the criticism. In addition,
stylistically, the fifteen thematic icons are not different enough in
appearance and at times seem to clutter the margin. However, repeated use would make them more
identifiable and effective. The thematic name of each icon listed as it appears
throughout the volume would enhance a future edition.
One further caveat: this volume is
distinctively Lutheran, conservative Missouri Synod Lutheran, but definitely
Lutheran. For example, considering Election
the author says: “Jesus is the Elect One and through His election, the
baptized are elected before the creation of the world.” (page 220); and in
Isaiah 43 the author finds assurance that salvation comes “through the Word and
the saving Sacrament of Baptism” (page 319). To Lutherans that may prove an advantage;
to others surely a distraction.
Lessing concludes his treatise with
powerfully evocative praise: “Throughout Isaiah 40 – 55, creation celebrates
Yahweh’s restoring gift of shalom.
‘Sing to Yahweh a new song. …Let the wilderness and its towns lift up [their
voice]’ (42: 10-11). The cadence is picked up in 44:23 and again 49:13. Why is the music so loud? Because Yahweh has
condemned Babylon, ‘the great prostitute who defiled the earth by her immorality.
And He has avenged the blood of His servants from her hand.’ (Rev. 19:2; see
Isaiah 47). The world empire is deposed
and ‘the Lord God Almighty reigns’ (Rev. 19:6; see Isaiah 52:7). The opening
words of Isaiah 40 – 55 ring with hope:
‘comfort, comfort my people’ (40:1). In the closing words of Isaiah 40 – 55,
Yahweh promises ‘[My Word] will do that which I please and it will accomplish
[that purpose for] which I send it” (55:11). The ancient promises to Abraham
and Sarah will be repeated. The exodus
of Moses will happen again. The covenant of mercy with David will be renewed!
Eden and with it all creation will be restored.
Because of Christ’s shed blood and His resurrection power, we have this
prophetic Word made more certain. When He returns,
we will be led forth into the new Jerusalem, where everything will be marked by
shalom” (page 671).
This is a commentary that draws the
reader more deliberately into the Scripture it seeks to exposit. It makes the
original text more accessible and understandable. It never attempts to undermine or obfuscate
the message the Holy Spirit has given.
Lessing never loses sight of the metanarrative of redemption and
emphatically keeps the glory of God at the center of the study.
David Pitman
John Leland
Baptist College, Georgetown, KY
