Isaiah : a Prophet in the Footsteps of Moses

Abstract

Three recent studies by H. McKeatmg, R.E. Clements and A.G. Auld have attempted to assess the importance of traditions associated with Moses in canonical books outside the Pentateuch. Following from these studies, the present article explores the links between Moses and Isaiah in two contexts: in 2 Kings 18-20 and in the book of Isaiah. The last words of Moses (Deut. 31-34) sum up the life of the prophet and at the same time look to the future. His last words share linguistic and thematic parallels with 2 Kgs 17.7-23 and 21.10-15. Just as Moses is presented in Deuteronomy 31 as anticipating the evil that will come upon the rebellious people, so the editors of 2 Kings 17 and 21 look back and interpret the evil that has come upon Israel and Judah according to the same criteria. 2 Kings 17 and 21 form the bracketing passages of an inclusio enclosing chs. 18-20 (material parallel to Isa. 26-39). In chs. 17 and 21 the people are warned by the prophets in general while in chs. 18-20 they are warned by Isaiah in particular. The repeated mention of prophets in chs. 17 and 21 and of Moses in particular (18.4, 6, 12) serves to introduce and highlight the sudden and dramatic introduction of Isaiah into the narrative. The editors confer on Isaiah in his mission to Hezekiah all the authority of Moses. Isaiah in this context is seen as an authoritative successor to Moses. The same editorial concern which makes parallel the fates of Israel and Judah in 2 Kings 17 and 21 is also found in the present editorial arrangement of Isaiah 28. One might also note the similarity between the written witness of Moses in Deut. 31.19, 21 and that of Isaiah in 8.16-22 and 30.8-14.