Isaiah 54, a prediction for Islam?

[Islam_mulia]

Unhappily, I feel like Muslims are falling into the same trap that Christianity has faced and still faces: grasping for support from the Hebrew Bible when there is none.

Isaiah 54 mimics Isaiah 52 and Isaiah 53: they all colorfully describe the redemption of Israel in full view of the gentiles who are her [Israel] previous persecutors; while Isaiah 54 goes on to describe the cheerful fate for the Jewish people.

Isaiah 54 ends: “this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [Israel] and their vindication is from Me [God]…’


I think Muslims are grasping at something that isn’t there: in no way does the Hebrew point to Islam [a new religion].

While I cannot say with certainty that Isaiah is pointing to Islam, how do we tell what is a prophecy of israel and what is a prophecy of something else?

Am I right to say that in some context of the OT, the hebrew text can be interpreted in some future event, a prophecy.

On what basis is it a prophecy of Israel. On what basis can it be for something else?

 

[Chalnoth]

While I cannot say with certainty that Isaiah is pointing to Islam, how do we tell what is a prophecy of israel and what is a prophecy of something else?

If we don't know, then it's not a very good prophecy, is it? If it could mean many things, then it is of no use.

 

[peepnklown]

While I cannot say with certainty that Isaiah is pointing to Islam

It doesn’t; Isaiah makes this clear [or the author writing under Isaiah].

how do we tell what is a prophecy of Israel

I wouldn’t call it a prophecy…it’s a hope that Israel will be vindicated.

Am I right to say that in some context of the OT, the hebrew text can be interpreted in some future event, a prophecy.

If we follow Hebrew thought Isaiah spoke to his generation.

On what basis can it be for something else?

The problem is that without placing Isaiah into historical context and Hebrew thought you can force anyone or thing to make a so-called prophecy after the fact.

 

[Islam_mulia]

It doesn’t; Isaiah makes this clear [or the author writing under Isaiah].

I wouldn’t call it a prophecy…it’s a hope that Israel will be vindicated.

If we follow Hebrew thought Isaiah spoke to his generation.

The problem is that without placing Isaiah into historical context and Hebrew thought you can force anyone or thing to make a so-called prophecy after the fact.

1. If Isaiah spoke to his generation, then the 'event' or 'hope' should have occured at a near time/period when his generation was still alive. What is the event that happened in that generation?

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but some prominent Jews actually believed the 'Suffering Servant' was referring to Israel, much to the chagrin of the Christians. Did the Suffering Servant 'prophecy' heppened at the time of Isaiah or a much later time? What I;m trying to know is if there is a possibility, even in the hebrew text, that some prophecies (not neccesarily Isaiah's) could be extended beyond their generation and to non-Jews, which ultimately affect the status of the Jews?

3. Personally, I do not think Isaiah was referring to Islam, although some Muslims have referred to other OT 'prophecies' that have merit in pointing to the coming of a great prophet, that affected Jews and Muslims together. This may not be the ideal place to discuss the prophecy of Muhammad and I am not the knowledgable sort to defend that argument... hence I shall not go into that. I used to read the book "Muhammad in the Bible" by Prof. Abdul Ahad Dawud, formerly Reverend David Benjamin Keldani, a Roman Catholic priest, who gave a good insight on the prophecies of Muhammad (pbuh). While I do not agree with all that he wrote, that are some convincing arguments, with support of Hebrew and Greek concordances, that point to Muhammad (saw). Many current Muslim apologists based their arguments from his book, I think. So far, his is the best I've read and I recommend this to those who wish to know the bible from the perspective of a Muslim.

 

[peepnklown]

If Isaiah spoke to his generation

Just because Isaiah spoke to his generation doesn’t mean his ‘hope’ or predictions were to happen: I mean Isaiah did make false predictions.
Textual criticism has shown that Isaiah 40-66 were composed at the end of the Babylonian exile and written by an unknown author aka Second Isaiah.

that some prophecies (not necessarily Isaiah's) could be extended beyond their generation and to non-Jews, which ultimately affect the status of the Jews?

According to Hebrew thought; yes but not from the prophets.
Jewish apocalyptic writers dealt with that for example: Daniel.

So far, his is the best I've read and I recommend this to those who wish to know the bible from the perspective of a Muslim.

Like I said before; I think Muslims should focus on their book and Christians should focus on their book, etc.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Originally Posted by Islam_mulia
While I cannot say with certainty that Isaiah is pointing to Islam, how do we tell what is a prophecy of israel and what is a prophecy of something else?

If we don't know, then it's not a very good prophecy, is it? If it could mean many things, then it is of no use.

Hi Chalnoth. The Book of Isaiah is practically the whole Bible in my view and it is that book I am using mainly to harmonize the Christ-ian book of revelation.

Isaiah1:24 Therefore the Lord says, The LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, "Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries, And take vengeance on My enemies. 25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. 26 I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the City of righteousness, the faithful City."[Hebrew 12 NC]
27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. 28 The destruction of Transgressors and of Sinners [shall be] together, And those who forsake the LORD shall be consumed.

Ezekiel 39:12 "For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. 13 "Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified," says the Lord GOD. [Revelation 19]

http://www.christianforums.com/t4559...emic-book.html
-revelation-a-jewish-polemic-book