Summary of Haftarat B’reisheet
Isaiah 42:5-43:10
In this week’s haftarah reading, the Prophet Isaiah offering a message of hope and deliverance to the sixth century exilic community dwelling in the Babylonian diaspora and an exciting universal message of hope and inclusion to all humanity. Through the prophet’s voice, the LORD addresses a mysterious figure called the Servant of the LORD and commissions this servant to bring the enlightening truth of monotheism and religion of Israel to all nations.
God is jealous of the false gods and idols of the nations because the Gentiles attribute His glory as creator to them. The LORD desires to see all nations turn to Him and join the chorus of praise.
The success of the Servant’s mission to covert the nations, however, seems to be hampered by Israel’s current state of exile. Because of Israel’s idolatry, God has punished His people and they are living as a “ people plundered and despoiled; all of them are trapped in caves, or hidden away in prison;…prey with none to deliver them” (42:22). Though the nation of Israel is supposed to be a guide to the “blind” Gentiles who grope in the darkness of idolatry, the people of Israel are themselves blinded by idolatry and imprisoned in exile. It seems that the mission to bring all of humanity to the worship of God has failed.
Then God announces that He will redeem Israel from exile. He will protect them, sustain them, and bring them back to their land. He will also gather together the Gentiles called by His Name along with His people. He will punish the nations that have oppressed His people, and He will present the survival of His people as proof of His existence and sovereignty.
From FFOZ A Voice of the Prophets Torah Club
Ffoz.org