On Tuesday night past, one of our Tuesday night bible studies concluded a mammoth series of studies on the book of Isaiah. At the conclusion of the last study on Tuesday night, I approached the table and asked the group to summarise the entire book of the Isaiah in 10 words or less, with a +-10% tolerance. It captured the groups attention. They took to it like a Aussie cricketer in London - with great gusto! Herewith are the results, for posterity.
Guest Post from James M.
Studying the Book of Isaiah proper was finally completed around 9pm on the 18th of August 2009 at the Chapter House of St Andy’s. At the conclusion of the Tuesday night Bible study session, the minister approached our table and invited himself to our accompaniment. After the niceties, he put forward a challenge “summarize Isaiah in 10 words with a 10% tolerance”. His look around the table for challengers was returned with blank faces, including that of mine.
I felt uneasy and did not want to be deterred by the contest and took up the challenge and started inscribing on the paper table cloth, which had already been written (if I may use this word) with the major themes of the Book of Isaiah that we had studied over the many winter weeks.
‘In 10 or 11 words what can I write? I must overcome the challenge and think hard’ were all my initial thoughts against the backdrop of an ensuing conversation that followed between the minister and the teacher (bible study leader, hereafter known as
teacher or
Prime Minister) about the themes that were written on the disposable paper table cloth.
I did think hard I and the below was essentially the outcome of the first draft that was put forward to the gatherings at the table, which was subsequently and figuratively described as the House of Representatives.
“
The Sovereign God establishes His kingdom and saves His people” was the first draft.
I must add that in the figure of speech manner, there was also an one man steering committee in the minister who subsequently asked the parliament as to whether the first draft is able to be passed in the upper house. In the figure of speech manner, let’s also say there was a Prime Minister in the teacher and another parliamentarian, besides myself called Willem. The rest of the other parliamentarians decided to call the night and headed off in the distance and so there remained in the house the so call ‘diehards’ or 'remnants' (if I may use lovingly).
Willem saw the first draft and rejected it point blank. His argument was simple but valid – there was no element of the fear of God in it, which was a key application point in Isaiah 66.
Now, as a side issue for those critics who may read this and cast their judgment secretly, let me say that my exclusion of the fear of God does not mean that this quality is lacking on my part and besides only God knows where I stand and that is ultimately what matters most! So thanks for your kind thoughts
Anyways, back to the parliament house for the second amendment, which was essentially “Yahweh establishes His kingdom and saves those who fear him”
This time I managed to secure Willem’s vote and it was then up to the PM to cast his ballot and pass this Bill what I called “Book of Isaiah summarized in 10 words plus 10% tolerance”.
The verdict was “rejected” on the premise that the ‘judgment’ theme was not found in the summary. PM’s view was valid, and I won’t go into another diversion as I did earlier – I believe the point has been made clear.
Third amendment essentially reads “Yahweh saves those who fear him and judges the world”
If I recall correctly, the steering committee commented that “those who fear him” part could be shortened to provide room for the theme of God’s ‘servant’ into the Bill.
And so the third amendment was rejected and the night was getting on. And after short debates and discussions the fourth amendment was produced and put forward to the parliament house for her consideration again.
The house has now attracted many interested observers and the question was then put by the steering committee “do we have a vote”?
Despite pushing forward favorably on all previous amendments, I decided to cast my “no” vote on the grounds that the ordering of the phrases had to be changed to take into account the PM’s point that the chronological order of the themes in Isaiah had to be corrected in the Bill. Immediately after my interjection, one interested observer bursts out with a frustrated laughter. He decided that he had enough and that it was probably too late and so he called off the night.
By this time, the Fifth Amendment was beckoning. Whilst it was being drafted out, we had what I jokingly described as an intruder in the parliament house who decided on his own accord to turn off the lights. This was despite the presence of key interested parties including the steering committee, the PM, the two parliamentarians and remnants of interested observers!
The PM took the matter to his own hand and turned the lights back on, even though it was mysteriously much dimmer than it was initially but nevertheless we managed to produce the Fifth Amendment called the Bill of “Book of Isaiah summarized in 10 words plus a 10% tolerance”.
The Bill was finally passed unanimously in the upper house at precisely 9.49pm on the night of the 18th of August 2009 in the Chapter House of St Andy’s. Needless to say, the Bill sailed through the Senate with ease and the Bill was enacted!
The book of Isaiah summaried in 10 words (+-10% tolerance), fifth amendment, as passed by the Parliament:
Yahwweh judes his world, saving the humble, through his chosen servant.
It was I must add a beautiful exercise - thanks guys.
James M.
