There were four kings who lived during the time that Yeshayahu prophesized: 1] Ooziyahu 2] Yotam 3] Achaz 4] Chezkiyahu. Now, whenever we had a king ruling there were different ways to judge his success. For instance, with Ooziyahu we saw economic prosperity, political control with expanded borders, and religiously the people were giving korbanot all of the time. Personally, the king became haughty and tried to burn incense, and in return he was punished with tzaraat. Yotam had lessened economic activity, politically Retzin melech Aram and Pekech formed an alliance against him, and Yotam was very religious and tried to refurbish the Beit Hamikdash. Achaz, when he became king, saw how good his father was, and also saw that things weren't so favorable for him. So he decided that Hashem and Judaism was ridiculous- he did moolech, built an alter based on an Assyrian one, and makes an alliance with Assyria against Pekach and Retzin, indicating he had more faith in man than in G-d. [Refresher- he makes this alliance because he does not want Pekach and Retzin to destroy him.] In Prakim Zein-Tet, we see events that take place during Achaz's time.
Retzin and Pekach are trying to attack Yehuda, and the people of Yehuda become scared. Meanwhile, Yeshayahu is a prophet in the kings court, living with his wife and children. Yeshayahu goes to Achaz and gives him advice- don't panic, they can't destroy you, remain neutral! Do not form an alliance. Then Hashem sends a message through Yeshayahu to Achaz, telling him that he can recieve a sign. Achaz mockingly replies that he does not need a sign, because he has such immense faith in G-d. So Yeshayahu says, "Well I am giving you a sign! My wife will have a son named Emmanuel, which means G-d is with us. And everytime his name is called you will hear."
That is what we have done so far. We are in the midst of going over these very shady Perakim, trying to understand the importance of the names of some children that appear, and whether or not eating butter and honey is a good thing, or bad thing for young Emmanuel. When we have covered the Perakim all the way, I hope to post something that makes more sense not only to you readers, but to the whole navi class.
Stay tuned for more on the meaning of the names, and the fate of Achaz the Terrible.....
Retzin and Pekach are trying to attack Yehuda, and the people of Yehuda become scared. Meanwhile, Yeshayahu is a prophet in the kings court, living with his wife and children. Yeshayahu goes to Achaz and gives him advice- don't panic, they can't destroy you, remain neutral! Do not form an alliance. Then Hashem sends a message through Yeshayahu to Achaz, telling him that he can recieve a sign. Achaz mockingly replies that he does not need a sign, because he has such immense faith in G-d. So Yeshayahu says, "Well I am giving you a sign! My wife will have a son named Emmanuel, which means G-d is with us. And everytime his name is called you will hear."
That is what we have done so far. We are in the midst of going over these very shady Perakim, trying to understand the importance of the names of some children that appear, and whether or not eating butter and honey is a good thing, or bad thing for young Emmanuel. When we have covered the Perakim all the way, I hope to post something that makes more sense not only to you readers, but to the whole navi class.
Stay tuned for more on the meaning of the names, and the fate of Achaz the Terrible.....
Wow. What a week! And here I am commenting on my own post... how sad and peculiar. But this week has been full of learning, and we have discovered the meaning of the names.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we have an assignment due on monday and I don't want to give the answers to people, so I shan't comment on the meaning of those four names.
But I can say that the perakim we have covered convince me more and more that perek vav is not a hakdasha but a change in mission. I was first convinced of this by Sharon's example with the bread, but I now believe I would have changed my mind after reading what happens next.
The people are really in for it. Yeshayahu and Hashem gave the people their chances to repent, but they ignored him always.
Even at the brink of war, when Achaz was offered a sign from Hashem, he mocks Yeshayahu: Oh, i don't neeeed a sign, I loooove G-d soooo much!
So Yeshayahu gives him the news: Yes, Assyria [Ashur] will come and wipe out your enemies, but if this comes to pass so to will it come to pass that Assyria will turn on you. Exile is on the way, and when start with zevulan and naftali, if I remember correctly.
We say that there are messages for all people. Well, when we learn this basic overview, we see how bad the people were, even mocking Hashem. When He gives you an opportunity, you grab it. Try and do the right thing....
Well, everything we have learned this year is coming together more than ever. We learned about the exile of Shomron, and now we are learning the other side of it. We have nine weeks left to finish up, and we will be busy busy busy! I hope everyone has a great Shabbos, Then Purim, and then a rest of the school year which is coming to a close and I just got super excited; however, not for the end of navi class :(
That ending was so cheesy, Gersten.. oy.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the fact that everything has been coming together. I think it's so cool how we've been going through different books but we are still talking about the same thing. (Hint: see name of this website- Navi Perspective... ) I would also like to say that in particular I am glad that these past few perakim actually mean something. When we were reading them in chavrutah the world was ending for me because I just had absolutely nooo idea what was going on. For better or for worse, when we finally learned it in class, it all came together (the only reason I would say "for worse" is because once it was taught, it was kinda sad that I was sooo lost..).
Now, let us explore the idea or "Butter&Honey" for a second:
At first glance, butter and honey seemed to a lot of us as a good thing. It could represent a time of luxury and peace; a time that they won't have to worry about getting attacked.
Actually, though, it is the exact opposite. Hashem's saying "Well, Mr. Achaz, you want an allience with Assyria? Fine. You'll be on their mercy, though. You chose Assyria? Assyria will just be my agent!" What will Hashem's agent do? Ashur will become powerful and exile more of Yehudah with only a few remaining.
Milk and honey is because of the abundance in cows. It's not a luxury- its all they have left.
Sad times for the nation...
Tsuna- The ending wasn't cheezy, I'm dead serious. I like classes were we connect events. like world history last year when we learnt about xerxes and darius, and then a few months later i learned some people think achashvarosh is xerxes and darius is daryashuv, there son. It was so cool, because I knew about xerxes and all the stuff he did... those classes are the best kind.
ReplyDeleteMilk and Honey:
I knew it was bad!!! Not for the same reasons, but I knew it was bad! Well, I think we should all reflect on how sad this perek is. It really is sad times for the nation. This is like... like an opera. As Bugs Bunny says, "What were you expecting, a happy ending?"
Once we see the kind of guy Achaz is, what did we really expect? It is a tragedy of utmost proportions.
Hope you don't mind me asking, but what is a tragedy of utmost proportions?
ReplyDeleteHm good question Mirel. i think i was referring to the fact that the joys weren't behaving the right way, and how Achaz was flat out refusing Hashem's help, and how they would eventually be exiled... :(
ReplyDeleteThe Joys? (I don't really know what those are....)
ReplyDeletethe jews i think. no, i meant the jews. who knows how that turnd into joys... sorry
ReplyDelete