Reading the wilderness motif of Deutero-Isaiah and the Mongolian nomadic tradition

Abstract

The Book of Deutero-Isaiah fascinates Biblical scholars regarding its theological message and literary style; it is distinguished from First Isaiah and Third Isaiah. With the help of historical and critical studies, there is no doubt that the prophet of the Deutero-Isaiah, who was in the Exiles, was sending a message of hope- that of the Exiles' redemption from the oppression of Babylon. Therefore, some scholars are drawing comparisons between the experiences of the Exiles departing from Babylon with that of the Israelites departing from Egypt- so much so that this is called the New-Exodus theory. However, in this dissertation, the exposition of the wilderness motif in the Deutero-Isaiah will proceed with the perspectives of the Mongolian Nomadic Tradition. Under this perspective, the New-Exodus theory cannot be the exclusive motif in the Book of the Deutero-Isaiah. Instead, it must share the limelight with the Wilderness Motif, which could end up surpassing the New-Exodus theory in importance. The Mongolian Wilderness Tradition is an essential part of Mongolian culture and ethnic identity. For example, the Wilderness Tradition exhorts Mongolians to embrace the nomadic ideal of and passion for freedom. In the Mongolian Wilderness Tradition, there are some liturgies concerning sacrifices made to the heavens, to fire, and to ancestors; this is the Mongolians mythologizing their origin to reinforce the idea of the nomadic ideal. Viewed under the perspective of the Mongolian wilderness tradition, the prophet of the Deutero-Isaiah was not only encouraging the Exiles to embrace the idea of the nomadic ideal, which was advocated by pre-exilic prophets (for example Hosea, Amos, and Jeremiah), but also to believe in the message of God's redemption- exemplified by the Wilderness Motif.