Seeking the meaning of justice, restoration, obedience and suffering through the figure of the "suffering servant:" in the book of Isaiah (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12), and its application to the Karen community of Burma

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to discern the biblical themes of justice, restoration (hope), obedience, and suffering found in the so-called servant passages in the Isaiah 42: 1-4; 49: 1-6; 50: 4-9; 52: 13- 53: 12. This paper also tries to apply such biblical themes to the contemporary Karen Christian community who is severely suppressed by the military government. Initially, this literary work deals with the prophetic book of Isaiah, especially chapters 40-55, where the message of the anonymous prophet's to the exilic community can be found. It is important to note that it is the prophet's knowledge of God which provides hope for the despairing Jewish community. This knowledge of God becomes the basis support for the servant of the Lord who the prophet portrays in the four servant songs. In addition, this paper presents some general information about the religious, political and social conditions of the background concerning the exilic period. Secondly, this work includes an exegetical investigation on the four servant passages in which the relationship between these smaller units and the whole prophetic book of Isaiah is investigated. At the same time, this paper discusses the structure of servant songs, the identity of the servant according to the past and recent portrayal of the servant among the scholars, and his functions to the exilic suffering community and his mission to the world. In chapter three, this paper presents the contemporary exilic situation of Karen Christian community in Burma, which can be compared to the condition of Jewish community in Babylon during 6th century BCE. Perhaps, according to the experiences of this writer, one may say the conditions in Karen community are no less miserable than the Jewish exilic community in Babylon. Finally, some theological application that applicable to the Babylonian exiles may well be applicable to the Karen Christian community in Burma. The biblical themes that come out from the investigation on these four servant songs, may stimulate the new hope for the people of God in the midst of despair. Indeed this paper will point out to be the faithful servant or obedience to the Lord is a leading way in order to establish the alternative community. This restored community will be based on the covenant requirement, even in the face of being socially, politically, and economically oppressed by the unjust structure.