A study of the tension between despair and hope in Isaiah 7 and 8 from a perspective of trauma and posttraumatic growth

Abstract

Isaiah 7 and 8 are set against the Syro-Ephraimite war and the looming threat of an Assyrian invasion. The historical and social circumstances are laced with tension of despair and hope in the pending crisis. These two chapters are also the starting point of Isaiah prophetic utterances directed at King Ahaz and the people of Judah. From the outset of chapter 7, notions of tension between Isaiah and King Ahaz can be detected. In chapter 8, these notions of tension become further more evident in the oracles of Isaiah. Chapter 7 and 8 also contains oracles that give prominence to the three children with the symbolic names of Shear-jashub, Immanuel and Maher-shalal-hash-baz. The messages of the children’s oracles are the same that is to trust Yahweh and not to despair in their faith. This study investigates the tension between despair and hope in Isaiah 7 and 8 from a perspective of trauma and posttraumatic growth. To understand trauma within a theological discourse, more precisely, with regards to chapters 7 and 8, this study will provide an overview on trauma and trauma tendencies. This research endeavour also addresses biblical trauma and trauma in prophesy to gain an understanding how to read Isaiah 7 and 8 through a trauma lens. The expositional study of chapters 7 and 8 forms the foundation of the study to identify the notions of despair and hope within the text. A notable theme in Isaiah 7 and 8 is the tension triangle between Ahaz, Isaiah and Yahweh, and the research explores the significance thereof in the pending crisis. Isaiah 7 and 8 reports the metaphorical action behind the names of Isaiah’s children and this study attempts to address the trauma and posttraumatic growth implications of these names. These names construe a prophetic message of despair and judgment but similarly also a message of hope and future expectations.