Naviim Isaiah and Jeremiah (very ‘brief’ Summary

Isaiah prophecies are counted as 66 Chapters

Jeremiah at 52 Chapters

They were given the word of God Itself over many many years, and also had periods of their lives when the “word” of the Lord did not come to them.

They did not live in the same time period, but “some” of their prophecies seem to be overlapping themes / ideas/.

In general when it comes to the Naviim (all the ones in the Tenach), ‘people’, as in Jews, Christians, movie directors, script writers, preachers, song writers, and pundits on TV/Radio and Internet absolutely love to take “snippets”, short quotes, or even partial line quotes and run with those few words to build their entire world view(!). It seems that if the same people would just continue to read the ENTIRE Navi that they quote (or mis-quote), … they might realize that their little world-view, based on their own preferences … is quite flawed. I include myself in this.

This is why there will be almost zero quoting of lines to demonstrate what I mean.

I think many / most people are familiar with “some” of the most famous lines from the Naviim (and) specifically, the Naviim that these people often quote. But again, when reading the entire “Navi” in question, it is hard to walk-away without thinking “boy those people were WAY off base”.

Here are SOME of my take-aways from the 2 Prophets mentioned (and I read all the words).

**** First and foremost, they believed that God spoke to them. This sounds obvious, but there were at the same time “false” prophets that these 2 (and other Naviim) had to deal with, battle against. I guess you might say, in a “rap” battle ;-). Who had the most “bars” and “put downs” and “uuuuhhhhhhh GOT ya” lines !

I am being a bit silly and trying to make a point. There were indeed at the same time as the 2 Prophets mentioned (and during the time of prophecy in general) Prophets of Truth and False Prophets. Who decided? How did the people at the TIME (that the Prophets lived) know?

The false prophets also often had access to the last remaining Kings of Judea. It was during Isaiah’s time that the Kingdom of Israel was exiled …. (the Lost 10 Tribes).

**** Second *** In the actual words / verses themselves, the 2 Prophets I am discussing were scared / hesitant themselves to say the words that G-d gave them. In several occasions, God Itself had to “reassure” the specific Prophet that G-d was “with” them. Which is wild to think about. Because, first, this is G-d we are talking about, talking directly to a human, and the human STILL has doubts / is scared to say the words? What choice did the person have? We know that Jonah (just 1 example) tried (and failed) to literally RUN AWAY, go on a ship!, to not say the words that G-d told him to say.

*** Prophets of Truth existed at the same time, but “we”, as in Dati, shomer shabbat jews, and the ones who compiled the Tenach, decided were “not” to have their own book(s). One such example was Hulda, a female prophet mentioned. There are others… and there were ‘bands’ of prophets, schools it seemed, who traveled around Israel. But while they are mentioned, they do not have their own dedicated books. Many many many many Dati/Shomer shabbat (usually with titles of Rabbi) comment on this. The most “basic” summary is, that during the time of prophecy, … people could (and did) work themselves into a state of Prophetic visions… but their specific words were not for the entire Nation of Israel / Yaakov … and were not meant to be understood to be about the long-distant “future” events, (as we read about in the 12 books of the Prophets that all datiim agree upon).

*** there was no such thing as a unified nation of Israel after King Solomon died ; and he himself, (due to all the wives he took) eventually fell to idol worship.

**** The Prophets make clear statements that ALL the bad / horrible things that happened in their own life-times, and will happen, are DIRECTLY CONNECTED to Am Israel (of both Kingdoms) sinning — and the range of sins was basically all of them ! — including some of the most disgusting sins ever mentioned !! YES, “we” jews were sinners. The Prophets make it clear that the “role” so-to-speak of the Nations was as G-ds instruments to PUNISH US.

Not to look to see who was ‘’good” for Israel. The ONLY thing that was “good” for Israel was keeping Mitzvot. Shabbat is mentioned A LOT, and not worshiping idols, (or any horrible disgusting activities, that are mentioned over and over again, and the LIST is QUITE long.

These days, we tend to think “oh, no one” worships idols, or sends their kids to Molach, or has ritual male prostitutes (which were in the Beit HaMikdash !), yeh I know, y’all should really read these Books! Anyway,…. We tend to think “that was then” as if we ourselves do not worship idols (constantly looking to Blue tik celebs to “support” Israel for example. No Prophet EVER looked towards the Goyiim as saviors of Israel. The ONLY savior was OUR OWN DEEDS !!

ARRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH