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Jesaja 43.1–7 í ljósi exodus-stefja og viðbragða huggunarspámannsins nafnlausa við áfalla-streitu útlaganna í Babýlon

Abstract

In this article the present author tries to give a new insight into the very difficult situation and the problems that existed among the exiles from Judah in the Babylonian empire, around 550–540 BCE. This is not least done with the help of trauma-studies.
In the texts from Deutero-Isaiah (Isa 40–55) there are examples that make it very likely that there exist analogies between psychological problems faced by contemporary popula-tions of displaced persons and those exiled by the Babylonian army after the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple there. It is described how tenderly the „prophet of comfort“ speaks into this situation and often his message is reminiscent of the methods used by modern psychiatry in the struggle with „learned helplessness“ and trauma.
It is claimed that the text in Isa 43.1–7 is very close to the heart of the message in Isa 40–55 and was therefore chosen as an example in this article. The exodus-theme is very apparent there, as in so many other places within Isa 40–55. Here it is claimed that the exodus-motif did play a key role in the message and approach of the prophet who composed the poems and oracles found in Isa 40–55 and promised a salvation to the exiles and a new exodus. His comforting message is in many ways similar to some modern therapies in their struggle with hopelessness, trauma and learned helplessness. A help and salvation is promised from the hopeless situation in the counselling of the prophet: „Have no fear, for I am with you.“