Creation in Isaiah

This study investigates the role of creation thought in Isaiah in order to determine its relationship to Isaiah\u27s concept of God as creator, especially as it pertains to his salvific work for and through Israel. This investigation is carried out in three steps. First, Isaiah\u27s use of creation language, which involves specific explicit creation terms and implicit references (metaphors), is investigated. Second, selected creation texts, namely, 4:2-6; 43:1-7; 44:24-45:25; and 65:17-25, are exegeted. Third, Isaiah\u27s creation thought is studied in relationship to other significant concepts in the book, such as salvation theology and redemption history, and God\u27s salvific intention for and through Israel. The relationship between creation thought and Isaiah\u27s concepts of holiness, judgment, and eschatology is also explored. Isaiah\u27s creation thought is often understood in one of three ways: as subordinate to salvation theology, as being a foundational concept, or as being inextricably linked to salvation theology. This study shows that Isaiah\u27s creation thought is a foundational theme in Isaiah and occurs throughout the book, with a concentration in chaps. 40-55. It impacts the book structurally and conceptually, undergirding all other themes. Moreover, Isaiah\u27s creation thought is multidimensional and functions on the cosmological (primordial), historical, and eschatological levels. Finally, the creation thought of Isaiah has important theological ramifications insofar as it is Isaiah\u27s consummate conceptualization of God. This creator God transcends his creation and exercises total dominion over his creation. For Isaiah, God is first and foremost the creator and his consummate act is creation