the-bible-and-the-dead-sea-scrolls

286 THE IMPORTANCE OF ISAIAH AT QUMRAN
on Jerusalem. At least twice during this period Isaiah claims to have
received a divine command to write down his words to await their future
relevance (8:1, 16; 30:8). Given these facts, it should not be surprising if
Isaiah adapted some of his own earlier oracles to address new situations
in the life of his people.
Because in many ways Sennacherib’s attitude toward Jerusalem and
Yahweh was similar to that exhibited by the earlier Rezin and Pekah, the
prophet felt free to rework an earlier prophecy to reapply it to a new
embodiment of human arrogance. This partial reworking to address a
new situation has obscured some of the oracle’s original historical particularity
and leaves many details unexplained and unexplainable.
Nevertheless, the theological point of the oracle remains clear and can be
applied to analogous situations in the life of God’s people over and over
again. Despite appearances to the contrary, the boastful disparagement of
God by the powerful enemies of God’s people is not the last word. Those
who lift themselves up against God will in time be cut down, and God’s
people can continue to trust in God as the source of their security.