For once! From a reader re yesterday’s column:
Hiya Jonah,
As a scholar of the prophet Isaiah—I’m a real teacher at a real institution!—I just have this to say about your insightful article today:
Me rikey velly much!
Someone ELSE is in charge of history. THAT’S why it’s not a conspiracy theory!
Did you know that God actually says this to Isaiah?
Isaiah 8:11-13 For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the LORD of hosts, him you shall regard as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread…”
Yeah, there are lots of ways to go wrong here, what with the ambiguity inherent in the prophets (who is “this people”?), but I think this is a good principle to go by, no matter how you read the prophet.