The Book of Isaiah offers a “by the way…” moment elaborating on the Ten Commandments. When the Ten Commandments were delivered by Moses from Mt. Sinai, the covenant was established with the God who brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt. They accepted that this deity would be their only god and there would have no other gods. Exodus 20:2-3. The Book of Isaiah passage for this Ten Commandments’ moment is a theological game changer.
The words employed in the Decalogue, arguably, created a relationship which would be considered as monolatry; the worship of one god without the denial of the existence of other gods. After this convenant was established, to the point of Isaiah’s writings, much had happened with the Children of Israel. Three distinct monarchies had existed: the United, Judah and Israel. With these political structures, God-Monarchy relationships took focus. The internal workings of these countries was of import. Monarchs’ fates, at times, were connect to their fidelity to their national deity. Additionally, the God of Israel had theological moments as well. One epic moment was the Prophet Elijah’s showdown at Mt. Carmel in which the God of Israel dispatched other so-called deities.
As time further progressed, however, regional conflicts with neighboring kingdoms and empires created a new governmental concern. Wuth the fall of the the Israelite Kingdom to Assyria, existentialism became a reality for the remaining Kingdom of Judah. According to the Prophets, this existentialism was tied to their deity; other nations were acting as agents for the Israelite God. The Israelite God maintained moral standards and was willing to employ foreign invading forces to act as an instrument to punish Israelite nations for their moral failings.
In concurrence with these happenings, a revelation is declared by the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah proclaims “Thus said The Lord, King of Israel and its Redeemer, Hashem, Master of Legions; I am the first and I am the last, and aside from Me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6.
This declaration elaborates on the God of Israel’s station. The words are not of monolatry but rather monotheism. Isaiah expresses singularity.
In sum, as the Children of Israel grew into nationhood and entered a world of foreign nations and empires, the God of Israel so to emerged onto the world with the expression from monotheism. Monotheism is something that was beyond the words expressed within the Decalogue. Thus, this Book of Isaiah passage, among other scriptures, provide clarification and elaboration towards the Torah’s belief system. Thus, was Isaiah 44:6, a footnote or addendum?
Be well!!
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The Ten Commandments Project 