Today's reading is found in the third major portion of Isaiah's scroll chapters 56-66. While the first two sections of Isaiah drop enough historical hints to locate them in the specific periods of Israel's history (e.g., chs. 1-37 during the reign of Ahaz; chs. 40-55 during the exile), this third unit is not so forthcoming. Some scholars have insisted that these texts represent post-exilic sentiments and scenarios. Others argue that the intentional dearth of datable references in this unit suggests that these are best interpreted as eschatological visions.

No matter which view is preferred structurally, the final chapters of Isaiah are placed after God has rescued the people from Babylon using Cyrus' hand (chs. 40-48), and after they have been redeemed from their sins through the salvific…