As a response to this situation, this dissertation, which scored a summa grade on presentation to the Biblical section of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas, Rome, is basically an exegetico-theological inquiry into the meaning and possible implication of Is. 11: 11-12 which proposes the salvation of the remnant.
Given the relevance of Isaiah and his prophecy to contemporary belief in God, this work seeks, in the context of his prophecy, to discover how an immutable God related with the remnant of His people in the past, as a ground for better appreciation of similar contemporary/future God-believer relationship. It dwells extensively on the meaning of the remnant motif in Isaiah and examines the nature and import of this type of salvation. With the disobedience of the Israelites to the terms of the covenant, and their consequent judgement by God, many of them had lost the hope of gaining salvation from God. But the prophet courageously confronted this crisis of faith and specially addressed the situation of despair with this prophecy of hope that proves to be relevant even today.
It is from the results of this examination that conclusions, which basically propose a theology of hope, are drawn. Going methodologically from this point of view, there are proposals that make the work ever more relevant not only to the Biblical academia, but, better still, to all believers today.
Fr. Emem, a talented singer and composer, is the Director of the Marvels of the Lord Choir, Nigeria. As Parochial vicar in St. Athansius parish, Brooklyn, New York, he is presently spending his post-study leave rendering pastoral and teaching services in the diocese of Brooklyn before he returns to the service of the Church in his home diocese in Nigeria.