Isaiah Isaiah Introduction Written by the prophet Isaiah

Isaiah

Isaiah • Introduction – Written by the prophet Isaiah, son of Amoz • The “Dean of the Prophets”; “Paul of the Old Testament” • “The Gospel According to Isaiah” • “The Messianic Prophet” – Written to Judah & Jerusalem They had become very proud Allied themselves with Assyria to avoid destruction Isaiah was a preacher to the kings (a statesman reformer) Written about 740 -700 B. C. (over period of 40 -60 years) • During the reigns of four kings of Judah • About 200 yrs after zenith under David & Solomon • Started about 37 years before Israel fell to Assyria • About 150 years before Judah fell to Babylon • Contemporary with Micah (South), Hosea & Amos (North) • • • –

Isaiah • Introduction – Isaiah’s mission & message = SALVATION • The word occurs 28 times in Isaiah • Only 9 times in other prophetic books combined – Isaiah’s name and the names of his sons give an overview of the entire book • Isaiah name means, “salvation is of the Lord” – God is the source of salvation • His first son Shear-Jashub, “a remnant will return” – God will spare a remnant for Himself • His second son Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, “booty will very quickly be taken” – God’s judgment is coming – Isaiah’s vision revealed Isaiah’s heart (6: 1 -8) • “Here am I; send me” (6: 8)

Isaiah • Introduction – Purpose of Isaiah’s prophecy • To rebuke the sins of the people & call upon them to repent, return to God and do His will • To warn Judah of the impending doom because of their unfaithfulness to God • To remind the people to trust in the Lord for their protection and deliverance • To teach that salvation would come only from God, never from man • To proclaim the glorious hope of Messiah’s coming, the establishment of His eternal kingdom, and the salvation He would bring to all nations

Isaiah • Introduction – “A Miniature Bible” • 66 chapters / 66 books • Two main divisions: 39 + 27 • First 39 chapters: – God’s judgment upon immoral & idolatrous men – Man’s condemnation, helpless state & need for Redeemer • Last 27 chapters: – The grace of God & a message of hope in the promise of the Redeemer to save His people – God’s assurance of redemption from captivity to bring His people home, and the coming of Messiah as Savior & King – Isaiah referenced 43 times in NT (2 nd only to Psalms)

Isaiah • Introduction – Divisions of the Book of Isaiah • PROPHETIC (Chapters 1 -35) – The Holy One provoked unto anger, rebuking sinful nation – Judgments against Judah & Israel (ch. 1 -12) – Predictions against foreign nations (ch. 13 -23) – Judgments on ancient world (ch. 24 -27) – Warning against allying with Egypt (ch. 28 -35) • HISTORIC (Chapters 36 -39) – The Holy One delivered His people from Assyria – Assyria & Babylon during reign of Hezekiah (ch. 36 -39) • MESSIANIC (Chapters 40 -66) – The Holy One redeems, comforts & assures His people – Israel’s restoration from exile of returning remnant & the

Isaiah • The Character of God – The Righteousness & Justice of God • “Filled Zion with justice and righteousness” (33: 5) – The Glory of God • • “High and lifted up” (6: 1) “The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high” (33: 5) He reigns from His throne in heaven (52: 7) The excellency of our God (35: 2; 28: 29) – The Holiness of God • “Holy One of Israel” – 25 times in the book; 6 times in rest of O. T. • He is incomparable (40: 12 -28; 46: 5 -8) • Consequences for rejecting His holiness (5: 24 -25) • God cannot tolerate sin (59: 1 -2)

Isaiah • The Character of God – The Sovereignty of God • Nations would fall under the power of His hand – God called the Assyrian king, “the rod of My anger” to punish Israel & chastise Judah for their idolatry (10: 511) – In turn, He warned that He would punish the Assyrians because the king boasted of his power (10: 12 -19) – God promised Judah that He would spare their nation from the Assyrians and a faithful remnant would be saved (10: 20 -27) • • God rules in the affairs of men (Dan. 4: 32) God is supreme & ruler of all (2: 8; 6: 3; 37: 19; etc. )

Isaiah • The Character to Judah – Rebellious (1: 2, 4 -6) – Ungrateful (1: 3; 5: 12 b) • Forgot the source of their blessings (Deut. 8: 2, 7 -20) • Damascus & Samaria too (17: 10 -11) – Hypocritical (1: 10 -16). “Worshiped” God, but: • • • Perverted justice by taking bribes (5: 23) Oppressed the poor, widows, orphans (10: 1 -2) Erred through wine & strong drink (5: 11 -12; 28: 7 -8) Revolted with own hands making idols/images (31: 6 -7) Practiced ungodliness, uttered error, devised wickedness (32: 5 -7) Complacent & at east about their sinful condition (32: 9 -11) Obstinate, with a neck of iron muscle & a brow of brass (48: 4) Drew near with their mouths, honored with lips (29: 13) Mistakenly thought God would accept external actions without internal devotion

Isaiah • The Character to Judah – Proud • Full of themselves, with their great possessions, military strength & military alliances, God’s people: – Had “lofty looks” (2: 10) – Displayed “haughtiness” (2: 11) – Acted in “arrogance of heart” (9: 9) – Became “wise in their own eyes” (5: 21) – Would “call evil good, and good evil…” (5: 20) – Visited mediums and wizards instead of God (8: 19 -20) – Told the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us right things; Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (30: 10) – Trusted “in the shadow of Egypt” instead of God (30: 1 -2; 31: 1 -3) – Believed they’d escape the “overflowing scourge” of God’s punishment (28: 15) – Isaiah sought to turn them back to God

Isaiah • The Coming of Messiah – – – – “Isaiah…saw His glory & spoke of Him” (Jn. 12: 41) His birth & divine presence (7: 14; cf. Matt. 1: 21 -23) His Davidic heritage (11: 1; cf. Rom. 1: 3; 15: 12) His forerunner (40: 3; cf. Mark 1: 3) His glory, power & good tidings (40: 5 -10; cf. John 1: 14) His shepherd-like love (40: 11; cf. John 10: 1 -18) His ministry/work (61: 1 -3; cf. Luke 4: 16 -21) His Galilean ministry (9: 1 -2; Matt. 4: 12 -17) His sufferings & death (53: 1 -12; cf. Acts 8: 35) His victory over death (25: 8; cf. 1 Cor. 15: 54) His foundation stone (28: 16; cf. Rom. 9: 33; 1 Pet. 2: 6 -8) His house (2: 1 -4; cf. Acts 2; Matt. 16: 18 -19) His eternal throne (9: 6 -7; cf. Matt. 28: 18; 1 Cor. 15: 25 -26) His plan for Gentiles (62: 2; cf. Eph. 2: 11 -18) His new name for His people (62: 2; cf. Acts 11: 26)