The Book of Isaiah Isaiah Introduction The messenger
The Book of Isaiah
Isaiah - Introduction • The messenger of the message of salvation is the prophet Isaiah • Isaiah = salvation of Yahweh or Yah saves • He was the son of Amoz • He may have been related to the royal family, perhaps King Manasseh
Isaiah - Introduction • • • One of the most important books of the Old Testament Little is known of the personal life of the prophet He is considered to be one of the greatest prophets His striking literary gifts suggest upper-class birth Very well educated Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon • Muslims consider Isaiah a prophet - in scriptures
Isaiah - Introduction • Tradition - he was sawn asunder (Heb. 11: 37) 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourging's, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
Isaiah - Introduction Isaiah lived in a time of tension It was a time of crisis in the history of the world. World-shaking events were transpiring. Catastrophic and cataclysmic judgments were taking place. There was upheaval in the social order.
Isaiah - Introduction Jews and Christians consider the Book of Isaiah a part of their Biblical canon; he is the first listed (although not the earliest) of the Nevi'im Aharonim, the latter prophets.
Personal Background • Isaiah was the son of Amoz (not Amos) • Brother of Uzziah’s father? • Family of rank: Access to the King (7: 3) Intimacy with high priest (8: 2). • Tradition: cousin of King Uzziah. • Jerusalem was his home; • Served as court preacher.
Married, two sons 1. Shear-jashub = “a remnant shall return” 2. Maher-shalal-hash-baz “swift is booty, speedy is prey”
Vocabulary (number of different words used) • Ezekiel 1535 • Jeremiah 1653 • Psalmists 2170 • Isaiah 2186
Notable Elements 6 Vision of the Throne of God (Cf. Ezek 10, Rev 4) 7 Virgin Birth First mention Gen 3: 15 9 Messianic revelation 14 Lucifer’s Rebellion 19 Great Pyramid allusion? 40 John the Baptist announced 53 Suffering and death of the Messiah 61 Quoted by Christ as His mandate 65, 66 Millennium and beyond
Chronology Ussiah 791 -740 Jotham 750 -736 Ahaz 736 -716 Hezekiah, 716 -687 Manasseh 686 -642 (2 Kgs 15: 1 -5; 2 Chr 26: 1 -23) (2 Kgs 15: 32 -38; 2 Chr 27: 1 -9) (2 Kgs 16: 1 -20; 2 Chr 28: 1 -27) (2 Kgs 18: 1 -20: 21) (2 Kgs 21: 1 -18; 2 Chr 33: 1 -20)
History of the Critical “Problem” 1775 Doderlein, 2 authors 1779 Koppe, questioned chapter 50 Rosenmueller, 13, 14? 1794 Eichhorn, questioned chapters 40 -66 1821 Gesenius, questioned chapters 40 -66 1886 Franz Delitsch yields his defense 1888 Driver and Smith in Britain. . .
Higher Criticism leads to the Deutero-Isaiah 1 -39 vs 40 -66; (Trito-Isaiah also: 40 -55; 56 -66. . ) Evidence of Inspiration a) Unity of ideas: b) Literary style c) Historical references d) Predictive elements: Cyrus, et al. (Ch. 44, 45. . ) e) John 12 (!) f) Luke 4 (vs. 61: 1, 2)
John 12: 37 -40 37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: 38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
Isaiah - Recipients? Isaiah 1: 2 -7 (KJV) 2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment. 7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
Isaiah - Introduction SIMILARITIES BETWEEN ISAIAH AND THE WHOLE BIBLE 28 Isaia h The Bible 66 chapters 66 books Two sections: chapters 1— 39 and 40— 66 Two Testaments: 39 OT books and 27 NT books Emphasis in chapters 1— 39 on God's righteousness, holiness, and justice Emphasis in the 39 OT books on God's righteousness, holiness, and justice Emphasis in chapters 40— 66 on God's glory, compassion, and grace Emphasis in the 27 NT books on God's glory, compassion, and grace Chapters 1— 39 emphasize Israel's need for restoration. The OT emphasizes humanity's need for salvation. Chapters 40— 66 predict God's future provision of salvation in the Servant. The NT describes God's provision of salvation in the Messiah. Isaiah begins with a description of Israel's rebellion and ends with predictions of restoration. The Bible begins with a description of humanity's rebellion and ends with a depiction of salvation in Jesus Christ. Message: A holy God will gain glory by judging sin and restoring His people. Message: A holy God will gain glory by judging sin and saving those who call on the name of His Son Jesus.
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