Old Testament Survey:The Book of Isaiah

“Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD, though your sins are like

scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as

wool.” {Isaiah 1:18}

Background

• Isaiah prophesied during the years between 740 and 701 BC. His work was in Jerusalem where he revealed God’s will.

• His work began during the last year of King Uzziah’s reign.

• God called him to preach to Jerusalem.– “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall

I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’“ (6:8)

• During the years of Isaiah’s ministry, Assyria was becoming a powerful nation.

• Two political groups emerged in Judah.– One sought an alliance with Egypt– The other with Assyria

• Isaiah warned that the nation should rely on Jehovah, not on human alliances and weapons of war.

• Isaiah was instructed to walk naked and barefoot through the streets of Jerusalem for three years. Why? What would happen if Judah made an alliance with another nation?

Background

• During the reign of Ahaz, king of Judah, Pekah, king of Israel and Rezin, king of Syria, wanted him to join their anti—Assyrian alliance. Ahaz refused.

• The kings marched against Ahaz to remove him and put a vassal in his place.

• God instructed Isaiah to tell Ahaz not to fear these “two tails of smoking firebrands.”

• Isaiah told Ahaz to ask for a sign from God—(7:14).

• Ahaz refused Isaiah’s counsel and set up an Assyrian god in the temple of the Lord!

Background

• Isaiah warned that Assyria was the rod of God to punish Israel and Judah for their sins.

• Israel would be cut off and Judah severely punished, but not destroyed, by Assyria.

• After God used Assyria to punish His people they, too, would be punished for their sins!

• Along with them: Egypt, Ethiopia, Edom, Babylon, Moab, Syria.

Background

Keys to the Book

• Salvation is the “key word.” It is used 26 times in Isaiah and only 7 times in other prophetic books. The phrase “Holy One of Israel,” is used 25 times.

• The name Isaiah = ”salvation is of the Lord.”

• Key verses:– “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (7:14)

• The name Isaiah— ”salvation is of the Lord.”

• Key verses:– “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given;

and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever...” (9:6,7)

Keys to the Book

• The name Isaiah— ”salvation is of the Lord.”

• Key verses:– “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have

turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (53:6)

Keys to the Book

• The name Isaiah— ”salvation is of the Lord.”

• Key chapter: 53—The Suffering Servant– Despised rejected (1-2)–Man of sorrows (3)– Sinner’s substitute (4-9)– The triumphant Christ (10-12)– Atonement for the sins of the world! Rich

blessings and provisions in salvation through Christ!

Keys to the Book

Subject

• Isaiah wrote of God’s glory and man’s salvation through Jesus Christ.

• Prophecies of consolation and condemnation

• Pronounced God’s judgment on immorality and idolatry

• In Judah and 11 other surrounding nations

• Last 27 chapters record God’s assurances of Israel’s restoration after captivity.

• Isaiah is called:– “Evangelical prophet”– “Messianic prophet”– “Prophet of redemption”

• He speaks of God’s protecting love and care for His people.

• Appeals for them to repent.• His judgment of evil and sin, deliverance and

restoration of the faithful remnant, and promise of a Redeemer.

Subject

His Appeal

• Isaiah’s main purpose was to utter prophecies whose certain fulfillment proved God’s Deity, Christ’s Messiahship, and the Bible’s full inspiration and truthfulness.

• 43 NT references to Isaiah

• Conveys to every generation the need for righteous living.

Isaiah—The Miniature Bible

• Isaiah has 66 chapters.• Two main divisions:– The first division contains 39 chapters, just as the OT

contains 39 books. It emphasizes God’s judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men.

– The last division contains 27 chapters, just as the NT contains 27 books. It presents God’s grace through the promise of a Redeemer, and concludes with final judgment. As does the NT, these chapters declare a message of hope in the promise “to bear a cross and wear a crown.”

Isaiah—The Prophet

• “Prophet of Redemption” and the book, “Gospel of Isaiah”

• 38 years before the northern kingdom fell

• Continued to prophesy during reigns of Judah’s kings—Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah

• Contemporary with Micah in Judah— Amos and Hosea in Israel

• Messianic prophecies and God’s judgment on heathen nations

The Book’s Main Divisions

• Three divisions in Isaiah:– Prophetic (1-35)– Historic (36-39)– Messianic (40-66)

• First contains judgments against Judah and Israel (1-12), predictions against foreign nations (13-23), announcements of judgments and deliverance (24-35).

• Historic division relates to Assyria and Babylon during Hezekiah’s reign (36-39).

Isaiah and Hezekiah

• During Hezekiah’s reign, the Assyrians destroyed Samaria (Israel) and marched against Judah.

• A messenger from Assyria demanded Judah’s surrender.

• Isaiah’s counsel—do not be afraid; God will deliver you from their hands.

• The Lord’s angel went and killed 185,000 soldiers and forced Assyria’s retreat!

• Sennacherib returned home in disgrace and was assassinated!

• Later, Hezekiah become mortally ill.

• Isaiah told him he would die and not live (38:1).

• Hezekiah prayed fervently, and the Lord extended his life by 15 years.

• As a sign that God had heard Hezekiah’s prayer, the sun dial returned backward 10 degrees.

• Babylonian messengers brought letters and a gift to show pleasure at the king’s recovery.

Isaiah and Hezekiah

• Hezekiah showed the messengers all of Judah’s wealth and treasures.

• Isaiah told Hezekiah that Judah’s treasures would someday belong to Babylon (39:6).

• Occurred in 536 BC when Babylon took Judah into captivity.

• Having mentioned the captivity, Isaiah turned his attention to foretelling Judah’s return from captivity. Would occur 200 years later, and Isaiah named the king--Cyrus!– Isaiah 44:28

Isaiah and Hezekiah

Isaiah’s Prophecies

• Christ’s miraculous birth to a virgin

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (7:14)

• Establishment of

God’s kingdom —

the church (place)

“Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.’” (2:3)

Isaiah’s Prophecies

• Divine government

would rest on the

shoulders of a child.

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (9:6)

Isaiah’s Prophecies

• The price of the

suffering servant—

the anointed one of

God!

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” (53:4,5)

Isaiah’s Prophecies

• Foretold a new name!!

“The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name.” (62:2)

Isaiah’s Prophecies

The Dead Sea Scrolls• Discovered by a Bedouin in a cave near

the north end of the Dead Sea

• A complete manuscript of Isaiah, written in Hebrew about 100 BC—1000 years earlier than the oldest known Hebrew text!

• Confirmed the remarkable accuracy of the book of Isaiah!

The Nation’s Spiritual Condition

• Only 38 years after Isaiah’s work began, Israel’s wickedness brought on Assyrian captivity (722 BC).

• Rod of His anger (10:5-11)

• He would also punish Assyria (10:12-19).

• Spared Judah from the onslaught (10:20-27)

• Isaiah continued to teach the people to follow God; then turned his attention to the glorious hope of the future—Christ!

Everlasting Things• Salvation (45:17)

• Light (60:19)

• Joy (35:0)

• Strength; rock of ages (26:4)

• Kindness (54:8)

• Covenant (55:3)

• Judgment (33:14)

Fulfilled Prophecies• One who would preach good tidings to

the poor (61:1-3)– Fulfilled—Luke 4:16-21

• His victory over death (25:8)– Fulfilled—1 Corinthians 15:53,54

• Christ, the tried stone rejected by the builders (28:16)– Fulfilled—Romans 9:33

• Would be a branch of Jesse (11:1)– Fulfilled—Romans 15:12

Characteristics of Christ• Anointed with the Spirit of God (11:2-4)

• A Man of silence, gentleness, truth, perseverance, and light (42:2-6)

• In His suffering for sinners, He showed compassion, meekness, sinlessness, submission, greatness, and saving power (53:4-12)