The Book of Isaiah A mini-Bible

By David YunSep 6, 2002

Contents

• The prophetic books

• Author

• Historical setting

• Outline

• Features

• The Messiah in Isaiah

• Themes

• Lessons

The Prophetic BooksGreat Expectation to Christ

Prophets Message Hosea, Joel, Amos A national restoration by the Messiah Isaiah, Micah Predict international salvation through the

Messiah Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah

Warn of God’s retribution on the nations

Lamentations Grieves over God’s retribution on His people Jeremiah Looks of a covenantal reaffirmation in Christ Ezekiel Expects the nations’ religious restoration Daniel Predicts the nation’s political restoration Haggai, Zechariah Exhort the people in their religious

reconstruction Malachi Exhort the people in their social and moral

reconstruction

Author

• Isaiah 740-700 B.C.

• An evangelical prophet

• Probably born to an aristocratic family

• Had a prophetess wife & two sons

• Ministered in Jerusalem during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah

• Sawed in half according to tradition

• A contemporary with Micah, Amos, Hosea

Historical Setting

• Israel was falling down (722 B.C.)

• Judah was in a downward spiral both politically and spiritually

• Uzziah (790-739) – good but proud

• Jotham (750-731) – good but weak

• Ahaz (735-715) - bad

• Hezikiah (715-686) - good

• The war between Assyria and the allies

• Assyria’s increasing threat to Judah

Ammon

MoabEdom

Cush

Outline (A)A. Words of Judgment (1-39)

- The sins of Israel and Judah (1-9)- Immanuel (7-12)- Judgment on the nations (13-23)- Judgment on Judah and deliverance (24-27)- Woes upon Israel and promise (28-35)- Invasion of Assyria & Hezekiah (36-39)

Scathing denunciations and appeal to repent and trust in God

Outline (B)B. Words of Comfort (40-66)

- Israel’s deliverance from captivity (40-48)- The servant of the Lord (49-57)- Restoration of Israel and the final kingdom (58-66)

Forgiveness, comfort, and hopeLooks forward to the coming of the Messiah

Purpose: To call Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation through the Messiah

Features

• Isaiah’s apocalypse• Quoted at least 50 times in the NT• Predictions of future events

– Israel’s captivity (39:7)– Cyrus’ rise to power in 586 (45:1)

• The end of death (25:8) & the resurrection of the dead (26:19)

• A great number of prophecies of the Messiah• Called a miniature Bible (66 chs = 39 + 27)

– Deliverance from sin (1)– Through Christ (53)– Restoration of the whole world (65,66)

The Messiah in Isaiah• Isaiah’s portrays of Christ

– The branch of Jesses, Redeemer, Savior, Sin bearer, Liberator, Judge, etc

• Names of Christ– Emmanuel, Might God, Counselor, Prince

of Peace, King, Divine Servant, Arm of the Lord, Preacher, The servant of the Lord, The suffering and glory of the Servant

• Details of Christ: his divine nature, birth, humanity, ministry, and redemptive work, and suffering and glory

Prophecies of Christ

Prophecy Fulfillment Immanuel’s birth to a virgin – 7:14 Matt 1:22,23 The rejection of the Christ as a “stone of stumbling” and “rock of offense” – 8:14

1 Peter 2:8; 3:14

The benevolence and universality of the Messiah’s reign – 11:1-11

Romans 15:12

The corner-stone to be laid in Zion – 28:16 Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6 A preview of John the Baptist and his preparatory work for Christ – 40:3-5

Matthew 3:3

The Lord’s compassionate and just mission – 42:1-2

Matthew 12:18-21

A servant of suffering – 53 John 12:38; Acts 8:32-35; Mt 27:12-14; 8:17; John 1:12

Christ’s mission to preach the gospel and give sight to the blind – 61:1,2

Luke 4:18

He will be of the family of David (Jesse) – 11:1

Matthew 1; Luke 3

The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him – 11:2

Matthew 3:16

He will bring light to those living in Galilee – 9:1-2

Matthew 12:14-16

Prophecies of the kingdom of God

• The mountain of the Lord’s house (2:1-2)

• A kingdom of peace (2:4; 9:6,7)

• Includes the gentiles (11:10; 42:6; 66:20,21)

• It shall be forever (9:7)

• It shall usher in a new heaven and new earth (65:17-25; 66:22-23)

Themes• Salvation

– “Isaiah” means “Salvation is of Yahweh”– The term “salvation” occurs 27 times– Salvation is bestowed only by grace and by the

power of God, the Redeemer– Salvation through the Messiah– Political salvation Personal & international

salvation Salvation of the whole world

• The kingdom of God coming & For the glory of God

• The same theme as that of the whole Bible

The God in Isaiah• Holy One of Israel (28 times)

• The God of Hope - remnants

• Redeemer (13 times)

• God of all nations

• God of unfailing love

Lessons

• Sin and wickedness always brings God’s disfavor

• God is holy and loving

• God wants his people to put their trust in Him, not in anyone or in anything else

• God’s zeal and aspiration for salvation

• Isaiah’s entire family dedicated to the service of the Lord

Q & A