Isaiah

1. Isaiah

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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 (2nd only to Psalms)

6. 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 suffering Servant who would redeem mankind (ch. 40-66)

7. 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)

8. 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 (10:5-11) • 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.)

9. Isaiah • The Character to Judah • Rebellious (1:2, 4-6) • Ungrateful (1:3; 5:12b) • 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

10. 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

11. 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)