THE BOOK OF ISAIAH The Man, The Times, And The Book Isaiah is often referred to as The Messianic Prophet, because of his many prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus. The New Testament quotes and applies more scriptures from the book of Isaiah than any other Old Testament prophet. Yet Isaiahs work was not solely foretelling the future. A prophet of God was not primarily a future teller, but one who spoke Gods word to the people of his own day. The word prophet literally means to boil up like a fountain. Therefore a prophet was a spokesman for God; not so much a foreteller as a forth teller! Isaiah was Gods spokesman to Judah and Jerusalem at time when the nation was immersed in sin. He spoke Gods indictment against their sins, urging them to repent. He then foretold destruction upon them if they did not return to God. In the midst of these dire warnings, Isaiah also foretold of a bright future with the coming Messiah. God would not forget His covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. He would spare a remnant of the nation of Israel out of which would come the Messiah and His new kingdom. ISAIAH, THE MAN His name (Isaiah) means salvation of the Lord or the Lord is salvation, and is certainly symbolic of his message. He is described as the son of Amoz (Isa 1:1; 2:1; 13:1), of whom the Bible reveals nothing. He was married and had two sons, Shear-Jashub (the remnant shall return, Isa 7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (in-speed-spoil-booty- hastens, Isa 8:3), whose names also symbolized his message. Tradition says that Amoz was a brother of Amaziah, the son of Joash, king of Judah (2Ki 14:1). This would make Isaiah a close relative to those who were kings during his lifetime, and would explain his close association with kings and priests and involvement with world affairs. Isaiah received his visions in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Isa 1:1). It is generally thought the vision of the throne scene which occurred in the year Uzziah died (Isa 6:1) was the beginning point of his ministry as a prophet According to Jewish tradition, Isaiah was executed by Manasseh only a few years after he ascended the throne. One source describes Isaiah as having been sawn asunder with a wooden saw He 11:37). This would mean Isaiah prophesied during a period of approximately fifty years ISAIAH, THE TIMES It was a time of great political turmoil for the nation of Judah. Assyria was expanding its empire, attacking Israel and Syria to the north. When Judah refused to joined a coalition with Israel and Syria to resist Assyria, Judah was attacked by Israel and Syria in retaliation. As Judah seriously considered inviting Assyria to help, Isaiah sought to encourage the king and the people to trust only in Jehovah. King Ahaz of Judah rejected Isaiahs advice and asked Assyria to come to his aid. Assyria accepted, and the capital of Israel It soon became apparent that Judah was next on Assyrias hit list. Judah began looking to Egypt in the south for help. Once again, Isaiah counseled the nation to make no alliances but trust only in the Lord. King Hezekiah heeded Isaiah and God rewarded his faith by destroying the Assyrian host (Isa 36-37). But in a moment of weakness Hezekiah showed the ambassadors from Babylon (Assyrias enemy) the house of his treasures (Isa 39:1-2). This prompted Isaiah to foretell that the kings treasures and his descendants would be taken away to Babylon (Isa 39:5-7). With this prophecy as an introduction, in chapters 40-66 Isaiah speaks from the viewpoint of Babylonian exile and foretells of coming pardon, deliverance, and restoration. ISAIAH, THE BOOK Two major themes run throughout the book. There is the exhortation to Trust in the Holy One of Israel. Faith in the Lord would assure forgiveness for their transgressions and deliverance from their enemies. Eight times the people are urged to wait upon the Lord Isa 40:28-31). The Messiah to come and the glory of His age is another dominate message. Isaiah spoke frequently of the events to come, foretelling the fall of heathen nations and the establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah who would rule in justice and righteousness Isa 2:1-5). Isaiahs favorite designation for Jehovah (Yahweh) is The Lord of Hosts, used 62 times in the book. The name designates the Lord as omnipotent, and...is used by all the writing prophets except Ezekiel, Joel, Obadiah, and Jonah. The term hosts designated the armies of Israel. It could also refer to the angels, the heavenly messengers of the Lord, and to the stars as Gods hosts. When, as here, it appears without further qualification, it designates the Lord as the God of all hosts, and is thus an equivalent expression for the all-powerful God. Another designation for the Lord used by Isaiah is The Holy One Of Israel. In his book it is used 25 times, while found only six times in all the rest of the Bible. The book of Isaiah can be divided into two major parts: The Assyrian Period (chapters 1-39) - The prophet proclaims the Lords indictment against Judah and Jerusalem, and the coming judgment against them. He portrays the sovereign rule of the Lord of Hosts who judges not only Israel, but heathen nations as well. He prophesies that the Lord will use Assyria, Babylon, and the Medes to execute His purposes, and afterward judge each of these along other nations, bringing them to desolation because of their sins. The Babylonian Period (chapters 40-66) - Isaiah exhorts an afflicted people to have faith and patience. He describes the salvation and future blessings to come upon the true Israel of God. Though Isaiah did not live during the period of Babylonian captivity, through inspiration he was able to speak words of comfort to those who would experience that difficult time of Israels history. GENERAL OUTLINE I. THE ASSYRIAN PERIOD - CONFLICT AND VICTORY (1-39) A. PROPHECIES CONCERNING JUDAH AND JERUSALEM (1-12) B. PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE NATIONS (13-27) C. THE SOURCE OF TRUE DELIVERANCE (28-35) D. HISTORICAL INTERLUDE (36-39) II. THE BABYLONIAN PERIOD - HOPE FOR TROUBLED TIMES (40-66) A. THE ONE TRUE GOD VERSUS IDOLS (40-48) B. SALVATION THROUGH THE SUFFERING SERVANT (49-53) C. THE FUTURE GLORY FOR GODS PEOPLE (54-66) REASONS TO STUDY THE BOOK There are many reasons why Christians should read and study the book of Isaiah. Among them: It increases faith in Jesus as the Messiah, as one reads the messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in Him. It strengthens hope in God as the One who is ultimately in control of all things, and will bring His purposes to pass. It inspires love for God and His Messiah, as one reads of the blessings to be found in obedience to Gods Word. It enlarges understanding as to how God ruled in the nations of men in the past, and how Christ may exercise His rule in the nations today. Give yourself the opportunity to be blessed by this wonderful book of the Bible!
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:26:48 +0000
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