The Book of Isaiah

“ Contains all the overwhelming mysteries of God”

The historical background and purpose of the prophet Isaiah

So rich and so important – the Bible Jesus read, and so many of Isaiah’s verses are mentioned in NT.

John Randers lecture today was so great, so all of my writing here is form notes taken class today and form Nelson 199-207. I wish I had more time to dig into this book!

Isaiah is often called the “prince of prophets”  - it is like a miniature Bible. His name means “Yahweh is salvation” which summaries the book.

1.     Time frame

It addresses to 3 different historical settings:

·      1-39 – 740-700 his lifetime

·      40-55 – the period of exile (605-539)

·      56-66 – after exile. (539 to the 2^nd coming)

·      No other book does this time lap – covers now, close future and far future

2.     Historical background Hezekiah and Ahaz

·      1-39 : Tiglath Pilseser III appears followed by Shalamanezer, Sargon, Sennacherib. These rulers did horrible thing and made the people pay a lot of taxes also.

·      3 major conflicts in Judah:

·      Ahaz( Syro–Ephraimite Crisis ( 734.732) Isa 7-12

·      Hezekiah( Ashod Affair ( 713-719) Isa 14.20

·      Sebbacherib’s invasion ( 705-704) Isa 30-31, 36-37)

·      Need major trust in the Lord at these times

3.     Major themes of the book

·      Trust God! No political alliances. ( such comes with a prize) Neither Assyria, Egypt can be trusted! No idols (ch 44)!

·      Who is God? The Holy one of Israel x 25 – only & times rest of OT

·      God calls himself “Lord of Hosts” “Lord of Heaven’s Armies” 245 x OT, 54 in ISA, and the “Mighty One of Israel” – only once here – in Isa 1.24

·      Judgment and restoration in 1 ch.

·      Messianic predictions

·      Ultimate restoration

4.     Major messianic predictions

a.     Ch.7-11, unto us a son is born

b.     52.13-53.13, suffering servant

6. Connecting the ultimate restoration with the 2^nd coming of Jesus

Three main parts

1. Prophesies of Condemnation, 1.1-35.10

2. Historical parenthesis ch.36.1-39.8

3. The Prophecies of Comfort ch.40.1-66.24

Theme tracing:                                                                                                                                                                                                

What does the book show about the character and nature of God?  

A lot - here are some of them :                                                                                                                       

It is said so many times that God is the creator – and thus in charge,44.24

He wants His people to be comforted, and that His people should comfort others, has compassion with those who suffers 49.13

He is a tower of refuge 25.4

No other rock ch.44.6-8

Gives blessing 25.10

Eager to defend His people ch.26.11

Gives life – giving light 26.19

Gives rest 28.12

Wonderful teacher 28.29

Gives the farmer wisdom 28.29

He waits for us to come so that he may show His love 30.18

Gracious if you ask for help, he will be with us to teach, be heard, heal, cure  - show us were to go! 30.19-22

Burning with anger. 30.27

Righteous 32.1

Strengthens, encourages, gives new strength, 35.3-4, 40.27-31

I the Lord, the first and last 41.4, 17-20, 42.6-9

Sovereign 48.16

Everlasting 56.5

Wants to bless foreigners 56.6

And so many more described in this book – awesome and breathtaking.

What does this book show about God´s redemptive plan for mankind?                            Isaiah is quoted 380 times in the Bible, by name 22 times.

There are so many foreshadows of Jesus   - in Nelson p.207 are a list of fulfilled prophesies from Isaiah. I will give two here now:

Isaiah 12 is called the Song of trust – it is a song about his own son, but also foreshadowing Jesus 1^st coming.

The great verses in ch 52.13-53-13 are just to read over and over again, about Gods final salvation: Jesus. It is always so impressive to read them when we now have the NT and can read the exact fulfillment.

These verses in Isaiah, is almost too much to take in in few verses – almost unfair to mention only few. I will have it as an application to dig into it when I get home.

He is telling about Jesus 2^nd coming in 65.17 vs. Book of revelation ch 21.1

Application questions                                                                                                                                                                                 

Personal application:                                                                                                                                                                                        

As I said above – Isaiah’s was almost to much to take in at the end of Prophets week – it is so much to absorb – make it sink in – and it has always been some of my favorite verse – but now with more context, teaching and working with the other prophets I sit here feeling overwhelmed and sensing the heart cry of My Lord so much wanting to be our Lord. So my plan is to study Isaiah in my small group at home and a word study of “The heavens armies  “

Wow.