Introduction to Isaiah

“Isaiah is great for two reasons, He lived in momentous days, in critical days of international upheaval, and he wrote what many consider to be the greatest book in the Old Testament.” William Sanford LaSor

“We see Isaiah move with fearless dignity through the chaos of his day, firm in his quiet faith, sure in his God” E.M. Blaiklock

At a time when empires were rising and falling and his nation was in peril, it was Isaiah who wrote, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength” Isaiah 30:15. And when a new generation faced the arduous task of rebuilding a ruined nation, it was the words of Isaiah the prophet that gave them courage:

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” Isaiah 40:31 H. A. Ironside

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,”

2 Peter 1:21 “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

chapters 1--39 and chapters 40--66. Structure of the Book. With its 66 chapters, Isaiah is the longest prophetic book of the Old Testament. Most scholars agree that the book falls naturally into two major sections, chapters 1--39 and chapters 40--66.

27 books of this section of the Bible. One good way to remember the grand design of the book is to think of the sections as a parallel to the two main parts of the Bible. The first section of Isaiah contains the same number of chapters as the number of books in the OT (39). The second part of the book parallels the NT in the same way– 27 chapters for the 27 books of this section of the Bible.

Five different acts of deliverance that God would perform: (1) The deliverance of Judah from Assyrian invasion (chaps. 36–37) (2) The deliverance of the nation from Babylonian Captivity (chap. 40) (3) The future deliverance of the Jews from worldwide dispersion among the Gentiles (chaps. 11–12)

(4) the deliverance of lost sinners from judgment (chap. 53) (5) the final deliverance of creation from the bondage of sin when the kingdom is established (chaps. 60, 66:17ff).

Sermons against Judah and Israel— (1–12) I. Condemnation— (1–39) Sermons against Judah and Israel— (1–12) 2. Burdens of Judgment against the Gentiles— (13–23) 3. Songs about Future Glory (24–27) 4. Woes of Coming Judgment from Assyria— (28–35) cont.

5. Historical Interlude— (36–39) Hezekiah delivered from Assyria (36–37) b. Hezekiah deceived by Babylon— (37–38)

II. Consolation— (40–66) God’s Greatness— (40–48) (The Father vs. idols) 2. God’s Grace— (49–57) (The Son, God’s Servant) 3. God’s Glory— (58–66) (The Spirit and the kingdom)

Please turn to Isaiah 42

Isaiah 40:1-2. "Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins"

Isaiah 6:5 "Woe is me," he cried, "for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips"

Isaiah 42:1-9, “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. ‎2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street.” ‎

3 “A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. ‎4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” ‎

5 “Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:” ‎

6 “I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles, ‎7 To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.” ‎

8 “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images. ‎9 Behold, the former things have come to pass And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”

Please Turn to Isaiah 53