Survey of the Old Testament Chapter 28 Isaiah

The Writing of the Book Unity of the book has been subjected to major scrutiny in history of interpretation “Second" and "third" Isaiah hypotheses Photo: The battering ram, such as the one depicted in this stone relief from the palace of Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III (a contemporary of Isaiah), was a formidable weapon against the gate of the city. Isaiah uses it in his imagery about the judgment of God: "See, the LORD is going to waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants… The city is left in ruins, its gate is battered to pieces" (Isa. 24:1,12).

The Background Invasion of Israel and Damascus by Tiglath-Pileser III Fall of Samaria in 721 BC Invasion of Judah by Sennacherib in 701 BC Photo: "At that time Medocach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift" (Isa. 39:1). This Babylonian king, pictured on this boundary marker, was involved in revolts against the Assyrian rulers and perhaps wanted Isaiah to join a rebellious coalition.

Purpose and Message Trustworthiness of Yahweh, the covenant God 1-39: indictment and judgment 40-66: forgiveness, deliverance, and restoration Photo: "To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to? As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it" (Isa. 4   0:18-19). The image making that Isaiah describes is depicted in this relief from the tomb of the Egyptian high priest Ankhmahor (about 2300 BC).  

Organization and Structure Introduction Commissioning of Isaiah Account of Ahaz Oracles against nations Woe oracles End of the Assyrian crisis Babylonian crisis Coming deliverance and judgment Message to returned exiles

Major Themes Sons' Names as Signs The Servant The Holy One of Israel Redeemer Eschatology Map: The Nations of Isaiah 13-23