1. The Major Prophetic Books
Bible Study for Pr-Servants
The Major Prophetic Books
MjP1:The Book of Isaiah
The 5th Gospel
Nov 12, 2011

2. Great Expectation to Christ
The Prophetic Books
Great Expectation to Christ

3. Contents Author Historical setting Outline Features
The Messiah in Isaiah
Themes
Lessons

4. Isaiah the Author
The Hebrew name of this prophet means “salvation is of Yahweh”. He had a very long ministry that ranged from around 740 to or approximately sixty-years
An evangelical prophet (5th Gospel)
Probably born to an aristocratic family
Had a prophetess wife & two sons
Ministered in Jerusalem during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1)
Sawed in half according to tradition
A contemporary with Micah, Amos, Hosea (before the exile)

5. Historical Setting Israel (North) was falling down (722 B.C.)
Judah (South) was in a downward spiral both politically and spiritually
Uzziah ( ) – good but proud
Jotham ( ) – good but weak
Ahaz ( ) - bad
Hezikiah ( ) - good
The war between Assyria and the allies
Assyria’s increasing threat to Judah

6. Outline
A) In chapter 1-39, Isaiah is writing primarily to the nations of Israel and Judah who are increasingly under the threat of invasion from the Assyrian empire.
Both of the nations have rejected the worship of God in varying degrees and are increasingly relying on pagan religion and military strength for their salvation.
B) In chapters 40-66, Isaiah is writing to the generation which will be in exile, assuring them of deliverance by certain leaders and ultimately by the Messiah

8. Outline (A) Words of Judgment (1-39)
- The sins of Israel and Judah (1-9)
- Immanuel (7-12)
- Judgment on the nations (13-23)
- Judgment on Judah and deliverance (24-27)
- Woes upon Israel and promise (28-35)
- Invasion of Assyria during Hezekiah the king (36-39)
Scathing denunciations and appeal to repent and trust in God

9. Isaiah 1:1
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, concerning Judah and Jerusalem which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

11. Outline (B) B. Words of Comfort (40-66) Purpose:
- Israel’s deliverance from captivity (40-48)
- The servant of the Lord (49-57)
- Restoration of Israel and the final kingdom (58-66)
Forgiveness, comfort, and hope
Looks forward to the coming of the Messiah
Purpose:
To call Judah back to God and to tell of God’s salvation through the Messiah

12. Isaiah 40-66

13. -2 Isaiah 40:1 "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God.
"Speak kindly to Jerusalem;
And call out to her, that her warfare has ended,
That her iniquity has been removed,
That she has received of the LORD's hand
Double for all her sins."

14. Features Isaiah’s apocalypse (prophecy)
Quoted at least 50 times in the NT
Predictions of future events
Israel’s captivity (39:7)
Cyrus’ rise to power in 586 (45:1)
The end of death (25:8) & the resurrection of the dead (26:19)
A great number of prophecies of the Messiah
Called a miniature Bible (66 chapters = )
Deliverance from sin (1)
Through Christ (53)
Restoration of the whole world (65,66)

15. The Messiah in Isaiah Isaiah’s portrays of Christ Names of Christ
The branch of Jesses, Redeemer, Savior, Sin bearer, Liberator, Judge, etc
Names of Christ
Emmanuel, Might God, Counselor, Prince of Peace, King, Divine Servant, Arm of the Lord, Preacher, The servant of the Lord, The suffering and glory of the Servant
Details of Christ: his divine nature, birth, humanity, ministry, and redemptive work, and suffering and glory

16. Prophecies of Christ

17. Prophecies of the kingdom of God
The mountain of the Lord’s house (2:1-2)
A kingdom of peace (2:4; 9:6,7)
Includes the gentiles (11:10; 42:6; 66:20,21)
It shall be forever (9:7)
It shall usher in a new heaven and new earth (65:17-25; 66:22-23)

18. Themes Salvation The kingdom of God coming & For the glory of God
“Isaiah” means “Salvation is of Yahweh”
The term “salvation” occurs 27 times
Salvation is bestowed only by grace and by the power of God, the Redeemer
Salvation through the Messiah
Political salvation  Personal & international salvation  Salvation of the whole world
The kingdom of God coming & For the glory of God
The same theme as that of the whole Bible

19. The God in Isaiah Holy One of Israel (28 times)
The God of Hope - remnants
Redeemer (13 times)
God of all nations
God of unfailing love

20. Lessons Sin and wickedness always brings God’s disfavor
God is holy and loving
God wants his people to put their trust in Him, not in anyone or in anything else
God’s zeal and aspiration for salvation
Isaiah’s entire family dedicated to the service of the Lord