The book of Isaiah is the first of seventeen books in the section of the Old Testament called "The Prophets." Isaiah can be divided into two major parts, with an historical narrative about Hezekiah, King of Judah, in between.
Isaiah served in Judah before the captivity. The first section exalts the righteousness, holiness and justice of God. It is also a book of condemnation against those who had been unfaithful to God. A dark cloud of judgment is cast by Isaiah's prophecies over Judah, Judah's neighbors, and the whole world. For all have gone their own way against God.
The final section is a book of comfort. The faithful God will keep his promise to his people. A Messiah will come to God's people and turn them to faith and bring them salvation.
Isaiah is a book about Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who is to come.
What does it say?
The book of Isaiah can be thought of as two books in one: a book of judgment and a book of comfort.
Chapters 1-39 (the book of judgment) is a message of rebuke against Judah for breaking the covenant. It also contains judgment against the nations, including such nations as Assyria, Philistia, and Babylon. There is occasional mention of the promise of restoration, which is the primary theme of book two. Book one closes with judgment executed through the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people of Judah.
Chapters 40-66 (the book of comfort) is a message of deliverance and restoration. It describes the coming of the victorious God of Israel who will regather and renew God's people and destroy her enemies. It speaks much of the coming savior and Israel's king who will reign in great glory.
Faces & Places
Isaiah is often thought of as the greatest of the writing prophets. Isaiah, whose name means "The Lord saves," lived in Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
When King Sennacherib's Assyrian army threatened Jerusalem, King Hezekiah prayed earnestly, and the threat was removed (37:6-7). Jerusalem was later attacked and destroyed by the Babylonians. Cyrus the Persian, who would later unite the Medes and Persians, conquered Babylon in 539 (41:2). In 538, Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return home. This deliverance is a preview the great salvation from sin through Christ (52:7).
Key Verses & Themes
Judgment:
Isaiah 5:25 "Therefore the Lord's anger burns against his people; his hand is raised and he strikes them down. The mountains shake, and the dead bodies are like refuse in the streets. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised."
Salvation:
Isaiah 53:6 "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
The Servant of the Lord:
Isaiah 42:1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations."
So what?
One principle theme of the book of Isaiah is the Servant of the Lord, often known as "The Suffering Servant" (see chapters 42-53). This Servant is a man who gave himself up for the salvation of his people. This Servant is the Lord Jesus Christ.
As you read about the wrath of God that is revealed against sin in the first part of this book, meditate on the curse that is justly applied to your life for your rebellion and disobedience of God's perfect law. And as you read about God's grace in the second part of this book, remember that his grace can be applied to you because someone else received God's justice in your place. Christ died for you. Isaiah 53:6 "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
