The Major Prophetic BooksThe Major Prophetic Books

MjP1:The Book of Isaiah MjP1:The Book of Isaiah The 5The 5thth Gospel Gospel

Bible Study for Pr-Servants

Nov 12, 2011

The Prophetic BooksGreat Expectation to Christ

Prophets Message Hosea, Joel, Amos A national restoration by the Messiah Isaiah, Micah Predict international salvation through the

Messiah Obadiah, Jonah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah

Warn of God’s retribution on the nations

Lamentations Grieves over God’s retribution on His people Jeremiah Looks of a covenantal reaffirmation in Christ Ezekiel Expects the nations’ religious restoration Daniel Predicts the nation’s political restoration Haggai, Zechariah Exhort the people in their religious

reconstruction Malachi Exhort the people in their social and moral

reconstruction

Contents

• Author• Historical setting• Outline• Features• The Messiah in Isaiah• Themes• Lessons

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 680.. 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)

Historical Setting• Israel (North) was falling down (722 B.C.)• Judah (South) was in a downward spiral both

politically and spiritually• Uzziah (790-739) – good but proud• Jotham (750-731) – good but weak• Ahaz (735-715) - bad• Hezikiah (715-686) - good• The war between Assyria and the allies• Assyria’s increasing threat to Judah

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

Chapters 1-35 Chapters 36-39 Chapters 40-66

Judgments in thePresent

Historical Interlude Glory in the Future

The Judgment of GodThe Comfort of

God

Messiah the JudgeMessiah the

Servant

Groan Glory

God’s Government“A throne” (6:6)

God’s Grace“A Lamb” (53:7)

Outline (A)

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

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.

Northern Kingdom Ends

UzziahJotham

Ahaz Hezekiah Manassah

Nahum

740 716735 697 687

Ministry of Isaiah

Ministry of Micah

Ministry of Hosea

Amos

Outline (B)

B. Words of Comfort (40-66)- 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

Isaiah 40-66

Isaiah 40 - 48 Isaiah 49 - 59 Isaiah 60 - 66

Under the Shadow of Babel

The Servant of the Lord Future Glory

Focus on Israel returning to the Land

Focus on Messiah as Suffering Servant

Focus on new Heaven and Earth

Redemption Promised Redemption Provided Redemption Realized

Isaiah 40:1

"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 handDouble for all her sins."

"Comfort, O comfort My people," "Comfort, O comfort My people," says your God.says your God.

-2-2

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 = 39 + 27)

– Deliverance from sin (1)– Through Christ (53)– Restoration of the whole world (65,66)

The Messiah in Isaiah

• Isaiah’s portrays 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

Prophecies of ChristProphecy Fulfillment Immanuel’s birth to a virgin – 7:14 Matt 1:22,23 The rejection of the Christ as a “stone of stumbling” and “rock of offense” – 8:14

1 Peter 2:8; 3:14

The benevolence and universality of the Messiah’s reign – 11:1-11

Romans 15:12

The corner-stone to be laid in Zion – 28:16

Romans 9:33; 1 Peter 2:6

A preview of John the Baptist and his preparatory work for Christ – 40:3-5

Matthew 3:3

The Lord’s compassionate and just mission – 42:1-2

Matthew 12:18-21

A servant of suffering – 53 John 12:38; Acts 8:32-35; Mt 27:12-14; 8:17; John 1:12

Christ’s mission to preach the gospel and give sight to the blind – 61:1,2

Luke 4:18

He will be of the family of David (Jesse) – 11:1

Matthew 1; Luke 3

The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him – 11:2

Matthew 3:16

He will bring light to those living in Galilee – 9:1-2

Matthew 12:14-16

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)

Themes• Salvation

– “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

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

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