Isaiah
Purpose
Isaiah ministers in the southern kingdom of Judah during the late eighth century BC, when the mighty Assyrian Empire threatens to swallow the smaller nations of the ancient Near East. The book presents the LORD as "the Holy One of Israel," the sovereign Creator and Judge whose holiness demands righteousness from his people and whose purposes reach to every nation. Chapters of searing indictment denounce Judah's hypocrisy, idolatry, and injustice, while oracles against foreign nations show that no kingdom escapes God's judgement. Woven throughout is the promise of a remnant and the hope of a Messianic deliverer — Immanuel, the suffering Servant who will be exalted — through whom God will accomplish a new exodus, a renewed Zion, and the outpouring of the Spirit. The closing chapters envision a new creation in which righteousness dwells and gladness replaces sorrow.
Author
Traditionally Isaiah, son of Amoz
Time Period
Ministry c. 740-700 BC; reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah
Key Themes
- God's holiness
- Judgement and redemption
- The Servant
- Messiah
- The remnant
- Zion
Outline
Judgement on Judah and the prophet's call (ch. 1–6): a rebellious nation's sin; the vineyard song; Isaiah's temple vision and his "Here am I, send me." The Immanuel book (ch. 7–12): Ahaz's refusal to trust, the sign of Immanuel, the coming child with divine names, and the Branch from the stump of Jesse. Oracles against the nations and apocalyptic woes (ch. 13–27): Babylon, Assyria, Moab, Damascus, Egypt, and Tyre; the "little apocalypse" with its resurrection hope (ch. 24–27). Woes on Judah and the promise of deliverance (ch. 28–35): woes to Ephraim and Jerusalem, the blindness of false security, the king of righteousness, and the highway of holiness. Historical bridge (ch. 36–39): Sennacherib's invasion and Hezekiah's prayer, Jerusalem's deliverance, Hezekiah's sickness, and the Babylonian envoys. Comfort and glory (ch. 40–66): the LORD returns, the Servant's mission and suffering, the new exodus, the outpouring of the Spirit, the Anointed herald, Jerusalem's glorious restoration, judgement on idolaters, and the new heavens and new earth.