LESSON 24 THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
THE FINAL SECTION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
We have reached the final section of the Old Testament. At this time we might need to review Lesson 1 and re-examine the subdivisions of the Old Testament. We have finished twenty-two books, leaving the last seventeen for us to read and study. The remaining Books of the Old Testament are the Prophetic Books.
REVIEW OF LESSON 1
The first section of the Old Testament (17 books) is divided as follows:
FIVE BOOKS - PENTATEUCH (Law, Teaching, Redemption,Historical)
TWELVE BOOKS - JOSHUA THROUGH ESTHER (Historical)
THE MIDDLE FIVE BOOKS - JOB, PSALMS, PROVERBS, ECCLESIASTES, SONGS OF SOLOMON (Poetry, Personal Instruction)
The last seventeen books are prophecy and also fall into subdivisions of five and twelve like the first seventeen.
FIVE BOOKS - MAJOR PROPHETS
TWELVE BOOKS - MINOR PROPHETS
PROPHET - A person who spoke for God and who communicated God's message courageously to God's chosen people - The Nation of Israel.
Deut. 18:20-22_________________________________________________
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THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
The Book of Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. Judah has sinned, the surrounding nations have sinned, the whole earth has sinned. Thus describing the ruined condition of man awaiting punishment because of sin. The final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming, a Savior to bear a cross and to wear a crown.
THE AUTHOR
Isaiah is often referred to as the Apostle Paul of the Old Testament. He was evidentially from a distinguished Jewish family, well educated and very impressive in vocabulary. Isaiah's style of writing displays or describes him as a very eloquent speaker, uncompromising, sincere, and compassionate. Some critics have tried to challenge the authorship of Chapters 40-66 saying it was written after Babylonian captivity. We most definitely see a shift in perspective, but not in authorship. The radical difference in the language, style and theology of the two sections move from the present time to the future time. The New Testament claims that Isaiah wrote both sections.
John 12:37-41__________________________________________________
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THE TIME
Isaiah long ministry ranged from about 740 to 680 B.C. (1:1). The historical setting of the prophecies of Isaiah were during a time of great moral and political upheaval. About 722 B.C. the Northern kingdom of Israel fell captive to the Assyrians. For a time, it looked as if Judah would suffer the same fate. But Isaiah advised the rulers of Judah not to enter alliances with foreign nations against Assyrian threat. Instead, he called for the people to put their trust in God, who alone could bring real salvation and offer lasting protection for the perilous times.
CHRIST IN ISAIAH
When Isaiah speaks about Christ, Isaiah sounds more like a New Testament writer than an Old Testament prophet. They describe many aspects of the person and work of Christ in His first and second advents, and often blend the two together. This helps us to understand salvation's universal application in every age of time. Those before the birth of Christ had the same salvation that we enjoy today. There is however a distinction. They looked by faith to the Christ which was to come, and we look by faith to the Christ which has come. With over three hundred prophecies about the first advent of Christ, one must conclude that the Old Testament people were well informed. Some of these prophecies are so explicit that they seem to have already happened.
Isa. 7:14 & Matt. 1:22-23______________________________________
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Isa. 9:6 & Luke 2:11; Eph. 2:14-18_____________________________
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Isa. 40:3-5 & Luke 3:3-6_______________________________________
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Continue this by reading Isaiah Chapter 53, looking up its fulfillment (note the past tense speech).
SURVEY OF ISAIAH
PROPHECIES OF CONDEMNATION 1 - 35
HISTORICAL PARENTHESIS 36 - 39
PROPHECIES OF COMFORT 40 - 66
The Key Words: SALVATION IS OF THE LORD - The basic theme of the book is found in Isaiah's name "Salvation is of the Lord." The word salvation appears twenty-six times in Isaiah but only seven times in all the other prophets combined. Chapters 1-39 portray man's great need for salvation. Chapters 40-66 reveal God's great provision for salvation.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH
PROPHECIES OF CONDEMNATION 1 - 35
The theme is Judgment. First judgment is aimed at his own countrymen in Judah (1-12). Chapter 1 lays a foundation as to the moral and spiritual condition of Judah.
1:4____________________________________________________________
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The invitation moves from local to regional judgment as he proclaims a series of oracles against the surrounding nations (13:23).
26:1___________________________________________________________
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HISTORICAL PARENTHESIS 36 - 39
This section historically reviews the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 B.C. and foretells of the Babylonian invasion of Judah. (II Kings 18 - 20) The parenthesis simply means an insert of History as seen through the eyes of a Prophet.
THE PROPHECIES OF COMFORT 40 - 66
Having pronounced Judah's divine condemnation, Isaiah comforts them with God's promise of hope and restoration. The basis of this hope is the sovereignty and majesty of God (40-48). NOTE: Of the 216 verses in these nine Chapters, 115 speak of God's greatness and power.
Chapters 49-57 concentrate on the coming Messiah who is and will be their Savior. This rejected but exalted one will pay for the iniquities and usher in a Kingdom of peace and righteousness.
The last six Chapters must be viewed as the "Golden Age" under the Messiah (60-66). It sets forth the glory of the time when the Gentiles shall be gathered into the Church. This Church would be transformed and recognized by God as Spiritual Israel.
Romans 2:8-9___________________________________________________
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Revelation 21:1-2______________________________________________
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QUESTIONS:
1. What does the word "Prophet" mean?
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2. What are the two sections of Isaiah?
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3. In the survey of Isaiah, what are the 3 divisions?
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4. Give the historical setting of Isaiah's prophecy.
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5. What Chapter gives in detail the death of Christ? Describe how it is written.
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6. Who was Cyrus in Chapters 44 & 45?
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FOR NEXT TIME: READ THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH