What makes Isaiah special?

Isaiah contains some of the most beautiful poetry and some of the best-known words of hope in the entire Bible. Isaiah’s message shows a deep understanding of God’s Law as it relates to the history of God’s chosen people, Israel. The people and their leaders disobeyed the Law of the Lord and so were punished. They were taken into exile in Babylon, but they returned home to Judah.

Their temple was rebuilt, as God had promised it would be, and the people looked forward to a brighter future.

The New Testament writers often quote from Isaiah to show that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the long-awaited king from the family of David. His coming fulfills God’s promise to save all people and to create a future filled with promise. This Messiah is described as the one who will rule David’s kingdom forever and bring everlasting peace (Isa 9.6,7; 11.1-9). Christian teachers also interpreted the suffering and death of Jesus as a fulfillment of the passages in Isaiah that describe the work of God’s special “Servant” (Isa 49.1-6; 50.1-11; 52.13—53.12).

Why was Isaiah written?

The meaning of Isaiah’s own name reveals one of the key themes in the book. In Hebrew, Isaiah means “The Lord ( Yahweh) saves.” A major theme in the center section of the book (Isa 40–55) is comfort and hope for God’s chosen people, who have been living in exile in Babylonia. The Lord, the Holy One of Israel, will open a pathway for the people to return home to Judah and will restore the temple on God’s holy Mount Zion in Jerusalem. There, God will once again live among the people (Exod 25.8; 2Sam 6.1,2; 1Kgs 8.1,2,10-13).

The first main section of Isaiah (1–39) contains quite a bit of “bad news” about God’s coming judgment. Many of Israel’s people had rejected the Lord by worshiping other gods and sacrificing to idols made of wood and stone. Israel’s leaders also made peace treaties with foreign powers and paid taxes to them. They did not trust in God alone to save them. They forgot that it was the Lord who saved them from slavery in Egypt, and they rejected the Law that God had given to Moses and the people. That Law commanded the people to worship the Lord God above all other gods and to work for justice by helping those in need (Isa 1.16,17; 3.8-15). Because they turned their backs on the Lord and disobeyed him, the people of Jerusalem and Judah were punished. That punishment took the form of defeat at the hands of their enemies.

The final section of Isaiah (56–66) provides a picture of the people of Israel who have been commanded to rebuild Zion and to live according to God’s commands. The new people of Israel will be shining examples of the Lord’s justice (60.1-3; 61.1-4). Foreign nations will recognize the power of Israel’s God (62.1-3) and even serve God’s people (60.10-18).

What’s the story behind the scene?

Isaiah lived in or near Jerusalem in Judah and brought his messages from the Lord during the time that four different kings ruled Judah (see the note at 1.1). Isaiah’s work as a prophet began when he received a vision from the Lord in the temple. This was in 742 B.C., the year King Uzziah died (6.1). At this time, Assyria’s armies had captured Aram (Syria) and threatened the northern kingdom (Israel). In 733 B.C., the kings of Aram and Israel invaded Judah and tried to force King Ahaz of Judah to join them in fighting against Assyria. Instead, Ahaz made a treaty with the Assyrian king, ignoring Isaiah’s warning not to make such a treaty. Ahaz’s strategy backfired when Assyria invaded and defeated the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. Israel’s defeat meant that Judah was much more exposed to an attack from Assyria. In 701 B.C., King Sennacherib of Assyria threatened to capture Jerusalem, but King Hezekiah remained faithful to the Lord and Jerusalem was saved (see Isa 36–38).

But Judah’s troubles were not over. When some visitors from Babylonia came to see Hezekiah, Isaiah said that one day the kingdom of Babylonia would capture Jerusalem and take many of the Israelite people into exile along with the treasures of the palace and temple (Isa 39). Isaiah’s words came true over one hundred years later when Babylonia defeated Judah and destroyed Jerusalem. The final group of Israelite captives were taken to Babylonia in 586 B.C. The prophecies in chapters 40–55 assume that this defeat has already taken place, so now the prophet’s message is one of comfort and hope. The Lord would use King Cyrus of Persia to defeat the Babylonians (41.2-4), allowing the people of Judah to return home to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple (44.28; 45.13; Ezra 1.1-4). Cyrus did defeat Babylonia in 539 B.C., and in 538 B.C. he gave an official order that allowed the Israelite people to return home.

After returning, the people rebuilt the temple, and it was rededicated in 515 B.C., even though Jerusalem’s city walls were not yet rebuilt (Ezra 6.13-15; Neh 1–6). Though closely related to chapters 40–55, the final section of Isaiah (56–66) seems to focus on this time after the return to Judah.

How is Isaiah constructed?

Isaiah is often divided into three sections, based on the historic situation each section seems to address. The first section (chapters 1–39) deals primarily with the history of Israel and Judah from about 740 B.C. to some time shortly after 700 B.C. The message of judgment against Judah, Israel, and the surrounding nations is the main theme of this section, but words of hope and restoration also can be found here (11.1—12.6; 14.1,2; 24–27; 34,35). The Lord’s punishment of Babylonia, which took place about one hundred fifty years after the time of Isaiah, also is predicted in this section (13.1—14.22).

The second section of Isaiah (40–55) focuses on the promises God made to the people of Judah that they would return home from exile in Babylon. But this section also includes strong words for those who trust in idols instead of the living God of Israel (44.12-20).

The final section of Isaiah (56–66) focuses on the rebuilding of the temple on Mount Zion and a new start for Jerusalem and its people. But along with these promises, God’s people are challenged to turn away from idols and obey God’s commands. Prom-ises of God’s new creation (65.17-25) are mixed with threats of punishment for those who reject the Lord and God’s Law (65.1-16).

Here is one way Isaiah can be outlined:

Isaiah, part 1: Before the exile (1.1—39.8)

1. Introduction (1.1-31)
2. Prophecies concerning Judah and Jerusalem (2.1—12.6)
3. Prophecies concerning foreign nations (13.1—23.18)
4. A view of God’s future judgment (24.1—27.13)
5. Those who rebel against God will be punished (28.1—33.24)
6. Visions of judgment and joy (34.1—35.10)
7. In the days of King Hezekiah (36.1—39.8)

Isaiah, part 2: Good News for God’s people in exile (40.1—55.13)

1. Babylonia is defeated and God’s people are set free (40.1—48.22)
2. Jerusalem will be rebuilt (49.1—55.13)

Isaiah, part 3: Warnings and promises for God’s new people after the exile (56.1—66.24)

1. Do right and obey God’s Laws (56.1—59.21).
2. Celebrate, Jerusalem, for I have saved you (60.1—62.12)
3. I will bless my servants but punish sinners (63.1—66.24)

Isaiah, Part 1: Before the Exile

The first thirty-nine chapters of Isaiah focus mainly on the prophet’s messages to the people of Judah and its capital Jerusalem from about 742 B.C. to sometime shortly after 701 B.C. Isaiah warns of the Lord’s judgment against his people, but he also provides some words of hope.

Introduction

Chapter 1 introduces Isaiah and tells when he preached (1.1). This chapter also introduces a number of themes that will be repeated throughout the book, including the nation’s guilt, God’s punishment and protection of Jerusalem, and God’s special love for Zion.

Prophecies Concerning Judah and Jerusalem

In chapters 2–12, Isaiah brings words of judgment against those who trust idols, those who turn to foreign nations for help instead of relying on the Lord, and those who treat others unfairly. But he also brings words of hope based on a person who will rule David’s kingdom as Prince of Peace (9.6,7; 11.1-9).

Prophecies concerning Foreign Nations

In chapters 13–23, Isaiah speaks messages of warning and punishment against those foreign nations who have been the enemies of the Lord’s chosen people. Sayings against the foreign nations can also be found in Jeremiah 46–51; Ezekiel 25–32; Amos 1.3—2.6.

A View of God’s Future Judgment

Chapters 24–27 of Isaiah describe how God will act in the last days to judge the nations and win a victory over the forces of evil. The Lord will destroy the power of death (25.8), and his faithful people will rise from the grave to new life (26.19) to live in perfect peace (26.3). These themes are common in literature known as “Apocalyptic.” So, this section of Isaiah is sometimes called the “Apocalypse of Isaiah.”

Those Who Rebel against God Will Be Punished

The next six chapters (28–33) present a series of judgment messages directed toward Judah in the time of King Hezekiah’s revolt against Assyria’s King Sennacherib in 705-701 B.C. The prophet warns Judah not to seek help from Egypt in this revolt.

Visions of Judgment and Joy

Chapters 34 and 35 contain messages that probably refer to the same period as Isaiah 56–66, that is, after the exile (see the Introduction to Isaiah). They also have elements that are similar to ideas found in Isaiah 24–27. The nations are judged, and God’s people return to Zion.

In the Days of King Hezekiah

Isaiah 36–39 includes much of the same material found in 2 Kgs 18.13—20.19. This section was likely inserted into Isaiah from 2 Kings at a later date. It serves as a bridge between chapters 1–35, which focus primarily on the time of the Assyrian threat against Israel and Judah, and chapters 40–55, which focus on the period near the end of Israel’s exile in Babylonia. Only Hezekiah’s prayer in 38.9-20 is new material not found in 2 Kings.

Isaiah, Part 2:Good News for God’s People in Exile

In chapters 40–55, the prophet delivers a message of comfort and hope to God’s people who were at that time living in exile in Babylonia. The Lord would use King Cyrus of Persia to defeat the Babylonians (41.2-4). Cyrus would allow the people of Judah to return home to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple (44.28; 45.13). This section also includes the passages known as the Servant Songs (42.1-7; 49.1-6; 50.4-11; 52.13—53.12).

Babylonia Is Defeated and God’s People Are Set Free

Chapters 40–48 announce the good news that the Lord is going to use the Persian leader Cyrus to defeat Babylonia and allow the Israelite people to return home. The Lord created and chose Israel, and now he will deliver them from their enemies. This will show the nations that the Lord is more powerful than their gods.

Jerusalem Will Be Rebuilt

The focus in chapters 49–55 is on the new future that the Lord is creating for the people of Israel. Jerusalem lies in ruins, but it will be rebuilt, and the people will rejoice. God will bless and protect those who return from exile. This section also includes three more “songs” of the Lord’s “suffering servant.”

Isaiah, Part 3: Warnings and Promises for God’s New People after the Exile

The final section of Isaiah (56–66) focuses on the people of God living in the city of Jerusalem. The people are challenged to turn away from idols and obey God’s commands, especially the command to bring justice to all people (59.7-15; 61.1-3). Promises of God’s new creation (65.17-25) are mixed with threats of punishment for those who reject the Lord and the Lord’s Law (65.1-16).

Do Right and Obey God’s Laws

Other nations will become part of God’s people. Israel and its leaders are told to be examples to the nations by living according to the Lord’s commands and treating all people with fairness and justice.

Celebrate, Jerusalem, for I Have Saved You

Chapters 60–62 describe how foreigners will help rebuild Jerusalem and bring gifts to Israel’s people and to the Lord. The Lord’s people will live as shining examples of justice, and it will be clear to all that Israel is once again the “Lord’s Own People” (62.12).

I Will Bless My Servants but Punish Sinners

The final chapters of Isaiah return to themes introduced in the rest of the book. The Lord will bless his people and take revenge on those nations that refuse to worship him. God repeats the promise of a new creation, but reminds the people that this promise depends on their trusting in God and living according to his commands.

Questions about Isaiah 1.1—12.6

1. When and where did Isaiah bring the Lord’s message to the people? (1.1)

2. Isaiah 1 introduces some themes that will be repeated throughout the whole book. What are some of these key themes?

3. What had some of God’s chosen people and their leaders done to bring God’s judgment on themselves? (2.6—4.1; 5.1-25) How would Israel and Judah be punished? (3.1-5; 5.24-30; 7.18-25; 9.8—10.11)

4. According to Isaiah, why is the future not completely bleak for God’s people? (2.1-5; 4.2-6; 9.2-7; 10.20-24; 11.1—12.6)

5. Describe Isaiah’s vision in the temple (chapter 6). When did it take place? As the Lord’s prophet, what was Isaiah told to do? (6.8-10.) What would make a prophet’s life difficult?

6. What hope did Isaiah bring to Judah’s King Ahaz? (7.1-9) What warning did he give to Ahaz? (7.8-9) What did Ahaz do, and how did his decision affect Judah? (See notes at 7.1-3 and 7.15-17.)

7. Who were Isaiah’s sons? How did their names reflect their father’s messages from the Lord? (7.3; 8.3)

8. Who was “Immanuel”? (7.13-16) What, if any, connection do you think there is between Immanuel, the “child” (9.6,7), and the “sprout” from the stump of David’s family? (11.1-9)

9. What passage in the first twelve chapters of Isaiah is most memorable to you? Why?

Questions about Isaiah 13.1—23.18

1. Chapters 13–23 provide messages about many of the neighboring nations. How would you describe the news given in most of these messages?

2. In what ways would God’s judgment on Judah’s neighbors affect Judah itself? (14.1-3, 25; 16.1-4; 19.16-24; 23.17, 18).

3. Why will Israel and Judah not escape the Lord’s judgment and punishment? (17.4-11; 22.8-25).

4. Isaiah’s prophecies are based on the belief that the Lord of Israel has acted and will act at various times, using earthly rulers and armies to punish or to save. What do you think of the idea that God can or may be directing earthly events today?

5. If the prophet Isaiah were to deliver a “message” from the Lord to your nation today, what might the message be? Why?

Questions about Isaiah 24.1—39.8

1. Name two or three reasons why Isaiah 24–27 is sometimes referred to as “apocalyptic.” (See note at beginning of chapter 24.)

2. What will happen to Israel’s enemies? (25.2,3,10-12; 26.10-14.) What does the Lord mean by the words: “I carefully measured out Israel’s punishment”? (27.8).

3. What must the people of Israel do to receive complete forgiveness from their sin and guilt? (27.9).

4. Why were Samaria and Jerusalem to be punished? (28,29).

5. Why did Judah’s leaders apparently want to make a treaty with Egypt? Why does Isaiah warn against this? (30.1-13; 31.1-5). What will happen if the people trust in the Lord? (30.15-33; 31.6—32.8).

6. How are people today like the rich women of Jerusalem in 32.9-14? Why may it seem to be easier to trust wealth, weapons, or political systems rather than to trust God?

7. Find a passage in chapters 24–39 that shows the Lord’s concern for the poor or physically disabled. What does that passage say to us today?

8. Describe the situation in Judah when Sennacherib of Assyria invaded (36,37). Describe what role each of the following played: Sennacherib’s commander, Hezekiah, Isaiah, the Lord. What eventually happened to Sennacherib?

9. Why did the Babylonians send messengers to see Hezekiah at this time? Why did Hezekiah show them his palace treasures and weapons? Did Isaiah approve or disapprove? Why?

Questions about Isaiah 40.1—55.13

1. How does the end of chapter 39 serve as a kind of “bridge” between the first main section of Isaiah (1–39) and the second main section (40–55)?

2. In chapter 40, the prophet announces good news to God’s people (40.1) and to the city of Zion (40.9). What is this “good news”? Why is this announcement especially comforting for the people of Israel?

3. What images of God are presented in chapter 40. (See verses 10,11,21,28,29.) How do each of these images clarify the good news being announced to God’s people?

4. Who is the “ruler from the east” who was chosen by the Lord to defeat Israel’s enemies and free them from exile? (41.2; 44.28—45.4) What important ancient empire did this ruler establish?

5. Isaiah 40–55 often describes a “servant” chosen by the Lord. In the following passages decide who the servant could be and describe what the servant is chosen to do:

• a. 41.8–11
• b. 42.1–7,19
• c. 44.1–5, 21
• d. 44.28–45.4
• e. 49.1–6
• f. 50.4–11
• g. 52.1—53.12

6. What is the significance of idols made of wood and stone in this section? How does the Lord compare to these idols? (40.12-26; 41.20-28; 44.9-20)

7. What was the Lord’s message to Babylon? The Babylonians had been trusting in powers that would no longer be able to save them. What were these powers? (47.1-15) How does the warning given to Babylon also apply to the people of Israel? How does it apply to God’s followers today?

8. What will the “new” Jerusalem look like? (52.7-10) What will happen there? (54.1—55.5)

Questions about Isaiah 56.1—66.24

1. What were foreigners required to do in order to be part of God’s people in the new day that God was creating? (56.2-8).

2. List the reasons for Israel’s punishment given in 57.3-13; 58.1-5; 59.1-15. Describe what these “sins” might look like today in our society.

3. According to 58.6-10 and 61.1-3, what is true worship of the Lord?

4. What does God promise regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem? (60.10-21; 61.5-7; 62.1-12).

5. How is God described in the following passages?

• 59.16-19
• 62.4,5
• 63.1-6
• 63.16
• 64.8
• 65.17-18
• 66.15-16

Which of these images fits your understanding of God? What other images come to mind when you think about God?

6. Describe the “new heaven and new earth” the Lord was creating (65.17-25). If our world today could have a fresh new start, what would need to be different?

7. Choose a favorite passage from Isaiah and explain why it is meaningful to you.

8. Name at least two new things you learned by reading and studying Isaiah.