The Prophet Isaiah: An Overview! Glory & Judgment! Sin & Salvation!

The vast scope of Isaiah's prophecy. 

Isaiah 1:1  The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 

Isaiah prophesied for about 60 years, and his ministry was to four different kings. Each period of his ministry as a prophet, provides an outline for studying the book.

Isaiah was also contemporaneous with the prophets Micah, Amos and Hosea. 

Isaiah and Micah ministered to the land of Judah and the city of Jerusalem. 

Amos and Hosea ministered to the northern kingdom of Israel, that broke away many years prior, when Rehoboam ruled. 

The Northern kingdom was carried away by the Assyrians, for 70 years of captivity. Judah would be carried away about 140 years later, by the Babylonians for 70 years of captivity. 

Here are some general outlines for the book of Isaiah.

Chapters 1-35 are mostly prophetic. Chapters 36 to 39 are mostly historical. Chapters 40 to 66 are Messianic, looking forward to Jesus Christ, and Israel's future restoration. 

Isaiah chapters 1 to 39, contain warnings of impending judgment from God. 

Isaiah chapters 1 to 5, cover the reign of King Uzziah. 

Isaiah 6, covers his ministry to King Jotham. Both of these kings were "good" kings. 

Isaiah 7, covers his ministry to a wicked king named Ahaz. 

Isaiah chapters 36 to 66 covers the reign of King Hezekiah, one of Judah's best kings. 

Connections between Isaiah's 66 chapters and the 66 books of the Bible. 

Isaiah 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

Isaiah is often called the "Prince of the Prophets," because each of the 66 chapters he wrote, have parallels with the 66 books of the Bible. Such parallels capture similar thoughts and principles. 

For example, Genesis 1 begins with God creating the heavens and the earth, by speaking all things into being. 

Isaiah 1 begins with Jehovah speaking to the heavens and the earth. 

Isaiah 40 corresponds with the book of Matthew. This is a prophecy about the ministry of John the Baptist, given about 800 years in advance. 

Matthew 3:1-3  In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2)  And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3)  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 

Matthew records the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry as the forerunner of Messiah, Jesus Christ. 

We do not have time to fully explore this wonderful correlation, but it is a beautiful example of verbal inspiration of the scriptures. 

Isaiah's message of comfort & salvation. 

Isaiah 25:9  And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 

Isaiah spoke of Jehovah's salvation 26 times, while all the other prophets combined, only mention salvation 7 times. 

Salvation by grace is clearly a major theme of this wonderful book. 

Salvation is the redemption of man from the bondage of sin, and deliverances from the wages of sin which is death and eternal condemnation in Hell. 

Salvation brings to man everlasting happiness and eternal life. This is the great salvation of Jehovah.

What were the times like when Isaiah prophesied? 

Isaiah 5:11-12  Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! 12)  And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. 

Amos 6:4-6  That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; 5)  That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; 6)  That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. 

Amos prophesied when king Uzziah ruled, during the same time that the prophet Isaiah ministered. 

Both prophets describe the rich and powerful people living a life of ease and excess. 

The wealthy bought luxury items. They ate meat from the best of their flocks, instead of giving Jehovah the firstfruits offerings.  

They hired musicians to play various instruments for entertainment during their nights of drunkenness.  

They had little or no regard for the things of God, nor did they care about the poor, widows and orphans. 

Yes, it was a time of great trade, economic expansion, bountiful crops, enjoyment of luxury goods, and much prosperity. 

The people as a whole, thought all was well, because of the abundant material blessings they enjoyed. 

However, God always looks on the heart. Although the external circumstances of the nation seemed well, the eyes of the LORD discovered much sin and corruption in their hearts. 

Jehovah's indictment of Judah's sins. 

Isaiah 1:1-4  The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 2)  Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 3)  The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. 4)  Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. 

First, God's redeemed people rebelled against Him. 

Jehovah used animals to illustrate His point. An ox knows its owner and responds accordingly, because it receives food and shelter. 

It is a great rebuke to say that livestock are smarter than the Israelites, but that is the picture painted by the prophet.  

As a whole group, Jehovah indicts the people for not knowing Him. They might know some things about Him, but they did not know Him at the heart level. 

God calls Israel a sinful nation, covered with iniquity. They raised up children who became evildoers. They polluted the things of God.

The whole nation is guilty of forsaking or abandoning Jehovah. Therefore, God's anger is provoked against their sins, and He is going to bring severe judgment. 

Isaiah 1:10-15  Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. 11)  To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. 12)  When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? 13)  Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. 14)  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. 15)  And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. 

Jehovah condemns their sacrifices and offerings because they gave them while their hearts were not pure. 

He compares Israel's priests and rulers, to the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, in terms of their wicked hearts and rampant depravity. 

Jehovah said that He had no delight in their sacrifices, and all their religious activity was an abomination, a vain effort on their part. 

Their hearts were polluted, and they lived to satisfy the lust of their flesh. Therefore, Jehovah said He would not have any regard for their prayers or their sacrifices.

Jehovah's damning indictment of Israel and Judah.

Isaiah 5:20-23  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21)  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! 22)  Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: 23)  Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! 

This is where the Spirit of God guided Isaiah to paint the broadest indictment of Israel and Judah, for their flagrant sins.

They called that which is evil, good. Whatever God commanded them not to do, they said it was "good" in order to justify their sins. 

They said that which was "good," was evil. Whatever God said was good and holy, that He commanded the people to do, they refused to do, and called it evil. 

It was a complete reversal of the holy standard of God's law.

They exchanged the light of God's Word for the darkness of sin and depravity. They exchanged the sweetness of the things of God, for the bitter dregs of sin.

They justified the wicked in judgment, so that the rulers could take the property of widows and the poor. 

They bribed the judges so that justice was perverted and the cause of the poor, the orphans and the widows, was set aside. 

The blight of so many serious moral issues, indicates how far Israel as a nation, had fallen away from Jehovah. 

Serious sin requires serious judgment. Isaiah's prophecies contain full accounts of what God declared He would do to punish them.

Please don't miss the parallels with our modern culture. The same defiance and open rebellion against Holy God, is still ongoing. 

We can be certain that Holy God will judge each nation for their depravity and failure to carry out righteous judgment.

There is always a call for repentance and returning to Jehovah.

Isaiah 1:16-20  Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17)  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18)  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19)  If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20)  But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 

Even though Jehovah would have been just to wipe them out, He sent His prophets to implore His people to turn from their wicked ways. 

He called them to stop transgressing against the holy law of Jehovah. He insisted that they "learn to do well" which means doing what God commanded them to do, by obeying. 

In particular, Jehovah called them out for their sins against the widows, orphans and the oppressed, marginalized members of society.  

God's law contained many gracious provisions for supplying the needs of the poor, the widows, the orphans and oppressed people. 

The prophet's called the rulers and the wealthy to do what God commanded them to do. 

God's heart of lovingkindness and mercy is also prominently displayed in the book of Isaiah. Jehovah does not want to bring judgment upon them, but He is holy and must judge sin.

Yet, He mercifully extends many invitations for the people to repent and return to the One, True God. 

"Come now, let us reason together" are beautiful words that invite the sinner to hear what God says about their sin, so that they might repent.  

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow", are words that speak of the grace of God and our salvation. 

It is the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all unrighteousness (See 1 John 1:7 to 2:2). 

It is His atoning blood that makes us white as snow, even though our sins were many, and were deep stains upon our soul. 

Thus, Isaiah shows us that salvation is by the grace of God, based upon the atoning work of Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. 

The invitation to be saved is freely offered by God to all who will repent and turn by faith to Christ. 

Isaiah's vision of Jehovah and his commission as a prophet.

Isaiah 6:1-8  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2)  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3)  And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4)  And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5)  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6)  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7)  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8)  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.  

The glory, holiness and splendor of Jehovah is another major theme in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah saw a vision of Jehovah that profoundly impacted his life. 

He saw the glory around the throne of God and the worshiping beings known as Seraphim. 

He heard the glorious worship cry "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts" which is the basis for our hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy."

Isaiah cried out, acknowledging that he was unclean and that the people he ministered to, were also unclean. 

Even so, Jehovah sent a Seraphim with a live coal from the altar of Jehovah, and purged Isaiah from his sins. This is another indicator that salvation is by grace and is all of God.

After this, Isaiah received his commission from God. Jehovah asked "Whom shall I send?" and Isaiah never hesitated. He said "Here am I, send me!"

Isaiah's Psalm of praise and worship for Jehovah. 

Isaiah 12:1-6  And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. 2)  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3)  Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4)  And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5)  Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6)  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. 

Isaiah saw the coming judgment God would bring upon Israel and Judah. He saw the 70 years of captivity that each would endure. 

He saw the remnant of Jews return to Jerusalem, to start all over again. 

He saw the coming of Messiah, and His forerunner. He saw visions of the All Glorious God. 

Jehovah our Shepherd, will care for His sheep. 

Isaiah 40:9-11  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 10)  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

He saw the future restoration of Israel as a whole nation, and the future kingdom rule of Messiah, Jesus Christ.  

Jehovah will defeat death and wipe our tears away. 

Isaiah  25:8-9  He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. 9)  And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. 

He saw the salvation and grace of God in all things that he prophesied about. He saw the victory over death, Hell and the grave, for all who repent and put their trust in Jehovah.

Salvation is possible through the works, words and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah saw the suffering servant of God who died in our place, bearing our sins on the cross (See Isaiah 42; 49; 50; 52:13 to 53:12).

Kingdom glory when Jesus Christ rules and reigns. 

Isaiah 11:1-9  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2)  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3)  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4)  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5)  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. 6)  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. 7)  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8)  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. 9)  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

In this text, Isaiah describes a kingdom of God, where the effects of sin and the curse are removed. It will be a glorious kingdom, unlike any other. 

I pray that this overview of Isaiah will be a helpful tool, to guide us as we read and study Isaiah, the Prince of the Prophets. 

I pray that we are drawn closer to the LORD, through reading the book of Isaiah. I pray that we will have hearts to respond as readily as Isaiah did, when he declared "Here am I, send me!"

Bob