The Book of Isaiah
Ray of Hope Christian Church
May 22, 2012
Isaiah 1:1-31
The Pentateuch or the Law and the
Historical books – 17
The Writings or personal and
experiential books - 5
The Prophets:
the 5 Major and
12 Minor prophets
The word “prophet” is made up of two
words. The word “pro” means “in place
of “ rather than “beforehand” as in the
words, “provide” or “provision.”
The remainder of the word “prophet” is
from the Greek “pheimi” which
means, “to speak.”
Exodus 7:1
Another word for prophet
is “nabi” or mouthpiece.
Prophecy is not merely prediction or
foretelling the future. Prophecy is
also forth-telling or declaring a
truth by the inspiration of God.
Deuteronomy 18:15,18,22
I must speak only what God
puts in my mouth.
Numbers 22:38
Isaiah, whose name means
Jehovah is salvation, was a prophet
in Jerusalem during the reigns of
Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.
•from a family of means
•married – 8:3
•had at least two sons – 7:3;8:3
Isaiah’s call is found in Chapter 6
• He received a vision of God – 6:1-4
• The vision produced conviction and
confession- 6:5
• He was forgiven and cleansed – 6:6-7
Isaiah’s call is found in Chapter 6
• He heard God’s call – 6:8
• He offered himself for God’s service – 6:8
• He was commissioned for service – 6:9-13
Discussion:
Have you ever had a vision or an
awe-inspiring encounter with God?
What feelings, emotions, and/or actions
did it produce? Is your life any
different because of it?
Isaiah 7:4-9
Isaiah 55:10-11
Isaiah 46:9-11
Chapters 36-39
The Structure of the Book
I. The Judgment of God –
God’s Government - Chapters 1-39
• Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem – 1-12
• Judgment on the nations – 13-27
• Warnings and promises – 28-35
• Historical -36-39
II. The Comfort of God –
God’s Grace - Chapters 40-66
• Jehovah and idols – 40-48
• The Coming Messiah – 49-57
• Final restoration and promised glory –
Chapters 58-66
The book of Isaiah is often called
the Bible in miniature form.
• Comprised of 66 chapters
• Divided into two main sections
• First section is comprised of 39 books and deals with
God’s judgment
• Second section is comprised of 27 books and deals
with the compassion and mercy of God.
54:7-8
For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will
bring you back. In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness I will
have compassion on you.
29:13
“these people come near to me with
their mouths and honor me with their
lips, but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me is made up of
rules taught by men.”
• God tries to get them to act right. 1:2
• Their suffering was a consequence, a
result of their sins. 1:5ff
• God begs them to change their ways.
1:16-18
•God gives them choice - 1:19-20 –
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best of the land,
But if you resist and rebel, you will
be devoured by the sword.
•God tells them, he is going to have
to punish them – Isaiah 3:1-9 – God
has to punish them because they
are so obstinate and rebellious!
•Isaiah 30:1,9, Woe to the obstinate
children. These are a rebellious
people.
•Isaiah 30:12, therefore, they will
meet destruction.
• Isaiah 30:15, It doesn’t have to be
this way
• Isaiah 48:17-18, God repeatedly tries
to tell them what is right
Discussion:
What is it about human nature that
persists with harmful and
destructive behavior against God’s
word and our own good?
•Isaiah 30:18, God is continually
gracious to us
• Isaiah 49:14-16
• Isaiah 43:1-6
• He keeps calling out to them to come
back - Isaiah 55:1-7, because God is a
forgiving God – Isaiah 38:17,
Isaiah 43:25
Isaiah gives the rich prophetic
picture of Christ
• His birth – 7:14, 9:6, Matt. 1:23
• His anointing - 61:1-2, Luke 4:17-19
• His rejection – 6:9-11 – John 12:37-45
• His ministry to the Gentiles – 49:6, Luke 2:32,
Acts 13:47
Isaiah gives the rich prophetic
picture of Christ
• His suffering and death – Isaiah 52:13-53:12
• His resurrection – 55:3, Acts 13:34
• His Sovereign reign as King – Isaiah 9:6-7,
11:1,6,8;59:20-21, Rev. 19:13-16
There will be a new day –
“Old things will pass away
all things will become new.”
Isaiah 60
A New Heaven and a
New Earth
Isaiah 65:17-18, Rev. 21