Isaiah

Author: Isaiah

Period: c.740-681 B.C.

Title: The English, Hebrew, Greek and Latin versions all name this book after Isaiah, the prophet whose ministry is recorded in the book. The name Isaiah (Hebrew Yesha'yahu) means "The LORD saves."

Summary: Isaiah ministered during the rule of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. His primary focus dealt with the coming judgment on the Southern Kingdom of Judah due to its great wickedness. Isaiah identified the root of Judah's trouble in its idolatry and apostasy. Although he spoke of judgments on other nations as well, the prophet Isaiah urged the kings and the people to put their trust in God rather than in alliances with earthly powers. He comforted his people with the realization that God loves those who are faithful to Him and keep His commandments. He spoke of the future Messiah who would come to redeem the nation and restore the Kingdom.

Breakdown:

Rebuke and promise: Chapter 1:1 - 6:13

• Rebellion confronted with judgment and grace: 1:1-31
• Punishment for sin as preparation for glory: 2:1 - 4:6
• Judgment and exile in store for Israel: 5:1-30
• The prophet cleansed and commissioned by God: 6:1-13

Immanuel: Chapter 7:1 - 12:6

• Immanuel rejected by worldly wisdom: 7:1-25
• Messianic deliverance foreshadowed: 8:1 - 9:7
• Boastful Samaria doomed to exile: 9:8 - 10:4
• World empire crushed; glorious Kingdom to come: 10:5 - 12:6

Burdens of judgment upon the nations: Chapter 13:1 - 23:18

• Fall of Babylon; her king's descent into Hades: 13:1 - 14:27
• Downfall of Philistia: 14:28-32
• Downfall of Moab: 15:1 - 16:14
• Downfall of Damascus and Samaria: 17:1-14
• Downfall and conversion of Ethiopia: 18:1-7
• Afflictions of Egypt: 19:1 - 20:6
• Babylon to be conquered and her idols destroyed: 21:1-10
• Defeat for Edom; victory for Israel: 21:11-12
• Dedan and Kedar to be routed: 21:13-17
• Fall of Jerusalem foreseen; Eliakim to replace Shebna: 22:1-25
• Downfall and enslavement of Tyre: 23:1-18

General rebuke and promise: Chapter 24:1 - 27:13

• Universal judgment upon universal sin: 24:1-23
• God praised as deliverer and comforter of Zion: 25:1-12
• Song of joy over Judah's consolation: 26:1-21
• Oppressors punished but God's people preserved: 27:1-13

Woes upon the unbelievers of Israel: Chapter 28:1 - 33:24

• Judgment of Ephraimite drunkards, Jewish scoffers: 28:1-29
• Disaster ahead for hypocrites: 29:1-24
• Confidence in Egypt versus confidence in God: 30:1-33
• God, not Egypt, to be Jerusalem's defence: 31:1-9
• Israel's final deliverance, and her spiritual renewal: 32:1-20
• Punishment of treacherous; triumph of Christ: 33:1-24

General rebuke and promise: Chapter 34:1 - 35:10

• Utter destruction of Gentile world powers: 34:1-17
• Blessing on the way of holiness: 35:1-10

The volume of Hezekiah: Chapter 36:1 - 39:8

• Destruction of Judah averted: 36:1 - 37:38
• Destruction of Judah's king averted: 38:1 - 39:8

The volume of comfort: Chapter 40:1 - 66:24

• The purpose of peace: 40:1 - 48:22
• The prince of peace: 49:1 - 57:21
• The program of peace: 58:1 - 66:24