Likely born in the royal family, Isaiah represents the epitome of Hebrew writing during the Monarchy and Divided Kingdom Periods. He appears first as Court Secretary of King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:22). While we cannot ascertain when his service began, we know Uzziah died in 740 BC. Afterwards, Isaiah may have performed other services in the royal court, but was known as the chief prophet to the Court. Tradition says he was executed by Mannaseh, yet it would seem that king would not have taken that step until his co-regency with his father Hezekiah ended at the latter's death in 687 BC. Thus, at a minimum, we can see his ministry lasting 53 years, and probably closer to 60.
His service put him in a unique place among the prophets, for he could not avoid knowing the business of kings and nations. His ministry followed the Southern Kingdom from near its highest point under Uzziah, down through deep troubles under Ahaz. Suffering tremendous losses from external forces -- chiefly Assyria -- we might say Jerusalem was about all she controlled at one point. He watched Assyria destroy Samaria and carry the Northern Kingdom away to exile in 722 BC. Eventually, Hezekiah regains much of what was lost, but handed it to his notorious son, whose awful sins brought down on the nation the final destruction by Babylon.
Indeed, Babylon sent emissaries to Jerusalem during Isaiah's service, and he prophesied they would destroy the kingdom. The nature of his prophetic ministry was to relay to the nation God's accusations of unfaithfulness. The first five chapters take the literary form of a charge read in a court of law. Woven through the next 34 chapters is the prophecies and events Isaiah saw himself. The last 27 chapters are a grand prophecy of things to come, in particular Messianic prophecies, but includes images of what would be during the Babylonian Captivity. His grasp of culture, history and Hebrew language remains the best example of high literary achievement for that part of Hebrew History. The impact of his work is seen in numerous quotations, particularly in the New Testament. All the more so do we see Christ referring to Isaiah often.
As the quintessential expression of Hebrew thought and writing, we find Isaiah pays little attention to chronicity unless it becomes the major point of what must be said. We do well to allow Isaiah to show us what it means to think Hebrew, to absorb it simply, rather than attempt to use any Western analytical skills to abstract principles. Isaiah himself would probably denounce any such analysis, as we shall see.
Chapter 1: As a King before the observing court of all Creation, Jehovah lays His charges against Israel, His vassal.
Chapter 2: The bill of charges continues, as the Lord describes disgusting behavior.
Chapter 3: God compares the residents of Jerusalem to filthy gutter prostitutes.
Chapter 4: Having allowed sin to carry them away from obedience to the Law, God would allow a foreign nation to carry Israel away into captivity.
Chapter 5: The opening charges against Israel are completed with a list of particular failures and the sentence.
Chapter 6: Isaiah describes his commission as a prophet.
Chapter 7: The prophets meets King Ahaz in public, and compares notes regarding his pagan excesses.
Chapter 8: Isaiah sires another son, whose name symbolized the awful fate of those who trusted in Assyria.
Chapter 9: The promise of the Messiah to begin His ministry in Galilee was closely connected to the utter destruction by Assyria which began there.
Chapter 10 Isaiah compares the fate of His people and that of Assyria, His tool for Israel's punishment.
Chapter 11 Isaiah introduces the Messianic prophecies using parallel parables.
Chapter 12 The attitude typical of those redeemed from their sins is showcased.
Chapter 13 Before Babylon even manages to become independent from Assyria, the Lord knew how she would end.
Chapter 14 God is sovereign in all human affairs. It requires a strong spiritual mind to cling to Him, and not be suckered by worldly thinking.
Chapter 15 Isaiah introduces the coming destruction of Moab.
Chapter 16 Moab is advised to offer some tribute to Judah, and Judah to accept it and be merciful to the refugees.
Chapter 17 Isaiah addresses the coalition led by Syria, chief among them the Northern Kingdom.
Chapter 18 Ethiopia will suffer much at the hands of Assyria, but will find salvation in the Lord.
Chapter 19 Egypt itself, home of some of the most foul idolatries, will be laid low, rising only as the people turn to the God of Israel.
Chapter 20 We get a short lesson in learning we cannot trust any human agency, only God.
Chapter 21 The visions of a trio of nations who will suffer greatly brings Isaiah a painful experience.
Chapter 22 A painful vision of the valleys around Jerusalem filled with siege troops.
Chapter 23 In his last burden for a neighboring kingdom, Isaiah tells who God would punish Tyre and Sidon.
Chapter 24 Isaiah begins four chapters dealing with the nature of God's actions by describing the final judgment.
Chapter 25 A celebration of the Eternal God viewed from an eternal perspective.
Chapter 26 In the Courts of Eternity, Isaiah has a clear vision of how spiritual principles work.
Chapter 27 The fading visions of Eternity leave us with a picture of Israel being threshed to remove sin.
Chapter 28 Both the Northern and Southern Kingdom suffered the arrogance of human wisdom, and Assyria would crush them.
Chapter 29 Human wisdom is directly criticized as falling far short of God's divine grace.
Chapter 30 Isaiah describes the leaders of Judah as spoiled brats, and warns what would happen if they continue to ignore the Covenant.
Chapter 31 Warning against relying on the Egyptian forces God had so easily slaughtered in the Exodus.
Chapter 32 Isaiah contrasts the Messianic Promise against the prissy worldliness of his day.
Chapter 33 The contrast between Sennacherib's treacherous behavior and the peaceful heart of an honorable man.
Chapter 34 Edom's prophesied doom serves as a symbol for God's final judgment on sin.
Chapter 35 The literal Return from Exile was the pitiful reality, but the birth of God's Kingdom on earth was too beautiful for words.
Chapter 36 Isaiah begins a narrative section describing how Assyria attempted psychological warfare to break down the resistance of Judah's troops.
Chapter 37 As Sennacherib's threat grew stronger, so did the assuring promise from the Lord to turn him away from Jerusalem.
Chapter 38 Isaiah recounts the healing of Hezekiah, which sets up the conditions precipitating the Exile.
Chapter 39 The Babylonian envoy comes to spy on Judah's wealth and military power.
Chapter 40 Those who embrace Jehovah as their True King will overcome all the sorrows of this world.
Chapter 41 God challenges the deities of pagan nations near and far to meet Him in court and compare prophesies of great empires.
Chapter 42 The servant who might have been versus the Servant who would come to fulfill their promise.
Chapter 43 Despite what Israel deserves for gross disloyalty to their oath of Covenant, it is God's nature to finish things He started for His own glory.
Chapter 44 God raises up a high standard as the place Israel must stand upon return from exile if she is to reap the unspeakable joy and blessings He is determined to deliver.
Chapter 45 Even as He promises to deliver Israel from Babylon through Cyrus of Persia, the Lord seeks to provoke the jealousy of Israel over a threat to take away her special status.
Chapter 46 Isaiah previews Babylon's eventual otherthrow by showing her primary weakness is shared by Judah.
Chapter 47 God compares the future Babylonian Empire with a queen after capture by conquerors.
Chapter 48 God knew long before He chose Israel she would be unfaithful. Yet He still insisted on giving her all the chances possible.
Chapter 49 The beginning of the Suffering Servant messages, this chapter emphasizes the role itself.
Chapter 50 Briefly and bluntly, Isaiah explains why Israel's role on earth would end.
Chapter 51 We examine the Messianic prophecies on both levels intended by God.
Chapter 52 God uses the historical events of Israel and Judah to symbolize the coming of His Son.
Chapter 53 The most famous chapter in Isaiah serves to stand all human wisdom on its head.
Chapter 54 What glories awaited Israel if she would return, not merely to the Land, but to Her God! But no, it remained the legacy claimed by Christ's Kingdom.
Chapter 55 Heavily quoted in the New Testament, this chapter blends the spiritual with the earthly covenant blessings.
Chapter 56 Over the next few chapters, Isaiah points out what it takes to God's People, because they assume too much it's all about ethnic identity.
Chapter 57 Visions of the unspeakably nasty reign of King Manasseh.
Chapter 58 There is nothing so tragic and senseless as an empty soul.
Chapter 59 The spiritual darkness of Manasseh's reign is contrasted with the coming of the Messiah.
Chapter 60 Of all chapters in Isaiah, this one was the most abused by Hellenized Jews to confuse spiritual truth with mere literalism.
Chapter 61 The Messiah celebrates the joy or saving the world.
Chapter 62 The Father Himself celebrates the joy of seeing all His work bear fruit in the New Israel.
Chapter 63 The frustrated heart of God would not be restrained from eventually redeeming a people for Himself.
Chapter 64 Isaiah's searing confession of the sins of his nation.
Chapter 65 The condemnation Isaiah pronounces upon historical Israel would be illegal to explain in some countries, but the promise of a New Israel is too bright for words.
Chapter 66 Isaiah closes with one last word of warning to his people, Judah.
Ed Hurst
08 July 2009
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