Summary of the Book of Isaiah

The book of Isaiah is Narrative History, Prophetic Oracle, and even a Parable (chapter 5).   Isaiah is the first book in the section called Major Prophets. They are called Major Prophets because of the large amount of material they wrote not because their message was more important than any other prophet’s. Key personalities are Isaiah, his two sons, Shearjashub and Maher-shalal-jash-baz.

Isaiah contains some of the most incredible prophecies of any book. It contains foreknowledge, in incredible details about the Messiah (7:14), and the future reign of Jesus Christ (9:6-7). The purpose of the book of Isaiah was to call God’s nation, the nation of Judah, back to faithfulness and to declare the coming Messiah “Immanuel.”  God calls and commissions His prophet to declare to Judah and Israel condemnation, conviction, and ultimately great hope.

In Chapters 1-39, Isaiah points out the sins of both North and South Kingdoms.  He then declares severe punishment to them and all the neighboring nations around them:

“Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes” (1:16).

He proclaims great hope of the coming Savior:

“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (7:14).  This passage was fulfilled in Matt 1:22-24, in the New Testament.

Chapters 40-55, speak of the return and restoration after the exile from Babylon. Isaiah repeatedly claims the premise:

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last: and besides me there is no God” (44:6).  Also see Isa 44:8, 45:5-6,14,18, 21.   Jesus has said these same words in Rev 1:8, 17-18, and 22:13.

There is also another foretelling of the Messiah, who will come and bring new life through His death:

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth:  He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth” (53:7).

In chapters 56-66, Isaiah writes of the new Heavens and Earth, This is that great reward for all those who trust and obey God. He proclaims the hope for the afflicted and judgment for the evil.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind” (65:17).

I don’t know God, but it sure sounds like more trouble is on the way.  What do you have to say about that?