Invitation to the Old Testament 20: Isaiah

ISAIAH: 

ISAIAH “The Bible in Miniature”

Introduction: 

Introduction Isaiah was primarily a prophet to Judah. According to tradition, Isaiah was the brother of King Amaziah and a cousin of King Uzziah. Isaiah was married (8:3) and had 2 sons (8:3; 7:3). Several of Isaiah's prophecies are still awaiting fulfillment. The book of Isaiah is the "Bible in miniature". It divides into 2 sections like the Bible. There are 39 chapters in the first section, just as there are 39 books in the Old Testament. There are 27 chapters in the second section, just as there are 27 books in the New Testament. The first section, like the Old Testament, emphasizes judgment. The second section, like the New Testament, emphasizes deliverance.

Who wrote the book of Isaiah?: 

Who wrote the book of Isaiah? The long-established traditional position maintains that Isaiah himself wrote the entire book. 1. Isaiah means "the Lord is salvation". 2. He is mentioned 13 times in the Bible. 3. Isaiah is called the "evangelical prophet". 4. He is quoted more than 80 times in the Old Testament. 5. Isaiah is quoted more in the New Testament than any other Old Testament prophet.

Who wrote the book of Isaiah?: 

Who wrote the book of Isaiah? Liberal Theories 1. History and Background a. Deutero -Isaiah - 1775 - Doederlein said Isaiah 40-66 were written by a second Isaiah b. Trito -Isaiah - 1892 - Duhm said there were 3 authors (1-39 written by one man; 40-55 written by a second; 56-66 written by a third) 2. Critical Arguments a. Historical Background - Isaiah refers to the Jewish exile in the present tense. b. Literary styles within the book are different. c. Theological ideas within the book are different.

Who wrote the book of Isaiah?: 

Who wrote the book of Isaiah? Support for the Unity of Isaiah a. The historical problem isn't a real problem. Isaiah is using the prophetic past tense, which means he refers to future events as if they've already occurred. b. The stylistic differences aren't that significant. c. The theological differences are nonexistent. d. Isaiah claims authorship (1:1). e. There is no manuscript evidence for dividing the book. In other words, no ancient copy of the book shows it being divided into two or more books. f. The New Testament treats the book of Isaiah as being written by one man (Matt. 12:17-21; Lk . 3:4-6; Jn. 12:38-41). g. All of Isaiah was inspired by the Holy Spirit.

When was Isaiah written?: 

When was Isaiah written? The date of composition was 740 – 700 B.C. Isaiah’s ministry began in the last days of Uzziah .

What is the primary message of Isaiah?: 

What is the primary message of Isaiah? Judgment (1 – 39) Redemption (40 – 66)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? A. Prophecies concerning Judah (1-12) 1. Condemnation of Judah (1-5) 2. Commission of Isaiah (6) 3. Coming of the Messiah (7-12)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? B. Prophecies concerning Nations (13-23) 1. Babylon, Assyria, Philistia (13-14) 2. Moab (15-16) 3. Damascus (17) 4. Ethiopia (18) 5. Egypt (19-20) 6. Babylon, Edom, Arabia (21) 7. Jerusalem (22) 8. Tyre (23)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? C. "Apocalypse of Isaiah" (24-27) 1. Great Tribulation (24) 2. Blessings of the Kingdom (25) 3. Song of the Redeemed (26) 4. Gathering of Israel (27)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? Prophecies against Samaria and Judah (28-35) 1. Samaria (28) 2. Judah (29-31) 3. Messianic reign (32) 4. Destruction of Assyria (33) 5. Day of the Lord (34) 6. Millennium (35)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? Historical Interlude (36-39) - rule of Hezekiah Promise of Restoration (40-48) 1. Message of Comfort (40) 2. Rise of Cyrus as Deliverer (41) < Cyrus named in 44:28; 45:1 before his birth 3. Christ the Servant (42) 4. Restoration of Israel (43-45) 5. Fall of Babylon (46-47) 6. Israel's release from Babylon (48)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? Salvation through Christ the Servant (49-57) 1. Messiah's commission (49) 2. Messiah contrasted with Israel's disobedience (50) 3. Promise to remnant (51-52) 4. Messiah's suffering and glory (53) 5. Israel's future restoration (54-57)

What would an overview of Isaiah look like?: 

What would an overview of Isaiah look like? H. God's program of peace (58-66) 1. Contrast between true and false worship (58) 2. Confession of Israel's sin (59) 3. Millennial kingdom (60) 4. Messiah's ministry (61) 5. Restoration and blessing of Israel (62-64) 6. Repentance of Israel (65) 7. Millennial kingdom (66)

References to the Messiah: 

References to the Messiah 4:2-6 - Christ is called the "Branch" - Jer. 23:5; Zech. 3:8; 6:12 B. 7:14 (Luke 1:26-31) 1. Historical view - prophecy to Ahaz only 2. Double fulfillment view a. A woman in Ahaz's day (a virgin at the time) would be married and have a son (8:4, 8, 10) b. Ultimate fulfillment in the virgin birth of Christ (Matt. 1)

References to the Messiah: 

References to the Messiah 3. Exclusively Messianic view a. Refers only to Christ's birth b. Ahaz represents the house of Israel c. Objection - The emphasized fulfillment is too much in the future and would therefore be of no comfort to Ahaz personally. d. Response - The prophecy was not meant to give Ahaz any comfort. Isaiah commanded Ahaz to ask for a sign. Ahaz refused, not because of humble piety, but out of stubbornness. In effect, God’s response was, “If you refuse to ask for a sign, I’m going to give you one anyway. In fact, I’m going to give you the greatest sign of all time: the birth of the Messiah.”

References to the Messiah: 

References to the Messiah C. 9:6, 7 D. 11:1-5 1. First coming (v. 1 - Luke 1:31) 2. Second coming (vv. 2-5) E. 42:1-3 (Matt. 12:14-20) 1. "Servant" (v. 1)

References to the Messiah: 

References to the Messiah 2. He was meek (v. 2) 3. He was careful with delicate lives (v. 3) 50:4-9 – Crucifixion / Humiliation (v. 6 – Matt. 26:27)

References to the Messiah: 

References to the Messiah G. 52:13 - 53:12 - 5 Stanzas (3 verses per stanza) 1. vv. 13-15 - Servant Exalted 2. vv. 1-3 - Servant Despised (v. 3 - Jn. 1:11) 3. vv. 4-6 - Servant Pierced (v. 5 - Rom. 5:6-8) 4. vv. 7-9 - Servant Cut-off (v. 7 - Mk. 15:4, 5) 5. vv. 10-12 - Servant Satisfied (v. 12 – Mk. 15:27, 28) ~ Jesus' deity, humanity, suffering, and reign are mentioned in each stanza.

References to the Messiah: 

References to the Messiah H. 61:1-3 1. vv. 1-2a - First coming 2. vv. 2b-3 - Second coming