Isaiah is the first of the Old Testament writing prophets. He prophesied through the reigns of 4 different kings of Judah spanning 53 years around 700 years before Christ's birth. Micah and Hosea were his contemporaries, but none of the prophets match the scope and power of Isaiah's words. He wrote some of the most beautiful and poetic words in all of Scripture in chapter 53 describing the suffering savior and we recall his words every Christmas from 7:14 and 9:6-7. Few passages are as awe-inspiring as his commission from God in chapter 6. I have regularly come back to Isaiah in the last few years and it's become one of my favorite books.
Any prophecy is tricky to study because it often has at least one immediate application (speaking directly to the prophet's contemporary listeners) and at least one long term fulfillment. Many times, an understanding of the culture and history is helpful (or necessary) to get the full impact of the contemporary message. The future message may be just for the hearers' future (like Babylonian captivity which followed about 150 years after Isaiah) or our future (like the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom) or both.
Confused? Even if prophecy is not your thing, or you find the history stuff boring, Isaiah is still worth studying. Here are some things to look for as you read:
- Isaiah spends chapters 1-39 detailing God's unflinching judgment. Note to whom each message is addressed. Is it Judah or another nation? Also notice the power in God's pronouncements. Then in chapter 40, the message changes to comfort and grace. (Yup, grace in the Old Testament.) Chapters 40-66 are some of my favorites. Note Jehovah's declarations of unfailing love. Good stuff.
- Isaiah speaks often of Messiah's kingdom (especially in the latter chapters). What will the kingdom be like? Who will be part of the kingdom?
- Isaiah's dealings with King Hezekiah are recorded three times in Scripture (2 Kings 18-20, 2 Chronicles 32, Isaiah 36-38). What can you learn from the king and prophet as they faced some dire situations?
- Finally – Some have noted that Isaiah has 66 chapters divided into 39 and 27 chapters in their respective "halves" just like the Bible's 66 books are divided into 39 books for the Old Testament and 27 for the New, and so they look at Isaiah as a "mini-Bible". Therefore, chapters 1-5 should roughly correspond to the themes in the books of Moses, and 40-43 should follow the message of the Gospels. The chapter divisions were added more than a thousand years after the prophet finished writing, though. You'll have to read and decide for yourself.
Here are some of my favorite verses from Isaiah-
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior (43:1-3)
Do you have a favorite passage in Isaiah? Please share!