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Introduction to Isaiah

Introduction to Isaiah. Introduction. Shakespeare is to theatre and Beethoven is to music, so Isaiah is to prophecy. Without peer in diction, imagery, style. A small Bible. 1 Title. Isaiah = Jehovah has saved God, not idols, is to be trusted – Cause of judgment in 722, 2Kings 17

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Introduction to Isaiah

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  1. Introduction to Isaiah

  2. Introduction • Shakespeare is to theatre and Beethoven is to music, so Isaiah is to prophecy. Without peer in diction, imagery, style. • A small Bible Isaiah

  3. 1Title • Isaiah = Jehovah has saved • God, not idols, is to be trusted – • Cause of judgment in 722, 2Kings 17 • Cause of judgment in 602-586, 2 Kings 21 • Isaiah’s Sons • Shear Jashub – ‘a remnant shall return’ 7:3 • Maher-shalal-hashbaz – ‘hastening to the spoil’ 8:3 Isaiah

  4. 2 Author and Date • One Isaiah – • Is.9:1-2 – Matt.4:14 • Is.40:3 – Matt.3:3 • Is.61:1 – Lk.4:18 • Complete Hebrew scroll found at the Dead Sea 1947 dated 2nd century BC • Date: 740-686 • Tradition – royal extraction – sawn asunder by Manasseh Isaiah

  5. 3 Purpose • Isaiah • Covenant prosecutor • Advocate • Prophecies regarding events during his lifetime – to call Judah to trust only in Jehovah (not idols) • Prophecies regarding events after his lifetime – that Jehovah will redeem his remnant from Babylonian and spiritual captivity and make Zion glorious Isaiah

  6. 3 Historical context, 1-37 • God’s word on 2 Political Crisis’ (ch.1-37) • Ahaz (Judah) pressured to join Rezin (Syria) & Pekah (Ephraim (Israel)) against Assyria • - 7:1ff. Do God’s dynastic promises mean anything? 2Kgs.16:5ff – alliance with Assyria > puppet kings on David’s throne until Christ • Hezekiah (Judah) pressured to join Egypt & Babylon against Assyria • - 28:14ff., 30:1ff. - envoys form alliance with Egypt • - 36-37: - 701BC Sennacherib’s visit and demise Isaiah

  7. Isaiah

  8. The Cyrus Cylinder recording the edict allowing captured people to return to their homelands 40-66 Isaiah

  9. 3 Historical Context 38-55 • Babylonian Exile chapters ((38-39) -55) • Zedekiah’s rebellion brings Nebuchadnezzar and leaves a functioning monarchy a thing of the past • Questions from the preface - 38-39: • ‘Does banishment to Babylon mark the end of the history of the Lord’s people, and if so, does this mean that they have been guilty of a sin beyond the power and readiness of the Lord to redeem?’ [Motyer, 22] • Is He the Lord of history and the God of salvation? Isaiah

  10. 3 Historical Context 38-55 • 1-37 The call to trust God as life rushes to meet us with all its threats and snares • 38-55 The call to trust God as we face life which we have helped shape by our wrong choices, faithlessness and sin • ‘The Lord is the God of Cyrus (44:24-48:22) ordering history in its magnitude as much as in its minutiae for the welfare of his people, and also the God of the Servant (49:1-55:13), providing for their iniquity, transgression and sin.’ [Motyer, 22] Isaiah

  11. 3 Historical Context 56-66 • Post exilic • 56:1 – theme: they are still a waiting people, living in a mixed community, failing to live up to God’s standard • 59:14-63:6 – an anointed one is to come who will meet their needs, satisfy what God requires and avenge all enemies • 63:7-66 – hence they pray persistently, expectantly, looking for the eternal glory of the new creation • Expectation of a Servant, King & Conqueror Isaiah

  12. 4 Redemptive history In the flow of the metanarrative • Davidic kingdom & the covenant? • Sin? • Redemption? • New creation? Isaiah

  13. 5Central Theme • Salvation is of Jehovah, the One who alone is sublime and incomparable in majesty; therefore trust Him • Is.8:17‘I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.’ Isaiah

  14. 6Structure • 1-37 The book of the King • 38-55 The book of the Servant • 56-66 The book of the Anointed Conqueror Isaiah

  15. Isaiah

  16. 7 God’s greatness and goodness • All are under His rule and none deserve His mercy • 26x – ‘the Holy One of Israel’ • 6:1-13 – the Lord, seated upon a throne, high and lifted up • 10:5ff – sovereignty over surrounding nations cf14:27; 19:16-25 Egypt and Assyria Isaiah

  17. 8 The Gospel in Isaiah • Messianic character • Deity • Incarnation • Character • Rejection • Vicarious death • Resurrection • Future glory Isaiah

  18. 8 The Gospel in Isaiah • The grace of God in Isaiah is not about ‘getting people saved’ but people being made holy that God may dwell with them • The Servant Songs • 42:1-9 - Behold my servant whom I uphold • 49:1-13 – The Lord called me from the womb • 50:4-11 – The Lord has given me a tongue • 52:13-53:12 – My Servant shall act wisely • This Servant delivers from spiritual captivity Isaiah

  19. 8 Your worship of God • How may Isaiah be of use in relation to the following areas? • Faith – grounds, content, focus, evidence • Hope – prayer, coming salvation • Charity – delighting in Him, His law, His people, needy • Communion – holding out a true Savior – the only Savior – the already and the not yet Isaiah

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