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ISAIAH – INTRODUCTION

I. AUTHOR OF THE BOOK

A. “Isaiah, the son of Amoz”

1. The meaning of Isaiah’s name is symbolic with his message:

    “Jehovah saves,” “Jehovah is salvation,” or “salvation of Jehovah”

a. Hebrew: Ye-sha`yahu

b. Greek: Esaias

c. New Testament attests to his authorship of book

(1). Part one of book: Isa. 6:9 – Jn. 12:40 – “He hath blinded their eyes…”

(2). Part two of book: Isa. 53:1 – Jn. 12:38 – “Lord who hath believed our report…”

(3). “word of Isaiah the prophet…Isaiah said again…” (Jn. 12:38, 40).

2. Prophetic work expended in Jerusalem with access to the Kings and Priests.

a. Meets with King Ahaz at upper pool (7:3 ).

b. Revelations and encouragement to King Hezekiah (37:21, 38:2,5).

c. Has the Priest Uriah as a witness of what he writes on a tablet (8:2).

3. Isaiah was married and had two sons.

a. Shear-jashub – “a remnant shall return” (7:3).

b. Maher-shalal-hash-baz – “hasting to the spoil, hurrying to the prey” (8:3).

4. Called to prophetic work in the year that King Uzziah died (6:1)

a. Vision of God’s holiness (6:3-4).

b. Work of fruitless warning and exhortation (6:9-13).

c. Prophetic work covered at least 40 years (740 – 700 B.C.) (cf. 6:1, 2 Chron. 32:32)

d. Uses much imagery – especially of flood, storm, and sound

    (8:8, 10:22, 28:17, 30:28, 30; 5:18,20, 28:20)

5. Circumstances surrounding his death are unknown. Jewish tradition says he was sawn into in the days of                   Manasseh (cf. Heb. 11:37).

II. FEATURES OF THE BOOK

A. Kings and their reigns contemporary with Isaiah:

1. Uzziah –Good (2 Kings 15:1-5; 2 Chron. 26:1-23)

2. Jotham – Good (2 Kings 15:32-38; 2 Chron. 27:1-9)

3. Ahaz – Wicked (2 Kings 16:1-20; 2 Chron. 28:1-27

4. Hezekiah – Good (2 Kings 18:1-20:21; 2 Chron. 29:1-32:33)

5. Manasseh – Wicked (2 Kings 21:1-18; 2 Chron. 33:1-20)

B. Book can be divided into two parts:

1. Part One – Chapters 1-39 “Oracles of Retribution and Restitution”

2. Part Two – Chapters 40-66 “Oracles of Redemption and Consummation”

C. Messianic character of the book:

1. His incarnation (7:14, 9:6, cf. Matt. 1:23).

2. His lowliness – (11:1, 53:2).

3. The servant of the Lord – (11:2, 42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11).

a. Spirit of God upon him.

b. A light to the Gentiles

c. A Prophet smitten.

4. His vicarious death and resurrection (53:8-12).

D. Outline of the book:

I. Part One: Oracles of retribution and restitution (Chapters 1-39).

A. The Day of Jehovah: prophecies of ruin and restoration of Judah (Chapters 1-5).

B. The call of Isaiah to prophetic office and biographic material (Chapters 6-8).

C. Present world empires and their roles (Chapters 9-12).

D. The ten burdens upon the nations (Chapters 13-23).

E. Judgment on the nations and the deliverance of Israel (Chapters 24-27).

F. Moral indictment of God’s chosen people (Chapters 28-31).

G. Restoration of kingdom of Jehovah’s righteousness amidst the consequences of people’s sins (Chapters 32-33).

H. Glory of Jehovah manifested in light of judgment upon the nations and His blessings upon Zion (Chapters 34-35)

I. Historical interlude – Biographical material from the time of Hezekiah (Chapters 36-39)

II. Part Two: Oracles of redemption and consummation (Chapters 40-66).

A. Prophetic assurances (Chapters 40-45)

1. Comfort (40).

2. Deliverance (41-44).

3. Divine judgment (45)

B. Prophecies against Babylon (Chapters 46-48)

C. Redemption through the work of the Lord’s servant (Chapters 49-55).

D. Ethical pronouncements (Chapters 56-59)

E. Life in the restored Zion (Chapters 60-66)