Date Written: The events of chapters 1-39 occurred during Isaiah’s ministry, so they were probably written about 700 B.C. Chapters 40-66 may have been written near the end of his life, about 681 B.C.

Author: Isaiah

Setting: Isaiah is speaking & writing mainly in Jerusalem. He was a prophet during the time when the original nation of Israel had been divided into 2 kingdoms – Israel in the north & Judah in the south. The northern kingdom had sinned greatly against God & the southern kingdom was headed in the same direction. His ministry began as one of warning.

Key People: Isaiah, his 2 sons Shear-Jashub & Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz

Purpose: To call the nation of Judah back to God & to tell of God’s salvation through repentance & the hope in the coming Messiah.

Key Verses: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given & the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 9:6

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, & by His wounds we are healed. 53:5

Chapter Outline:

1-39 Words of Judgment

40-55 Comfort in Exile

56-66 Future Hope

Importance of reading Isaiah:

What we read: Isaiah brings the message of judgment to Judah, Israel & the surrounding pagan nations. Judah had a form of godliness, but in their hearts they were corrupt. His warnings were intended to purify the people by helping them understand God’s true nature & message. But they ignored the repeated warnings that Isaiah gave them. What we can learn: Don’t repeat these mistakes. Don’t ignore the preaching of the Word of God. If you just go to church, yet you are not surrendered to God & living according to His Word, then you just have a form of godliness.

What we read: As long as the people of Judah continued to sin, they cut themselves off from God’s help & a relationship with Him.  What we can learn: When you feel separated & far from God, remember that He doesn’t abandon you. It’s our sins that cut us off from Him. The only way to restore relationship with Him is by confessing your sin, obeying Him & surrendering your whole life to Him. 

What we read: Chapter 1:10-14, God wasn’t happy with their sacrifices because they did them with the wrong motives. They did it out of tradition, because that is what they were “supposed” to do & had “always done”. They weren’t offering their sacrifices because they were truly repenting of their sins. What we can learn: God knows what is in your heart. He knows if you are going to church because you desire to be in the house of the Lord or are you going because that is what you do on Sunday morning. Do you lift your hands & worship Him from a heart of love & devotion or because you want others to see you? We may fool others, but God knows what is in your heart.

What we read: God wants to restore His people. His desire is to have a relationship with us. He sent Isaiah to call them back to Him. He didn’t just give a message of judgment, but also a message of hope.  What we can learn: No matter how far you have strayed from God, He wants you to come back to Him. He longs to restore you & to move forward in a relationship with you.

What we read: Israel had blurred the moral lines between what was right & what was wrong. What we can learn: This is where our country is today. People are confused & call evil good & good evil. God defines what is good & evil in His Word. His Word is our standard for truth.

What we read: Chapters 1-35, Isaiah was prophesying that the Assyrian invasion would come. Chapter 36 is the historical narrative of the invasion just as he prophesied. As the battle began, they had to decided who they would trust. Judah was tempted to trust in Egypt & then the king of Assyria tempted them with food & drink. King Hezekiah was scared & Isaiah encouraged him to not be afraid & to trust in the Lord. So Hezekiah spread out his problem before the Lord & cried out to Him for deliverance. God answered his prayers & destroyed the Assyrians in just one night. (37:36). What we can learn: Just as Hezekiah won a huge war without fighting, we can also win our battles. He won it through prayer. And that is how we are to fight our battles & that is how they will be won. Nothing is too hard for God.

What we read: The book of Isaiah gives us a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ. It has the full scope of His life: the announcement of His coming – 40:3-5, His virgin birth -7:14, His proclamation of the good news – 61:1, His sacrificial death – 52:13-53:12, & His return to claim His own – 60:2-3. What we can learn: Because of these scriptures & others in Isaiah, we know that Jesus is the Messiah, our salvation. Every prophecy was fulfilled.

What we read: Chapter 63, Isaiah tells a prophetic vision of the Lord’s wrath being poured out on His enemies. Jesus is in battle as a mighty warrior. What we can learn: When Jesus came the first time, He was born as a baby in a manger. He came to give His life as a sacrifice for our sins. His blood was shed so we could have forgiveness & eternal life. But when He returns the second time, He will come in judgement. All those who have refused His salvation & rebelled against Him will face His wrath. When you think about your salvation, think about what you are saved from. You are saved from the wrath of God.

Things to think about as you read Isaiah:

• God’s character never changes. What distressed Him in the days of Isaiah still distresses Him today. And what He had to judge then, He can’t overlook now. Is there anything in your life you need to confess & forsake? What if you aren’t willing to do this? Will God be able to overlook it? Think about what you learned about God & His ways.
• God is sovereign. He ruled over the nations in the days of Israel. He does the same today. How might your nation fit into all that is going on today?
• Amos says God doesn’t do anything without first revealing it to His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). From studying Isaiah, what do you know with an absolute certainty is going to come to pass? If the prophecies about the first coming of Jesus literally came to pass (and they did), won’t the prophecies regarding His second coming be literally fulfilled? How does this make you want to live?

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/p2d-7v0lGNQ?si=LtemmBk2Sp2F2i9h

Blessings,
Nichole Henson, Fullness of Joy Ministry