Isaiah, the prophet, has a name meaning “the salvation of the Lord”; a very appropriate name for someone who prophesied so much of Jesus, our Saviour, and the wonderful salvation He was to bring. When the New testament refers to him, he is called Esaias. Isaiah, so tradition tells us, was closely related to king Uzziah and spent much time at court, especially in the days of Hezekiah. Looking at the first verse we see that his ministry covered the reign of four Judah kings: Uzziah and Jotham who were pretty good, Ahaz who was notably evil and Hezekiah notably good.
REJECTION OF GOD AS FATHER
The Lord wanted to be a father to his people but they had become a rebellious and sinful nation who were “laden with iniquity” (v2-4). As a result, the land was desolate and troubled by foreign armies because God had lost interest in religious activities which allowed evil to thrive (11-17). The Lord looked for a society that stood up for the oppressed, the orphan and the widow (v17) and one that did not worship other gods (v29). He longed to cleanse their sins as white as wool and everyone could choose between willing obedience (v19), which would lead to a good life, and rebellion which would, eventually, lead to oppression by their enemies (v20). Despite the depth to which they had fallen, the Lord had plans for a day when things would be different (v26). Chapter 2 speaks of a day when many nations would stream to mount Zion to learn His ways (v2,3) and chapter 4v2 foretells a day when the “branch” of the Lord would be cleansed, beautiful, holy and glorious. In chapter 5, Isaiah sings a song about his “beloved” God who cared for his people like a vineyard that he had dug and planted. He had made them something out of nothing (v2) and done everything for them (v4) but look at what they had become. All He saw was bloodshed and oppression (v7), excessive drinking and a people who had no regard for Him (v11,12). The sad result of all this would be that God would signal for a nation from far away (v26) to attack them like a lion and carry them off like prey (v29).
I SAW THE LORD
Isaiah, in chapter 6 verse 1, described his life-changing experience when he saw the Lord high and lifted up on His throne, with angels flying around Him. Isaiah thought that he was “undone” because he, a sinful man, had seen the King, the Lord of hosts. The Lord in his mercy brought him forgiveness and cleansing and, when he wanted a messenger, Isaiah could say (v8) “here am I, send me.” What is our response today?
Starting at verse 9, there are some verses, repeated a number of times in the new testament, which warned Isaiah that his prophetic message would not be listened to. In a similar way, when the messiah Jesus came, His message would also be rejected. Cities would be devastated and the people exiled but a “stump” (holy seed) would remain (v13) because God still had long-term plans for his people.
CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
Ahaz, we know, was a very evil king and the kingdom of Judah soon began to fall apart at all its boundaries. Chapter 7 explains how the people were afraid when the king of Israel, Pekah, joined forces with the powerful king of Aram to amount a failed attack on Jerusalem itself. Isaiah received a special message for Ahaz that God was angry with this attack and, within 65 years (v8), Ephraim (the northern kingdom) would be shattered and no longer a people. Isaiah’s sons were given names of great significance; Shearjashub (v3) meant a “remnant would return” and another son meant “spoil” because, before he could talk, he would see the land of those two kings spoiled and pillaged by the Assyrians (8v4). How interesting that this child should be a symbol of another child who was to come, Jesus Immanuel (7v14 and Matthew 1v23), and whose country would also be overrun by an oppressive empire, the Romans. Isaiah, for his part, was encouraged not to walk in the way of these people (8v11), or fear what other people feared, but fear only the Lord (v12-14). In 1 Peter 3v14, 15, where this verse is repeated, we are encouraged not to be intimidated, even if we suffer persecution. Isaiah, knew that God was hiding his face from Judah (v17) but, nevertheless, he would still continue to wait and hope in him.
THE MESSIAH WOULD COME
Isaiah, through revelation (ch9 v1), prophesied that Jesus would live in Galilee, the area of Zebulun and Naphtali; see Matthew 4v13, “those who lived in darkness on them a light has shined” (v2). This magnificent prophecy spoke of a time (v6) when “a child has been born to us, a son given to us, authority rests upon his shoulders and He is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Here we see the future messiah, the one promised to be on David’s throne, establishing His true kingdom for ever (v7). The problem with Israel was that they thought, in their pride and arrogance, that they could survive without the Lord’s help (v9,10). Consequently, when Arameans and Philistines “devoured” them, even then, the people still did not turn to him and seek him (v13). The land was devastated, the peoples’ ways were unjust, and Assyria would be the rod of God’s anger (10v5). The Lord foresaw that when the Assyrian king began to, arrogantly, boast about his conquests (v12) he would have to be punished with a wasting sickness among his warriors (v16).
HOPE FOR THE GENTILES
When the remnant of Israel and Judah finally learnt to lean on the Lord, they would then return to the land (v20,21) but God warned them that only a small part (a remnant) of Israel would be saved (Romans 9 v27,28). In Romans 9 verse 30 Paul elaborates on the mystery that the Gentiles would take more willingly to the gospel message of faith than the Jews. Chapter 11v1 is also referred to in Romans (15v12) and clearly explains how, out of the root of Jesse (v1, v10), would come one who would draw the Gentiles to himself and the spirit of the Lord would rest upon Him (v2). Jesus would also become the world’s righteous and just judge (v4) and his salvation would inspire great thanks and praise (chapter 12 v2,3).
BABYLONIANS AND OTHER KINGDOMS
In chapter 13 we read that the Babylonians were also being called to play their part in God’s plans (v1-3) but they, in turn, would be destroyed by the Medes (v17), never to rise again. King Ahaz, the evil king, died around this time but God warned the local nations that they should not gloat over Israel’s fall. The Philistines (14v29), Moab (15, 16 esp 16v14), Damascus (ch 17v1), Ethiopia (ch18) Egypt (ch19) and Tyre (ch23). It would also be no good trusting in potential allies like Egypt and Ethiopia for they would also fall to the Assyrians (ch20). Despite all this, there was still great hope for the kingdom as chapter 28v16 looks forward to Jesus who would be it’s precious foundation. The Lord would be gracious to them when he heard their cry (30v19). And in Isaiah 32v15 to the Holy Spirit from on high who was going to be “poured out” on them. Chapter 35, with beautifully poetic language, looks forward to a better age when God would come in vengeance to save them and set them on a holy highway.
JERUSALEM, UNLIKE ISRAEL, ARE SPARED FROM THE ASSYRIANS BUT WOULD NOT BE SPARED FROM THE BABYLONIANS
In chapter 36 the book turns to the historical narrative of when King Sennacherib of Assyria captured all the fortified cities of Judah and then sent his envoy, the Rabshakeh, to Hezekiah at Jerusalem (v1, 2). Confident from destroying all before him; with powerful words he tried to terrorise the inhabitants. King Hezekiah entered the house of the Lord (ch37) and called for Isaiah, who then prophesied the Assyrian kings’ demise. On receipt of a threatening letter, Hezekiah spread it before the Lord (37v14) and prayed for the Lord to save. Indeed, the Assyrians had been used of God as an instrument of his justice but God knew all about their arrogance and insults. In one night, fulfilling prophecy, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 soldiers and when the Assyrian king returned home, his own two sons killed him with the sword. This was one of the greatest moments of Judah’s history when God protected one city, Jerusalem, against one of the world’s great warrior empires. Later, in answer to prayer, Hezekiah was healed of a fatal sickness and given 15 years extra to live (38v5). Some of Hezekiah’s sons would not fare so well for in chapter 39 we read that, one day, they would be taken away and would be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
GOD WILL NOT FORGET HIS PEOPLE
All was not lost for God’s people and chapter 40 starts a new section which promises comfort for Jerusalem after her time of punishment (v1). The immediate fulfillment of this would be the return of the exiles from Babylon and, to this remnant people, a voice would cry out to them (v3-5). This passage is mentioned in all four gospels as referring to John the Baptist who would “prepare the way” for Jesus (v5), the “glory of the Lord.” The all-powerful God had not forgotten his people and it was He who would come with all his might (v10). Israel had thought that their ways had been hidden from the Lord; not so, there is hope for all of us no matter how weak we may feel (27-31), if we wait for him. We are not to fear (41v10) because he will strengthen and help us. He has called us by name (43v1) and we are precious in his sight, honoured and loved (v4). Chapter 42 (v1-3) speaks of his servant who will have God’s spirit upon him; Matthew 12v18-20 clarifies that this is Jesus. This servant will not come with a lot of noise and will deal with people tenderly. The chapters that follow talk about God redeeming his people (43v1), being their saviour (v11), doing a new thing (v19), blotting out their transgressions (v25) and pouring out his spirit and blessing (44v3).
CYRUS
At the end of chapter 44 start the prophesies that talk about Cyrus, the Persian king, who was to be instrumental in bringing the Jews back from exile 150 years later. Babylon would meet its just end (ch 47, 48) in one day (v9); see Daniel 5v30 for fulfillment of this. Chapter 49 explains that the redeemer of Israel would come as a servant but His salvation would reach out to other nations and to the ends of the earth (v6)-also Acts 13v47.
SUFFERING SERVANT MESSIAH
For those who might have thought that the messiah would come in the pomp and ceremony of a glorious and powerful king, Isaiah 50 starts those chapters that tell us that, even though he would have great revelation (v4), he was to be a suffering servant. Verse 6 “I gave my back to those who struck me and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting”. The same servant who would redeem without money (52v3) and bring his salvation to Jerusalem, would be “marred” in his appearance (v14) and despised and rejected by others: a man of suffering and acquainted with grief (53v3). Many would not believe him when he came (53v1 and John 12v38). Chapter 53 is mentioned numerous times in the new testament ; verse 1 in John 12v38 and Romans 10v16, verse 4 in Matthew 8v17, verse 7, 8 in Acts 8v32-33 and verse 9 in 1 Peter 2v22. It predicts many aspects of the life of Jesus and we read that it was the will of the Lord to crush him with pain (v10). Through doing this, he bore our infirmities and carried our diseases; the Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all (v6).
THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM
Much of the rest of Isaiah is filled with the glory and principles of the new kingdom. The gospel church will grow (ch 54-see Galatians 4v27); the Lord will have compassion on us and his steadfast love will not be removed from us (v10). Everyone is welcome: “Ho every one that thirsts, come to the waters” (ch55v1) and nations will run to your glory (v5). If we seek the Lord he will abundantly pardon (55v6,7). He dwells with those who are humble and contrite in spirit (57v15) and wants our lives to help the poor and oppressed (ch58). Even though Israel’s sins had separated them from God (ch59v2) the Lord announced a new covenant of life in the spirit (v21). Arise shine for your light has come (ch60) because the glory of the Lord has now risen upon you (v1). The spirit of the Lord is upon me (ch61) are the verses that Jesus took to describe himself at the start of his ministry (Luke 4v18). There will be great rejoicing in the Lord (v10) and righteousness and praise will spring up before all nations (v11). There are some tremendous verses starting from 63v9 which explain that, in the past, it was actually God’s presence that had saved them; it was that same spirit. God was declaring (66v2) that something bigger than the Jerusalem temple was coming and he was looking for the humble and contrite in spirit who tremble at his word. Are we those people?