OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH
Author: Isa. 1:1 identifies the author of the book of Isaiah as the Prophet Isaiah.
Date of Writing: The book of Isaiah was written between 739 and 681 B.C.
Purpose of Writing: The Prophet Isaiah was primarily called to prophesy to the Kingdom of Judah. Judah was going through times of revival and times of rebellion. Judah was threatened with destruction by Assyria and Egypt, but was spared because of God's mercy. Isaiah proclaimed a message of repentance from sin and hopeful expectation of God's deliverance in the future.
Brief Summary: The book of Isaiah reveals God's judgment and salvation. God is "holy, holy, holy" (Isaiah 6:3), and therefore He cannot allow sin to go unpunished (Isaiah 1:2; 2:11-20; 5:30; 34:1-2; 42:25). Isaiah portrays God's oncoming judgment as a "consuming fire" (Isaiah 1:31; 30:33).
At the same time, Isaiah understands that God is a God of mercy, grace, and compassion (Isa. 5:25; 11:16; 14:1-2; 32:2; 40:3; 41:14-16). The nation of Israel (both Judah and Israel) is blind and deaf to God's commands (Isa. 6:9-10; 42:7). Judah is compared to a vineyard that should be, and will be, trampled on (Isa. 5:1-7). Only because of His mercy and His promises to Israel, will God not allow Israel or Judah to be completely destroyed. He will bring restoration, forgiveness, and healing (Isa. 43:2; 43:16-19; 52:10-12).
More than any other book in the Old Testament, Isaiah focuses on the salvation that will come through the Messiah. The Messiah will one day rule in justice and righteousness (Isa. 9:7; 32:1). The reign of the Messiah will bring peace and safety to Israel (Isa. 11:6-9). Through the Messiah, Israel will be a light to all the nations (Isa. 42:6; 55:4-5). The Messiah's kingdom on earth (Isa. chapters 65-66) is the goal toward which all of the book of Isaiah points. It is during the reign of the Messiah that God's righteousness will be fully revealed to the world.
In a seeming paradox, the book of Isaiah also presents the Messiah as one who will suffer. Isaiah chapter 53 vividly describes the Messiah suffering for sin. It is through His wounds that healing is achieved. It is through His suffering that our iniquities are taken away. This apparent contradiction is solved in the Person of Jesus Christ. In His first advent, Jesus was the suffering servant of Isaiah chapter 53. In His second advent, Jesus will be the conquering and ruling King, the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).
Foreshadowings: As stated above, chapter 53 of Isaiah describes the coming Messiah and the suffering He would endure in order to pay for our sins. In His sovereignty, God orchestrated every detail of the crucifixion to fulfill every prophecy of this chapter, as well as all other messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The imagery of chapter 53 is poignant and prophetic and contains a complete picture of the Gospel. Jesus was despised and rejected (v. 3; Lk. 13:34; Jn. 1:10-11), stricken by God (v.4; Mt. 27:46), and pierced for our transgressions (v. 5; Jn. 19:34; 1 Pet. 2:24). By His suffering, He paid the punishment we deserved and became for us the ultimate and perfect sacrifice (v. 5; Heb. 10:10). Although He was sinless, God laid on Him our sin, and we became God's righteousness in Him (2 Cor. 5:21).
Practical Application: The book of Isaiah presents our Savior to us in undeniable detail. He is the only way to heaven, the only means of obtaining the grace of God, the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). Knowing the price Christ paid for us, how can we neglect or reject "so great a salvation"? (Heb. 2:3). We have only a few, short years on earth to come to Christ and embrace the salvation only He offers. There is no second chance after death, and eternity in hell is a very long time.
