Introduction To Isaiah

Order of Service

• Sunday School Lesson — Introduction to Isaiah

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Sermon Title: Introduction to the Book of Isaiah

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1

I. The Prophet Isaiah and the Nature of His Prophecy

A. Isaiah identified as the son of Amoz (Isaiah 1:1)

1. Rabbinical tradition suggests Amoz may have been a brother of a king of Judah, making Isaiah of royal lineage
2. Isaiah is mentioned outside his own book in 2 Kings 18–20 and 2 Chronicles 32
3. He is referenced extensively in the New Testament

B. The nature of his prophecy described as a "vision he saw" (Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 2:1)

1. The language of vision refers not necessarily to a visual experience but to supernatural revelation
2. A specific, distinct vision of the Lord enthroned is recorded in Isaiah 6
3. All 66 chapters constitute the revelation God gave to Isaiah

II. The Content and Focus of Isaiah's Prophecy

A. Primary focus: Judah and Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:1)

1. Isaiah 1:2–20 addresses Judah as a whole, charging the nation with covenant rebellion
2. Isaiah 1:21–26 turns to Jerusalem specifically, charging the city with unfaithfulness
3. Isaiah functions as a covenant prosecutor, holding the people accountable to the Mosaic covenant

B. The dual themes of judgment and restoration are interwoven throughout

1. Judgment: Judah charged as a sinful nation, laden with iniquity (Isaiah 1:4)
2. Restoration: promise of cleansing and forgiveness (Isaiah 1:18)
3. Promise of restored judges and a righteous city (Isaiah 1:25–26)

C. A cosmic audience: all creation is included

1. Heaven and earth called as witnesses (Isaiah 1:2)
2. This framing language returns at the close of the book with the promise of new heavens and a new earth

D. The nations are included in the scope of Isaiah's prophecy

1. Nations called to beat swords into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4)
2. The servant will bring justice to the nations (Isaiah 42:1)
3. Fulfills the Abrahamic covenant promise of blessing to all nations

III. The Historical Setting of Isaiah's Ministry

A. Isaiah ministered under four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1) B. His ministry spanned approximately 55 years, from around 740 to 686 BC C. Key events during his ministry:

1. The Assyrian invasion and siege of Jerusalem around 701 BC
2. Isaiah foretold the Babylonian captivity roughly 100 years before it occurred

IV. A Brief Outline of the Book of Isaiah

A. Chapters 1–39: God's self-revelation as Sovereign Judge

1. Motyer describes this section as Isaiah functioning as the Old Testament Paul, emphasizing faith in God's promises
2. Chapters 38–55 are compared to Hebrews, with faith as the sustaining strength of God's people
3. Chapters 56–66 are compared to James, with faith proving itself in obedience

B. Chapters 40–66: God's self-revelation as Everlasting Comforter

1. The section opens with the double call to comfort: "Comfort, comfort my people" (Isaiah 40:1)
2. Comfort comes through the Servant — a suffering Servant, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ
3. Four Servant Songs appear in this section, culminating in Isaiah 52–53

V. The Double Identity of the Servant in Isaiah 40–66

A. The nation of Israel/Judah is called the Lord's servant but proves unfaithful (Isaiah 42:18–19) B. The Messianic Servant comes to accomplish what the nation as servant failed to do C. The Lord's people are identified with his Servant: their heritage is vindication (Isaiah 54:17) D. The Servant's work results in new heavens and a new earth, taken up and expanded in the book of Revelation

VI. The Historical Interlude of Hezekiah as a Bridge to Isaiah 40–66

A. Chapters 36–39 provide a narrative interlude focused on King Hezekiah

1. Hezekiah, a faithful king unlike his father Ahaz, faces the Assyrian threat and cries out to the Lord (Isaiah 37)
2. The Lord promises that Assyria will not destroy Judah; a remnant will be saved

B. Hezekiah's illness and recovery serve as a living parable of national restoration

1. He falls gravely ill, prays, and is promised 15 more years of life (Isaiah 38)
2. He recognizes the Lord's forgiveness of sins behind his physical deliverance (Isaiah 38:17)

C. Hezekiah's fatal mistake sets the stage for the Babylonian captivity (Isaiah 39)

1. He welcomes Babylonian envoys and shows them all his treasures
2. Isaiah prophesies that Judah's wealth and sons will be carried off to Babylon (Isaiah 39:7)
3. Hezekiah's shortsighted self-comfort — "there will be peace in my days" — gives way immediately to Isaiah 40:1: "Comfort, comfort my people"