Topic: What is Isaiah all about?
October begins a two-month journey through the book of Isaiah.
If you want to climb a mountain, you don’t start by walking up a trail. No, before you scale Mount Everest, it is a good idea to sit down and get a bird’s eye view of the mountain, see where it is steep and where it requires more attention. You may also look at pictures of the peak to know what to expect. Another important step along the way is to follow those who have successfully scaled the mountain before you. That might make things easier for you. The same applies to studying books of the Bible, especially towering “Mt. Everests” like Isaiah. If you start reading the book without knowing the big picture, you will find yourself lost midway through.
Isaiah has three parts that make up the sixty-six chapters.
- Part 1: Judgement of God (1-35)
- Part 2: King Hezekiah (36-39)
- Part 3: Coming Messiah (40-66)
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). Isaiah portrays God’s oncoming judgment as a “consuming fire” (Isaiah 1:33 & 30:33)At the same time, Isaiah understands that God is a God of mercy, grace and compassion. The nation of Israel (both Judah and Israel) is blind and deaf to God’s commands. Judah is compared to a vineyard that should be, and will be, trampled on (Isaiah 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.
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 (Isaiah 9:7; 32:1). The reign of the Messiah will bring peace and safety to Israel (Isaiah 11:6-9). Through the Messiah, Israel will be a light to all the nations (Isaiah 42:6; 55:4-5). The Messiah’s kingdom on earth (Isaiah 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.
What would be a good reason to read Isaiah today? Do you know people who claim to be believers in Christ who are two-faced, who are hypocrites? That is perhaps the best summary of how Isaiah viewed the nation of Israel. Israel had an appearance of righteousness, but it was a facade. In the Book of Isaiah, the Prophet Isaiah challenges Israel to obey God with all of their heart, not just on the outside. Isaiah’s desire was that those who heard and read his words would be convicted to turn from wickedness and turn to God for forgiveness and healing.
See you Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem