Now we come to the major prophets. Isaiah heads that list of four — Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel — and the words major and minor refer to the length of the book, not the weight of the message. The twelve minor prophets are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi.

Isaiah began his ministry in 740 BC, the year King Uzziah died (also known as Azariah). It was a tumultuous time in the history of Israel and Judah. The southern kingdom was still enjoying the leadership of godly kings, but the people as a whole were drifting away from their covenant God. The northern kingdom — called Israel, Samaria or Ephraim — was ruled by the prosperous yet wicked Jeroboam II. Stubborn and stiff-necked, neither Jeroboam nor his subjects would give heed to the warnings of Amos or Hosea, prophets whom the loving God had sent to His rebellious people. In less than two decades they would fall to Assyria.

Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, was denouncing Samaria and Jerusalem at the same time, calling them to repentance and trust in God. For the historical background of this period see II Kings 15–20 and II Chronicles 26:3–32.

In the Davidic covenant (I Chronicles 17; II Samuel 7) we learned that the One who is coming would:

• be of the family of David;
• have an established kingdom;
• be known as the Son of Yahweh;
• build a house for Yahweh;
• have an eternal throne and kingdom.

As you read through Isaiah, note where he picks up the Messianic theme and gives us more detail concerning the nature and work of the Messiah.

Movement one  ·  Chapters 1–12  ·  Judgment and hope for Jerusalem

The case against a city  1:1 – 5:30

Jerusalem is rapidly sliding toward judgment, and these chapters are God’s warning in the days of Jotham. What is remarkable is how the case opens — not with a sentence, but with an invitation:

“Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the LORD. “Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool.”

Isaiah 1:18  ·  God’s Word

The first great Messianic prophecy  2:1–4

They will hammer their swords into plowblades and their spears into pruning shears. Nations will never fight against each other, and they will never train for war again.

Isaiah 2:4  ·  God’s Word

Remember, the New Testament is the best commentary on the Old Testament prophecies. The prophets spoke of Jesus — see Luke 24:25–27. The vision is set for “the last days,” indicating the last days of the Old Covenant: the coming of Jesus in His finished work and the setting up of His reign in the Church. We are still living in the last days — see Hebrews 1:2.

The worship of the one true God took place on Mount Moriah, where the temple stood. Baal was worshipped on the hills throughout the land. But one day the Church, the New Covenant temple of the Lord which exists in the dimension of the Holy Spirit, would be preeminent — Ephesians 2:20–22; I Peter 2:5; compare John 4:20–24. This new way of worship would include the Gentiles. People who have hearts like swords and spears shall lay them aside and be taught by God to bear fruit — Romans 14:17.

The Branch of the LORD  4:2–6

The Messiah would be known as the “Branch of the LORD.” This possibly goes back to Genesis 49:22, when Jacob prophesied that Joseph would be a fruitful bough whose branches would run over the wall — another reference to the inclusion of the Gentiles in the age of Messiah. See Ephesians 2:11–22. But only a remnant will remain faithful. Verse 4 is an Old Testament way of looking at the new birth: the filth of our sin was washed away at the Cross, where Jesus experienced the judgment and burning wrath of God.

Judah as a vineyard  5:1–7

Although God has looked after His vines in every detail, they yielded only bad fruit. Therefore the protective hedge around the vineyard will be removed — there is no sense in protecting bad grapes. The song ends with the line that gives the whole book its grievance:

The vineyard of the LORD of Armies is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the garden of his delight. He hoped for justice but saw only slaughter, for righteousness but heard only cries of distress.

Isaiah 5:7  ·  God’s Word

In John 15 Jesus states, “I am the true vine…” Carnal Israel was the false vine. In union with Jesus we will bear much fruit, but apart from Him we can do nothing.

The vision of the Holy One  6:1–13

In the year of King Uzziah’s death, around 740 BC — a decade or so after Rome was founded, by the traditional reckoning — Isaiah received his commission. It was a time of transition. The people of both Israel and Judah were losing their identity as God’s covenant people; but, like the stump of an oak tree which will give forth new shoots, a remnant would survive.

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory.

Isaiah 6:3  ·  God’s Word

In the vision Isaiah is confronted with the awesome holiness of God, which becomes the fabric on which he creates his prophetic tapestry. Thirty times in his book he uses the expression the Holy One to describe God. And his first reaction is not worship but terror — “Oh, no! I’m doomed. Every word that passes through my lips is sinful” (6:5). He becomes acutely aware of his own personal sinfulness, but God assures him that his sins have been atoned for, demonstrated by having a seraph touch his lips with a red-hot stone from the altar. For the believer, there is now no condemnation — Romans 8:1.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom will I send? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:8  ·  God’s Word

And this is where the thread begins. The commission ends with the nation felled like a tree — and with the note that the stump left in the ground is a holy seed. Hold that image. The rest of the book grows out of it.

Immanuel  7:1–25

Ahaz refuses to put his trust in the Lord; instead he calls upon Assyria to defend him against the alliance of Syria and Israel. Although Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, would conquer Ahaz’ enemies, Isaiah maintains that it is all according to the purpose of God — Proverbs 20:24. In unbelief, expressed in a most pious way, Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign that these things shall be so. When God tells you to put Him to the test, it is safe to do so. And even though we try the patience of God, He will bring His purposes to pass — Psalm 33:10, 11.

So the Lord himself will give you this sign: A virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel [God Is With Us].

Isaiah 7:14  ·  God’s Word

Isaiah addresses all the people, telling them more about the coming One who will be a descendant of David. He shall be born of a virgin — no human father will be involved. Humanity and divinity meet in Jesus.

The flood waters of Assyria  8:1–10

Syria and Israel were overcome by Assyrian kings, climaxing with the deportation of Israel by Sargon II in 722 BC. Sennacherib, the son of Sargon II, would have taken Judah also, if Yahweh had not intervened — see chapters 36 and 37.

Yahweh a sanctuary  8:11–22

We cannot avoid Jesus. Either we stumble over Him or He is our sanctuary.

The Prince of Peace  9:1–7

Zebulun and Naphtali, two tribes in the region known as Galilee, took the brunt of foreign invasions from the north. Because of this, Galilee was considered the most contemptible part of Israel. Jesus began His ministry in that region.

The people who walk in darkness will see a bright light. The light will shine on those who live in the land of death’s shadow.

Isaiah 9:2  ·  God’s Word

The day of Midian’s defeat refers to the battle Gideon won despite a seemingly hopeless situation. Babylon will one day conquer Assyria and then Judah, but they are to look beyond that to the One who would be the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant.

A child will be born for us. A son will be given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be named: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6  ·  God’s Word

He will have a human nature like ours, for He will be born — yet He is a Son given, for He is divine. The burden of governing the kingdom will be upon Him. He will be wonderful beyond what they think He will be. In perfect wisdom He will give counsel to His subjects. Immanuel will be a mighty God (compare 10:21) who, like a father, will eternally care for them. As the prince of Shalom, Jesus brings us to a place of living in prosperity of spirit, soul and body, where we are at peace with God, ourselves and each other.

Arrogance met with discipline  9:8 – 10:4

Although God has disciplined them to lead them to repentance, the people of Israel have become stubborn and refuse to change their arrogant ways. Therefore judgment must follow.

The pride of Assyria  10:5–19

Even Assyria, the club of God’s wrath, is guilty of pride and haughtiness. The Lord, however, will show them who is sovereign. Things are not what they appear to be.

How horrible it will be for Assyria! It is the rod of my anger. My fury is the staff in the Assyrians’ hands.

Isaiah 10:5  ·  God’s Word

The remnant  10:20–27

Most of Israel never returned from the Babylonian captivity — only a remnant did. Out of that group only a remnant believed on Jesus: those who were wise enough to flee the wrath of God to come against the ungodly. By being baptized, Jesus made clear His identification with “the survivors of the House of Jacob.”

The shoot out of the stump  11:1–5

Then a shoot will come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from its roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of advice and power, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 11:1–2  ·  God’s Word

The stump of chapter 6 has grown something. The emphasis of this chapter is on the Messiah’s kingdom. Jesus sprang from Jesse, yet He is before Jesse. He is the child born of Jesse, but the Son who is from eternity.

The golden candlestick in the Tabernacle had seven branches and was symbolic of the Holy Spirit (see Revelation 1:4). There is only one Holy Spirit, but His activities are in seven-fold perfection.

• Wisdom is knowing what to do with what you know.
• Understanding is the ability to know what facts mean.
• Counsel is the ability to take your understanding and apply it wisely to another’s life.
• Strength is power and ability.
• Knowledge is knowing personally and intimately.
• The fear of the Lord is loving Him so much we are afraid to hurt Him.

To delight in the fear of the Lord is a Hebraism meaning literally “quick to smell” the fear of the Lord. Intuitively knowing His Father’s delight, He is not controlled by circumstances and people but by His Father’s will — see John 7:8. Jesus had the Holy Spirit without measure. He was the first Spirit-filled man, but we can walk in the same pathway. People will know that Christ is in us because the Holy Spirit is upon us.

Peace in the Holy Spirit  11:6–9

Remember, the prophet is trying to say the impossible. In a poetic way these verses describe absolute peace in the Holy Spirit.

They will not hurt or destroy anyone anywhere on my holy mountain. The world will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD like water covering the sea.

Isaiah 11:9  ·  God’s Word

The future of the remnant  11:10–16

The root of Jesse now stands as a banner, and it is the nations who come to it — the shoot is not for Israel alone. God reaches out a second time to gather the scattered remnant from Assyria, Egypt, Cush, Elam, Babylonia and the coastlands, and the old jealousy between Ephraim and Judah comes to an end. The section closes with a highway for the returning few, deliberately described the way the exodus from Egypt was described: “There will be a highway for the remaining few of his people left in Assyria like there was for Israel when it came out of Egypt” (11:16). The rescue God is planning is a second exodus.

Thanksgiving and praise  12:1–6

The preceding chapters lead naturally into this song of praise; compare Exodus 15. For Judah, judgment was sure; but looking beyond it, Isaiah assures the people that God would keep His word and bring about His kingdom.

Look! God is my Savior. I am confident and unafraid, because the LORD is my strength and my song.

Isaiah 12:2  ·  God’s Word

Movement two  ·  Chapters 13–27  ·  Judgment and hope for the nations

Judgment upon the nations  13 – 23

In these chapters Isaiah sees in a vision God’s judgments coming upon various nations — a time when the Holy One will humble the pride of the haughty and ruthless. The list runs through Israel’s whole neighbourhood, and the charge against each is the same charge He brought against Jerusalem in chapter 1. That is the point of putting them together: God does not have one standard for His people and another for everyone else.

The inclusion of the Gentiles  19:23–25

Egypt and Assyria both struck fear in the hearts of the descendants of Jacob. Egypt was a remembered terror; Assyria was an impending terror. These two nations became symbols of the Gentile world opposed to the people of God. But God will do a work even with the Gentiles, and they too will become part of His covenant people.

Judgment and salvation  24 – 27

The specific judgments of the preceding chapters are tied together in chapter 24, as Isaiah speaks of a coming universal judgment on both “the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below.” In John 12:31 Jesus states, “Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world shall be cast out.” The final judgment upon man and angels awaits the last day of life as we know it on earth, at the consummation of the kingdom.

But over against the judgment of God, Isaiah assures us that there will be a company of people who trust in the Lord, and they will celebrate the God of their salvation.

With perfect peace you will protect those whose minds cannot be changed, because they trust you.

Isaiah 26:3  ·  God’s Word

In chapter 27 Isaiah again sees a vineyard — but this time it will be fruitful, and God will again place His hedge around it. The song of chapter 5 is sung a second time, and it comes out the other way. As heirs to the New Covenant, God has given us His Holy Spirit that we might bear fruit in every good work — Colossians 1:10.

Movement three  ·  Chapters 28–39  ·  The fall of Jerusalem predicted

Woe to Samaria and Judah  28, 29

In 28:16 we are given further details concerning the Messiah. He will be “a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” — Romans 9:33, I Peter 2:6. As a structure was being built, its walls would be plumbed and measured in relation to the cornerstone. The Church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus as the chief cornerstone — Psalm 118:22, Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:19–22.

Warning against relying on Egypt  30, 31

Judah foolishly turns to Egypt, her former oppressor, for help. Whenever we, the inheritors of a better covenant, attempt to handle problems the way we used to before coming to know Christ, we will always be bitterly betrayed. Resting quietly in the sure promises of God is our salvation and strength — and Isaiah says exactly that, with the saddest last line in the book:

You can be saved by returning to me. You can have rest. You can be strong by being quiet and by trusting me. But you don’t want that.

Isaiah 30:15  ·  God’s Word

A righteous king and just princes  32

Jesus is the King and we are the princes who rule with Christ. Each believer in Christ is like a shelter from the storm of life.

True security is in the LORD  33

Note verse 24, which is a thrilling and accurate description of the ministry of Jesus.

Judgment upon the nations  34

The nations are summoned to hear a verdict, and the language goes past politics into creation itself — “All the stars in the sky will rot. The heavens will be rolled up like a scroll” (34:4). Edom stands in the dock for all of them, and the reason given is not empire-building but loyalty: it is “a year of revenge in defense of Zion” (34:8). Chapter 34 is the dark panel; chapter 35 is the bright one, and they are meant to be read as a pair.

The redeemed of the LORD  35

Isaiah sees a glorious new day when a company of people will have their lifeless, desert-like spirits blossom and bloom with life; compare Isaiah 32:15. Jesus quotes verses 5 and 6 to the disciples of John as proof that the long-awaited Messiah had come — Matthew 11:5.

The people ransomed by the LORD will return. They will come to Zion singing with joy. Everlasting happiness will be on their heads. They will be glad and joyful. They will have no sorrow or grief.

Isaiah 35:10  ·  God’s Word

King Hezekiah  36:1 – 39:8

Four chapters of narrative in the middle of poetry, and they are here to settle a question the poetry has been asking since chapter 7: what happens when a king actually trusts God? Ahaz would not. Hezekiah does — and then, at the very end, does not.

Sennacherib insults the living God  36

The Assyrian field commander stands outside the wall and shouts in Hebrew, so that the ordinary people on the wall can understand him. His argument is careful: do not let Hezekiah talk you into trusting the LORD, surrender and you will live well. Then he makes the mistake the whole book has been waiting for — he lists the gods of Hamath, Arpad and Sepharvaim, which did not save their cities, and puts the LORD in the same list: “Could the LORD then rescue Jerusalem from my control?” (36:20). It is no longer a siege. It is a challenge to the Holy One of chapter 6.

Hezekiah’s prayer  37

Unlike the previous encounter Ahaz had with the prophet Isaiah in chapter 7, Hezekiah, as leader of the covenant people, puts his wholehearted trust in the living God for deliverance. He takes the letter to the temple and spreads it out in front of the LORD. Consequently the defeat of Sennacherib is certain. See I Peter 5:6, 7.

Now, LORD our God, rescue us from Assyria’s control so that all the kingdoms on earth will know that you alone are the LORD.

Isaiah 37:20  ·  God’s Word

Hezekiah’s illness and healing  38

Isaiah tells the king to put his house in order, because he is going to die. Hezekiah turns his face to the wall, prays, and weeps bitterly — and God sends the prophet straight back with fifteen added years and the promise that the city will be defended, confirmed by the shadow on the stairway going back ten steps. The psalm Hezekiah writes afterwards is worth the chapter on its own: “Now my bitter experience turns into peace… You have thrown all my sins behind you” (38:17). A man who has been told the date of his death, and then given it back.

Hezekiah displays his treasures  39

Upon his recovery, messengers came from Merodach-Baladan, the king of Babylon. They came to congratulate him on his recovery, but the overthrow of Assyria was probably their true reason — Babylon had been in a power struggle with Assyria for over twenty years. Honoured by their presence, Hezekiah showed them his treasures. Isaiah severely rebuked him for this, prophesying of the days when Babylon would come and plunder all of that treasure.

The days are going to come when everything in your palace, everything your ancestors have stored up to this day, will be taken away to Babylon. Nothing will be left… Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The LORD’s word that you have spoken is good.” He added, “Just let there be peace and security as long as I live.”

Isaiah 39:6, 8  ·  God’s Word

Where this half leaves you

On a king who has just heard that everything will be carried off to Babylon, and is content because it will not happen in his lifetime. That is the end of the first half of Isaiah, and it is deliberate. Every warning in thirty-nine chapters has been leading to an exile, and the man who was given fifteen extra years cannot see past his own.

The stump is about to be cut. But there is a holy seed in it — and the second half of the book is written from the other side of the felling.

Continue with Isaiah 40–66.