The prophecies of Isaiah are not necessarily presented in chronological order. We will attack them in that order--skipping around in the chapters--because that’s how we’ve been attacking the Bible all year. Ready? Here we go!
Ch 6: In the year that King Uzziah dies, The Lord God calls Isaiah to prophesy in the lands of Judah and Israel. God asks the question that is so often repeated: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah famously replies, “Here am I, send me.” The people will not like the message of death and destruction, but they need to hear it or they will not repent.
Ch 7: Isaiah speaks to Ahaz, telling him to ask God for a sign. Ahaz does not want to test God. God replies, “But I told you to ask! Fine, here’s a sign anyway. A young woman will be with child, and you will call his name Immanuel, which means God with us.” Does this sound familiar? This prophecy refers to Christ, of course, but it also refers to a young child that is born in the days of Isaiah. He also prophesies that the king of Assyria is coming. He is bringing invasion, thorns and a razor to remove hair from their heads (which will bring shame).
Ch 8: The Lord is presented as holy and the only refuge from the invading hordes. Deep darkness is coming. However...
Ch 9: Those who walk in darkness will see a great light! (9:2) For a child will be born, and his name shall be called “Wonderful, Counselor, Almighty GOD, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace!” The Zeal of the Lord God will accomplish this! Hoo-ah! (Sorry, got a little carried away there. I love this chapter, can you tell?)
Unfortunately, Isaiah has nasty things to say about the nation of Israel. All in Israel are godless evildoers. For the first time, the Lord even condemns orphans and widows! Eventually, though, Assyria will be punished for its crimes against Israel. The remnant will return, as always.
Ch 11: A shoot will grow from the root of Jesse. Who is this? The Messiah, Christ the king. Isaiah describes the actions of an active, military king.
Ch 17: Israel will be overthrown because they have forgotten the God of their salvation. There will be judgment against Israel, for they have forgotten the Lord. But then the nations are judged for plundering Israel. God is deeply disappointed with his children, but will punish anyone who moves against them.
Ch 28: Yet, the Lord of Hosts will be a crown of beauty to the remnant. In the midst of all the destruction, there is hope. We see this repeated again and again in the prophesies of Isaiah: destruction, but hope for the remnant.
Isaiah quotes the children of Israel: “We have made falsehood our refuge.”
God replies, “I have laid a stone in Zion. Your deal with death will not last.”
Ch1:God asks questions we have seen before: Why do you keep rebelling? He wants no more incense. No more iniquity with a festival. This relates to the “mercy and not sacrifice” theme that we have heard before.
Then God says in 1:18 “Let us reason together,” using the cool Hebrew word yakah that means “mediator” or “intercessor.” If you obey, you will eat the good things of the land. Rebel, on the other hand, and you will be destroyed. You will burn; there will be no one to quench the flames.
In the future there will be a city of peace, with swords beaten into plowshares. The Lord alone will be exalted. Before this there is more judgment. When will it stop? “Eventually” is our best answer. “When the people stop being stupid and return to God,” is a better guess.
Glory is coming, when the Lord will wash away the filth and cleanse the guilt.
Ch 5: There is a lovely vineyard, but it will be demolished. So much sin, So much destruction. So much pain. Had there only been obedience...
Ch 13: Oracle against Babylon, for death and destruction are coming there, too. Babylon’s time is almost up.
Ch 14: However: THE LORD WILL CHOOSE ISRAEL AGAIN!!!!! We cannot overestimate this point.
Later in Ch 14-16: The year that Ahaz dies, Isaiah speaks a message against Philistia. The message? More death and destruction. (Surprised? Yeah, me neither.) There is also a warning for the nation of Moab, which will soon be an object of contempt. The fun never ends with these prophets, does it?
Yet even in the midst of all the doom and gloom, the thing which must not be missed is the message of reconciliation offered for all who choose, and for the salvation of a remnant after the destruction.
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