Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. Judah has sinned; the surrounding nations have sinned; the whole earth has sinned. Judgment must come, for God cannot allow such blatant sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Saviour and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown.
Isaiah's prophetic ministry, spanning the reigns of four kings of Judah, covers at least forty years. Yesha'yahu and its shortened form yeshaiah mean "Yahweh Is Salvation." This name is an excellent summary of the contents of the book. The Greek form in the Septuagint is Hesaias, and the Latin form is Esaias or haias.
Isaiah, the "Shakespeare of the prophets," has often been called the "evangelical prophet" because of his incredibly clear and detailed messianic prophecies. The "gospel according to Isaiah" has three major sections: prophecies of condemnation (1—35), historical parenthesis (36—39), and prophecies of comfort (40—66).
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. Judah has sinned; the surrounding nations have sinned; the whole earth has sinned. Judgment must come, for God cannot allow such blatant sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Saviour and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown.
Isaiah's prophetic ministry, spanning the reigns of four kings of Judah, covers at least forty years. Yesha'yahu and its shortened form yeshaiah mean "Yahweh Is Salvation." This name is an excellent summary of the contents of the book. The Greek form in the Septuagint is Hesaias, and the Latin form is Esaias or haias.
Isaiah, the "Shakespeare of the prophets," has often been called the "evangelical prophet" because of his incredibly clear and detailed messianic prophecies. The "gospel according to Isaiah" has three major sections: prophecies of condemnation (1—35), historical parenthesis (36—39), and prophecies of comfort (40—66).
Some Verses that Show Jesus in Isaiah
The book is first a book of prophesy and to us the prophesy of greatest importance is the prophesy of Jesus Christ. These passages refer to Jesus: 7:14 speaks of the sign of the virgin birth. 9:6-7 tells us of the boy who will receive the government on his shoulders. 11:1-9 proclaims the offspring of Jesse who will receive the spirit of the Lord and will judge with righteousness. 25:6-8 declares victory over death in Jesus. 28:16 speaks of Jesus as the precious corner stone. There are certainly more passages that prophesy about Jesus but we have noticed the most used and obvious.
7:14 speaks of the sign of the virgin birth
Isaiah 7:14King James Version (KJV)14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14King James Version (KJV)14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:2King James Version (KJV)9 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
9:6-7 tells us of the boy who will receive the government on his shoulders.
Isaiah 9:5-7King James Version (KJV)5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:5-7King James Version (KJV)5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
11:1-9 proclaims the offspring of Jesse who will receive the spirit of the Lord and will judge with righteousness.
Isaiah 11:1-9King James Version (KJV)11 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:1-9King James Version (KJV)11 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:12King James Version (KJV)12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
25:6-8 declares victory over death in Jesus.
Isaiah 25:6-8King James Version (KJV)6 And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaiah 25:6-8King James Version (KJV)6 And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
7 And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
28:16 speaks of Jesus as the precious corner stone.
Isaiah 28:16King James Version (KJV)16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 28:16King James Version (KJV)16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Isaiah 53:5King James Version (KJV)5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Information for mom and dad so that they can help you understand Isaiah further.
Introduction to IsaiahThe Man, The Times, And The Book
Isaiah is often referred to as "The Messianic Prophet", because of his many prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus. The New Testament quotes and applies more scriptures from the book of Isaiah than any other Old Testament prophet.
Yet Isaiah's work was not solely foretelling the future. A prophet of God was not primarily a future teller, but one who spoke God's word to the people of his own day. The word "prophet" literally means "to boil up like a fountain." Therefore a prophet was a spokesman for God; not so much a "foreteller" as a "forth teller"!
Isaiah was God's spokesman to Judah and Jerusalem at time when the nation was immersed in sin. He spoke God's indictment against their sins, urging them to repent. He then foretold destruction upon them if they did not return to God.
In the midst of these dire warnings, Isaiah also foretold of a bright future with the coming Messiah. God would not forget His covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. He would spare a remnant of the nation of Israel out of which would come the Messiah and His new kingdom.
ISAIAH, THE MAN
His name (Isaiah) means "salvation of the Lord" or "the Lord is salvation", and is certainly symbolic of his message. He is described as "the son of Amoz" (Isa 1:1; 2:1;13:1), of whom the Bible reveals nothing. He was married and had two sons, Shear-Jashub ("the remnant shall return", Isa 7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz ("in-speed-spoil-booty- hastens", Isa 8:3), whose names also symbolized his message.
Tradition says that Amoz was a brother of Amaziah, the son of Joash, king of Judah (2 Kin 14:1). This would make Isaiah a close relative to those who were kings during his lifetime, and would explain his close association with kings and priests and involvement with world affairs.
Isaiah received his visions in the days of "Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah" (Isa 1:1). It is generally thought the vision of the throne scene which occurred "in the year Uzziah died" (Isa 6:1) was the beginning point of his ministry as a prophet (ca. 739 B.C.). According to Jewish tradition, Isaiah was executed by Manasseh only a few years after he ascended the throne. One source describes Isaiah as having been sawn asunder with a wooden saw (cf. He 11:37). This would mean Isaiah prophesied during a period of approximately fifty years (ca. 739-690 B.C.).
ISAIAH, THE TIMES
It was a time of great political turmoil for the nation of Judah. Assyria was expanding its empire, attacking Israel and Syria to the north. When Judah refused to joined a coalition with Israel and Syria to resist Assyria, Judah was attacked by Israel and Syria in retaliation. As Judah seriously considered inviting Assyria to help, Isaiah sought to encourage the king and the people to trust only in Jehovah. King Ahaz of Judah rejected Isaiah's advice and asked Assyria to come to his aid. Assyria accepted, and the capital of Israel (Samaria) fell in 722 B.C. (Hendriksen)
It soon became apparent that Judah was next on Assyria's hit list. Judah began looking to Egypt in the south for help. Once again, Isaiah counseled the nation to make no alliances but trust only in the Lord. King Hezekiah heeded Isaiah and God rewarded his faith by destroying the Assyrian host (Isa 36-37). But in a moment of weakness Hezekiah showed the ambassadors from Babylon (Assyria's enemy) the house of his treasures (Isa 39:1-2). This prompted Isaiah to foretell that the king's treasures and his descendants would be taken away to Babylon (Isa 39:5-7). With this prophecy as an introduction, in chapters 40-66 Isaiah speaks from the viewpoint of Babylonian exile and foretells of coming pardon, deliverance, and restoration. (ibid.)
During this time God sent several prophets to Israel and Judah. Hosea (750-725 B.C.) prophesied mainly to Israel, the northern ten tribes. Micah (735-700 B.C.) together with Isaiah spoke primarily to Judah in the south.
ISAIAH, THE BOOK
Two major themes run throughout the book. There is the exhortation to "Trust in the Holy One of Israel". Faith in the Lord would assure forgiveness for their transgressions and deliverance from their enemies. Eight times the people are urged to "wait upon the Lord" (cf. Isa 40:28-31). "The Messiah to come and the glory of His age" is another dominate message. Isaiah spoke frequently of the events to come, foretelling the fall of heathen nations and the establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah who would rule in justice and righteousness (cf. Isa 2:1-5).
Isaiah's favorite designation for Jehovah (Yahweh) is "The Lord of Hosts", used 62 times in the book.
"The name designates the Lord as omnipotent, and...is used by all the writing prophets except Ezekiel, Joel, Obadiah, and Jonah. The term 'hosts' designated the armies of Israel. It could also refer to the angels, the heavenly messengers of the Lord, and to the stars as God's hosts. When, as here, it appears without further qualification, it designates the Lord as the God of all hosts, and is thus an equivalent expression for the 'all-powerful God'." - Edward J. Young
Another designation for the Lord used by Isaiah is "The Holy One Of Israel". In his book it is used 25 times, while found only six times in all the rest of the Bible.
The book of Isaiah can be divided into two major parts:
The Assyrian Period (chapters 1-39) - The prophet proclaims the Lord's indictment against Judah and Jerusalem, and the coming judgment against them. He portrays the sovereign rule of the Lord of Hosts who judges not only Israel, but heathen nations as well. He prophesies that the Lord will use Assyria, Babylon, and the Medes to execute His purposes, and afterward judge each of these along other nations, bringing them to desolation because of their sins. (Harkrider)
The Babylonian Period (chapters 40-66) - Isaiah exhorts an afflicted people to have faith and patience. He describes the salvation and future blessings to come upon the true Israel of God. Though Isaiah did not live during the period of Babylonian captivity, through inspiration he was able to speak words of comfort to those who would experience that difficult time of Israel's history. (ibid.)
General Outline
There are many reasons why Christians should read and study the book of Isaiah. Among them:
It increases faith in Jesus as the Messiah, as one reads the messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in Him.
It strengthens hope in God as the One who is ultimately in control of all things, and will bring His purposes to pass.
It inspires love for God and His Messiah, as one reads of the blessings to be found in obedience to God's Word.
It enlarges understanding as to how God ruled in the nations of men in the past, and how Christ may exercise His rule in the nations today.
Give yourself the opportunity to be blessed by this wonderful book of the Bible!
Review Questions for the Introduction
Isaiah is often referred to as "The Messianic Prophet", because of his many prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus. The New Testament quotes and applies more scriptures from the book of Isaiah than any other Old Testament prophet.
Yet Isaiah's work was not solely foretelling the future. A prophet of God was not primarily a future teller, but one who spoke God's word to the people of his own day. The word "prophet" literally means "to boil up like a fountain." Therefore a prophet was a spokesman for God; not so much a "foreteller" as a "forth teller"!
Isaiah was God's spokesman to Judah and Jerusalem at time when the nation was immersed in sin. He spoke God's indictment against their sins, urging them to repent. He then foretold destruction upon them if they did not return to God.
In the midst of these dire warnings, Isaiah also foretold of a bright future with the coming Messiah. God would not forget His covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. He would spare a remnant of the nation of Israel out of which would come the Messiah and His new kingdom.
ISAIAH, THE MAN
His name (Isaiah) means "salvation of the Lord" or "the Lord is salvation", and is certainly symbolic of his message. He is described as "the son of Amoz" (Isa 1:1; 2:1;13:1), of whom the Bible reveals nothing. He was married and had two sons, Shear-Jashub ("the remnant shall return", Isa 7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz ("in-speed-spoil-booty- hastens", Isa 8:3), whose names also symbolized his message.
Tradition says that Amoz was a brother of Amaziah, the son of Joash, king of Judah (2 Kin 14:1). This would make Isaiah a close relative to those who were kings during his lifetime, and would explain his close association with kings and priests and involvement with world affairs.
Isaiah received his visions in the days of "Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah" (Isa 1:1). It is generally thought the vision of the throne scene which occurred "in the year Uzziah died" (Isa 6:1) was the beginning point of his ministry as a prophet (ca. 739 B.C.). According to Jewish tradition, Isaiah was executed by Manasseh only a few years after he ascended the throne. One source describes Isaiah as having been sawn asunder with a wooden saw (cf. He 11:37). This would mean Isaiah prophesied during a period of approximately fifty years (ca. 739-690 B.C.).
ISAIAH, THE TIMES
It was a time of great political turmoil for the nation of Judah. Assyria was expanding its empire, attacking Israel and Syria to the north. When Judah refused to joined a coalition with Israel and Syria to resist Assyria, Judah was attacked by Israel and Syria in retaliation. As Judah seriously considered inviting Assyria to help, Isaiah sought to encourage the king and the people to trust only in Jehovah. King Ahaz of Judah rejected Isaiah's advice and asked Assyria to come to his aid. Assyria accepted, and the capital of Israel (Samaria) fell in 722 B.C. (Hendriksen)
It soon became apparent that Judah was next on Assyria's hit list. Judah began looking to Egypt in the south for help. Once again, Isaiah counseled the nation to make no alliances but trust only in the Lord. King Hezekiah heeded Isaiah and God rewarded his faith by destroying the Assyrian host (Isa 36-37). But in a moment of weakness Hezekiah showed the ambassadors from Babylon (Assyria's enemy) the house of his treasures (Isa 39:1-2). This prompted Isaiah to foretell that the king's treasures and his descendants would be taken away to Babylon (Isa 39:5-7). With this prophecy as an introduction, in chapters 40-66 Isaiah speaks from the viewpoint of Babylonian exile and foretells of coming pardon, deliverance, and restoration. (ibid.)
During this time God sent several prophets to Israel and Judah. Hosea (750-725 B.C.) prophesied mainly to Israel, the northern ten tribes. Micah (735-700 B.C.) together with Isaiah spoke primarily to Judah in the south.
ISAIAH, THE BOOK
Two major themes run throughout the book. There is the exhortation to "Trust in the Holy One of Israel". Faith in the Lord would assure forgiveness for their transgressions and deliverance from their enemies. Eight times the people are urged to "wait upon the Lord" (cf. Isa 40:28-31). "The Messiah to come and the glory of His age" is another dominate message. Isaiah spoke frequently of the events to come, foretelling the fall of heathen nations and the establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah who would rule in justice and righteousness (cf. Isa 2:1-5).
Isaiah's favorite designation for Jehovah (Yahweh) is "The Lord of Hosts", used 62 times in the book.
"The name designates the Lord as omnipotent, and...is used by all the writing prophets except Ezekiel, Joel, Obadiah, and Jonah. The term 'hosts' designated the armies of Israel. It could also refer to the angels, the heavenly messengers of the Lord, and to the stars as God's hosts. When, as here, it appears without further qualification, it designates the Lord as the God of all hosts, and is thus an equivalent expression for the 'all-powerful God'." - Edward J. Young
Another designation for the Lord used by Isaiah is "The Holy One Of Israel". In his book it is used 25 times, while found only six times in all the rest of the Bible.
The book of Isaiah can be divided into two major parts:
The Assyrian Period (chapters 1-39) - The prophet proclaims the Lord's indictment against Judah and Jerusalem, and the coming judgment against them. He portrays the sovereign rule of the Lord of Hosts who judges not only Israel, but heathen nations as well. He prophesies that the Lord will use Assyria, Babylon, and the Medes to execute His purposes, and afterward judge each of these along other nations, bringing them to desolation because of their sins. (Harkrider)
The Babylonian Period (chapters 40-66) - Isaiah exhorts an afflicted people to have faith and patience. He describes the salvation and future blessings to come upon the true Israel of God. Though Isaiah did not live during the period of Babylonian captivity, through inspiration he was able to speak words of comfort to those who would experience that difficult time of Israel's history. (ibid.)
General Outline
- THE ASSYRIAN PERIOD - CONFLICT AND VICTORY (1-39)
- PROPHECIES CONCERNING JUDAH AND JERUSALEM (1-12)
- PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE NATIONS (13-27)
- DELIVERANCE FOUND NOT IN EGYPT, BUT IN THE LORD (28-35)
- HISTORICAL INTERLUDE (36-39)
- THE BABYLONIAN PERIOD - HOPE FOR TROUBLED TIMES (40-66)
- THE ONE TRUE GOD VERSUS IDOLS (40-48)
- THE LORD'S SERVANT WILL BRING SALVATION THROUGH VICARIOUS SUFFERING (49-57)
- THE FUTURE GLORY FOR GOD'S PEOPLE, THE NEW ZION (58-66)
There are many reasons why Christians should read and study the book of Isaiah. Among them:
It increases faith in Jesus as the Messiah, as one reads the messianic prophecies that were fulfilled in Him.
It strengthens hope in God as the One who is ultimately in control of all things, and will bring His purposes to pass.
It inspires love for God and His Messiah, as one reads of the blessings to be found in obedience to God's Word.
It enlarges understanding as to how God ruled in the nations of men in the past, and how Christ may exercise His rule in the nations today.
Give yourself the opportunity to be blessed by this wonderful book of the Bible!
Review Questions for the Introduction
- What is Isaiah frequently called? What does his name mean?
- The Messianic prophet; "Salvation is of the Lord" or "The Lord is salvation"
- Who did he primarily preach to? During what kings of Judah did he prophesy?
- Judah and Jerusalem; Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah
- Approximately when did he serve as a prophet of God? How many years?
- During the years of 739-690 B.C.; 50 years
- What other prophets were contemporary with Isaiah? To Whom did they prophesy?
- Hosea (750-725 B.C.) - Israel
- Micah (735-700 B.C.) - Judah
- What nation was threatening Israel and Judah from the north? What coalition attacked Judah for not aligning with them against the northern invader?
- Assyria; Israel and Syria
- To whom did Judah turn for help in the days of King Ahaz?
- Assyria
- When did Samaria fall and Israel taken into captivity?
- 722 B.C.
- When Assyria threatened Judah, what country was Judah tempted to look to for help?
- Egypt in the south
- Who did Isaiah convince to place his trust in the Lord instead of political alliances?
- King Hezekiah
- How did God reward this king for his faith?
- Destroyed the Assyrian host in one night
- What mistake did the king make that prompted the prophesy of Judah's captivity?
- He showed the treasuries of his house to the ambassadors from Babylon
- What are the two major sections of the book?
- The Assyrian Period, Conflict And Victory (1-39)
- The Babylonian Period, Hope For Troubled Times (40-66)
- What are two major themes running through the book?
- "Trust in the Holy One of Israel"
- "The Messiah to come and the glory of His age"