Isaiah, Intro and Chapters 1 and 2

                                                      The Siegburg Lectionary, 12th century.

                                                                               The British Library (Public Domain)

Please have your Bible with you as you go through these lessons. My favorite is the ESV as it is closer to the Greek than most translations and is easy to read; however, this study was created with the NKJV and the NASB. Your favorite will work, too! It is highly encouraged to read the verse or chapter first, then go through the lesson - either way is fine. There are questions at the end to hopefully help you remember some things from the study.

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Isaiah

Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2

Introduction

Isaiah means “The Lord is Salvation” or “The Lord is the source of Salvation”(Young, 1:3). He is one of four prophets who are contemporaries: Amos and Hosea, the Northern Tribe (Israel); Isaiah and Micah, the Southern Tribe (Judah/ Jerusalem). It is also during this time frame that Jonah is sent to the Ninevites. Why is this important to note? A messenger of God being sent to Gentiles (heathens/pagans) and the message that we see from Isaiah have grand implications.

Isaiah is the son of Amoz, possibly the brother of king Amaziah (2 Kings 14:1-2). This means that he may have been of royal blood, which would explain his access to the kings, such that he had. (Shackleford, 5).

The time period of Isaiah’s prophecy is roughly 740 to 680 BC, making his ministry a span of 40 to 60 years.

Isaiah is cited 22 times in the New Testament, with Matthew particularly heavy in usage. This allows us to see prophecy and fulfillment. (Matt.5:17; Luke 24:44).

During this time, there was war and would be even more war coming. The Assyrians are attacking, most notably Tiglath-pileser III and then later Sennacherib. Also, from our previous studies, we know that the Babylonian Empire will rise. Israel (the northern tribe) would be taken captive and Judah (the southern tribe) would be greatly harassed. Forty-six towns destroyed and took over 200,000 Jews into captivity (Holland, 2).

During his prophecies, Isaiah will live in the time of four kings: Uzziah, largely known as a good king; Jotham, his son, also largely a good king; Ahaz, a very bad king (2 Kings 16:3) and we’ll see him in Chapter 7; Hezekiah, known as a very good king.

Jewish history recalls that Isaiah was killed by king Manasseh and if Hebrews 11:37 references it, he was “sawn asunder”, depending on your translation.

“Man must learn that his deliverance cannot come from himself. To God alone he must look.” (Young, 1:6)

Looking at the captivity of the Israelites and the war that occurred in certain regions in the area, Young opines, “First to feel the weight of deportation, they too first saw the light, for the Lord left Nazareth and went down to Capernaum to dwell there.” (Young, 1:17)

Chapter 1

Indictment

Vs 1

1. Vision- from God

“Clearly attests the supernatural origin of the entire prophecy. It is not human opinions or reasonings or the cogitations of Isaiah’s own mind which are here presented, but a special revelation of God to Isaiah.” (Young, 1:30) This separates the prophets from us, today. We have the completed work: The Holy Bible.

Vs 2 - 3

1. Why do the heavens and the earth need to pay attention? Because Judah is not listening! (v2)

2. Rebellion from God’s children. (v3)

3. They do not know God. Oh, they have an intellect of God. The word know here implies an intimacy, a belonging, and a relationship.(v3)

Vs 4

1. Charges are brought against the nation: “sinful”, “iniquity”, “evildoers”, “corruptors” or “corruptly”, “forsaken” or “abandoned”, “despised”, “turned away” or “provoked to anger”. The nation had missed the mark, they were bent or crooked, they were full of wicked deeds and immoral actions, they had left God unattended and uncared for, and had walked out and turned their back on God.

2. Holy One of Israel - speaks to God’s nature, as we have discussed recently in the Peter epistles. See 2 Peter 1:3-8, as we walk closer to God we "partake in the divine nature".

Vs 5-6

1. The language is war-like as afflictions or troubles one would receive if in battle. (Oswalt,1: 89)

Vs 7-9

1. Prophecy of desolation. Someone from the outside is going to bring much destruction. (v7)

2. The daughter of Zion - city of Jerusalem. (v8)

3. A “booth” or “shelter” and a hut - weak structures used in times of harvesting to protect from the elements. They cannot withstand an attack! (v8)

4. Lord of Hosts - “military terminology expressing the power of God to execute judgment against all His enemies.” (Shackleford, 33) (v9)

5. “Had left us a very small remnant” - The remnant! (v9) God has always spared or ensured there are some who were/are saved.

Vs 10-15

1. Sodom and Gomorrah - God destroyed both!(v10)

2. God was not casting aside the worship He had previously instructed, rather He was charging them with having the wrong attitude, the wrong mind, the wrong heart, the wrong deeds away from worship.

3. Matt. 15: 8-9; John 4:24

Vs 16-17

1. Were they physically dirty? No! They were spiritually dirty. Repent! Take action! Turn away from man and his ways and turn towards God and His ways. (v16-17b)

2. Notice he includes caring for people. (v17C)

Vs 18-20

1. “Let us reason together” - This was not a negotiation, rather it is a call for the nation to stop and think about what they were doing and to make a decision to serve Him or continue in their unfaithfulness.(v18)

2. Look up the lyrics to the hymnal "Though Your Sins Be As Scarlett". The first glimpse of the Redeemer! (v18) Hallelujah, what a Savior! How sweet the name of Jesus!

3. “If you are willing (consent) and obey”. Notice "IF" - conditional. Obey here is the same word translated “listen” in v2 and “hear” in v10. Ps. 51:12 (part of David’s repentance). “In other words, to listen is to obey. To obey is to listen.” (Holland, 4) Isaiah’s telling them, telling us, REPENT! (v19) For us today: Repent! Accept Jesus on His terms!

4. If they refuse, if WE refuse, destruction is imminent.

Vs 21-23

1. The nation is committing spiritual adultery. (v21)

2. They were once with God, now they are against God. As a result, they are nothing that they used to be. (v22-23b)

3. They don’t help or defend the helpless. (v23c)

Vs 24-31

1. Power and might wording as before. God will cleanse, God will purify, and God will restore.(v24-26)

2. Redemption! This is not new: Ex.13:13; Num. 15-17. Now, is this a look at Christ? A look at the church? The redemption that the Israelites were given, at the time, was temporary in nature. Our redemption is eternal only through the blood of Christ. Most assuredly, after their tribulation, after exile, and after their humiliation God allows His people to return.(v27) Look up the lyrics to the hymnal "Redeemed" (Crosby). See 1 Peter 1:18-19.

3. Those who refuse to repent of their idolatry (oaks - ancient wording indicating idolatry) and the environment and atmosphere of idolatry (garden - where do you find nicely pruned oaks and plants?) will be dealt with by the wrath of God.(v28-31) What may be our "oaks"? What may be our "gardens"?

Chapter 2

The Ideal and the Real Jerusalem

Vs 1

1. “Saw” - “perceived by divine revelation”(Motyer,53)

Vs 2-4, The ideal Jerusalem

1. “Latter” or “last” days - a time in the future, not the end of time.(v2a) Heb. 1:1-2 “The Age of the Christian Church” (Young,1:99)

2. “The Lord’s house” or “house of the Lord” or “house of the God of Jacob” or “house of Jacob”, are used in the time of the Old testament to mean the nation of Israel or the church. It is used in the New Testament to recall the minds of the Jews and to make clear to us that from the beginning it was and is God’s intent to redeem man. Here it is used for the church, the body of Christ.  The Church transcends governments and nations. No other entity on earth shall stand above it. Heb. 12:22-24; Luke 1: 33.69 (v2b,c)

3. “All nations” - Both Jew and Gentile (v2d) (Gen. 12:3, see also Gen 26:4) Gal. 3:7-8

4. We are taught in His ways in order to walk in His paths. The law that poured forth from Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:8) is the fulfilled law, so it is a better law in that it is now complete, perfect (1 Cor. 13:10). The law from Mt Sinai, the law of Moses, brings us to the Law of Christ, it is in the latter where we find salvation is full and free.(v3) Luke 24:46-47

5. Only through Christ may we stand before God. It is only through Him that we may face judgment with hope. In this hope, we have peace; a peace that passes all understanding. That peace is also only through Christ. (Is.9:6-7, the Prince of Peace; Luke 2: 14, the announcement of Christ’s coming and the peace wished upon mankind through Him; 1 Peter 3:11, our charge to pursue peace, as followers of Him; Ps. 34:14- David’s charge to us to seek peace).

6.  Micah 4:1-5

Vs 5-11

1. Transition from future to present and an encouragement to walk with God.(v5)

2. God’s people has allowed cultures from Babylonia, Assyria, and Persia to influence their minds, hearts, and actions.(v6-9)

3. They cannot, will not, hide from God’s judgment.(v10-11) Heb.10;30-31

Vs 12-22

1. God will have His day. Everything and everyone who has been lifted higher than Him will be brought down.(v12-18) “ Idols appear last as all other evils are a result of them.” (Young, 1:129-130) “They (the prophets) needed to disabuse the Israelites of the idea that merely because they were called by God’s name they deserved His favor.” (Oswalt, 1:126)

2. A reiteration in not hiding from God’s judgment. The Israelites (Jews), after the exile and the return, never had an issue with idolatry again.(v19-22). Let us remember that we can’t hide either. It is only by the blood of Christ that we can “approach the throne of Glory” (Heb. 4:16). Let us also remember, in the words of Wayne Holland, "The ground at the Cross is level."

Material

NKJV, NASB

Don Shackleford, Isaiah, Truth for Today Commentary

Edward J Young, The Book of Isaiah, Vol 1

Jon W. Quinn, Lo, Your Salvation Comes, An Examination of Messianic Prophecies in the Book of Isaiah

Paul M Holland, The Gospel According to Isaiah, Swartz Creek church of Christ

J Alec Motyer, The Prophecy of Isaiah, An Introduction and Commentary

John N Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah, Vol 1, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament

Questions

1. Who is Isaiah?

2. Who did Isaiah prophesy to?

3. What two cities did Isaiah compare Judah/Jerusalem to?

4. Was God happy with their worship? Why or why not?

5. As best we can tell, what “house of the Lord” or “ the Lord’s house” is Isaiah referring to in Chapter 2 verse 2?

6. True peace, real peace, only comes through/from who?

7. Will God’s people escape His wrath in Judgment? If yes, then how? If no, then how?

8. What will God do to idols, according to Chapter 2 verse 18?

9. As best as we can tell, do the Jews have an issue with idolatry after the exile and return?

10. Who had the Jews let influence them in their idolatrous behavior?

We at The Word hope this series helps with your journey with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. We urge you to read the Scripture, praying for understanding and aid in application of what you study. May God bless you.

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