Page 22 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

Overview of Isaiah
“For sheer grandeur and majesty, probably no book in the Hebrew Bible can be com-
pared with Isaiah. Because the New Testament writers make frequent appeal to the book
in presenting their claims about the nature of Jesus and the Church, Isaiah assumed a
role of particular importance in Christian interpretation.” 1
The Prophet
Isaiah’s name means “Salvation of Jehovah.” He was a married man who had at least
two sons (Isa 7:3; 8:3). His father was Amoz, and he prophesied to Judah and Jerusalem.
Tradition says that he was eventually put to death by Manasseh, being sawn in half
(Hebrews 11:37 being an allusion to this).
The Period
Isaiah tells us that his prophecy spanned the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and
Hezekiah. During his life, the northern kingdom was carried away captive by Assyria.
His contemporaries among the prophetic class included Amos, Hosea and Micah.
It is certain that, if his ministry began in the year that King Uzziah died, he prophesied
for a minimum of 47 years. It is likely that it was even longer.
The Purpose
The experience detailed in chapter 6, when Isaiah had a sight of the throne, stamped
itself upon the mind and ministry of the young prophet. Something of the purpose of
the book can be found in the words which recur throughout the evangelical prophecy:
• Salvation – occurs 27 times
• Sanctity or Holiness – the title “Holy One of Israel” occurs 28 times; the word “holy”
by itself occurs 25 times
• Spirit of God – 16 times, at times just “Spirit” or “My Spirit”
• Savior or Redeemer – 19 times, at times together and at other times separate
• Future return to the land – perhaps 14 times this is mentioned
Isaiah has been called the Gospel of Isaiah because he details the salvation of the na-
tion from its bondage. But he also looks ahead to the salvation provided for individuals
through God’s Servant-Messiah.
It is a prophecy in the truest sense in that it details the rise and fall of Assyria, the
ascendancy of Babylon, the coming of Cyrus and the advent of Israel’s Messiah.
Special attention should be drawn to the crucial place that the citation of Isaiah 6:9-10
has at four specific rejections by the Jews of the message of the gospel (Mat 13:14-15;
Joh 12:40; Act 28:25-27; Rom 11:8).
The Pictures of Christ
We come to Isaiah with delight as we trace the many prophecies concerning the
coming Messiah. Isaiah furthers the revelation of the coming Christ far more than any
other book in our Bible. He tells of His birth, the nature of His person (ch.9), His life and
service, His rejection and His coming Kingdom. His four servant songs are a rich source
of insight into the Lord Jesus Christ in His life, ministry and crucifixion.
¹ Longman III and Dillard, Introduction to the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009), 267.

342 TRUTH kTidings November 2022