Isaiah is not only a long book, it’s a difficult book. But, as you know, it’s also one of my favorite books. How do you make sense of it? As you ‘re reading, see if you can figure out which of these main themes Isaiah is discussing:
1. Judgment and exile – the people are guilty for their sin and thus they are going to be punished by being removed from the land of Israel. This is more frequent in chapters 1-12.
2. Hope and the Messiah – God isn’t just going to take his people out of the land, he is also going to bring them back. He is also going to give them a new king, and unlike the rest of Israel’s kings, this one will be righteous and kind. This king is described briefly in various places and especially in chapters 7-11. Beginning in chapter 42, this same figure is called the “servant” (though not all references to a “servant” are to this same person).
3. The nations – while this may seem boring, this is a very important part of the book. God uses other nations to punish Israel, but he is always in control of all the nations (chs. 13-23). Israel is often tempted to trust the nations instead of God, and he hates that (chs. 28-35).
4. God – this book gives some of the best descriptions of who God is. Chapter 40, which I taught in Sunday School yesterday [at the time of writing], is an extraordinary section on the character and abilities of God.
5. The Servant – I mentioned him above under “Messiah,” but I must come back and encourage you to pay special attention to 52:13-53:12. This is the fourth song about the servant (also in chs. 42, 49, 50), and this climax tells how the servant would die for the sins of his people. This is one of the best passages about Jesus, and it’s not even in the New Testament!
6. Faith – the primary question that runs throughout the book is this: will you trust God?
As I finished reading through Isaiah (finished Chapter 59 this morning), your summary statements are very helpful for me as I think back over the book…thanks!