Highlights from the Book of Isaiah, Part 1

Several years ago, I spent four months reading the book of Isaiah and making notes of what was significant to me. With 66 chapters, filled with poetical prophecy interspersed with historical narrative, the book of Isaiah is a long read. Yet, it is filled with gems that are so relevant and valuable to me and our world today. This is part 1 of a 3-part series.

General Overview

About Isaiah the prophet

Isaiah was a prophet to Judah (the southern kingdom) while his fellow prophets Amos and Hosea were prophets to Israel (the northern kingdom) as it was being threatened and attacked by Assyria. 

Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of four kings: Uzziah (his last 5 years), Ahaz (20 years), Hezekiah (29 years), and Manasseh (his first 5 years). That adds up to almost 60 years of speaking for God to His people. Isaiah was married with two sons, lived in the big city of Jerusalem, and wrote a history of King Uzziah. Isaiah died during Manasseh’s reign of terror.  

Themes in the book

“The Holy One of Israel” is the phrase continually used for God throughout the entire book. I marked it every time it was used. He is the Sovereign Lord. This title should remind the people that their God was set apart from anything evil and wanted His people to be that way also. Israel was to desire the Lord’s kingdom on earth with its righteous ruler and righteous subjects. Isaiah also put before the people God’s future plan to have a restored earth with restored people that no longer have sin’s effects on them. 

Jesus considered Isaiah to be the author of the entire book by His statements in Matthew 12:17-21 and John 12:38-40). There are 3 recurrent themes throughout the book: 1) Fire as a figure of punishment for sin, 2) The “holy mountain” of Jerusalem representing God’s seat of authority, and 3) The highway to Jerusalem representing where the righteous will go to be with God .

Chapters 1-6 Highlights

1:1-31

Punishment comes to those who insist on being rebellious. The funny thing is how the pain and suffering doesn’t change their natures. They would rather be bruised and bleeding than obedient and teachable! For the one who wants to be changed, God promises to do so. 

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; … “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:16-18)

That is grace! 

3:1-26

I was drawn to vv. 8-9 because it seems to describe today. 

their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence. The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves. (Isaiah 3:8-9)

Arrogant sinners parade their sin rather than hide it. That made me think of celebrities, media productions, and others who flaunt their rebellion against God’s definition of sin. 

The women also had haughty attitudes demonstrated by their posture, walk, and adornment. 

The Lord says, “The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. (Isaiah 3:16)

The descriptions of adornments that follow in verses 18-23 (women’s jewelry, clothes, and hair ornaments) are neutral items, not good or bad. But how the women used those adornments represented their pride and self-sufficiency. God told them He would strip away those adornments to humble them if they do not choose to humble themselves. God is always more interested in the heart than outward appearance. We see references to similar adornments reflecting heart attitudes in the New Testament writings (for example: 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-4).

Read the article, “1 Timothy 2:1-15 • Loyalty to Christ Affects How You Adorn Yourself.”

6:1-8

In the year that King Uzziah died, Isaiah got to see God! The description is so beautiful. God was seated on a throne wearing a robe with a train that was massive. Isaiah probably saw this while he was at the Temple in Jerusalem. God is in the heavenly Temple—the pattern for the earthly Temple except the Holy of Holies in heaven is the “throne” room of God. Isaiah knows that he is seeing God. He immediately is aware of his sin, and God uses His servant angel to deliver the live coal as an atonement for Isaiah’s sin. He is now clean. God challenged Isaiah with a mission, and he eagerly volunteers. 

Jesus’ finished work on the cross atones for our sin and makes it possible for us to enter God’s presence. Hallelujah!

Read more about Jesus’ finished work on the cross that atones for our sin here, “Propitiation • Satisfied…No Longer Angry at You.”

Chapters 7-12 Highlights

7:1-14

The wonderful promise from God that we read every year at Christmas was given to soothe King Ahaz’s fear when the Arameans attacked Jerusalem. 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) 

Immanuel is coming. God’s promise to be “with us” in human form was fulfilled in Jesus. He is our Immanuel. 

8:1-13

Conspiracy theories and fear-stimulating communication were rampant in Isaiah’s time like they are today. 

This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread. (Isaiah 8:11-13)

Do not fear what the unbelieving masses fear. Revere God’s way of living life and have confidence in that and not the world’s ways. For the believer, the Lord and His plans are a sanctuary. For the unbeliever, both are a stumbling block (verse 14). 

And stay away from any supposed “spiritualists” that do not honor Christ as Lord. 

When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. (Isaiah 8:19-20)

Don’t consult the dead for help! Don’t consult anyone who claims to have spiritual guidance apart from the Word of God. Consult God through prayer and His Word for guidance about your life. 

For more help with this temptation, read the article,” Flee the Spiritual Substitutes Infection.”

9:6-7

Another promise from God fulfilled in Jesus is in this chapter of Isaiah. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

The deity of the human Messiah is spelled out. Jesus was fully human and fully God. One day, He will be king of planet Earth. His reign will be political, peaceful, earthly, judicial, and eternal. Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

Read more about the future earthly reign of Christ in this article, “Revelation 19-20 • Perspective on Jesus’ Kingdom on Earth.”

11:1-12

This section describes the Messiah’s rule over the nations and over creation. There will be a restored balance of nature in the future. God regathers His people under the banner of Christ. Won’t that be wonderful? 

Read more in “Highlights from the Book of Isaiah, Part 2.” 

Study about the time period in which Isaiah wrote in the Reboot Renew Rejoice Bible Study.