This page is about the the Old Testament book of Isaiah. To read about the prophet Isaiah, see: +Isaiah (prophet)
Commentary
The Book of Isaiah is the book of the Old Testament containing the words of the prophet Isaiah. Although it talks about judgement, it ultimately declares a message of hope describing the coming Messiah and saviour - and this is a key theme to draw on when exploring the book in a ministry context.
Most scholars consider that Isaiah was written in two parts. The first half is generally believed to have been written by Isaiah(chapters 1-39) and the second half by another author(chapters 40 to 66). The reason for this is that the chapters 1 to 39 are set before the exile, whereas from chapter 40 onwards, the book looks at a time two hundred years later, after the return of exile.
God's character as a holy, sovereign, just, yet compassionate and merciful God is revealed throughout Isaiah.
Isaiah 1-39
The first 39 chapters of Isaiah were written in eighth century BC, in the era before the Kingdom of Judah was exiled, during the reigns of the king Hezekiah. These chapters tell the story of the prophet Isaiah and his ministry to the Israelites calling the people realize their sin and trust in God's forgiveness.
Significant themes include:
A sinful people
In Isaiah 1 the people are accused of only lacking knowledge of God -'Hear, heavens, and listen, earth; for Yahweh has spoken:"I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his owner, and the donkey his master's crib; but Israel doesn't know, my people don't consider."'(Isaiah 1:2-3)
In Isaiah 2 the people are accused of idolatory -'For you have forsaken your people, the house of Jacob, because they are filled from the east, with those who practice divination like the Philistines, and they clasp hands with the children of foreigners. Their land is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures. Their land also is full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots. Their land also is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made.'(Isaiah 2:6-8)
Judgement and Exile
Forgiveness
Isaiah has a message of forgiveness to the people.
Isaiah 1:18 contains the very well known and beautiful words of God's forgiveness -'Come now, and let us reason together," says Yahweh:"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'
Hope of justice and restoration to the land
Isaiah 40-66
Most scholars agree that chapters 40 to 66 of Isaiah were written a number of centuries later than the first 39 chapters of Isaiah, in the post-exilic era of the 6th century BC. Isaiah 40 to 66 are certainly written with this historical context in mind, with these chapters discussing the return of the exiled Israelites to Israel under the command of the Persian king Cyrus. Additionally these chapters are written in a different language style than the first half of Isaiah, and Isaiah's name is not mentioned.
The messages of Isaiah 40 to 66 are written in a poetic style and appear to be compiled in a disordered manner. The message is that God is the sovereign creator who loves his people and will redeem them.
Major themes include:
God is the creator, and created Israel
Incomparable - God is God, all the other pagan deities are nothing
Passages such as Isaiah 44 show God's contempt towards the worship of created inanimate objects.
God is the redeemer who will restore the people from exile
Passages such as Isaiah 43:1 bring a message of hope in God's redemption -'But now thus says Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel:"Don't be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.'
The suffering servant
Isaiah in the light of the New Testament
In the New Testament, the writers show how the ministry of Jesus is the fulfillment of much of the book of Isaiah, for example:
The birth of Jesus is alluded to in Isaiah 7:14 -'Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'
Jesus is seen as the suffering servant who bears the sins of the people in Isaiah 53.
Commentary