Isaiah Introduction
Introduction
At the time kings ruled Israel, God spoke to his people through prophets. The prophet Isaiah spoke to the Israelites in the Kingdom of Judah. Isaiah was a prophet about 700 years before the time of Jesus the Messiah. He continued his work for about 40 years.
Isaiah’s message to the people in Judah was much like the messages of other prophets. They were about judgment and hope. They talked about the covenant agreement between God and his people. These messages were often spoken to the people using poetry.
Isaiah had personal contact with the kings who were ruling. He was able to bring godly advice to Kings Ahaz and Hezekiah. That was during the time when the Assyrian army was attacking Israel. Isaiah tells the people to follow Gods laws and commands. He tells them to take care of the poor and those with needs. And he speaks to them about being just and fair in all things. Isaiah reminds the Israelites that this is the way God expects them to live.
Isaiah had messages for Israel and for the nations around Israel. Israel has not followed God’s commands. They have not worshiped God in the right way. And Isaiah tells Israel that they will be punished for their sin. Isaiah calls for Israel to return to God.
In his later poems, Isaiah looked to a time in the future. It is the time when a new king will come. Isaiah explains how this king will suffer. It was not what the people were expecting. This servant king’s personal sacrifice would bring healing and renewal. And that servant king would bring peace to Israel and to the whole world. The New Testament writers often refer to the book of Isaiah. That’s because Isaiah’s writings explain how Israel will one day be a blessing to all nations.
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Isaiah Introduction: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Isaiah INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
The Book of Isaiah is named after a great prophet who lived in Jerusalem in the latter half of the eighth century bc. This book may be divided into three principal parts:
(1) Chapters 1—39 come from a time when Judah, the southern kingdom, was threatened by a powerful neighbour, Assyria. Isaiah saw that the real threat to the life of Judah was not simply the might of Assyria, but the nation's own sin and disobedience to God, and their lack of trust in him. In vivid words and actions the prophet called the people and their leaders to a life of righteousness and justice, and warned that failure to listen to God would bring doom and destruction. Isaiah also foretold a time of worldwide peace and the coming of a descendant of David who would be the ideal king.
(2) Chapters 40—55 come from a time when many of the people of Judah were in exile in Babylon, crushed and without hope. The prophet proclaimed that God would set his people free and take them home to Jerusalem, to begin a new life. A notable theme of these chapters is that God is the Lord of history, and his plan for his people includes their mission to all nations, who will be blessed through Israel. The passages about “the Servant of the Lord” are among the best-known in the Old Testament.
(3) Chapters 56—66 for the most part speak to a time when people were back in Jerusalem and needed reassurance that God was going to fulfil his promises to the nation. Concern is expressed for righteousness and justice, and also for Sabbath observance, sacrifice, and prayer. A notable passage is 61.1–2, words used by Jesus at the beginning of his ministry to express his calling.
Outline of Contents
Warnings and promises 1.1—12.6
Punishment of the nations 13.1—23.18
God's judgement of the world 24.1—27.13
Further warnings and promises 28.1—35.10
King Hezekiah of Judah and the Assyrians 36.1—39.8
Messages of promise and hope 40.1—55.13
Warnings and promises 56.1—66.24
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.