Isaiah: 760 B.C. - 66 Chapters and 1292 Verses

Isaiah  •  6 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Isaiah signifies "Salvation of the Lord," and is to some extent descriptive of the character of this "the most sublime and elegant of the prophets of the Old Testament." Of the Prophet's personal history we know nothing; it is the mission and not the man; the work and not the servant we contemplate in these sublime and grandly comprehensive prophecies, which, in their range and extent are unequaled amongst the many magnificent prophecies which adorn the blessed pages of inspiration. It is, we judge, because of this book holding the first place in extent, in breadth, and completeness of its subjects, that it heads the arrangement of the prophetic writings in all Hebrew and English Bibles. Isaiah is also termed the "Evangelical Prophet," as his predictions of Christ are more full and abundant than in any portion of the Old Testament, and the quotations from his prophecy more numerous in the New Testament than from any book in the former revelation, save the book of Psalms, which in this latter respect exceedeth even Isaiah.
Israel's future in millennial glory and blessing, Jerusalem being the metropolitan city of the redeemed earth; the judgment of the nations and their blessing afterward, but in subordination to Judah; this by the introduction of and knowledge and presence of the Messiah, are in the main the subjects of the book. This grand prophecy is divided into two great parts. First, Isaiah 1-35, in which God's dealings with Judah, Israel, and the nations in the latter days are revealed; there is not much detail here, the subject being largely and comprehensively dealt with. Then follows four chapters of past historical matter (Isaiah 36-39.) needful for the linking up of the history with the prophecy. The second main division consists of Isaiah 40-66, in which the two grounds of judgment upon Israel—Judah especially—are discussed at length; these are the turning to idolatry and the rejection of the Messiah.
We add, from one now with the Lord, the following list of subjects:-"Citations from each of them will be found in the New Testament:"
Nos.
 
CHAPTERS.
 
1.-The preface, -
Isa. 1
 
2.-The day of the Lord, -
Isa. 2-4
 
3.-The vineyard, -
Isa. 5
 
4.-The throne of judicial glory, -
Isa. 6
 
5.-The confederacy; or, Emmanuel and the children,
Isa. 7-9:7
 
6.-The Assyrian, -
Isa. 9:8,—12
 
7.-The threshing of the nations, -
Isa. 13-27
 
8.-The five woes, -
Isa. 28-35
 
9.-The historic interlude, -
Isa. 36-39
 
10.-Israel in Babylon, -
Isa. 40-48
 
11.-Jesus and Jerusalem, -
Isa. 49
 
12.-The risen Jesus and the remnant, -
Isa. 50-52:12
 
13. -The cross and its virtues, -
Isa. 52:13,—55
 
14.-The remnant manifested, -
Isa. 56-57
 
15.-Israel trained for the kingdom, -
Isa. 58-60
 
16.-The two advents, -
Isa. 61-63:6
 
17.-Israel's prayer and Messiah's answer, -
Isa. 63:7,—65
 
18.-The conclusion, -
Isa. 66.
GENERAL DIVISIONS.
1.-The Assyrian, the great northern invader of Judah, and the first and last enemy of Israel, will be punished after God has dealt with the conscience of and in judgment with His people, this will close the Lord's indignation against "His own." Christ will then stand as an "Ensign" to the peoples and nations and to Him the center of rest and glory—all will gather (Isa. 11:1010And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)). Saved Israel in her magnificent song, sung in the days of her gladness and redemption from her sins and enemies (Isa. 124The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle. (Isaiah 13:4).), ascribes salvation and strength to Jehovah. Isa. 110Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:10).-12.
2.-In this division all the powers that had to do with Israel are judged; thus the "burden of Babylon," the "burden of Moab," the "burden of Damascus," the "burden of Egypt," etc„ etc.; then the world, the kings of the earth, and the "host of the high ones on high," i.e., wicked spirits in heavenly places (Eph. 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12), margin). Israel will be gathered individually and celebrate her full deliverance, not in song, as in Isa. 126Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. (Isaiah 13:6)., but in worship. Isa. 1312I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. (Isaiah 13:12).-27.
3.-In this section we are at once transported into the scenes of the closing days connected with Israel, Jerusalem being prominent. Every power opposed to the counsels of Jehovah and the blessing of His people (Idumea especially) will, consequent upon the Lord's descent from heaven be utterly and immediately destroyed. The blessing at the close is grandly expressed. The land, the people, and the waste places share largely in the joy and blessing which God will bestow in rich and glorious fullness in that day. "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." Isa. 28-35.
4.-The importance of this distinctly historical section is easily perceived, its main subjects forming the historical basis of the prophetic future. These are:-The captivity in Babylon, the Assyrian invasion, and the raising up from death of David's son—thus figuring Christ. Isa. 36-39.
5.-God in controversy with His people because of idolatry; closing with the words, "There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." Isa. 40.-48.
6.-God in controversy with His people because of their rejection of Messiah—the Servant of Jehovah in life and death; also closing with the words, "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Isa. 49.-57.
7.-The return of the Messiah to Zion; all the people righteous. Jerusalem magnificently adorned, and the wealth and homage of the Gentiles and their kings paid to it. Judgment, too, ever to be remembered (Isa. 66:2424And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Isaiah 66:24)), as glory will feast the eyes of Israel and the nations forever. Isa. 5810We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men. (Isaiah 59:10).-66.
NOTE.
It will be observed that Israel is spoken of as outcast and Judah as dispersed (Isa. 11:1010And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. (Isaiah 11:10)). Notice, too, that the first three divisions end with a bright millennial scene, and the last three divisions with a dark millennial picture.
CORRECTIONS IN THE TEXT OF Isa. 53
ENGLISH TEXT. CORRECTED TEXT.
eous Servant justify many, for He instruct many (i.e., in practical righteousness),
shall bear their iniquities. and He shall bear their iniquities.
(In this verse we have the life work of the blessed Lord, and also His death-work. He instructed His disciples (Matt. 5-7) during his life. He bore the iniquities of sinners in His death.