Isaiah

 •  6 min. read  •  grade level: 9
760 B.C. – 66 Chapters – 1292 Verses
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 unequalled 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, chapters 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 (chs. 36-39) needful for the linking up of the history with the prophecy. The second main division consists of chapters 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.
List of Subjects
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
1
 
2.       The day of the Lord
2-4
 
3.       The vineyard
5
 
4.       The throne of judicial glory
6
 
5.       The confederacy; or, Emmanuel and the children
7-9:7
 
6.       The Assyrian
9:8-12
 
7.       The threshing of the nations
13-27
 
8.       The five woes
28-35
 
9.       The historic interlude
36-39
 
10.   Israel in Babylon
40-48
 
11.   Jesus and Jerusalem
49
 
12.   The risen Jesus and the remnant
50-52:12
 
13.   The cross and its virtues
52:13-55
 
14.   The remnant manifested
56-57
 
15.   Israel trained for the kingdom
58-60
 
16.   The two advents
61-63:6
 
17.   Israel’s prayer and Messiah’s answer
63:7-65
 
18.   The conclusion
66
General Divisions
Chapters 1-12  — 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 (ch. 11:10). Saved Israel in her magnificent song, sung in the days of her gladness and redemption from her sins and enemies (ch. 12), ascribes salvation and strength to Jehovah.
Chapters 13-27  —  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. 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. 6:12,12For 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 chapter 12, but in worship.
Chapters 28 – 35  —  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.”
Chapters 36 – 39  —  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.
Chapters 40 – 48  —  God in controversy with His people because of idolatry; closing with the words, “There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.”
Chapters 49 – 57  —  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.”
Chapters 58 – 66  —  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 (chapter 66:24), as glory will feast the eyes of Israel and the nations forever.
Note
It will be observed that Israel is spoken of as outcast and Judah as dispersed (ch. 11:12). 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 Isaiah 53
ENGLISH TEXT. CORRECTED TEXT.
Verse 8.
Who shall declare His generation? His manner of life who would declare?
(The question was alone answered by the dying robber who justified Christ, saying, “This man hath done nothing amiss” Luke 23:1414Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: (Luke 23:14).)
Verse 9.
He made His grave with the wicked. His grave was appointed with the wicked.
(Man’s appointment to lay the holy One of God in the same grave with the wicked was divinely overruled, for God had determined otherwise. John 19:38-4238And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. 40Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. 42There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (John 19:38‑42).)
Verse 11.
By His knowledge shall my righteous By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant
Servant justify many, for He shall instruct many (i.e. in practical righteousness),
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.)