Summary[i]
Isaiah is justly accounted the
chief of the writing prophets. He has the more comprehensive testimony and is
distinctively the prophet of redemption. Nowhere else in the Scriptures written
under the law have we so clear a view of grace. The New Testament Church does
not appear (Eph_3:3-10), but Messiah in
His Person and sufferings, and the blessing of the Gentiles through Him, are in
full vision.
Apart from his testimony to his
own time, which includes warnings of coming judgments upon the great nations of
that day, the predictive messages of Isaiah cover seven great themes:
1. Israel in exile and divine judgment upon
Israel's oppressors.
2. The return from Babylon.
3. The manifestation of Messiah in humiliation
(e.g. Isaiah 53).
4. The blessing of the Gentiles.
5. The manifestation of Messiah in judgment
("the day of vengeance of our God").
6. The reign of David's righteous Branch in the
kingdom-age.
7. The new heavens and the new earth.
Isaiah is in two chief divisions:
1. Looking toward the captivities (Isaiah
1:1-39:8). Key verses, (Isaiah 1:1-2).
2. Looking beyond the captivities (Isaiah 40:1 -
66:24). Key verses, (Isaiah 40:1-2).
These chief divisions fall into
subdivisions, as indicated in the text.
The events recorded in Isaiah
cover a period of 62 years (Ussher).