(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Isaiah – named after the prophet Isaiah (Yesha‘yahu in Hebrew), meaning “The LORD is salvation.”
• Definition: A prophetic book comprising messages of judgement and hope, announcing God’s sovereignty over history, the coming Messiah, and the future redemption of Israel and the nations.

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, active in the 8th century BC. Some scholars propose multiple authors (e.g. Deutero-Isaiah, Trito-Isaiah) based on stylistic and thematic divisions.
• When: Spanning from c. 740 to c. 686 BC during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isa. 1:1), with possible later sections written during the Babylonian exile or return.
• Audience: Judah and Jerusalem, including kings and citizens, as well as future exiles and the remnant. The prophetic messages extend to all nations.
• Purpose: To call God’s people to repentance, reveal the consequences of sin, affirm God’s faithfulness to His covenant, and proclaim the coming of the Messiah and the final redemption.

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Poetic oracles, narrative accounts, symbolic acts, laments, songs, apocalyptic visions, legal indictment, and divine promise; rich in imagery, parallelism, and metaphor.
• Key Themes: Judgement and salvation, holiness of God, justice and righteousness, remnant theology, the Messianic hope, servant leadership, and the new heavens and new earth.
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ The promise of the virgin birth (Isa. 7:14), the child who is God (Isa. 9:6), and the righteous Branch (Isa. 11:1) point clearly to Christ.
○ The Suffering Servant (Isa. 52:13–53:12) is a profound prophecy of Jesus’ atoning death.
○ The anointed messenger (Isa. 61:1–3), read by Jesus in Luke 4, proclaims His messianic mission.
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ Zion symbolises both judgement and future restoration.
○ The vineyard represents Israel’s covenant failure (Isa. 5).
○ Light and darkness illustrate divine revelation and human rebellion.

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Commonly divided into three sections: (1) Isaiah 1–39 (pre-exilic warnings), (2) Isaiah 40–55 (comfort and deliverance), (3) Isaiah 56–66 (restoration and eschatological hope).
• Canonical Significance: One of the Major Prophets; foundational for messianic theology and frequently quoted in the New Testament.
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Shares themes with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Minor Prophets; complements Psalms and Deuteronomy in covenantal theology.
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Echoes Mosaic covenantal warnings and Davidic promises; affirms God’s holiness (Exod. 19:6; Lev. 19:2).
○ Connections to the New Testament: Most quoted prophet in the New Testament; fulfilled in Jesus’ birth (Matt. 1:22–23), ministry (Luke 4:17–21), death (Acts 8:32–35), and resurrection hope.
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Extensive messianic prophecy concerning Christ’s identity, suffering, kingship, and universal reign.
○ Connections with Judaism: Highly revered as a classical prophet; central to Jewish eschatology and messianic expectation.
○ Connections with Islam: Isaiah is not directly named in the Qur’an, but the themes of justice, monotheism, and prophecy align with Islamic teachings.
• Key Passages or Verses: Isa. 6:3 – “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.” Isa. 7:14 – “The virgin will conceive.” Isa. 9:6 – “For to us a child is born.” Isa. 53:5 – “By His wounds we are healed.” Isa. 61:1 – “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me.”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Isaiah acts as God’s spokesman, calling people to repentance while unveiling God’s redemptive plan through inspired poetry and prophetic vision.
• Who are the Main Characters: Isaiah, Hezekiah, Ahaz, the remnant, the Servant of the LORD, the Anointed One, the nations, Babylon, Assyria, and the future people of God.

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – The Holy One of Israel, Sovereign over all nations, Judge and Redeemer.
○ The Son – Clearly prefigured in the Servant Songs and messianic prophecies as the incarnate deliverer.
○ The Holy Spirit – Active in anointing the Messiah (Isa. 11:2; 61:1), empowering renewal, and sustaining the faithful.
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Prophets call for covenant renewal; kings are evaluated by their faithfulness (e.g. Hezekiah); the ideal future king (Messiah) is promised.
• Role of the Church: Inherits the Servant’s mission to be a light to the nations (Isa. 42:6; Acts 13:47); embodies justice, comfort, and the hope of resurrection.
• Role of Men and Women: Calls all people to holiness and justice; includes oracles to women (Isa. 3:16–26); proclaims hope and dignity for the humble and oppressed.

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Jerusalem and Judah; prophecies address surrounding nations including Assyria, Egypt, Babylon, and Moab.
• Historical Context: Spanning the Assyrian threat, political alliances, social injustice, and religious corruption during the 8th century BC and possibly later periods.
• Cultural Context: People trusted political power and ritual without heart-obedience; Isaiah confronts cultural arrogance, idolatry, and injustice.

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Prophets often functioned as political and religious commentators; Isaiah fits this role while proclaiming unique divine truth.
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Assyrian imperialism and Babylonian exile deeply shaped the themes of judgement and hope; contrasts Israel’s holy God with pagan idols.
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Isaiah critiques exploitation, materialism, false worship, and international alliances.
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Temple rituals and festivals criticised for hypocrisy,
   ○ Covenant justice upheld over empty ritual,
   ○ Prophetic symbols used to convey God’s word (e.g. Isa. 20:2–4).

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Links the judgment of the Old Testament with the hope of the New; central to messianic expectation and eschatology.
2. Theological Significance: Explores God’s holiness, wrath, compassion, justice, and redemptive plan for Israel and the nations.
3. Spiritual Themes: Repentance, hope, righteousness, restoration, divine sovereignty, messianic fulfilment, and new creation.
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: God desires heartfelt obedience, not mere ritual. Judgement leads to hope. Salvation is available through the suffering Servant. God’s promises are sure.
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Isaiah is foundational for Christology, ecclesiology, and eschatology; provides the theological language for redemption and renewal.
6. Historical Reception: Revered across Jewish and Christian traditions; quoted extensively in early Church writings, lectionaries, and theological discourse.

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Expands and applies the covenant principles of the Torah through poetic prophecy; forms part of the Major Prophets.
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Integral to synagogue readings and messianic expectation; portions used in Haftarah and fast-day liturgies.
3. Connections with Islam: Isaiah is not explicitly mentioned in the Qur’an but themes of divine justice, prophecy, and monotheism align with Islamic principles.
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Inspired political reformers, abolitionists, artists, composers (e.g. Handel’s Messiah), and human rights thinkers.
5. Scientific Perspectives: Archaeological findings (e.g. Sennacherib’s Prism) corroborate historical events; studies also explore Isaiah’s structure and intertextual complexity.
6. Global Perspective: Speaks prophetically across cultures on justice, suffering, and hope; central to global missions, theology, and human dignity.

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: The vision of God in Isaiah 6 is a central text in Jewish and Christian mysticism; Servant Songs explored in contemplative theology.
2. Comparative Mythology: Contrasts with ancient myths by affirming a holy, just, personal God who rules history and redeems the humble.
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Addresses justice, holiness, divine judgement, human pride, suffering, and the problem of evil.
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Do justice and seek righteousness,
   ○ Reject empty religion for authentic faith,
   ○ Trust in God rather than political alliances,
   ○ Embrace the call to be a light to the nations.
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Addresses social injustice, environmental degradation (Isa. 24), international conflict, and the need for spiritual revival; speaks powerfully into modern missions and human rights.

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Questions of authorship, unity, historical layering, symbolic language, and messianic dual fulfilment.
2. Theological Debates: The identity of the Servant, relationship between justice and mercy, the scope of redemption, and the nature of God’s holiness.
3. Key Questions Addressed: How does God judge and save? Who is the true King of Israel? How is suffering redemptive? What is the future of creation and humanity under God’s reign?