23. Isaiah (Bible Summary)

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1. Messages of Rebuke and Promise (chs. 1–6)

Introduction: Charges against Judah for Breaking the Covenant (ch. 1)

  • Judah’s rebellion: The people have forsaken God, and Isaiah is called to pronounce judgment upon them for their sin.

The Future Discipline and Glory of Judah and Jerusalem (chs. 2–4)

  • Jerusalem’s future blessings (2:1–5): Isaiah prophesies that in the last days, Jerusalem will be a place of peace and the nations will come to it.
  • The Lord’s discipline of Judah (2:6—4:1): Judah’s idolatry and sin will bring judgment, but a remnant will survive.
  • The restoration of Zion (4:2–6): A promise of purity and holiness for the future.

The Nation’s Judgment and Exile (ch. 5)

  • The vineyard song: A metaphor for Israel’s disobedience, where God will bring judgment upon His people.

Isaiah’s Unique Commission (ch. 6)

  • The vision of the Lord’s glory: Isaiah is called to be God’s messenger, even though the people will not listen.

2. Prophecies Occasioned by the Aramean and Israelite Threat against Judah (chs. 7–12)

Ahaz Warned Not to Fear the Aramean and Israelite Alliance (ch. 7)

  • The Immanuel prophecy: Isaiah tells King Ahaz not to fear the threats of Israel and Aram, for God will provide a sign of deliverance—Emmanuel (“God with us”).

Isaiah’s Son and David’s Son (8:1—9:7)

  • A prophecy of destruction for Israel: Israel and Aram will be defeated, and a child (Jesus) will come to establish peace.

Judgment against Israel (9:8—10:4)

  • The Assyrian Empire and the Davidic Kingdom (10:5—12:6): Assyria will be used as God’s instrument of judgment, but it will also be judged in turn. The Messiah will reign in justice and peace.

3. Judgment against the Nations (chs. 13–23)

Against Assyria and Its Ruler (13:1—14:27)

  • The fall of Babylon and Assyria’s eventual defeat: Babylon’s downfall is predicted, along with the judgment on Assyria for its arrogance.

Against Philistia (14:28–32)

  • The destruction of Philistia: A prophecy of judgment against Philistia.

Against Moab (chs. 15–16)

  • The fall of Moab: The nation of Moab will face destruction and mourning.

Against Aram and Israel (ch. 17)

  • Judgment on Syria and Israel: A prophecy of the fall of Syria and Israel.

Against Cush (ch. 18)

  • Judgment on Cush: A message against the nation of Cush, calling the nations to watch its destruction.

Against Egypt and Cush (chs. 19–20)

  • The fall of Egypt: A prophecy against Egypt and Cush, foretelling their defeat.

Against Babylon (21:1–10)

  • The fall of Babylon: Babylon will fall, symbolizing the future judgment upon all nations.

Against Dumah (Edom) (21:11–12)

  • The fall of Edom: A brief judgment on Edom for its pride.

Against Arabia (21:13–17)

  • Judgment on Arabia: A prophecy against the nomadic people of Arabia.

Against the Valley of Vision (Jerusalem) (ch. 22)

  • Jerusalem’s sin: Jerusalem’s pride and reliance on earthly alliances will lead to their fall.

Against Tyre (ch. 23)

  • Judgment on Tyre: Tyre’s wealth and pride will lead to its destruction.

4. Judgment and Promise (the Lord’s Kingdom) (chs. 24–27)

Universal Judgments for Universal Sin (ch. 24)

  • The world’s judgment: A cosmic judgment upon all the earth for its sin.

Deliverance and Blessing (ch. 25)

  • God’s victory: A song of praise for God’s deliverance of His people and the destruction of the wicked.

Praise for the Lord’s Sovereign Care (ch. 26)

  • A hymn of trust: The people’s trust in God’s sovereignty and care.

Israel’s Enemies Punished but Israel’s Remnant Restored (ch. 27)

  • The restoration of Israel: A prophecy of Israel’s ultimate redemption and the destruction of their enemies.

5. Six Woes: Five on the Unfaithful in Israel and One on Assyria (chs. 28–33)

Woe to Ephraim (Samaria)—and to Judah (ch. 28)

  • Judgment on Israel: Israel’s drunkenness and sin bring judgment, but God promises to restore them through a new cornerstone (the Messiah).

Woe to David’s City, Jerusalem (29:1–14)

  • Jerusalem’s sin: Jerusalem’s hypocrisy and reliance on worldly wisdom bring God’s judgment, but there will be future redemption.

Woe to Those Who Rely on Foreign Alliances (29:15–24)

  • False trust: Judah’s reliance on Egypt will not save them, and they will suffer judgment.

Woe to the Obstinate Nation (ch. 30)

  • Judah’s obstinacy: Judah’s refusal to listen to God’s warning will bring judgment, but God promises mercy to those who repent.

Woe to Those Who Rely on Egypt (chs. 31–32)

  • A call to trust God: Trust in Egypt will fail, but the Lord will deliver His people.

Woe to Assyria—but Blessing for God’s People (ch. 33)

  • Assyria’s fall and Israel’s future: Assyria will fall, but God’s people will be preserved.

6. More Prophecies of Judgment and Promise (chs. 34–35)

The Destruction of the Nations and the Avenging of God’s People (ch. 34)

  • God’s judgment on the nations: A prophecy of the destruction of the wicked nations and the vindication of God’s people.

The Future Blessings of Restored Zion (ch. 35)

  • Restoration and blessing: A vision of Zion’s future glory and peace after the judgment.

7. A Historical Transition from the Assyrian Threat to the Babylonian Exile (chs. 36–39)

Jerusalem Preserved from the Assyrian Threat (chs. 36–37)

  • The Assyrian siege: The Assyrians threaten Jerusalem, but God delivers the city by causing the Assyrian army to retreat.

The Lord’s Extension of Hezekiah’s Life (ch. 38)

  • Hezekiah’s healing: God grants King Hezekiah 15 more years of life after his prayer.

The Babylonian Exile Predicted (ch. 39)

  • Babylon’s future rise: The prophecy of Judah’s exile to Babylon after Hezekiah’s foolishness.

8. The Deliverance and Restoration of Israel (chs. 40–48)

The Coming of the Victorious God (40:1–26)

  • Comfort for the exiles: A message of comfort and hope for the people of Judah, foretelling their return from exile.

Unfailing Strength for the Weary Exiles (40:27–31)

  • God’s promise of strength: God will give strength to those who hope in Him.

The Lord of History (41:1—42:9)

  • God’s sovereignty: God’s sovereignty over all nations is declared, and the coming servant (Messiah) is foretold.

Praise and Exhortation (42:10–25)

  • Praise for the servant: A call to the people to praise the servant of the Lord and His work.

The Regathering and Renewal of Israel (43:1—44:5)

  • Israel’s renewal: God promises to gather Israel back to their land and renew them.

The Only God (44:6—45:25)

  • God’s uniqueness: A declaration of the uniqueness of God and His sovereignty over all things.

The Lord’s Superiority over Babylon’s Gods (ch. 46)

  • Babylon’s gods are false: God’s superiority over the false gods of Babylon is proclaimed.

The Fall of Babylon (ch. 47)

  • Babylon’s downfall: A prophecy against Babylon’s arrogance and eventual destruction.

The Lord’s Exhortations to His People (ch. 48)

  • Exhortation to obedience: God calls His people to obey Him, promising them blessings.

9. The Servant’s Ministry and Israel’s Restoration (chs. 49–57)

The Call and Mission of the Servant (49:1–13)

  • The servant’s mission: The servant (the Messiah) is called to bring salvation to Israel and the nations.

The Repopulation of Zion (49:14–26)

  • Zion’s restoration: God promises to restore Zion and bless its people.

Israel’s Sin and the Servant’s Obedience (ch. 50)

  • Israel’s disobedience and the servant’s obedience: A contrast between Israel’s rejection and the servant’s obedience.

The Remnant Comforted Because of Their Glorious Prospect (51:1—52:12)

  • Comfort for the remnant: God’s promise to comfort the faithful remnant and restore them to glory.

The Sufferings and Glories of the Lord’s Righteous Servant (52:13—53:12)

  • The suffering servant: A prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering and the glory that will follow.

10. The Future Glory of Zion (ch. 54)

  • Zion’s restoration: A vision of Zion’s future glory and blessing.

11. The Lord’s Call to Salvation and Covenant Blessings (55:1—56:8)

  • Invitation to salvation: An open call to the thirsty to come to the Lord for life.

12. The Condemnation of the Wicked in Israel (56:9—57:21)

  • Condemnation of the wicked: A rebuke for Israel’s unfaithfulness and idolatry.

13. Everlasting Deliverance and Everlasting Judgment (chs. 58–66)

False and True Worship (ch. 58)

  • True worship: A call to true fasting and worship that pleases God.

Zion’s Confession and Redemption (ch. 59)

  • Zion’s repentance: A prayer of repentance and the promise of redemption.

Zion’s Peace and Prosperity (ch. 60)

  • Zion’s glory: A vision of Zion’s future peace and prosperity.

The Lord’s Favor (ch. 61)

  • The servant’s mission: A prophecy of the Messiah’s mission to bring good news and deliverance.

Zion’s Restoration and Glory (62:1—63:6)

  • Zion’s restoration: A vision of Zion’s future glory and the Messiah’s victory.

Prayer for Divine Deliverance (63:7—64:12)

  • A plea for deliverance: A prayer asking for God’s mercy and deliverance.

The Lord’s Answer: Mercy and Judgment (ch. 65)

  • God’s judgment and mercy: A declaration of God’s judgment on the wicked and mercy for the faithful.

Judgment for False Worshipers and Blessing for True Worshipers (ch. 66)

  • God’s judgment: A final judgment against false worship and a blessing for those who are faithful to God.
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