The Fellowship Residency Program has introduced me to the idea of reading commentaries alongside scripture. By next August, I will have read through the entire Bible as well as The King in His Beauty, our selected commentary. As I am reading, I am writing a little bit about each of the books of the Bible so you and I can have a more thorough understanding of the scriptures. I invite you to follow along with me as we learn the Bible in its entirety from Genesis to Revelation. This summary does NOT encompass the entire book, but it is a good place to start. I encourage you to read for yourself and begin your own Biblical journal along the way. To read any of my other Residency related posts, click here.
Introduction – The Book of Isaiah is split into two parts, 1-35 and 40-66. The first section focuses on the Northern Kingdom’s threat by Assyria, and the second section predicts Judah’s Babylonian captivity. The Chapters in between focus on Jerusalem’s deliverance from Assyria (36-37) and forecasting the exile (38-39). Isaiah is not all sad and gloomy. Instead, it promises the coming of a new exodus, a new creation, and an ultimate atonement for their sins.
Judgment of Israel – A consistent theme in the book is judgment. Judah is almost destroyed by Assyria due to their sin and ultimately is exiled to Babylon. Overall, God’s people were going through the motions of godly living while also pursuing injustice, oppression, and unrighteousness. It had gotten to a point that what was evil was praised and what was good in the eyes of the Lord was condemned. Ultimately, Israel’s problem was a failure to trust in God’s plan for their people. God had promised protection, yet they took matters into their own hands and formed an alliance with Egypt. By going outside of God’s plan for them, they had sealed their fate.
Judah was no better. They were not exiled due to an inferior army, but due to a rampant sin problem It says that the people were slow to turn away from their sins, and quick to pursue the desires of the flesh. The judgment of Israel is discussed in light of the day of the Lord. The day of the Lord is one of judgment as well as salvation. Isaiah reminds Israel of the day of the Lord so that they would turn their fear of the people of Assyria towards fearing God himself. However, Israel experienced the curses of the covenant. Throughout the curses, Isaiah continues to refer to God as “Holy One of Israel.” The judgment is a “strange” work of the Lord, because ultimately, he desires to be a savior. However, when humans turn away from His goodness, His righteousness prevails and moves in judgment. He uses Assyria in His judgment of Syria, Israel, and even Judah.
However, he will ultimately humble Assyria as well for not attributing their strength to Him. Likewise, Babylon’s arrogance is weighty and as s result, it will not stand the test of time. Throughout the messages of judgment include the promises that Israel will be delivered and return from their exile. The judgment of the kingdoms is a forecast of the judgment of the entire earth that is still to come.
Jerusalem’s Salvation – A primary theme in Ch. 1-37 is the continual promise that Jerusalem will not be wiped out by Assyria. Though Judah is protected, the city of Jerusalem is still deep in sin. Despite the sin, God promises to protect the city from its enemies. Assyria believed that they would conquer the holy city, because no other gods have been able to fight the Assyrian gods. But our mighty Lord rebuked them and reminded them that the only reason they had conquered their enemies in the past was because God ordained it. He didn’t allow them to take a single shot against the city. Judah was commanded to place their trust in the Lord and not in men so that He could protect them.
Jerusalem and the Remnant – If we read the entire chapter, we are reminded that Judah is not spared forever and is exiled by the Babylonians. The message of deliverance offered in 700 BC was not applied the same way in the 500s. This begs the question of whether or not the promise of Jerusalem’s protection is durable and enduring. Arguably, yes. Israel’s sin still requires extreme destruction, but God promises to preserve a remnant people to prevent a total wipe out. This implies a hope for the future that does not end in judgment but salvation, in a day that evil will be defeated forever. “If the children of Isaiah represent the remnant in Isaiah’s day, they point forward typologically to the brothers and sisters of Jesus and the children of God who are members of the church of Christ.”
New David – The promises of the remnant are couples with promises of a new David. The term “branch” refers to the offspring of David, the new king that is to come. Isaiah explain that a new king is on the horizon, and he will be “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” He will come to vindicate the poor, judge the wicked, and bring a time of peace, righteousness, and justice where humans will enjoy a paradise similar to Eden. The distinctive element of the new creation is the genuine and universal knowledge of the Lord our God. The new David is described as being an unmovable cornerstone in Zion. When this new Davidic king arrives, the sins of Israel will be atoned for, and there will be a new and better Jerusalem where the wicked will be judged and wiped out for an eternity in peace. It is clear that through the king’s obedience the covenant of God will be fulfilled.
New Exodus and New Creation– The promise of a new exodus and a new creation are seen throughout both parts of Isaiah. The deliverance of God’s people will be bigger than Judah from Assyria. It will be a permanent rescue from the enemies. The new exodus will be, “the means by which Yahweh establishes his kingdom.” The new creation will belong solely to those who are delivered by God in the second exodus and solely because God has forgiven Israel of its sins. The scriptures discuss that, “Since Yahweh is the creator and Lord of all, he will provide water and sustenance in the wilderness, just as he did in the first exodus.” The return from exile is described as Israel’s redemption. Therefore, the new exodus will occur such that God’s superiority, glory, and supremacy would be on display for all the nations. Yahweh’s promises are trusted as not only did He announce their past, but He predicts the future of His people. His promises of a new creation are closely in line with the promises of a new Jerusalem. Not only will Israel be glorified, but they will soak in the joy and delight of the Lord rather than experiencing the distancing that comes as a result of their sin. It is crucial to note that these promises are not fulfilled by the initial return exile, but of a promise to come. I love how the book describes the tension we continue to live in today. “Even in Christ, as we will see, there is an “already but not yet” tension, for although the new exodus and new creation have already arrived in Christ, they have not yet come in all their fullness.”
The Servant of the Lord – A major theme in Isaiah is the idea of the servant of the Lord. The servant is identified as Israel itself as chosen by God. God calls Israel to overcome their fear and trust in Him to strengthen them so that they may overcome their enemies. Israel hairs to keep the Lord’s commands and yet the exile will only be temporary as Yahweh has forgiven the sins of His servant. The servant as Israel will serve as God’s witnesses. Though the servant is identified as Israel, the servant is also shown to transcend Israel. Some believe the servant is Isaiah because he was chosen from birth to speak Yahweh’s words. However, Isaiah is not the one who brings Israel back to Yahweh, so another servant must be considered. The servant will save both Israel and the nations. The servant will atone for the sin of Israel. The servant will be punished not for their own sins, but for the atonement. Throughout the discussion of the servant, the focus is on the fulfillment of the prophesy of the Spirit coming and experiencing “The year of the Lord’s favor.” Only the one that is endowed with the power of the Holy Spirit will represent the new reality. The servant of the Lord scriptures demonstrate for us that the new creation will only be experienced after Israel’s sins are forgiven. Israel’s sins will only be forgiven by the suffering and death of the servant. We now know the servant of the Lord is Jesus Christ.
The Spirit– Through Isaiah we quickly recognize the importance of the Spirit. Only by the Spirit is the Servant able to carry out the ministry of God, the suffering for the sins of Israel. Jesus is both the Spirit anointed new Davidic king as well as the humble servant of the Lord who will deliver Israel from their sins. When the Spirit is poured out, then the new creation will dawn. The promise of a new creation cannot be fulfilled without the anointing by the Spirit and apart from the servant of the Lord.
Salvation to the Ends of the Earth– Isaiah consistently and emphatically proclaims that salvation will reach the ends of the Earth with the inclusion of Gentiles. Meanwhile, he also scorns idolatry. He points out the obscurity of people having to carry their idols versus their idols carrying them. Yahweh will carry and sustain His people until the end of time. Isaiah discusses how the word of God will spread and all people will be welcomed to enjoy the new creation. The oracles of the nations in chapters 13-23 stress the judgment of all the nations, but also discuss the future salvation. For example, Isaiah mentions that salvation is available for Egypt and Assyria, Israel’s biggest enemies to this point. The Spirit endowed servant of the Lord will bring forth justice and salvation to the ends of the earth. Therefore, Isaiah stresses more than any other OT book that there is only one God and therefore only one way to salvation. Jews and Gentiles alike will celebrate the joy that comes from faithfully serving the Lord.
Conclusion – Up to the point of Isaiah, God’s promises to Israel appear to be in jeopardy. However, Isaiah stresses that God has not abandoned His promises. A new king is coming and from him will be a new exodus and a new creation. God will pour the Spirit on us, particularly on the servant who will suffer for our sins and secure eternal forgiveness of those sins. The salvation that is accomplished through the servant will then be available for all the nations. The kingdom of God WILL become a reality and the promises of a worldwide blessing will triumph over the serpent once and for all.
Themes: God desires to be a savior. God is righteous in His judgment. God is just. Judgment comes when we fail to trust in the Lord. The king to come will fulfill the covenant of God through his obedience. A newness is coming through a new king, a new exodus, and a new creation. God has not and will not fall short of His promises.