September 6, 2020
Introduction to Isaiah
1. Isaiah was born in the middle of king Uzziah’s reign.
2. Isaiah lived in Jerusalem.
3. According to Jewish tradition Isaiah’s father, Amoz (not the prophet Amos), was the
brother of King Amaziah, Uzziah’s father, which would have made Isaiah King Uzziah’s cousin. Dr. Thomas Constable
4. Isaiah’s prophetic call came in the year that king Uzziah died (6:1).
5. Two sons of Isaiah are mentioned: Shear-jushub (7:3) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (8:1-4).
6. Isaiah served in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (1:1).
• Uzziah - Sometimes called Azariah. A relatively good king who did “what was right in the sight of the LORD,” with the exception of failing to remove the high places (2 Kings 15:3-4).
• Jotham - Did just as his father Uzziah had done.
• Ahaz - Son and successor of Jotham king of Judah who participated in idolatrous practices (2 Kings 16:3).
• Hezekiah - Son and successor of Ahaz king of Judah; a good king who initiated religious reform in Jerusalem (2 Kings 18:3).
7. Isaiah’s name means, ‘The LORD is salvation.’
8. The word ‘salvation’ is used 25 times in Isaiah, more than any other Old Testament prophet.
9. The book of Isaiah is directly quoted in the New Testament over 65 times, and his name is mentioned over 20 times. NKJV Study Bible notes.
10. Tradition has it that Isaiah was put to death by the evil king Manassah by being cut in two with a wooden saw. See Heb 11:37
11. Spirituality was declining in Judah but the people held on to the traditions of sacrifice and festivals thinking that this pleased God.
12. More than any other prophet, Isaiah provides data on the future day of the Lord and the time following.
13. Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7 are prophecies of the birth of Jesus 700 years before it happened.
14. The centerpiece of Isaiah’s unrivaled chapter 53, portraying Christ as the slain lamb of God. NKJV Study Bible
15. Isaiah spoke much about the grace of God toward Israel, particularly in chapters 40-66.
16. Chapters 65-66 speak of the ‘new heaven’ and ‘new earth’ and are similar to
Revelation chapters 21-22.
17. A broad outline of Isaiah.
I. Man’s need for salvation.
A. Judgment and hope for Jerusalem. Chapters 1-12
B. Judgment and hope for the nations. Chapters 13-27
C. The rise and fall of Jerusalem. Chapters 28-39
II. God’s gracious provision of Salvation.
A. Announcement of Hope. Chapters 40-48
B. The servant (Christ) fulfills God’s mission. Chapters 49-55
C. The servants (believers) inherit God’s kingdom. Chapters 56-66
18. Notable passages in Isaiah.
1:18
2:2-4
6:1-8
7:14
9:6-7
11:1-9
14:12-15
35:1-10
40:31
45:22-23
49:13
53:1-12
55:6, 10-12
59:1
61:1-2
65:17
66:1-2, 22-23
