Many of us know Isaiah from famous passages such as Isaiah 9 and 53, but are not familiar with what comes before, between, and after. In this first study of our series The Gospel According to Isaiah, we see a bird’s eye view of the 66 chapters of the Book of Isaiah.

(A) THE PROPHET AND HIS VISION: THE WORD OF THE SPEAKING GOD IN THE PROPHETS’ MOUTHS

The book opens in the way the other prophetic books open, either with the phrase “the word of the Lord” or “the vision of”. Isaiah is the foremost of the major prophets. The major prophets are called major because of their length, and not because they are more important.

Isaiah is the son of Amoz and we are told that he saw a specific vision — “concerning Judah and Jerusalem”. What does it mean that he wrote down what he saw? The fact that this book tells us that this is the vision the prophet saw, it makes it clear that what we are reading is not information that originated from Isaiah. He is bearing witness to something external from him the he has received. In 1 Sam 3:1, in a time before the prophet Isaiah, we read of how prophets were men who served the Lord and they received the divine word of the Lord through visions. A vision is commonly associated with the word of the Lord, what God wants to say. This phrase “the word of the Lord” isn’t information about the Lord but it is words from God.

In 2 Pet 1:19-21, the Apostle Peter also writes about this. Peter explains to us that this word isn’t detached and delinked from God. The prophetic word is like a lamp shining in a dark place, like the morning star that rises in your heart when the day dawns (2 Pet 1:19b). No prophecy is from the prophet making stuff up (2 Pet 1:20). Instead, the prophets speak on God’s behalf (2 Pet 1:21). This could sound strange to our modern ears. Peter is telling us that God’s spirit is more than capable of speaking, guiding, inspiring, delivering and producing His word to us. And it will do well for us to pay attention to this.

God first gave His people the prophets as His channel to speak to them, because they were terrified of Him speaking directly to them (Deut 18:15-22). At Sinai, they told God not to give them His word directly, for no human can receive it and not be terrified. As a result, God spoke to them through a prophet, and God promised to give also a prophet like Moses after Moses. The office of prophet is going to be marked by people who speak God’s word. The word they speak that comes from God will always come true. The word of God through a prophet is a truthful word because God is a truthful God. Because God is a God of truth, His word is a word of truth and will never be a lie. As we continue reading the Bible we see that the office of prophet continues and God speaks to His people through men. This is how we arrive at Isaiah.

Prophecy is not apocalyptic mystery. We read prophecy looking to hear the true words of the true God, to hear His voice. In prophecy, we hear His words to His people who live in real time and space, and we ask, “What can we learn of this God? What can we learn of His character, His loves, His hates, what He desires, and what He forbids?” A prophet is not a foretelling figure but a forthtelling one. He does not just help us know the future so we can predict things; He speaks on behalf of the living God so we may know Him.

To understand the book, we need to understand the a bit of Israel’s history. After Solomon, Israel splits into 2 kingdoms. Judah, in the south with the capital Jerusalem has 2 tribes. Israel, in the north, has the remaining 10 tribes. Israel eventually gets swallowed up by the Assyrians, while Babylon swallows Judah.

In Isa 1:1, we read of how Isaiah received the word of the LORD. Isa 8:3 also tells us that Isaiah was married! He was a family man with a wife and children. God uses this man and his family to express what He wants to say to His people. In Isaiah, we will see how much God cares about civic life, family life, jobs, homes, nations, and culture – God spoke to His people in those situations about those things.

Furthermore, some Bible scholars believe that Isaiah was part of the royal family of Israel because of his father’s name, Amoz. He was a man of influence. And according to Christian tradition, Heb 11:37 was used to describe Isaiah, who was martyred while running for his life.

From this opening verse of Isaiah, we are told that our God is a God who speaks. In Gen 1, we see that God made the world by speaking and commanding. As the Bible moves on, He continues to speak to His people through various forms — a burning bush, prophets, through the mountain. This is the pattern that is this God’s unique practice.

This means that our God is a God who has thoughts, feelings and opinions about you, and He speaks them. He is a powerful God. He is pleased by some things and expresses His pleasure. He is displeased by other things and expresses his displeasure in judgment. In Isaiah, we will see how rich God’s mind is as He expresses His opinions about Israel and Judah.

A god who speaks is dangerous, and also calls for faith. We can either trust or ignore what He says. We are in a relationship with a real being with opinions, thoughts and feelings about us. Do you know this God who speaks, and do His thoughts, feelings and opinions matter to you, or have you trained yourself to ignore Him? Isaiah insists that those who ignore the voice of the living God will know Him in judgement.

 

(B) KINGDOMS AND THEIR KINGS: THE FAITH AND IDOLATRY OF A DIVIDED, FEARFUL PEOPLE

The Book of Isaiah was spoken in a time where the kingdom was divided – Israel in the north, and Judah in the south. Isaiah’s vision was concerning Judah and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom) in the days of these kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. A helpful cheat code is to know that mention of Ephraim, Jeroboam, Samaria refers to places in the north. Judah, Jerusalem, Rehoboam refers to places in the south.

These kings were called to be God’s representatives in Judah. Examining each of these kings will give us a sense of their reign and help us understand the themes in Isaiah.

Uzziah/Azariah (767-740 BC)

In 2 Ki 15:2-5, we read of King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, who reigned in Jerusalem for 52 years. His mother was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but he did not take away the high places; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on them. They were either worshipping God in a decentralised place (not the temple as God intended) or were worshipping other gods. Uzziah was a good king, but he was not the perfect king. Who is God’s good and perfect King?

In a parallel passage in 2 Chron 26:16-20, we read of how when Uzziah was strong and things were peaceful, he offered unauthorised incense in the temple because he was proud. God tried to correct Uzziah through the priests but struck him with leprosy when he got angry with them. Pride often arises in our hearts when we are strong, when things go well. When God corrects us and send people into our lives to call us out, this is a good thing, because this is community at work. But we are also tempted to be defensive! Why are we anxious even though we are safe?

Furthermore, in Uzziah’s lifetime, he sees Assyria rise and begin to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel (2 Ki 15:27-30). This probably made him anxious to worship God his own way. When things are going well, it is still possible for us to get anxious and want to do things our own way. What are the looming “threats” God’s people face in the world?

Jotham (750-735 BC)

Jotham did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as we read from 2 Ki 15:32-35 and 2 Chron 27:3-6. He was a good king, but he still did not remove the high places. He built the upper gate of the house of the LORD and did much building on the wall of Ophel. He also built cities in the hill country of Judah, and forts and towers on the wooded hills. He became mighty because he ordered his ways before the LORD.

He had no obvious moral flaw, but like his father, he did nothing about the high places. God’s people may do many good and godly things for the Lord, and have stable ministry and leadership, but fail to deal with pockets of idolatry that persist. We can continue to live our lives but not do anything about our own idolatry.

The questions that are explored in Isaiah are: What disaster comes from doing nothing about our idolatry? What does covenant faithfulness and blessing (the high point) look like?

Ahaz (735-715 BC)

In 2 Ki 16:1-5, King Ahaz did not do what was right in the eyes of the LORD. He ruled Judah like a king of the northern kingdom of Israel and even burned his son as an offering, according to the despicable practices of the nations the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. He practised open idolatry.

2 Ki 6:6-18 records for us Ahaz’s response to the prospect of war. In his day, Syria and Israel came together and waged war with Judah, so Ahaz, God’s king, went to the king of Assyria saying “I am your servant and your son. Come up and rescue me…” (2 Ki 6:7). Imagine that! Ahaz does what kings do — sidle up to the next biggest player for security. He also took the silver and gold and Israel’s treasures to give to Assyria (2 Ki 6:8). Assyria listened to him (2 Ki 6:9).

Ahaz made an altar just like the one in Damascus (2 Ki 6:10-13) and removed Israel’s bronze altar (2 Ki 6:14). He also changed the designs of the temple and adopted Assyria’s worship instead (2 Ki 6:17-20). This is syncretism. He led Judah astray also by infusing other worship practices. He did so because it worked. Look at how mighty Assyria is, and how they saved him. Surely this means that their gods work.

What happens when we syncretically mix a bit of God’s ways and our idolatry?

Hezekiah (715-686 BC)

King Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Ki 18:1-8). Unlike his forefathers, he removed the high places. He was a good king. He led Judah into a public form of worship by removing idols and showing them what repentance looks like – turning away from their idols to the living God. The theme explored in Isaiah is: What does repentance and reform look like?

In his lifetime, Hezekiah saw Assyria swallow up Israel (2 Ki 18:9-10, 13-37). He witnessed Assyria swallowing up Samaria and their people were taken away. In 2 Ki 18:12, we are told that it was because the people did not listen and obey. We can only obey if we hear God’s word.

Assyria came after Judah and Hezekiah responded by giving away all the gold in Israel in an attempt to appease them (2 Ki 18:13). A representative from Assyria tried to convince them not to seek refuge from Egypt. He also argued that it is a stupid thing to trust in their God. He mocked both God and taunted them for trusting in Egypt. Thus, it raises the question of faith. In Isaiah, we will see God’s response to the Rabshakeh. What does God have to say when the world says that trusting in Him is dumb? What does faith in the Lord look like, especially in practical matters like security and health?

After God defended Judah from Assyria, Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death (2 Ki 20:1-21). God responded to his prayers and brought him back to health. Then, Hezekiah showed envoys from Babylon all his treasure, his armory and all that was in his storehouses. As a result, Isaiah prophesied that Judah will one day be swallowed up by Babylon. Hezekiah, though a good king, did not end his reign well.

What are the dangers of vanity? What results if we only live for today?

Aren’t these the most realistic portraits of sinners? Isaiah deals with very real challenges of faith. How do you trust a God who promises that He is enough, when there is an army on your doorstep? Isaiah is a no holds barred presentation of real faith lived out in real life. Away with false religion, the performance of Christianity, mediocre praying, and any pretense of godliness!

If you are feeling messed up, under attack from real threat, fear, anxiety, or pressure, God has much to say to you about them. The Book of Isaiah is the word of the living God to a divided, fearful people who, in the face of war and political instability, struggled to trust God and struggled with idolatry.

Yet, despite their sin and messy reigns, Matt 1:6-9 puts these four kings in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. God was working through them to bring about the reign of the King who is true and good and loving and perfect, and whose reign will never end.  

How are you feeling today? Do you feel messed-up in your walk and wrestling with attack and anxiety? God’s word is relevant for us who are struggling with fear and struggling with idolatry. AS we continue our study, let’s be real with the Lord! Journal along as we study Isaiah together. Journal what you read and what you’re going through in your life. Let the Lord deal with those threats as they appear. God is inviting us to come back, to know Him and hear His voice.