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Home , Isaiah 26, Isaiah 28, Isaiah 32, Isaiah 33, Isaiah 35, Isaiah 42

Summer Nights 2014 “Profiting from the ”

Session 4 - , the Prince of the Prophets

The ’s characteristics known

Ø A stand-out in numerous ways!

Ø Enjoyed social prominence

Ø Great literary abilities

Ø Married, and possibly to a woman prophetess (:3; 8:3)

Ø A lengthy ministry spanning 6 decades (:1)

Some key ideas about the

Ø A little in itself!

An analysis from J. Sidlow Baxter’s Through The Book :

ORACLES OF RETRIBUTION AND RESTITUTION (1-39)

1-6 The Day of Jehovah, and 7-12 The Day of Jehovah, and 13-23 The ten burdens on the nations 24-27 The “Day” and the whole world 28-33 The six “woes” upon 34-35 The final wrath: restored 36-39 Historical addendum to part one

ORACLES OF REDEMPTION AND CONSUMAMATION (40-66)

Group 1: THE SUPREMACY OF JEHOVAH (40-48) Jehovah supreme in attributes (40-41) Jehovah supreme in redemption (42-45) Jehovah supreme in punishment (46-48) Group 2: THE “SERVANT” OF JEHOVAH (49-57) Firstly Israel: finally (49-53) Israel restored: Christ reigns (54-55) Thus, present urge and promise (56-57) Group 3: THE CHALLENGE OF JEHOVAH (58-66) In view of present wrong-doing (58-59) In view of future great events (60-65) Final challenge, promise, warning (66) 1 Ø Some grand themes developed by Isaiah

ü The ______among the nations.

ü Strongest OT ______.

ü The ______the nations.

ü The future for ______.

ü The ______motif.

See especially chs 49-53; 61:1-4

ü The ______.

Inspiration for today from the prophet Isaiah

Ø Passion for ______though ______.

Ø Walking in ______degrading times.

Psalm 12:8 (NIV) The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

2 Peter 2:7-9 (NLT) But God also rescued out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him. Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day. So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment. 2 Ø Holding on to ______despite ______to come.

A quick glimpse at some of the Minor Prophets

Optional assignment for next session:

Peruse the books of & Lamentations to get a feel for the style of this important prophet. Also skim through the Minor of , , and , noting some of the similarities and distinctions in their styles.

3

The Book of Isaiah

AUTHOR: Isaiah, the prophet, the son of .

1. Prophesied during the reigns of , Jotham, , and ,—Isaiah 1:1. 2. His call and anointing,—:1-8. 3. His family,—Isaiah 7:3; 8:3-4. 4. GENERALLY REGARDED AS THE GREATEST of the Old Testament prophets. a. Because he is preeminently the prophet of redemption. b. Many of the passages in his book are among the finest in literature.

DATE WRITTEN: Isaiah's ministry extended about 60 years (c. 740-680 B.C.). Isaiah 1-39 were probably recorded around 700 B.C. while -66, toward the end of Isaiah's ministry (c.681 B.C.).

PURPOSE: To reveal that salvation, physical and spiritual, is of the Lord.

TO WHOM WRITTEN: The nation of Judah. MAIN THEMES: Seven everlastings.

1. Strength,—:4. 2. Judgments,—:14. 3. Joy,—:10. 4. Salvation,—:17. 5. Kindness,—:8. 6. Covenant,—:3. 7. Light,—:19.

KEY WORD: Salvation. Isaiah means "Salvation of Jehovah."

Salvation

1. Wells of,—:3. 2. Joy of,—:9. 3. Walls of,—Isaiah 26:1. 4. Everlasting,—Isaiah 45:17. 5. Day of,—:8. 6. Feet of the heralds of,—:7. 7. Spread of,—Isaiah 52:10. 8. Arm of,—:16. 9. Helmet of,—Isaiah 59:17. 10. Garments of,—:10. 11. Light of,—:1.

VERSES: :6-7; 53:5-6.

SYNOPSIS: Some modern scholars have studied this poetical prophecy as a botanist studies flowers, dissecting and analyzing them. By the use of this scientific method the beauty and unity of the book, like that of the rose, is almost forgotten as the different parts are pulled apart for examination.

I. Refers chiefly to events leading up to the Captivity,—Isaiah 1-39. 1. Exhortations and warnings of divine judgments, mingled with predictions of better days and the coming of the ,—Isaiah 1-12. 2. Prophecies respecting surrounding nations-, Babylonia, , , Philistia, Syria, , and Tyre,—-23. 3. Writings concerning the sins and misery of the people, promises of salvation, a song of confidence in God, and His care over His vineyard,—-27. 4. Chiefly woes pronounced upon and Jerusalem, especially for trusting in foreign alliances,—-31. 5. Promises of a righteous king, and the outpouring of the Spirit, the exaltation of the righteous, and the turning of the wilderness into a garden of the Lord,—-35. 6. Hezekiah's deliverance from the Assyrians and the lengthening of his life,—-39.

II. The second part of the book contains predictions, warnings, and promises, which refer to events beyond the captivity, and reach on down the centuries through the Christian . This portion of the prophecy is especially rich in messianic references,—Isaiah 40- 66.

PROMINENT PEOPLE: Isaiah and his sons (Shear-Jashub and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz); Hezekiah; Israel's deliverer (Suffering Servant), the Messiah.

ISAIAH’S PORTRAITS OF CHRIST

Isaiah's Messianic Prophecies. The prophet looked down the centuries and saw the coming Messiah. He has given us the most perfect picture of the history, characteristics, titles, and mission of Christ of any of the great Hebrew prophets.

Historys Titles Isaiah 7:14 --Birth Isaiah 7:14 -- :1 --Family Isaiah 9:6 --Mighty God Isaiah 11:2 --Annointing Isaiah 9:6 --Everlasting Father Isaiah 9:6 --Prince of Peace Isaiah 32:1 --Righteous King :1 --Divine Spirit :1 --Arm of the Lord :1 --Anointed Preacher Isaiah 63:1 --Mighty Traveler

Characteristics Mission Isaiah 11:2 -- Isaiah 9:2 --Illuminator Isaiah 11:3 --Spiritual Discernment Isaiah 11:3 --Judge Isaiah 11:4 --Justice Isaiah 11:4 --Reprover Isaiah 11:5 --Righteousness Isaiah 42:4 --Lawgiver Isaiah 42:2 --Silence, 53:7 Isaiah 42:7 --Liberator Isaiah 42:3 --Gentleness Isaiah 53:4 --Burden-bearer Isaiah 42:4 --Perseverance Isaiah 53:6 --Sin-bearer Isaiah 42:6 --Radiance, 9:2 Isaiah 53:12 --Intercessor Isaiah 53:4 --Compassion Isaiah 53:5 --Only Savior Isaiah 53:7 --Meekness Isaiah 53:10 --Vicarious Suffering, 52:14 Isaiah 53:9 --Sinlessness Isaiah 53:11 --Saving Power Isaiah 53:12 --Greatness

Taken from The Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Two Branches in The Stream of Messianic Prophecies

Prophecies Related to Christ and Their Fulfillment Arranged Chronologically

Prophecies Fulfillment

Galatians 4:4 (Luke 2:7; Revelation Genesis 3:15 Would be the "Seed of a Woman" 12:5) Genesis 18:18 (Genesis 12:3) Promised Seed of :25 (Matthew 1:1; :34) Genesis 17:19 Promised Seed of Matthew 1:2 (Luke 3:34) Numbers 24:17 (Genesis 28:14) Promised Seed of Luke 3:34 (Matthew 1:2) Genesis 49:10 Will Descend from the Tribe of Judah Luke 3:33 (Matthew 1:2-3) Isaiah 9:7 (Isaiah 11:1-5; 2 The Heir to the Throne of Matthew 1:1 (Matthew 1:6) 7:13) 5:2 Place of Birth Matthew 2:1 (Luke 2:4-7) 9:25 Time of Birth Luke 2:1-2 (Luke 2:3-7) Isaiah 7:14 Born of a Matthew 1:18 (Luke 1:26-35) :15 Massacre of Infants Matthew 2:16 (Matthew 2:17,18) 11:1 Flight into Egypt Matthew 2:14 (Matthew 2:15) Isaiah 9:1-2 Ministry in Galilee Matthew 4:12-16 Deuteronomy 18:15 As a Prophet John 6:14 (John 1:45; Acts 3:19-26) :4 As a , like Melchizedek, :20 (:5-6; 7:15-17) John 1:11 (John 5:43; Luke 4:29; 17:25; Isaiah 53:3 (Psalm 2:2) His Rejection by 23:18) Isaiah 11:2 (Psalm 45:7; Isaiah Some of His Characteristics Luke 2:52 (Luke 4:18) 11:3-4) :13-14 (:1-11; John :9 (Isaiah 62:11) His Triumphal Entry 12:12) :10 (Matthew 26:14-16; Mark Psalm 41:9 Betrayed by a Friend 14:43-45) Zechariah 11:12 (Zechariah 11:13) Sold for Thirty Pieces of Silver Matthew 26:15 (:3-10) Money to be Returned for a Potter's Matthew 27:6-7 (Matthew 27:3-5; 8- Zechariah 11:13 Field 10) Psalm 109:7-8 Judas' Office to be Taken by Another :18-20 (Acts 1:16, 17) Psalm 27:12 (Psalm 35:11), False Witnesses Accuse Him Matthew 26:60-61 Isaiah 53:7 (Psalm 38:13-14) Silent When Accused Matthew 26:62-63 (Matthew 27:12-14) Mark 14:65 (Mark 15:17; John 19:1-3; :6 Beaten and Spit Upon 18:22) Psalm 69:4 (Psalm 109:3-5) Hated Without a Cause John 15:23-25 :16-17 (:25; 1 Isaiah 53:4-5 (Isaiah 53:6,12) Suffered Vicariously Corinthians 15:3) Matthew 27:38 (Mark 15:27,28; Luke Isaiah 53:12 Crucified with Sinners 23:33) :16 (:10) Hands and Feet Pierced John 20:27 (John 19:37; 20:25,26) Matthew 27:39-40 (Matthew 27:41-44; Psalm 22:6-8 Mocked and Insulted Mark 15:29-32) Psalm 69:21 Given Gall (sour wine) and Vinegar John 19:29 (Matthew 27:34,48) Hears Prophetic Words Repeated in Psalm 22:8 Matthew 27:43 Mockery Psalm 109:4 (Isaiah 53:12) Prays for His Enemies :34 Zechariah 12:10 His Side to be Pierced John 19:34 Psalm 22:18 Soldiers Cast Lots for His Clothes Mark 15:24 (John 19:24) Psalm 34:20 (Exodus 12:46) Not a Bone to be Broken John 19:33 Isaiah 53:9 To be Buried with the Rich Matthew 27:57-60 :10 (Matthew 16:21) His Resurrection Matthew 28:9 (:36-48) Psalm 68:18 His Ascension Luke 24:50-51

Taken from The Thompson Chain Reference Bible. The Book of

AUTHOR: Uncertain. Probably Nahum. The NAME Nahum means "compassionate" or "full of comfort."

DATE WRITTEN: Sometime before the fall of Nineveh (612 B.C.) and after the fall of Thebes (664 B.C.),— Nahum 3:8-10. This book is regarded by some scholars as a sequel to . It would appear that the Assyrians, after their repentance at the preaching of Jonah, soon relapsed into gross idolatry. They plundered other nations, and their capital became like a lions' den full of prey, Nahum 2:11-12. PURPOSE: To pronounce divine vengeance upon the bloody city and to console Judah with promises of future deliverance,—Nahum 3:1; 1:13-15.

TO WHOM WRITTEN: God's people in Judah and the inhabitants of Nineveh. MAIN THEME: The destruction of Nineveh.

KEY WORD: Judgment. KEY VERSE: Nahum 1:7-9.

SYNOPSIS:

• Chapter 1 o A vision of the majesty and invincible power of Jehovah, who will break the yoke of the Assyrians and deliver Judah. • Chapter 2 o A dramatic description of the siege of Nineveh. • Chapter 3 o A woe pronounced upon the bloody city, and her complete ruin foretold.

NOTE: Some expositors have seen in Nahum 2:4 an allusion to the modern automobile, but this is a far- fetched interpretation.

PROMINENT PEOPLE: Nahum, the Assyrian king and his people, God's people in Judah.

Taken from The Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

The

AUTHOR: Micah, a native of Moresheth in Judah. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (his anointing mentioned, Micah 3:8) and was a contemporary of Isaiah (Micah 1:1). Micah means "who is like Jehovah." He belonged to the territory of Judah but spoke to both Judah and Israel.

DATE WRITTEN: Sometime between 739 B.C. and 686 B.C. (the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah).

PURPOSE: To warn God's people of coming judgment for sin and to offer hope, based upon the mercy of God. TO WHOM WRITTEN: Both Kingdoms, North (Israel) and South (Judah). MAIN THEMES: Sin is exposed, God's justice is required, but mercy is offered to those of humble and repentant hearts.

KEY WORDS: Judgment and mercy. KEY VERSES:

1. The definition of true religion,—Micah 6:8. 2. The birthplace of Christ announced,—Micah 5:2. 3. God's disposal of the sins of believers,—Micah 7:18-19.

SYNOPSIS:

I. General Divisions. 1. Chiefly threatenings of coming judgments,—Micah 1-3. 2. Prophetic promises of deliverance,—Micah 4-5. 3. Mainly exhortations and confessions of national sins coupled with promises of restoration,—Micah 6-7. II. Particular Sins Condemned. 1. Idolatry,—Micah 1:7; 5:13. 2. Evil plans and devices,—Micah 2:1. 3. Covetousness,—Micah 2:2. 4. Rapacity of princes, prophets, and ,—Micah 3:2-11. 5. Witchcraft,—Micah 5:12. 6. Dishonesty,—Micah 6:10-12. 7. Universal corruption,—Micah 7:2-4. 8. Treachery,—Micah 7:5-6. III. Future Hopes. 1. The establishment of a righteous kingdom,—Micah 4:1-8. 2. The coming of a Messiah king,—Micah 5:2. 3. The reformation and restoration of the nation,—Micah 7:7-17. 4. The complete triumph of divine grace,—Micah 7:18-20.

SELECT QUOTATIONS:

By the elders-thus saving the life of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:16-19); Micah 3:12.

By the -to Herod the Great at the time of the birth of Christ (Matthew 2:5-6); Micah 5:2.

By Christ-in sending forth His disciples (Matthew 10:34, 36); Micah 7:6.

PROMINENT PEOPLE: Micah, the people of and of Jerusalem.

Taken from The Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

The

AUTHOR: Uncertain. Probably Jonah, a native of Galilee, one of the earlier prophets,—2 Kings 14:25. Called to go as a missionary to Nineveh and warn the enemies of his country, he went with great reluctance.

HIS CHARACTER

1. "Sanctified in spots," a strange mixture of strength and weakness. 2. Self-willed,—Jonah 1:1-3. 3. Godly,—Jonah 1:9. 4. Courageous,—Jonah 1:12. 5. Prayerful,—Jonah 2:1-9. 6. Obedient after chastisement,—Jonah 3:3-4. 7. Bigoted and selfish, disappointed when the Ninevites repented,—Jonah 3:4-10; 4:1. 8. Had too much concern for his own reputation,—Jonah 4:2-3.

DATE WRITTEN: Sometime during the reign of Jeroboam II, 783 B.C. to 753 B.C.

PURPOSE: To reveal that salvation is of the Lord and that that salvation extends to any who will repent and turn to Him, even the .

TO WHOM WRITTEN: Israel and people everywhere of all times.

MAIN THEME: Repentance reverts God's judgments. Spiritual Lessons:

1. The peril of running away from duty. 2. The temptation to selfish patriotism and religious bigotry. 3. The divine employment of imperfect people as channels of truth. 4. The wideness of God's mercy.

KEY WORDS: Salvation is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9).

KEY VERSE: Jonah 2:9.

SYNOPSIS: This narrative has been ridiculed as a myth by unbelievers and is regarded by some scholars as a legend or parable. The Jews, however, accepted it as historical. See , Antiq. IX.10.2. Jesus Christ vouched for its truth, :39-41; :29-30.

1. Chapter 1 The divine command evaded; the flight and punishment of the prophet. 2. Chapter 2 The prayer and the deliverance. 3. Chapter 3 The second commission obeyed. 4. Chapter 4 The childish complaint of the prophet; the great exhibition of divine mercy coupled with the rebuke to the prophet.

PROMINENT PEOPLE: Jonah, the ship's captain and crew, the people of Nineveh.

Taken from The Thompson Chain Reference Bible.