Session 4 - Isaiah, the Prince of the Prophets
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Summer Nights 2014 “Profiting from the Prophets” Session 4 - Isaiah, the Prince of the Prophets The prophet’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 (Isaiah 7:3; 8:3) Ø A lengthy ministry spanning 6 decades (Isaiah 1:1) Some key ideas about the Book of Isaiah Ø A little Bible 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 Judah 7-12 The Day of Jehovah, and Israel 13-23 The ten burdens on the nations 24-27 The “Day” and the whole world 28-33 The six “woes” upon Jerusalem 34-35 The final wrath: Zion 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 Christ (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 Lot 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 Jeremiah & Lamentations to get a feel for the style of this important Old Testament prophet. Also skim through the Minor Prophetic books of Joel, Obadiah, and Habakkuk, noting some of the similarities and distinctions in their styles. 3 The Book of Isaiah AUTHOR: Isaiah, the prophet, the son of Amoz. 1. Prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah,—Isaiah 1:1. 2. His call and anointing,—Isaiah 6:1-8. 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 Isaiah 40-66, 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,—Isaiah 26:4. 2. Judgments,—Isaiah 33:14. 3. Joy,—Isaiah 35:10. 4. SalVation,—Isaiah 45:17. 5. Kindness,—Isaiah 54:8. 6. Covenant,—Isaiah 55:3. 7. Light,—Isaiah 60:19. KEY WORD: SalVation. Isaiah means "SalVation of JehoVah." Salvation 1. Wells of,—Isaiah 12:3. 2. Joy of,—Isaiah 25:9. 3. Walls of,—Isaiah 26:1. 4. Everlasting,—Isaiah 45:17. 5. Day of,—Isaiah 49:8. 6. Feet of the heralds of,—Isaiah 52:7. 7. Spread of,—Isaiah 52:10. 8. Arm of,—Isaiah 59:16. 9. Helmet of,—Isaiah 59:17. 10. Garments of,—Isaiah 61:10. 11. Light of,—Isaiah 62:1. VERSES: Isaiah 9:6-7; 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 Messiah,—Isaiah 1-12. 2. Prophecies respecting surrounding nations-Assyria, Babylonia, Moab, Egypt, Philistia, Syria, Edom, and Tyre,—Isaiah 13-23. 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,—Isaiah 24-27. 4. Chiefly woes pronounced upon Ephraim and Jerusalem, especially for trusting in foreign alliances,—Isaiah 28-31. 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,—Isaiah 32-35. 6. Hezekiah's deliVerance from the Assyrians and the lengthening of his life,—Isaiah 36-39. 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 dispensation. 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 --Immanuel Isaiah 11:1 --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 Isaiah 42:1 --DiVine Spirit Isaiah 53:1 --Arm of the Lord Isaiah 63:1 --Anointed Preacher Isaiah 63:1 --Mighty TraVeler Characteristics Mission Isaiah 11:2 --Wisdom 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 Jesus 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 Abraham Acts 3:25 (Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:34) Genesis 17:19 Promised Seed of Isaac Matthew 1:2 (Luke 3:34) Numbers 24:17 (Genesis 28:14) Promised Seed of Jacob 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 Samuel The Heir to the Throne of David Matthew 1:1 (Matthew 1:6) 7:13) Micah 5:2 Place of Birth Matthew 2:1 (Luke 2:4-7) Daniel 9:25 Time of Birth Luke 2:1-2 (Luke 2:3-7) Isaiah 7:14 Born of a Virgin Matthew 1:18 (Luke 1:26-35) Jeremiah 31:15 Massacre of Infants Matthew 2:16 (Matthew 2:17,18) Hosea 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) Psalm 110:4 As a Priest, like Melchizedek, Hebrews 6:20 (Hebrews 5:5-6; 7:15-17) John 1:11 (John 5:43; Luke 4:29; 17:25; Isaiah 53:3 (Psalm 2:2) His ReJection by Jews 23:18) Isaiah 11:2 (Psalm 45:7; Isaiah Some of His Characteristics Luke 2:52 (Luke 4:18) 11:3-4) John 12:13-14 (Matthew 21:1-11; John Zechariah 9:9 (Isaiah 62:11) His Triumphal Entry 12:12) Mark 14:10 (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 (Matthew 27:3-10) 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 Acts 1:18-20 (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; Isaiah 50:6 Beaten and Spit Upon 18:22) Psalm 69:4 (Psalm 109:3-5) Hated Without a Cause John 15:23-25 Matthew 8:16-17 (Romans 4:25; 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) Psalm 22:16 (Zechariah 12:10) 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 Luke 23:34 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 Psalm 16:10 (Matthew 16:21) His Resurrection Matthew 28:9 (Luke 24:36-48) Psalm 68:18 His Ascension Luke 24:50-51 Taken from The Thompson Chain Reference Bible.