ISAIAH MADE EASY FOR BUSY PEOPLE WRITTEN BY A BIBLE SCHOOL TEACHER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE PEW By: Don Arbaugh 1 DEDICATION This book is gratefully dedicated to my faithful wife Sally, who has always encouraged me in my work for the Master. She spent many arduous hours in the typing of this book and deserves a lot of credit for whatever good may be accomplished by our effort. 2 This material may be freely used to the glory of God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 2007 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENT When I originally began a study of the book of Isaiah, it was solely for the purpose of teaching the adult class at Overlook church of Christ in Dayton, OH. This became a time consuming task and many hours were dedicated to writing and re-writing the notes on each chapter. I definitely had no plans to publish a book but after some encouragement by friends and further consideration, I decided it would be a worthy effort. I did not use footnotes but in many instances I have given credit to various sources from which I studied. I am indebted to these and I will list them in the Bibliography. I give special recognition to Charles A. Pledge who reviewed the manuscript and made valuable suggestions and to Marion R. Fox who arraigned it into book format. I have attempted to write in a simple, straightforward manner to appeal to the average person in the pew, hence, the title “Isaiah Made Easy for Busy People.” It is a verse-by-verse study with the comments followed by the verse number in bold print. The comments are brief but should give basic understanding of the overall theme of the book. Hopefully, it will create a desire for a deeper study, not only of this book but the entire Bible. Whatever good may be accomplished – to God be the glory! 4 ISAIAH INTRODUCTION AUTHOR AND DATE The prophet Isaiah was the son of Amoz (1:1) and he prophesied during the reign of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. His prophetical labors extended over a period of 40 to 60 years: 739-683 B.C. (Dates vary from source to source.) He lived in Jerusalem with his prophetess wife and at least two sons (7:3; 8:3). His name means "Jehovah is salvation." Prophets contemporary with him were Amos and Hosea, who spoke to the Northern kingdom (Israel) and Micah, who joined with Isaiah in the Southern kingdom, Judah. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND It was a time of political and religious turmoil. Israel was becoming more and more idolatrous despite the efforts of Hosea and Amos who tried to turn them back to the Lord. Israel would fall to the Assyrian Empire in 722/21 B.C., but Judah would be spared for another hundred-plus years. Assyria was becoming the strong world power while Egypt was declining in power. Judah was situated in between these two warring nations and was therefore, inclined to form alliances with them in hope of survival. They were trusting in human wisdom rather than relying upon the instruction and protection of Jehovah. The Lord's people desperately needed to learn that "Jehovah is salvation" and the messenger of the hour was Isaiah, the one who answered the call—“Here am I; send me." (6:8) It was an economically prosperous period but a time of corrupt government. Idol worship, sexual immorality, drunkenness and extortion were common among the people. Bribery had become a way of life for those in power and there was no regard for the fatherless and widows (1:23). A study of 2Kings 15-20 will reveal the corrupt conditions that prevailed during this time in Jewish history. For those who still offered sacrifices to Jehovah it was only a shallow, half-hearted offering for which God had said "I delight not" in your burnt offerings (1:11) and "I will not hear" your prayers because of the blood on your hands (1:15). Radical critics have cast doubt upon the authorship of this book but we will not attempt to answer these critics; rather we will focus on the New Testament references and allow the inspired writers to give us proper understanding. Charles Pledge said it best in his book “Getting Acquainted with the Old Testament” Vol. 2, pg. 88 where he states the following: “The New Testament writers offer conclusive proof that both parts of the book of Isaiah are by the same author and that single author is Isaiah. Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament more than all of the other prophets together. The use of Isaiah by the New Testament writers and speakers leaves no room for doubt that Isaiah was the author of the entire book that bears his name. In John 12:38-41, quotations are made from both parts of Isaiah and are attributed to Isaiah. In Romans, Paul makes abundant use of Isaiah’s prophesies. One needs only to read Romans 9-11 to see how frequently Paul introduces Isaiah as the author of the entire book which bears his name." Finally, Isaiah is the most Messianic of any of the Old Testament prophets. Homer Hailey said "…it is generally conceded that Isaiah presented the most vivid picture of the Messiah and His kingdom of any of the prophets." (Hailey's Comments, Vol. 1, pg. 143) 5 I Prophecies concerning Judah and Israel (1-12) Chapter 1 v. 1 THE INTRODUCTION The writer identifies himself as Isaiah, the son of Amoz. The prophet begins the book by affirming the source of the message. It was from heaven and came in the form of a vision. The subject of the message was Judah and Jerusalem and it occurred during the reign of four of Judah’s kings - a period of 40 - 60 years. Vs. 2 - 6 THE CHARGE AGAINST THE PEOPLE Heaven and earth are called to witness against the people of Jehovah for He hath spoken. Jehovah speaks as a disappointed parent who has reared children who have rebelled against Him (2). The ox and the ass recognize their owner and are more appreciative of the care given than Israel. God’s people are described as ungrateful and inconsiderate (3). They are a sinful nation, weighted down with iniquity. As seed reproduces after its kind so they are the seed of evildoers, corrupting others wherever they go. They have forsaken God and angered Him with their arrogance and disobedience and have gone away backwards (4). Why will they continue on this path of destruction? The head and the heart, the center of thinking and emotions, are sick and faint (5). The rest of the body is diseased with putrefying, running sores and they have made no attempt to cleanse and dress them. This graphically describes their spiritual condition (6). Vs. 7 - 9 CALAMITY RESULTS Isaiah now begins to speak in prophetic perfect tense. These events have not happened but God can call “things which be not as though they were” (Rom 4:17), also cf. Rev 13:8 and Josh 6:2. The Assyrians did come into Judah during the time of Sennacherib in 714 B.C., (2Kings 18:13; cf. Isa 36:1ff) and the Babylonians also invaded in 606 B.C. (2Kings 24). Cities were made desolate and burned with fire and strangers had devoured the land (7). Zion will be like a lean-to shack in a vineyard or as a hut in a cucumber field (8). Judah would be completely destroyed were it not for the will of Jehovah of hosts who saw fit to preserve a small remnant. They would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah but the remnant was preserved because of the Messianic promise to David (2Sam 7:12ff). Paul made application of this verse in Romans 9:29 where he refers to the remnant as “a seed” (9). Vs. 10 - 15 TEMPLE-TRAMPLERS’ WORSHIP REJECTED Judah is urged to hear the word of Jehovah and to give ear unto the law of our God. They are to hear with an attitude that desires to obey law. Their sacrifices are numerous but unacceptable because of their sins. When they come to offer worship, God says they are temple-tramplers offering worship that is vain and abominable. He commands them to cease bringing vain oblations. He hates the manner in which 6 they are observing the new moons and Sabbath and they weary Him (10-14). God will hide His eyes from them when they lift their hands in prayer and thanksgiving because their hands are full of blood (cf. 59:1-3). God wants men everywhere to lift up holy hands without wrath and doubting (1Tim 2:8) (15). Vs. 16 - 20 REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION As Judah stands before Jehovah, they are defiled and unclean. They are commanded to wash and clean up spiritually and to quit doing “evil things” (16). They are to learn to do well. Good conduct is learned conduct and Judah has been in error so long they must be taught what is right. They must seek justice and relief for the oppressed, the orphans and the widows (17). God invites them to come and reason together. When you reason with God, the basis for reason is always truth…and truth never changes. It exhibit’s the same quality as its author and Jesus declared that God’s word is truth (Jn 17:17; cf. Ps 119:89,160). Correct reasoning will lead Judah to repentance and God promises forgiveness and cleansing.