IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
Outline of Isaiah Book of the King (Isaiah 1-39) I.
CHAPTERS 1-5 – INDICTMENT AND INVITATION
A.
B.
C.
II.
1:1-31 – God appeals and promises to purge rebellious Judah 1.
1:1 – The title and introduction
2.
1:2-9 – The rebellion and present condition of Judah
3.
1:10-20 – God’s appeal for reason and repentance
4.
1:21-31 – The degeneration and purging of Jerusalem
2:1-4:6 – Israel’s glorious future 1.
2:1-4 – The future mountain of the Lord’s house
2.
2:5-9 – The present idolatry in the house of Jacob
3.
2:10-22 – The Future exhalation of God alone
4.
3:1-9 – Judah is fallen and desperate for an elusive cure apart from God
5.
3:10-4:1 – God contends for justice and judgement
6.
4:2-6 – The Branch will come to redeem a remnant
5:1 – 30 1.
5:1-7 – The song of the Vineyard of the Lord
2.
5:8-25 – The futility and consequence of selfishness
3.
5:26-30 – The Lord swiftly gathers an army
CHAPTERS 6-12
A.
6:1-13 – Isaiah called and sent by God 1.
6:1-4 – Isaiah sees God
2.
6:5-7 – Isaiah humbled and cleansed
3.
6:8-13 – Isaiah commissioned to condemn the rebellious
IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah 1-12
B.
C.
III.
7:1-9:7 – A prophecy for Judah 1.
7:1-9 – Isaiah sent to King Ahaz
2.
7:10-16 – A sign for King Ahaz
3.
7:17-25 – The Lord will send Assyria against Judah
4.
8:1-10 – Isaiah has a son as a prophetic sign of Assyria’s invasion
5.
8:11-22 – Seek God alone, do not fear or trust in men
6.
9:1-7 – A promised Son/ Savior will rule righteously from the throne of David.
9:8-10:34 – A prophecy for Israel 1.
9:8-12 – Israel will be devoured by the Syrians and Philistines
2.
9:13-21 – Corruption permeates Israel , leading to their own destruction
3.
10:1-4 – Those who pervert justice will be destroyed
4.
10:5-11 – The Lord will use Assyria to Judge Israel
5.
10:12-34 – The Lord will then Judge Assyria, then Israel will depend on God alone
D.
11:1-16 – The Son of David will come to rule righteously and bring salvation
E.
12:1-6 – The Remnant will be saved and turn to the Lord in worship
CHAPTERS 13-23 – PROPHECIES FOR THE NATIONS
A.
13:1-14:27 – Prophecy against Babylon 1.
13:1 – Intro: Isaiah’s prophecy against Babylon
2.
13:2-16 – The fearful destruction of the day of the Lord
3.
13:17-22 – The Medes will destroy Babylon
4.
14:1-2 – The Lord will still choose, empower, and expand the house of Jacob
5.
14:3-11 – A proverb of the King of Babylon’s fall
6.
14:12-21 – The fall of Lucifer
7.
14:22-23 – The total destruction of Babylon
8.
14:24-27 – The Lord’s hand stretched out against Assyria
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
14:28-32 – Prophecy against Philistia 1.
14:28– Intro: Prophecy against Philistia
2.
14:29-32 – The destinies of Zion vs. Philistia
15:1-16:14 – Prophecy against Moab 1.
15:1a– Intro: Prophecy against Moab
2.
15:1b-9 – The destruction, judgement, and mourning of Moab
3.
16:1-4a – Moab tries to buy the favor of Jerusalem
4.
16:4b-5– The throne of David will be established in righteousness and justice
5.
16:6-12 – The pride of Moab turned to weeping
6.
16:13-14 – Moab will be humiliated in less than three years
17:1-17:11 – Prophecy against Damascus 1.
17:1a – Intro: A prophecy against Damascus
2.
17:1b-3 – Damascus and her towns will become an uninhabited heap of rubble
3.
17:4-11 – Jacob’s glory will diminish, little will be left.
4.
17:7-8 – Men will then forsake Idols and look to God
5.
17:9-11 – Those who forsook God will have no harvest
17:12-18:7 – Prophecy against the Nations 1.
17:12-14 – God will scatter the nations who rob Israel.
2.
18:1-7 – Woe to the land beyond Ethiopian rivers
19:1-20:6 – Prophecy against Egypt 1.
19:1a – Intro: Prophecy against Egypt
2.
19:1b-15 – Egypt and her idols will be decimated
3.
19:16-22 – Egypt will then fear and worship Yahweh, her healer
4.
19:23-25 – Egypt, Assyria, and Israel will be united and blessed by God
5.
20:1-6 – A sign of Egypt’s coming captivity to Assyria
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
21:1-10 – Prophecy against Babylon 1.
21:1a – Intro: Prophecy against the Wilderness of the Sea
2.
21:1b-4 – A fearful vision of Babylon besieged
3.
21:5-8 – Banquet interrupted by call to watchmen duty
4.
21:9-10 – Babylon’s fall reported to watchman
21:11-12 – Prophecy for Dumah 1.
21:11a – Intro: Prophecy for Dumah
2.
21:11b-12 – Fulfillment of hope will come after a delay
21:13-17 – Prophecy for Arabia 1.
21:13a – Intro: Prophecy for Arabia
2.
21:13b-15 – Hungry fugitives need hospitality
3.
21:16-17 – God will end Kedar’s oppression within a year
22:1-25 – Prophecy for Jerusalem 1.
22:1a – Intro: Prophecy against the valley of Vision
2.
22:1b-3 – A joy filled city without cause for rejoicing.
3.
22:4-8 – A day of trouble is coming for Jerusalem
4.
22:9-11 – Jerusalem looked to useless defenses without looking to God
5.
22:12-14 – When God calls for weeping and repentance, Jerusalem parties
6.
22:15-19 – The Lord will humble Shebna
7.
22:20-25 – The Lord will promote Eliakim in Shebna’s place for a season
23:1-18 – Prophecy for Tyre 1.
23:1a – Intro: Prophecy for Tyre
2.
23:1b-14 – Mourning the downfall of Tyre
3.
23:15-18 – After seventy years Tyre will return and be remembered
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
IV.
CHAPTERS 24-27 – GOD PURGES THE EARTH AND RESTORES ISRAEL
A.
B.
V.
24:1-25:12 – God’s Dealings with the Nations 1.
24:1-13 – The earth emptied, plundered, and defiled
2.
24:14-16a – Songs of the earth’s remnant
3.
24:16b-20 – The earth shaken and broken
4.
24:21-23 – Punishment of the wicked powers
5.
25:1-12 – Song of praise for God’s past (1-4) and future (5-12) wonders
26:1-27:13 – God’s dealings with His people 1.
26:1-6 – Judah’s song of salvation
2.
26:7-19 – Sincere prayer to the sovereign Lord
3.
26:20-27:1 – God’s people hidden in the day of the Lord
4.
27:2-5 – God’s song God’s fruitful vineyard, Israel
5.
27:6-13 – God’s discipline and plan to restore Israel
CHAPTERS 28-32 – WOES TO ISRAEL, JUDAH, AND JERUSALEM
A.
B.
28:1-33:24 – Woe to Ephraim 1.
28:1-8 – Stubbornness and drunkenness in Ephraim
2.
28:9-13 – The leaders of Judah mock Isaiah’s simple message
3.
28:14-15 – A covenant with death
4.
28:16-21 – A righteous cornerstone coming to Zion
5.
28:22-29 – Exhortation to listen to God’s teaching
29:1-24 – Woe to Ariel (Jerusalem) 1.
29:1-8 – Destruction and invasion coming to Ariel
2.
29:9-12 – The Lord give the people over to blindness
3.
29:13-16 – Hypocrisy leads to disappearance of wisdom and understanding
4.
29:17-24 – Future restoration of justice, wisdom, and the fear of the Lord
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
C.
D.
VI.
30:1-33 – Woe to the rebellious 1.
30:1-5 – Futility of trusting in Egypt
2.
30:6-7 – Prophecy against the South (Jerusalem)
3.
30:8-11 – A rebellious people who despise prophecy
4.
30:12-14 – Iniquity and destruction coming to Judah
5.
30:15-17 – The consequence of foolishly trusting horses
6.
30:18-26 – The Lord waits to show mercy
7.
30:27-33 – Destruction from God for Assyria
31:1-33:1 – Woe to those who go to Egypt for help 1.
31:1-3 – Futility of trusting men and horses
2.
31:4-9 – The Lord will defend, deliver, and preserve Jerusalem
3.
32:1-8 – The coming reign of a righteous King
4.
32:9-14 – Complacency leading to poverty
5.
32:15-20 – The outpouring of the Spirit brings peace and prosperity
6.
33:1 – Woe to plunderers and betrayers
CHAPTERS 33-35 – ZION’S FUTURE AND THE DAY OF THE LORD
A.
33:2-24 – God responds to Zion’s plea for mercy 1.
33:2-9 – A desperate prayer for God’s gracious intervention
2.
33:10-13 – God’s response; He will be exalted
3.
33:14-16 – The fear of God grips sinners in Zion
4.
33:17-24 – The beautiful, majestic King restores Zion.
B.
34:1-17 – The day of the Lord’s vengeance and indignation against the Nations
C.
35:1-10 – Zion’s glorious future
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
VII.
CHAPTERS 36-39 – HEZEKIAH’S DEALINGS WITH ASSYRIAN AND BABYLONIAN ENVOYS
A.
B.
36:1-37:38 – Assyrian envoys sent to Jerusalem 1.
36:1-21 – Rabshakeh publically taunts Jerusalem and King Hezekiah
2.
36:22-37:1 – The message is told to Hezekiah
3.
37:1-37:7 – Hezekiah’s servants receive encouraging prophecy from Isaiah
4.
37:8-37:14 – A second taunt for Hezekiah
5.
37:15-37:20 – Hezekiah’s prayer
6.
37:21-35 – Isaiah’s prophecy: the sovereign Lord will defend Jerusalem
7.
37:36-38 – The Assyrian camp killed in one night, and Sennacherib’s death
38:1-39:8 – The Babylonians will come to plunder Hezekiah’s household 1.
38:1-8 – Hezekiah’s sickness, recovery, and prophecy
2.
38:9-20 – Hezekiah’s monologue concerning his sickness and recovery
3.
38:21-22 – Hezekiah asks for a sign
4.
39:1-2 – Hezekiah shows treasure to Babylonians
5.
39:3-8 – Babylonians will take captive and plunder Jerusalem
The Book of the Comforter/Servant (Isaiah 40-55) I.
CHAPTERS 40-44 – THE REDEMTION AND DESTINY OF ISRAEL
A.
B.
40:1-31 – Forerunners speak comfort to Jerusalem 1.
40:1-9 – Proclamation unto preparation for the Glory of the Lord
2.
40:10-31 – The strength and sovereignty of God over all creation
41:1-44:23 – The Lord’s chosen servants: Israel and Messiah 1.
41:1-20 – The sovereign Lord is with Israel to strengthen and restore her.
2.
41:21-29 – The supremacy of God over Idols
3.
42:1-9 – God’s elect servant, the messiah
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
II.
42:10-13 – Worship to the victorious Lord
5.
42:14-20 – God’s leads His blind servant, Israel, away from Idolatry
6.
42:21-25 – God’s zeal against Israel’s disobedience
7.
43:1-21 – God is with His servant, Israel, as Redeemer and Savior
8.
43:22-28 – The Lord pleads with Israel
9.
44:1-5 – God will bless Israel
10.
44:6-8 – There is no God but YHWH, King of Israel
11.
44:9-20 – The deception and foolishness of Idolatry explained
12.
44:21-23 – The Lord forgives and redeems Israel for His glory
CHAPTERS 45-48 – GOD’S SERVANT, CYRUS, USED TO EXHALT GOD AND FULFILL HIS PURPOSES
A.
B.
III.
4.
44:24-46:13 – Cyrus anointed by God to restore Judah and glorify God 1.
44:24-28 – The Lord prophesies rebuilding and restoration to Judah
2.
45:1-13 – God will use Cyrus to accomplish His purposes
3.
45:14-25 – YHWH alone, the savior of Israel, will be exalted on Earth
4.
46:1-13 – Useless idols verses the only true and living God who carries Israel
47:1-48:22 – The Lord’s dealings with Babylon and Israel 1.
47:1-15 – The Lord mocks and humiliates wicked Babylon
2.
48:1-11 – God purifies Israel for the sake of His own glory
3.
48:12-16 – God calls Israel to assemble before Him and listen
4.
48:17-22 – Israel charged to flee Babylon while singing of God’s redemption
CHAPTERS 49-55 – THE SERVANT’S REDEMPTIVE WORK IN ISRAEL AND THE NATIONS
A.
49:1-50:9 – The Lord’s Servant: Redeemer of Israel and light to the nations. 1.
49:1-6 – The Servant will glorify God, restore Israel, and bring light to the Gentiles
2.
49:7-13 – The Lord will comfort and have mercy on His people
3.
49:14-50:3 – The Lord will not forget Zion
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
4.
B.
C.
50:4-9 – The Servant aided by God to submit to suffering for Zion’s sake
50:10-52:12 – The Lord’s exhortations to Zion 1.
50:10-51:8 – Zion charged to fear and trust in the Lord
2.
51:9-11 – Zion responds in faith
3.
51:12-16 – The Lord re-affirms His commitment and ability to comfort Zion
4.
51:17-23 – The Lord calls Zion to awake and watch Him remove their affliction
5.
52:1-10 – The Lord calls Zion to awake, heed God’s proclamation, and rejoice
6.
52:11-12 – Zion charged to make a second exodus under God’s leadership and protection
52:13-55:13 – The identity, work, and invitation of the suffering servant. 1.
52:13-53:12 – The Lord’s suffering servant makes atonement for sin before His exaltation
2.
54:1-10 – Invitation to rejoice in the mercy of a bridegroom God
3.
54:11-17 – God will build up His people in righteousness and prosperity
4.
55:1-7 – Invitation to call upon God and be satisfied by Him
5.
55:8-13 – The certainty and reliability of God’s words
The Book of the Annointed Conquerer (Isaiah 56-66) I.
CHAPTERS 56-57 – A CALL TO JUSTICE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND SABBATH KEEPING
A.
56:1-8 – God’s favor to the Gentiles who keep justice and do righteousness
B.
56:9-12 – Indictment for Israel’s wicked watchmen
C.
57:1-13 – Condemnation for idolatry and witchcraft
D.
57:14-21 – God’s Peace, favor, and healing for the humble and contrite
E.
58:1-14 – Righteous and unrighteous fasting 1.
58:1-5 – Israel’s false accusation against God and unacceptable fasting
2.
58:6-7 – The Lord’s chosen fast
3.
58:8-14 – The result of fasting God’s way
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
F.
II.
59:1-13 – Israel understands and confesses her fault 1.
59:1-8 – Israel separated from God by her own sin
2.
59:9-13 – Israel confesses her fault
CHAPTERS 59:14-63:6 – THE MESSIAH’S LEADERSHIP OF THE EARTH IN SALVATION AND JUDGEMENT
A.
B.
C.
D.
59:14-60:22 – The redeemer brings light, glory, and prosperity to Zion 1.
59:14-16a – A crisis of no justice or intercessor
2.
59:16b-21 – The redeemer will come to Zion
3.
60:1-9 – Zion will be a light to the world and prosper during a time of great darkness
4.
60:10-14 – The nations will serve Zion
5.
60:15-18 – Zion will prosper and acknowledge the Lord as her Savior
6.
60:19-22 – The Lord will be the everlasting glory and light of Zion
61:1-9 – Messiah and Gentiles will serve Israel under God’s leadership 1.
61:1-3 – The mission and assignment of the Messiah
2.
61:4-7 – Gentiles honor and serve God’s purposes and people
3.
61:8-9 – God’s work is motivated by His justice and covenant
61:10-62:12 – The Lord promises to ensure Zion’s salvation 1.
61:10-11 – The Messiah’s joy in God’s work
2.
62:1-5 – The Messiah’s unceasing intercession for Jerusalem’s destiny
3.
62:6-7 – The unceasing intercession of the watchmen for Jerusalem’s destiny
4.
62:8-12 – God assures Zion of certain salvation and redemption
63:1-6 - The Messiah judges mighty nations victoriously in His eschatological winepress
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
III.
PRAYERS AND PROMISES
A.
B.
63:7-64:12 – Isaiah’s remembrance and intercession 1.
63:7-14 – Isaiah’s remembers God’s history of loving kindness
2.
63:15-64:12 – Prayer and petition for God’s dramatic intervention
65:1-66:24 – God’s grand plan and final promises 1.
65:1-16 – God’s just judgement on the rebellious of Israel a. 65:1 – Righteous Gentiles invited b. 65:2-11 – Israel’s rebellion c. 65:12-16 – God’s judgement for the rebellious
2.
65:17-25 – God promises a glorious new creation
3.
66:1-4 – God favors the humble and judges the insincere
4.
66:5-14 – Vindication and glory coming to Zion
5.
66:15-17 – God will judge idolaters
6.
66:18-24 – All peoples will worship the Lord together forever
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IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
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Summary of Isaiah Chapters 1-5 show the condition of sinful Judah and the extent of her rebellion, God responds with an appeal for them to recognize how foolish their idolatrous ways are and repent, then promises that if they continue in rebellion and do not repent, God will surely purge their wickedness through the means of judgement and invasion, and that one day, the land will be free from idolatry. Isaiah is not speaking anything new, but reminding and warning them of the deuteronomic blessings and curses knot to their obedience or rebellion. Isaiah gives us a view of Judah’s Eschatological future glory, the exhalation of God alone, the mountain of the Lord’s house coming to Jerusalem, and the Davidic rule of the messianic Branch who will redeem a righteous remnant. Throughout these visions of what is to come, Isaiah makes a very provoking contrast between that and the present idolatry, wickedness, injustice, and foolishness permeating the people of Judah and the destiny /purpose for which God called them. There is also a parable written as a song. In this song, Judah is compared to a vineyard that was tended and cared for in the best, most tender, most responsible way imaginable (by God), yet produced nothing of value, and because of this, the vineyard was destroyed. Isaiah then elaborates on selfishness of Judah, as well at the futility and consequence of it. Chapter 6 transitions into the story of Isaiah’s heavenly encounter with God, his humbled response to the glory and holiness of God, his cleansing, and his commissioning as a prophet to his people. In chapters 7-12, Isaiah delivers a prophecy directed towards Judah, with a specific application especially to the rebellious King Ahaz. Isaiah prophesies of God’s sovereignty over the surrounding nations that threaten, he promises that a virgin will bear a son named Immanuel as a sign to Ahaz and Judah (who is also their savior who will reign on David’s throne forever). Isaiah Prophesies that Assyria, however, will invade Judah, and has a son who he names, in essence, “quickly plundered” as a prophetic sign of what is to come. Isaiah exalts God as the only hope of Israel, warning of the foolishness of fearing and trusting in men. Isaiah also addresses Israel and exposes the corruption and perverted justice that saturates the north, showing that their wickedness is the cause of their own self destruction, and their blindness mandates that God must stretch out His hand against them. Isaiah prophesied that the Syrians and Philistines would devour them, followed by the Assyrians who would invade and thoroughly judge Israel, who will then be judged by God for its wickedness, promising that at the end of it, Israel will turn back to God and depend on Him alone. Throughout the listing of judgements against Isreal, Isaiah keeps repeating the phrase, “For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still” to reveal the extent to which Israel has offended God and the depths of their stubborn rebellion. Isaiah speaks of a coming messianic kingdom in which the root and the branch of Jesse (the same person) will rule over the house of David in righteousness, justice, wisdom, and perfection. This Man will gather the remnant of God’s people and be the source of her hope and salvation. This section is concluded with two short songs of jubilant praise and adoration of God and His salvation which the remnant of God’s people will sing when they see the arrival of that glorious day. Chapters 13-23 consist of prophecies to many nations including Babylon, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Egypt, Dumah, Arabia, Jerusalem, and Tyre.many prophecies in this section are addressed to a closer historical situation, but have elements that clearly foreshadow and tell us about a future eschatological fulfilment (especially in the case of Babylon. There is also an oracle concerning the fall of Lucifer. We see the foolishness of trust in in men or in other nations rather than trusting in the Lord who is the King of the nation. Chapters 19-20 contain a particularly hopeful and important prophecy concerning Egypt, wherein Egypt’s idols are destroyed, she fears and worships Yahweh,and Israel, Egypt, and Assyria are united and blessed under God’s leadership. The prophecy particular to Jerusalem in chapter 22 is a prophecy is condemning her for rejoicing in wickedness, and partying when God has called for weeping and repentance. Because of her unwillingness to humble herself, a day of trouble is on its way. Chapters 24-25 shows how God will deal with the nations as whole, prophesying the defilement/decay of the earth (and the consequent destruction), and the punishment of the wicked rulers, both human and angelic. This chapter contains some of the most vivid word pictures, speaking of the earth as violently broken, split open, shaken exceedingly,
IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
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reeling to and fro like a drunkard, and tottering like a hut, with the weight of transgression upon it, just before the Lord of hosts will come to reign on Zion in Jerusalem (clearly eschatological). This is concluded by a song of praise for the wondrous works of God, which display the perfection of His leadership. Chapters 26-27 tell of Judah’s hopeful future, when they, pictured as God’s vineyard, will be fruitful. God will be their salvation, and their refuge, as He protects them, and gathers them, and restores them in Glory as His possession. Chapters 28 to 32 consist of woes and prophecies to various people groups opposing His words, specifically Israel, Judah and major cities therein. These woes contain indictments for the rebellion and spiritual condition of the people, exhortations to trust God, warnings against trusting in flesh (specifically Egypt), warnings of coming judgement, and prophecies of a coming righteous king who will deliver, defend, gather, and preserve his people, and through His just rule, bring peace and prosperity to the earth. Much of these chapters have clear historical audiences in that context, but much of the prophecy is also clearly eschatological, these contexts (near and far) change frequently in the chapters, almost so as to say that the immediate situation and prophetic word is a picture, type, or foreshadowing of future eschatological events. Chapters 33-35 record the prayer Zion makes for God’s intervention followed by God’s response, promising that He will be exalted and that a beautiful, majestic, messianic King will restore Zion. God’s intervention through wrath and indignation towards the nations, or commitment to purge all wickedness from the earth is also explained, while we also see glimpses of Zion’s glorious destiny of prosperity with Messiah in the millennial kingdom. Chapters 36-39 are especially peculiar as it specifically gives a narrative account of King Hezekiah’s dealings with envoys from Assyria and Babylon. In chapters 36-37, Sennacherib sends Rabshakeh to taunt Jerusalem, her people, her king, her military, her alliances, and her God so as to convince them that resistance is futile and deliverance is impossible. After Hezekiah receives the report, he tore his clothes and went to Isaiah, who encouraged him not to be afraid and prophesied Rabshakeh’s death in his own land. When Hezekiah received a letter with a second taunt, he went to the temple to pray the Lord for deliverance. In response to his prayer, Isaiah prophesied that God would defend Jerusalem. In one night, the Angel of the Lord killed the entire Assyrian camp of 185,000 soldiers. Chapter 38 gives the story of Hezekiah’s fatal illness and recovery in response to his prayers, and even a sundial turning back ten degrees as a prophetic sign of Jerusalem’s deliverance. In Chapter 39, after Hezekiah’s recovery, he received some congratulation gifts from the Babylonians for his recovery, and was so pleased/flattered that he showed them all his treasures (also showing his remaining desire to trust nations rather than God, even after such a miraculous healing). Isaiah informed Hezekiah that because of this, Babylon would carry all his treasures away and take his sons captives as eunuchs in Babylon. Hezekiah was strangely glad, however, because it wouldn’t happen till after his death. Chapters 40-48 are possibly the most exciting chapters of the book. Isaiah begins with the forerunner message, sets forth the eschatological exaltation of God alone, and the roles that His servants have to play in that drama. It is seen in these Chapters that the Lord has many servants including Immanuel (Jesus the Messiah), Israel (who is blind and rebellious, but will be redeemed), and even Cyrus (who is not even a Jew, nor “saved” in a sense, yet is predicted far in advance to be a key player in Israel’s release from captivity and return to Zion). Many times God emphasises His transcendence and superiority over useless idols and appeals to (among many other things) that He alone sees the end from the beginning and can declare the future before it comes to pass. The language is so vivid, poetic, emotional, and intense it is difficult to not be awed and wowed with the beauty of such inspiration. Chapter 40 describes a ministry of prophetic proclamation and preparation for the revelation of the Glory of the Lord in Jesus Christ before He comes (at the day of the Lord) to restore the entire created order. The millennial government of God is described, and God is revealed in His strength. He is incomparable in His might, beauty, and Glory; to Him all the nations are as a drop in a bucket, less than nothing. This highly exalted God who sits above the circle of the earth and stretches out the heavens has no equal; to worship idols is complete madness, and to think that God
IHOPU FSM– DONOVAN NEUFELDT Outline And Summary of Isaiah
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doesn’t see one’s plight is ignorance. I love how God gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength… voluntary weakness in the pathway to divine strength from heaven to be a powerful witness and deliverer. Forerunners know that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness and dependency. In Chapter 41, God begins to call Israel His servant, reminds them of His power displayed on their behalf through history, assures Israel of His unchanging commitment to be with them to serve, help, protect, and redeem them. In light of this, God rhetorically begins to ask Israel to present a case for why they should worship idols, and taunts the idols for their inability and uselessness. The verdict is that God is infinitely powerful, supreme, and transcendently beautiful, while idols are nothing, worthless, wind, abomination, and confusion Chapter 42 prophetically tells us about God’s elect servant; but this time the servant in view is not Israel, but the Messiah. God’s soul delights in this man who will bring about Justice and truth in the earth through meekness empowered by the Spirit of the Lord. The coming of this Servant will cause the earth to rejoice with singing. The righteous Servant of the Lord is then contrasted with His blind servant, who is disobedient and stubbornly worships other carved images, but will one day forsake idolatry and be turned back to YHWH. In Chapter 43, the Lord promises, once again, to come to Israel’s side, aid her, deliver her, save her, and redeem her while pleading for Israel to receive the grace and mercy the He is extending. Chapter 44 God promises to bless Israel abundantly and to pour out His Spirit, and then begins to speak of His supremacy verses the foolishness of Idolatry once again. God promises Israel the He will redeem and not forget her, and prophesies the restoration/rebuilding of Judah through another servant of the Lord, Cyrus. Chapter 45 continues to elaborate on how Cyrus (who wasn’t even born yet) would be raised of by God to serve God’s purposes in Israel, then begins a lengthy prophesy about God’s incomparable transcendence with a repeated assertion, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me.” This monotheistic masterpiece even includes some dialogue (maybe with Cyrus), which is a very curious feature, especially because Cyrus was not born till many years later. The chapter culminates an and eschatological description of YHWH exalted and universally worshipped in the earth, which is glorious in itself, but even more is uncovered when one sees Paul’s application of this verse in Philippians 2, showing that the universal worship of YHWH will be fulfilled through the eschatological exaltation and worship of Jesus Christ, Immanuel. Chapter 46 contrasts useless dead idols with the true and living God who carries and protects Israel once again. Chapter 47 is perhaps the one of the most intensely hopeless and humiliating indictment and I could conceive of, and even includes devastating rhetorical challenges and taunts for proud Babylon and her sorcerers. In Chapter 48 God speaks of how He has been purifying and refining Israel for the sake of His own glory, and charges Israel to Assemble before Him to listen and take heed. Once He has their ear (rhetorically) He laments the loss of glory and righteousness they could have had if they had heeded His commandments, charges them to flee Babylon while singing of the Lords redemption. Chapters 49-55 give a surprisingly detailed prophetic description of the coming Messiah, His values, and His work related to both Israel and the Nations. We find out that the messianic Servant of the Lord is humble, merciful, meek, and will voluntarily submit Himself to suffering to atone for the sins of humanity. The very meekness of this Servant is the greatest display of His strength and virtue. This section contains some of the most profound revelations concerning the character or nature of God. He speaks to Israel and says “your maker is your husband”, and even to the Gentiles he promises to bring them to His Holy Mountain, and make them joyful in His house of prayer. Just as God gathers Israel to Himself, He will also gather many gentiles to himself.
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Chapter 49-50:9 introduces us to this section by Jesus himself calling out prophetically as recorded by the prophet, declaring the assignment the Father gave Him, and the work that He is set apart for. Ultimately, the Messiah’s work is to bring light to the whole world (John 8:12) and redemption to Israel. The message of comfort to Zion (which began in chapter 40) is re-iterated; the Lord will not forget His people, just as a mother would not forget her newborn baby… He will comfort and have mercy on His people. Although Zion has been like a harlot in selling herself to Idolatry, the Lord has not divorced her… He has inscribed her on the palms of His hand and will even come to them as the Servant. This servant has set his face like flint, to submit to suffering, torment, and mockery at their hands, and the Lord will help Him to ultimately give his life for their redemption (to buy her back). 50:10-52:12 consists of exhortations to Zion in light of these promises of the lords unthinkable commitment to them in their rebellion. He charges them once again to fear and trust the Lord alone. Finally, Israel responds in faith, calls upon God to awake and put on strength and do what He said He would do… they finally agree with God (51:9-11). In response, God re-affirms His commitment to comfort them, and then calls them to awake and put on strength, to realise their dignity and destiny in God, and to rise up into their created destiny. After this interaction between the Lord and His people, the Servant of God and His work are explained once again as the means by which God will bring about His promises, put on strength, and comfort His people (52:13-55:13). The servant’s humble, voluntary suffering and sin atoning work is described in shocking detail in chapter 53. The prophetic accuracy of this and the fulfillment of every detail through the life of Jesus leave little room for doubt, yet the surprisingly humble nature of the Messiah is still a stumbling block to many Jews who are still blinded by unbelief (Romans 10, Isaiah 53:1). Chapter 24 is an invitation to rejoice in the mercy that the lord promised to Israel, and God’s promise to build up is people in righteousness and prosperity once again. This chapter contains the shockingly glorious revelation, “your Maker is your Husband… the God of the whole earth.” Israel, do you realize who you are? Do you realize who God is and what He is like? The glorious truth is that this is the way God relates to all His people; with the jealous, zealous, furious love of a husband! God then invites all to call upon Him and find satisfaction in Him, knowing the certainty and reliability of His covenantal love. Chapters 56-59:13 contains a foreshadowing of what Paul develops in Romans 9-11; that God has a plan to save and reveal His righteousness to even the gentiles who will seek to Him, and in doing so, provoke an unbelieving people (Israel to jealousy. Even though it was shocking news that God would choose to save those were not his people in order to heal His own backslidden unbelieving people, Isaiah saw it and prophesied it long ago. In these chapters we see gentiles seeking righteousness, receiving God’s salvation, and being joyful in the house of prayer (which is for all nations, not just Israel. We see the corruption and wickedness of Israel and her present enslavement to idolatry and witchcraft, and the promise of her ultimate healing and redemption. In response to Israel’s false accusation against God’s justice, God explains what true fasting that He chooses looks like, exposing their own injustice and hypocrisy. After this, Israel actually confesses her fault and acknowledges that their sin has separated them from God. Chapters 59:14-63:6 expound upon the ultimate hope of Israel and the nations: the Messiah’s leadership over the entire earth expressed through both eschatological salvation and judgement. He will bring light, glory, and prosperity to Zion and will serve Israel in the anointing and assignment given Him by God the father. At that time even the gentiles/nations will come under God’s leadership in honor and service to God’s purposes and people. The lord then promises to ensure Zion’s salvation and redemption, even in judgement against the strongest of nations that would come against God’s plans in His great eschatological winepress. The book is concluded with some final prayers and promises in 63:7-66:24. In remembrance of God’s history of loving kindness towards His people, He asks for God to break in again and do that which He promised. God responds with an explanation of His great plan and the justice therein, showing that He must judge rebellion, and even invites righteous gentiles to take part in His blessings. He promises a glorious new creation, He promises ultimate vindication and glory for Zion, He promises to judge idolatry, and He promises that all peoples and nations will worship Him together forever in the new creation.
