Encountering the Old Testament, 4th Edition

A Christian Survey

series: Encountering Biblical Studies

Chapter

25. Isaiah 1鈥39: Prophet of Judah's Royal Court

Chapter Intro Video


Chapter Objectives

  • Outline the content of Isaiah 1鈥39
  • Explain the major themes of Isaiah 1鈥39
  • List the key features of the kingdom of God
  • Summarize the details of Isaiah鈥檚 call
  • Discuss possible interpretations of Isaiah鈥檚 prophecy of Immanuel
  • Discuss key Isaianic prophecies that are fulfilled in the messianic era
  • Explain how Isaiah鈥檚 鈥淥racles against the Nations鈥 section (chapters 13鈥23) illustrates God鈥檚 sovereignty over all nations

Chapter Summary

  1. Isaiah served in Judah鈥檚 royal court but also prophesied concerning Israel and other nations.
  2. The major themes of chapters 1鈥39 include the remnant, the sovereignty of God, the servant, the Holy One of Israel, and the Messiah.
  3. Isaiah鈥檚 prophetic call came in 740 BC, when he had a vision in which he saw the majesty of God as well as his own sinfulness.
  4. Isaiah offered Ahaz a sign from God (the birth of Immanuel) but Ahaz declined it because he trusted more in the power of Assyria than he did in God.
  5. Isaiah鈥檚 prophecies about the messianic era tell how the northern tribes would be influenced by the Messiah, describe the Messiah by different names, tell about the Messiah鈥檚 ministry, and describe Messiah鈥檚 first and second comings.
  6. In Isaiah鈥檚 鈥淥racles against the Nations鈥 God鈥檚 judgment was declared on Babylon, Assyria, Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Israel, Cush, Edom, Arabia, Jerusalem, and Tyre.
  7. Chapters 24鈥27 have been designated by many scholars as the 鈥淟ittle Apocalypse鈥 because of their similarity to apocalyptic literature.
  8. The woe oracles of chapters 28鈥33 include woes against foreign alliances.
  9. Hezekiah experienced deliverance from Sennacherib, king of Assyria, when Hezekiah trusted in the Lord.

Study Questions

  1. What do we know about Isaiah the man from the details in his book? What themes were most important to him?
  2. If you only had Isaiah 1鈥12, what insights could you learn about the role of Messiah?
  3. Against which nations did Isaiah pronounce judgment in chapters 13鈥23? Why did he take the time to deal with each one?
  4. Identify the main details of chapters 36鈥39. What function do these chapters serve in the book of Isaiah?

Assets