Intro to Prophecy

and Isaiah
Isaiah 1-66
 The Prophets: Nevi’im
• Comprised of the Former Prophets
– Joshua, Judges, Samuel, The Book of the Kings
• Comprised of the Latter Prophets
– Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, The Book of the 12
• Likely Considered as fixed canon around 200 BC
Nevi’im is a Hebrew term translated as “mouthpiece.”
Prophets were both “Foretelling” and also “forthtelling”
Their prophecy had relevance “then” and “now”
**How did Moses Tell the people to recognize a prophet of God?
Deut. 18
 The Prophets: Nevi’im
• The Protestant Old Testament categorizes the
Prophets to consist of 16 Books
– Major Prophets
Isaiah, Lamentations Daniel
Jeremiah, Ezekiel
– Minor Prophets
Hosea Jonah Zephaniah
Joel Micah Haggai
Amos Nahum Zechariah
Obadiah Habakkuk Malachi
 The Prophets: Nevi’im
4 Historic Stages of Old Testament Prophets
• Group 1: The 8th BC Century Prophets
– Amos, Hosea, Jonah, Micah, Isaiah
• Group 2: The Rise of the Babylonian Empire
– Jeremiah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Obadiah, Joel, Habakkuk
• Group 3: During the Babylonian Exile
– Ezekiel, Daniel
• Group 4: After the Babylonian Exile
– Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
 The Purpose of the Prophets
The Prophets as Preachers: Three Themes
1. The Call to the Covenant
– Refers hearers back to the covenants God made with Israel
– Reminds people of the coming judgment of God against sin
2. The Call of the Remnant & God’s Eternal Kingdom
– Many of the prophets’ writings refer to a “righteous remnant”
whom God will spare from the impending judgment
– Many allude to a future “Kingdom of God” established in peace
where God’s way is understood and lived out in total harmony
3. The Call for Social Justice
– Contrasts between empty “religion” and right “obedience/love”
 Isaiah
Structure and Outline
• Book of Judgment Chapters 1—35
– Intro to Prophecies of Isaiah Chap. 1
– Prophecies to Jerusalem & Judah Chap. 2-12
– Oracles Against the Nations Chap. 13-23
– The Little Apocalypse Chap. 24-27
– Prophecies Concerning Judah Chap. 28-33
– Coming Judgment and Salvation Chap. 34-35
• Historical Interlude Chapters 36—39
• Book of Comfort Chapters 40—66
– Deliverance from Babylon Chap. 40-48
– Israel’s Glorious Future Chap. 49-55
– Oracles of Judgment & Redemption Chap. 56-59
– Salvation of Zion Chap. 60-66
 Isaiah
• What Is Isaiah?
“The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw
concerning Judah and Jerusalem.” (1:1)
These are the opening words of the book of Isaiah. The book
contains Isaiah’s prophetic words (“The word that Isaiah . .
. saw,” 2:1) as well as historical details from his life and
times.
Chapters 1-39 deal with the Assyrian threat from the early
700’s B.C. Chapters 40-55 are concerned with events in the
time of the Babylonian exile (6th Century B.C.). Chapters
56-66 contain prophecies about all times until the end.
Isaiah’s ministry began with his calling in the year King
Uzziah died (740 B.C.), and he recorded the death of
Sennacherib in 681 B.C. (37:38)
 Isaiah
• Who Wrote Isaiah?
Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham,
Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah. Some scholars believe that
the different tone and setting of chapters 40-66 indicate
that those chapters were penned by one or two other
people who lived later than Isaiah. However, the best
evidence suggests that Isaiah himself is responsible for
all the content. Not only does coherence of thought and
language appear throughout, but Jesus as well as the
writers of the New Testament believed Isaiah to be the
author (In John 12:41, for example, Jesus attributes
quotes from Isaiah 6:10 and 53:1 to Isaiah the prophet).
 Isaiah
• Why Was Isaiah Written?
Through Isaiah, God warned His people of impending
judgment for sin as well as future restoration. Ultimately,
however, the book is about God. He is seen as sovereign
over nations, manipulating kings and nations for His
gracious purpose of fulfilling His promises to His people.
Not only does God show significant concern for His own
glory, but the book of Isaiah is laced with promises of a
future Messiah through the line of David—a Savior for
all people who will one day provide a new world where
sin and sorrow are forgotten.
 Who Was Isaiah the Prophet?
• The Person: Born to Amoz between 770-760 B.C.
Married to a “prophetess”
2 sons: Sheer Jashub– “a remnant will return”
Maher-Shalal-Hash-baz: “Swift is the spoil, speedy is the prey”

• The Call: 742 BC But he likely ministered prior to this call

• Final Ministry: 700 BC with the Syro-Ephraimitic Crisis

• Events During His Ministry

Syro- Ephraimitic Crisis Destruction of Samaria Ashdod Rebellion

• His Death: tradition says that Manasseh had him sawn in two
 Key Passages in Isaiah
• Isaiah 6: The Call to Ministry
Following the death of King Uzziah,
Isaiah goes to pray at the Temple in Jerusalem.
– Isaiah is Uncertain of the Future
• He Sees God On His Throne
– Isaiah Is Worried That His World is a Mess
• Angels Remind Him of God’s Glory
– Isaiah is Worried About His Sin and the People’s Sin
• God is 3X Holy (Holy, Holy, Holy)
• Isaiah is pronounced guiltless
• Isaiah is sent to bear God’s messages
 Key Passages in Isaiah
Isaiah 40: The Comfort Chapter
Gives comfort for people who will soon endure captivity
• Emphasizes the Eternal Nature of God
– “People are grass, the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of
our God stands forever.”
• Emphasizes the Kindness/ Compassion of God
– “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms”
– “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak”
• Emphasizes the Limitless Power of God
– Read verses 12-14
• Emphasizes the Unmatched Greatness of God
– “What image will you compare Him to?” (17)
 Key Passages in Isaiah
Isaiah 52:13—53:12 The Song of the Suffering Servant
• Servant Described: Acclaimed By God (13)
Abused By enemies (14)
Admired By Nations (15)

• Unlikely Beginning: Rejected (53:1)

Ignored (2)
Despised (3)

• Servant’s Victorious Suffering: He bore our sorrow (4)

He died in our place (5)
He carried our iniquity (6)
 Key Passages in Isaiah
Isaiah 52:13—53:12 The Song of the Suffering Servant

• Servant Sacrificed: Voluntary Death (7)

Vicarious Death (8)
Honorable Burial (9)

• Servant’s Ultimate Triumph: Victory Beyond Death (10)

Provision/ Justification (11)
Victory Over Death (12)