Faith & Reason Nexus

MEANING: Isaiah means “Yahweh is salvation.”

AUTHOR: Isaiah

TIME WRITTEN: Isaiah’s ministry spanned from 740 B.C. to 680 B.C., covering a period of 40 to 60 years.

POSITION IN THE BIBLE:

• 23rd Book in the Bible
• 23rd Book in the Old Testament
• 1st of 17 books of Prophecy (Isaiah – Malachi)
• 1st of 5 major prophets (Isaiah – Daniel)
• 43 Books follow it

CHAPTERS: 66
VERSES: 1,292
WORDS: 37,044

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ISAIAH:

• Miniature Bible: The Book of Isaiah is often seen as a miniature version of the Bible:
• The first 39 chapters, mirroring the 39 books of the Old Testament, focus on judgment against sinful and idolatrous people.
• The final 27 chapters, reflecting the 27 books of the New Testament, offer a message of hope and salvation.
• Titles for Isaiah:
• “The Messianic Prophet” for his numerous prophecies concerning the Messiah.
• “The Paul of the Old Testament” due to his deep theological insights.
• “The Shakespeare of the Prophets” for his poetic and literary excellence.
• The Book of Isaiah: This book has been referred to as “The Gospel According to Isaiah” because of its clear foretelling of the coming Messiah and the themes of salvation.
• Isaiah’s Martyrdom: Talmudic tradition suggests that Isaiah was sawed in two by his persecutors during the reign of King Manasseh, as alluded to in Hebrews 11:37.
• Historical Context: Isaiah ministered during the reigns of several kings of Judah:
• Uzziah (790-739 B.C.)
• Jotham (739-731 B.C.)
• Ahaz (731-715 B.C.)
• Hezekiah (715-686 B.C.)
• Location: Isaiah spent most of his prophetic ministry in Jerusalem.
• Contemporaries: Isaiah was a contemporary of the prophets Hosea and Micah.
• Prophetic Focus: Isaiah was primarily a prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. His ministry coincided with the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.
• Babylonian Prophecy: Isaiah foretold the rise of Babylon as a world power and its role in the judgment of Judah 96 years before it happened.
• Salvation: The word “salvation” appears 26 times in Isaiah, a significant contrast to the seven times it is mentioned in all the other prophetic books combined.
• Oracles Against Nations: Isaiah delivered a series of prophecies against various nations, including:
• Babylon
• Assyria
• Philistia
• Moab
• Damascus (Syria)
• Ethiopia
• Egypt
• Edom
• Arabia
• Jerusalem (Judah)
• Tyre
• Key Verse: “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

Isaiah’s messages continue to be pivotal in understanding God’s plan for salvation, judgment, and hope. His writings are some of the most quoted in the New Testament, emphasizing his significant role in biblical prophecy.