Lesson Thirteen: Isaiah
“Our Rabbis taught: The order of the Prophets is, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and the Twelve Minor Prophets…
Isaiah was prior to Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Then why should not Isaiah be placed first? - Because the Book of Kings ends with a record of destruction and Jeremiah speaks throughout of destruction and Ezekiel commences with destruction and ends with consolation and Isaiah is full of consolation; therefore we put destruction next to destruction and consolation next to consolation.”
b.Baba Batra 14b
Introduction
- The message of redemption in the Prophets is the message, “Repent!” It is given to Israel primarily, but it is also given to the nations especially in light of the many messages of destruction.
- Although repentance is most easily seen in its most dramatic form of obvious opposition to G-d’s way, it is also a call to persistent and consistent living by G-d’s instructions.
- Some theologies try to draw a distinction between the Torah and the Prophets, but that is only because they draw the same lines of distinction between the Torah and the Apostolic Scriptures.
- In Matthew 23:29-37, Yeshua equates the Prophets with His Sh’lichim [Apostles].
- Yeshayahu [Isaiah] literally means “Salvation of HaShem” or “HaShem Saves”
Structure of Isaiah
- Because Isaiah can be thematically divided (1-39 vs 40-66), it has been postulated by liberal theologians that Isaiah was written by two different people. Others have proposed “Old Covenant” vs “New Covenant” purposes for what appears to be a thematic shift. Neither is correct. Isaiah is quite simply “Redemption – from Beginning to End.”
- Reading Isaiah is like reading a history of the world – especially HaShem’s people. There are ups and downs, but in the end our G-d wins, and He reigns.
- The themes are:
- Israel’s sin, and a call to repent.
- The use of the nations to chastise Israel, and the subsequent destruction of those nations.
- The comfort of Israel as she returns to HaShem.
- The establishment of HaShem’s universal reign.
The Call to Repentance
- Chapter 1 outlines the repentance themes:
- Vv 2-4: Like rebellious children
- 7-9: The use of conquering nations to chastise the children
- 10-19: The message of repentance (often used by some as a foil against obeying HaShem’s own Torah, but compare v13 to 66:23)
- 20-24: Chastisement, and then vengeance against those nations used to chastise Israel.
- 25-27: Restoration of Israel’s righteousness, and comfort to her remnant.
- The rest of the book plays out these themes, not necessarily in order.
- 2:1-5: The end, announced at the beginning. HaShem Reigns!
- 2:6-12: The cause for the Day of HaShem – In the end, He will purge idolatry from the earth.
- The message of repentance here is the same as the Gospels: “Repent, for the Kingdom of HaShem is at hand!”
The Comfort Israel
- Chapter 40 outlines the comfort represented throughout Isaiah. Ironically, portions of Chapter 40 are quoted in the Apostolic Scriptures, which haters of Israel often try to use to condemn Israel. The call of Yochanan the Immerser is the call of comfort to the physical Jerusalem. If there is no “Good News” for Israel, then there is no “Good News” for anyone.
- 40:10-11: Much of the imagery of comfort uses sheep and shepherd language, which Yeshua draws from in John 10.
- 40:27-31: These are words to Israel, not her detractors. In context they show that HaShem is tireless in His support of Israel, and woe to those who consider Israel’s persecuted state as the last word.
- 43:1-12: HaShem, Israel’s Redeemer and Savior.
- 49:22-26: When the nations are subdued, all will know that HaShem is Israel’s Redeemer.
Israel the Servant, Messiah the Servant
- 41:8-14: Israel, servant of HaShem to judge the nations.
- 42:1-8: Israel, servant of HaShem to bring nations to His light. The servant title is used to show Messiah as the One leading Israel.
- 52:7-10: Good news!
- 52:13-53:12: Israel, HaShem’s servant, led by HaShem’s Servant – One Who suffers.
HaShem Reigns
- 60:14-16: HaShem’s reign established in Jerusalem.
- 65:17-25: The Messianic Age
- 66:22-23: G-d’s Throne, His Torah, and His People established forever.
Summary
- Isaiah is one of the most quoted of all the Prophets. The theme of redemption permeates it. Its message is clear and consistent: “Repent, because HaShem’s Kingdom at hand!”