A chapter-by-chapter outline of all 66 chapters of Isaiah, with notes and Scripture cross-references — from the historical setting of Isaiah’s ministry (740–680 B.C.) to the new heavens and the new earth.
Outline levels: I. → A. → 1. → a. → (1). Each main point begins with its verse reference.
I.The historical situation that existed at the time of Isaiah’s ministry.
A.Kings of Judah (Southern Kingdom) traced their ancestry to David. 2 Sam. 7:1-17 (esp. vs. 16) The Northern Kingdom (10 tribes) had a succession of dynasties.
B.At Sinai, Israel agreed to be Yahweh’s people and to obey His law. Ex. 24:1-8 (esp. vs. 7)
C.Judah interpreted 2 Sam. 7:14-16 to mean that a son of David would be punished if he sinned, but under no circumstances would God allow his people to fall before their enemies or would He allow Jerusalem or His house, the temple, to fall. Isaiah, along with the other prophet to Judah from this period, Micah (Amos and Hosea prophesied to the Northern Kingdom at this time) had to contend with this popular assumption.
D.Uzziah (Azariah 2 Kings 15:1-7), king of Judah, reigned over a prosperous nation (791-740 B.C.) at the same time that Jeroboam 2 reigned over the Northern Kingdom (782-753 B.C.). Material prosperity and spiritual bankruptcy characterized the Northern Kingdom and Uzziah was greatly influenced by Jeroboam 2. Uzziah’s kingdom attained a degree of strength and prosperity which she had not enjoyed since the days of Solomon. He:
1.Developed a large standing army.
2.Built walls, towers, and fortifications for defense.
3.Dismantled the Philistine strongholds of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod
4.Built cities among the Philistines.
5.Made the Ammonites and Edomites vassals.
6.Commerce through the port at Ezion-geber brought the products of Africa and India into the markets of Jerusalem and Judea.
E.In the death year of Uzziah (740 B.C.), Isaiah began his prophetic ministry (Isa. 6:1-13). He lived to see the siege of Samaria and the end of the Northern Kingdom. He did not see the fall of Jerusalem, but he did see it approaching the precipice.
F.Temple revenues were at an all time high, but Isaiah saw this as paying service to God. Religious externals were the people’s focus and God was filled up with them (Isa. 1:11-15).
G.Ahaz replaced Jotham as king although not recorded in Isaiah. During his reign, Rezin, the king of Aram and Pekah, king of Israel (2 Kings 15:27-31), joined together to war against Jerusalem. Ahaz sent for Assyrian aid to help him defeat this coalition. Isaiah challenged the king of Judah to trust in God, but to no avail (Isa. 7:1-25).
1.Note: A prophet’s ministry was not constant as an apostle or pastor teacher’s was and is. The Word of the Lord came to the prophet only when God desired to communicate through him. It is also true that not everything that was said and done by the prophet was intended for God’s permanent record, the Bible.
H.In 701 B.C., the armies of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came up against Jerusalem when Hezekiah was king (Isa. 36:1-22). Isaiah again admonishes the king of Judah to trust in His God and Hezekiah responds with faithfulness. God destroys the threatening army of 185,000 (Isa. 37:1-38). The last historical event recorded by Isaiah is the death of Sennacherib, king of Assyria (Isa. 37:37-38). This death occurred in 680 B.C.
I.Isaiah ministered from the year of Uzziah’s death to at least the year of Sennacherib’s death (740-680 B.C.). He lived during the reigns of Uzziah (Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. 2 Chron. 32:32 may indicate that Isaiah’s ministry ran past Hezekiah’s death.
J.Collateral passages describing the historical events of the time:
1.2 Kings 14:23 – 20:21 (Judah and Israel only)
2.2 Chron. 26:1 – 32:33 (Judah only)
3.Micah (ministered to Judah)
4.Amos (ministered to Israel)
5.Hosea (ministered to Israel)
II.Post Script --
A.Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh, took the throne at the age of 12 and ruled for 55 years. 2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chron. 33:1-20.
B.Manasseh’s son, Amon, was worse than his father. 2 Chron. 33:21-25.
C.Tradition teaches that Manasseh had Isaiah killed by having him “sawn in two.” Heb. 11:37
Chapters 1 through 6 – God’s indictment of the nation.
I.Vs. 1 Isaiah’s prophecies focus on Judah and Jerusalem. Many nations are included in the book (ch. 13-23). All nations stand guilty before the Holy One of Israel and their guilt is clearly seen in their treatment of the people of God; Israel.
A.Vision which he saw – Isaiah both heard and saw the revelation given to him by God, Isa. 2:1 (Ezk. 1:1, 4, 15). This was a common means of receiving God’s revelation for the prophets.
Verses 2 through 23 – The charge
Verses 2 through 10 – The Lord’s accusation – They have broken His covenant.
II.Vs. 2–4 All creation would agree with God’s charge.
A.He first establishes His own innocence.
B.It is His children who have rebelled against Him (They are the transgressors, not Him. Isa. 66:24).
C.Animals know their masters – Israel (12 tribes) not her master
1.Ox – is submissive
2.Donkey – stupid
D.Both animals know the source of their sustenance, Israel neither knows or understands.
E.Holy One of Israel (used 25 times) is in contrast to the people of the nation:
1.sinful nation
2.people weighed down…iniquity
3.offspring of evildoers
4.sons…act corruptly
5.abandoned the Lord
6.despised the Holy One
7.turned away from Him
III.Vs. 5–6 Your bodies are beaten and bruised – untreated wounds…welts and open sores.
IV.Vs. 7 Hostile forces surround them – they are hated and they are losing their territory to foreign nations.
V.Vs. 8 Their condition is desolate. Deut. 28:15-68
A.Their cities are temporary structures.
VI.Vs. 9 Except for God’s grace, they should have been removed from the face of the earth – cleansed off the planet.
A.Note: Daughter of Zion – Jer. 4:31; Lam. 1:6, 2:13; Micah 1:13, 4:8; Zech. 9:9
1.Sodom and Gomorrah – cities which speak. Rom. 9:27-29; Ezk. 16:45-52
VII.Vs. 10 Like rulers, like people
VIII.Vs. 11–15 Israel’s faith has become ritual –
A.multiple sacrifices, vs. 11
B.incense burning, vs. 13
C.festivals and feasts, vs. 13-14
D.prayers, vs. 15
E.rituals cannot cover iniquity. That which God has commanded is worthless if not done with a proper heart. Heb. 11:6; Rom. 14:23
IX.Vs. 16–17 The people had the mistaken idea that they could live like the devil so long as they followed through with their ritual observances. Note that God does not call on Israel to “confess their sin” (give verbal agreement by reciting the wrongs committed) but rather to clean up their act, cease doing evil and begin doing that which is right. James 1:22-25; 2:14-26; Rom. 2:13-16; 17-29
A.Bottom line: Instead of trusting in religious ritual (vs. 10-15), the people are to obey God – right attitudes being manifested in right actions.
B.Seek, reprove, defend, plead -- Isa. 1:23; 10:1-2; Deut. 24:17-22; 26:12; 27:19; Mk. 7:9-13; Rom. 8:1-14
X.Vs. 18–20 Let us reason together – God is not calling for a negotiating session between the people and Himself, He is calling on them to acknowledge that He is right and they are wrong.
A.If they acknowledge the extent of their sins then God in His grace will cleanse them.
B.The obedient will…
C.The disobedient will…
XI.Vs. 21–23 Jerusalem, the faithful city – now a harlot.
A.Full of justice and righteousness – now full of murderers.
B.Silver – dross (residue left in the smelting process after the silver is removed).
C.Fine wine – mixed with water
D.The rulers of the city are leading the people to ruin:
1.theft
2.bribery
3.self enrichment
4.injustice
XII.Vs. 24–31 God’s sentence is delivered.
A.Therefore:
B.God will relieve Himself by avenging Himself. Not to get even but to get back.
XIII.Vs. 25 The dross will be removed so that silver can once again be refined.
XIV.Vs. 26 New judges, new counselors – Jerusalem will once again be called a faithful city full of righteousness.
XV.Vs. 27 Restoration
XVI.Vs. 28 Cleansing
XVII.Vs. 29–30 Oak trees – Isa. 57:4-5
A.Gardens – Isa. 65:3; 66:17
XVIII.Vs. 31 Fire is God’s answer – Heb. 6:7-9
I.Vs. 1 The word which Isaiah saw (Isa. 1:1)
A.A time will come when Jerusalem will be the center of the world, Holy to the Lord. Blessings will flow out from her. Isaiah, (God) repeatedly intersperses this promise in the midst of His pronouncements of judgment.
B.Isa. 11:6-10
C.Isa. 25:6-10(a)
D.Isa. 27:12-13
E.Isa. 56:7-8 God’s Holy Mountain will be established (the gates of hell shall not prevent it)
II.Vs. 2 In the last days – the time of the millennial kingdom – Isaiah saw it yet he probably did not know the time of its establishment 1 Pet. 1:10-12.
A.The mountain of the House of the Lord.
1.mountain – Rev. 17:9; Dan. 2:35 of the House Ezk. 40-43
2.will be established – Zech. 14:8-9
3.will be raised – Zech. 14:10-11
B.All nations will stream to it. Isa. 25:6-9; 56:6-8; Jer. 3:17-18; Zeph. 3:9-10; Zech. 8:20-23
III.Vs. 3 Peoples from all nations will be drawn to God’s temple in Jerusalem because the Lord Himself will teach them of His way, Isa. 51:4. People everywhere will realize that God’s teaching is foundational to a meaningful life. They will want to know it (He will teach us His ways) and to live according to it (walk in His paths).
IV.Vs. 4 All nations will have a judge that they can come to who will exercise perfect justice. Every dispute will be settled righteously.
A.There will be no war because the implements of warfare (swords and spears) will be turned into implements of agriculture (plowshares and hooks – opposite of conditions existing during the tribulation, Joel 3:9-17).
V.Vs. 5 Invitation to the “house of Jacob”
A.At the time of Isaiah’s ministry Israel already possessed the teachings of the Lord. If they are so valuable and following those in the coming kingdom age will produce such blessing, why not follow them now. It is not that Israel could not; she would not, Matt. 23:37 (she had far more opportunity than just knowing the Law, Rom. 9:3-5).
VI.Vs. 6–9 Israel’s current condition (all twelve tribes are still reigning. Isaiah is admonishing Judah, but as bad as Judah has become, the northern kingdom was worse because she had separated herself from Jerusalem, the temple, and the Levitical priesthood, 1 Kings 12:25-33).
A.God had abandoned His people, not because He no longer loved them, but because they had become like the pagans who surrounded them:
1.filled with the ways of the people from the east (Assyria)
2.practicing divination like the Philistines, 1 Sam. 6:1-5; 2 Kings 1:1-4; Lev. 19:26 etc.
3.strike bargains with the children of foreigners
4.their land filled with:
a.silver and gold – financial prosperity
b.treasures
c.horses and chariots – military might
d.idols – they assumed that they had what they had because of their idol worship.
B.The result of the above being:
1.the common man has been humbled.
2.the man of importance has been abased.
3.Isaiah cries out “do not forgive them.”
VII.Vs. 10–11 In the end, only the Lord will be exalted! vs. 17
A.When He comes to judge, people will:
1.attempt to hide from His presence. vs. 19, 21; Rev. 6:16
2.they will fear His splendor, realizing their arrogance.
3.find that their wealth cannot save them.
B.Note: These prophecies will find a more immediate fulfillment when the Assyrians and Babylonians execute God’s judgment upon the people. Isa. 10:5-6
1.They will also find the greater fulfillment at the time of the end (tribulation). As stated before, Isaiah had no knowledge of the time span involved in the carrying out of God’s plan.
VIII.Vs. 12–22 When the Lord of Hosts finally speaks, man will listen!
A.The proud and lofty will be humbled. vs. 9, 11, 17
B.The cedars and oaks (used to make idols) will be abased.
C.Mountains – government authorities.
D.Towers and walls – military defenses.
E.Merchant ships – Rev. 18:11-19
IX.Vs. 17 See verse 11
X.Vs. 18 Where are the idols when the Lord of Hosts arises?
XI.Vs. 19 When He arises to make the earth tremble (see vs. 21).
XII.Vs. 20 As they attempt to flee, men will throw aside their useless gods to the moles and bats.
XIII.Vs. 22 Another invitation from Isaiah (God)
A.Stop living in awe or fear before humans whose breath can be snuffed out in a moment.
B.Stop worshipping the creation – look to the creator!
I.Isaiah gives examples of the nation’s (peoples’) present sins that needed to be judged by God.
Verses 1 – 3 God is going to take away from Judah and Jerusalem any semblance of order and good government. Because of her sin, the Lord will take away the supplies and people on which she relies.
II.Vs. 1 Food and water.
III.Vs. 2 Mighty man and the warrior.
A.Judge
B.Elder
IV.Vs. 3 Captain of fifty
A.Honorable man
B.Counselor
C.Expert artisan
D.Skillful enchanter
V.Vs. 4 He will replace them with inexperienced boys and children.
VI.Vs. 5 As a result:
A.The people will be oppressed.
B.The youth will storm against the elder.
C.The inferior against the honorable.
VII.Vs. 6 Anybody who owns a cloak will be grabbed in an effort to place him in charge. Ruins will be all that there is to be ruled over.
VIII.Vs. 7 No one will take the position because no one will have an answer for the condition that the land is in.
IX.Vs. 8–9 The people have defied God and are open about their sin much like the people of Sodom. Gen. 18:20; 19:1-11; Isa. 1:9-10. Therefore, the coming disaster will be brought on by themselves.
A.Woe to them — Woe to the wicked
1.to you
2.to those
3.to me
4.to Assyria
5.to the land
6.to the proud crown of the drunkards to the obstinate children to the shepherds who are destroying
B.The word appears 22 times in this prophetic book. More than in any other book! They have brought evil upon themselves.
X.Vs. 10 When God judges, the righteous need not fear, they will be justly rewarded for their deeds.
XI.Vs. 11 To the wicked – what he deserves will be done to him.
XII.Vs. 12 What has happened to God’s people?
A.They are oppressed by children.
B.Ruled over by women.
C.Led astray by all who lead them.
D.They have lost their way and no longer even know the path.
XIII.Vs. 13 The Lord is ready to judge both the people and the leaders.
XIV.Vs. 14–15 Two charges are leveled against the leaders:
A.They have devoured God’s vineyard. Isa. 5:1-10; Ps. 80:8-19; Jer. 2:21, 12:10-13; Ezk. 15:6-8
B.They have plundered the poor taking home their goods, grinding their faces.
C.Note: The poor are always in our midst and they are there to test us! James 1:27; 2:1-9
XV.Vs. 16 Daughters of Zion (Jerusalem) are proud (before God’s judgment).
A.Walk with heads high
B.Seductive eyes
C.Mincing steps (to walk with short steps or affected preciseness, walking in artificial manner)
D.Their jewelry tinkles as they move.
E.After God’s judgment:
1.Scalp will be covered with scabs.
2.Bald headed. 1 Cor. 11:14-15
XVI.Vs. 18–26 In that day – looks forward to the Babylonian captivity (that is the judgment which comes upon Judah and Jerusalem).
A.The Babylonian soldiers will take away all the women’s fine jewelry and wardrobes.
B.Instead of fragrance they will stink.
C.The women will be pulled by a rope and wear sackcloth (Assyrians lined their captives up and strung them using fishhooks which they ran through the lower lip). Amos 4:2
D.Branding as a slave instead of beauty.
E.They will mourn because their husbands, uncles, brothers, and sons will die in battle.
F.Jerusalem will be a place of lament and mourning, deserted, and down cast.
I.Vs. 1 So many men will die that the women who are left will compete to “remove their shame.”
A.Note: Jeremiah describes the siege. Lam. 2:20. 4:10; Jer. 19:8-9; also Lev. 26:14-38, esp. vs. 27-29
II.Vs. 2–6 The millennial kingdom.
A.Note: After God’s original indictment (Chapter 1), He promises restoration. Isa. 2:1-4 Now at the close of the description of the judgment that is coming, Isa. 2:5-4:1, we find another section of comfort.
1.In spite of the terrible judgment which faces the nation because of its sin, some will survive. The body of people being referred to is not those who will return after the Babylonian exile, but rather those who will survive the great tribulation which ends this present world order. Matt. 24:4-31
III.Vs. 2 The Branch of the Lord. Jer. 23:5, 33:14-18; Zech. 3:8-10, 6:12-13
A.The Branch…beautiful and glorious...fruit of the earth will be the pride and the adornment of the remnant that comes out of the tribulation.
IV.Vs. 3 The remnant that enters the millennium will be called Holy, Rom. 11:26-29 – everyone who is recorded for life.
V.Vs. 4 It is not until this yet future time in history that God will:
A.Wash away the filth of…
B.Purge bloodshed from her midst.
C.By:
1.Spirit of judgment. Malachi 3:2-6
2.Spirit of fire. Matt. 3:11-12
VI.Vs. 5 In this yet future time, the glory of God will become evident in Jerusalem just as it was at the exodus. Ex. 13:21-22, 16:9-11, 40:34-38
VII.Vs. 6 God’s glory, like a tent, will provide safety and peace!
I.Vs. 1–7 The worthless vineyard.
A.A common picture when describing Israel. Isa. 3:14; Ps. 80:8-18; Jer. 2:21, 12:10; Hosea 10:1
II.Vs. 1–2 God’s care for His vineyard. Heb. 6:7
A.God planted a vineyard on a fertile hillside.
B.He removed the stones (no small job).
C.He planted only the best vines.
D.He built a watchtower (a stone structure from which to guard the vineyard).
E.He made a winepress with anticipation and waited.
F.It produced only worthless grapes. Heb. 6:8
III.Vs. 3–4 God asks those who are the vineyard, two questions:
A.Was it His fault that things turned out the way they did?
B.Why did His vineyard produce worthless grapes?
IV.Vs. 5–6 There is but one thing left for God to do – burn it. Heb. 6:8
A.Three actions will be forthcoming from God:
1.He will remove the protective hedge/wall surrounding it.
a.wild animals will consume it.
b.all who surround it will trample it down.
2.He will turn it into wasteland.
a.Without pruning and hoeing, briars and thorns will overrun the hill.
B.He will stop the rains from falling on it.
C.Without God’s protection Judah will be ruined. Note: John 15:1-11
V.Vs. 7 The vineyard is identified.
A.Make no mistake – Israel and Judah are not right! Ezk. 18:25, 29
B.He looked for justice – bloodshed. Isa. 1:21, 3:14-15
C.For righteousness – a cry of distress. Isa. 1:23
VI.Vs. 8–30 Woe, Woe, Woe to those who…
VII.Vs. 8 Woe to those who accumulate real estate, acquiring it until they own it all. Micah 2:1; Lev. 25:13-17, 23-31
VIII.Vs. 9 In my ears the Lord of hosts has sworn…
IX.Vs. 10 Ten acres of vineyard will yield a bath (6 gallons).
A.A homer of seed (normally yields many bushels).
B.Will yield an ephah of grain (1/12 of the seed sown).
X.Vs. 11 Woe to those who start drinking early in the morning and end their evenings sipping wine (note verse 22 – must have been a real problem).
XI.Vs. 12 Their banquets are filled with music and void of any remembrance of the work of their God’s hands!
XII.Vs. 13 Therefore
A.Their abandonment of God will result in His abandonment of them – they don’t know of Him, He doesn’t remember them either.
B.Their greatest men will die of hunger.
C.The drunkards will die of thirst.
XIII.Vs. 14 Therefore – again refers back to verses 8-12
A.Sheol will accommodate the need. Rev. 6:8
B.Jerusalem’s finest will descend into it.
XIV.Vs. 15 No matter what position the Israelite had occupied in their pre-judgment life they will be humbled by the judgment which God will bring down upon them.
XV.Vs. 16 In the very act of “bringing low” his people, the God of Israel will be exalted and show Himself Holy in Righteousness.
XVI.Vs. 17 Where there was once wealth and recognition, animals will return to graze.
XVII.Vs. 18–19 Woe to those who:
A.Are waiting for God to save their nation. They wanted to see God act (let Him hasten His work).
B.Seeing no connection with their expectation and the effect their lifestyle had on God’s willingness to proceed, God does not proceed as “planned” when spiritual change is needed on the part of His people.
XVIII.Vs. 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil:
A.Darkness for light.
B.Bitter for sweet.
XIX.Vs. 21 Who needs God when I have Me!
XX.Vs. 22–23 Woe to those who:
A.Are heroes in drinking.
B.Justify the wicked for a bribe.
C.Take away righteousness of the righteous.
XXI.Vs. 24 Therefore as … for they have
A.Rejected and despised the Lord of Hosts, the Holy One of Israel.
XXII.Vs. 25 On this account (reasons given above):
A.God’s anger burns.
B.He has stretched out His hand…struck them down.
C.Their corpses lay like garbage in the middle of the streets.
D.With all this, He is not finished. Further judgments are yet to fall.
XXIII.Vs. 26–30 When the time comes for the judgment to fall, it will be as if God had raised a banner as a signal for war.
A.God’s armies will seem to come from the ends of the earth.
B.Their speed and ferociousness will completely devastate Judah.
C.The light will go out.
I.Vs. 1 Isaiah ministered during King Uzziah’s reign. Isa. 1:1
A.Isaiah’s vision recorded here occurred within the 12 calendar months before or after the king’s death, which occurred in 740 B.C.
B.Isaiah’s vision of God (the King, vs. 5) would be in contrast to what Isaiah saw when looking upon King Uzziah, the man.
C.He reigned for 52 years. 2 Chron. 26:3
D.He sinned…being struck with leprosy. 2 Chron. 26:16-21
E.He was cut off from the house of the Lord. 2 Chron. 26:21
F.Three things struck Isaiah about the “King of Israel.” He was:
1.Seated on a throne – rather than on the Ark of the Covenant. Ezk. 1:25-28; Rev. 4:1-3
2.High and exalted – do we see Jesus the way He was 2000 years ago or the way He is now?
3.The train of His robe filled the temple – a sign of His royalty and majesty.
II.Vs. 2 Seraphim
A.Only mentioned here by name and in Rev. 4:7-8 by description if they are both the same angelic being (Ezekiel saw beings with 4 wings – Ezk. 1:4-14. The angelic beings in Ezekiel are later said to be Cherubim – Ezk. 10:15, 20).
B.Note: See notes on the angels.
III.Vs. 3 God’s holiness should be appreciated in contrast to the character and actions of Uzziah the King and even Isaiah and the people of Israel (at their best). 1 John 1:5-10.
A.Though God “dwelt” between the Cherubim in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 25:17-22), the whole earth cannot contain Him. 1 Kings 8:27 Ezekiel had a similar vision of God (Ezk. 1). Unlike the Cherubim, the number of Seraphs is not given.
IV.Vs. 4 The foundation stones on which the doorposts stood (Amos 9:1) shook at the voice of the Seraphs while the temple filled with smoke. 1 Kings 8:10-13
V.Vs. 5 Isaiah’s response to what he was seeing!
A.When seen next to the purity of God’s holiness, the impurity of man is striking. Similar responses are recorded for:
1.Ezekiel – “I fell on my face” Ezk. 1:28; 3:23
2.Job – “I repent in dust and ashes” Job 42:5-6
3.Peter – “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man” Lk. 5:8
4.John – “I fell at His feet like a dead man” Rev. 1:17
B.Under different circumstances Isaiah had pronounced “woes” to the nation of Israel ( Isa. 5). Standing in the presence of God, his realization changes to “woe is me”!
C.Isaiah’s response makes it clear that he sees himself as not only a man, but also part of a people – family of Israel.
VI.Vs. 6–7 A Seraph’s response – Isaiah acknowledged his sin and God responded to that acknowledgement. 1 John 1:9; Ps. 78:38-39
VII.Vs. 8 Us – Gen. 1:26; 11:7. The doctrine of the “trinity” is not explicitly taught in the O.T., but it is there; for God is the same God in both testaments.
A.Asking the question “who will go” is for Isaiah’s sake. Opportunity exists for service and opportunity for Isaiah only requires him responding. His response “Here am I. Send me!” Eph. 2:10
VIII.Vs. 9–10 God’s commissioning of Isaiah.
A.Isaiah, in volunteering, probably expected a positive outcome to his ministry. God tells him otherwise.
B.The people had not listened before and they would not listen now.
C.The Lord did not delight in judging His people.
D.Discipline is necessary when disobedience is man’s choice.
E.The people, on hearing Isaiah’s message, are going to be even more hardened to the Lord. John 12:37-41
IX.Vs. 11–13 Isaiah was ready to speak whatever God wanted him to say. He did wonder “how long will I have to go on preaching to this non-responsive people?”
A.Until judgment comes (Babylon carries them off).
B.Until the people are deported.
C.Until their cities and fields are ruined.
D.(All this happened long after Isaiah’s death, meaning “for as long as he lived he preached receiving a negative or no response.”)
E.The tenth who remained in the land were the poor. 2 Kings 24:14
F.God then gives Isaiah a word of encouragement:
G.Though 9/10 of the people will be removed, the remnant will again grow in to a tree.
Verses 1-2 – The historical situation.
I.Vs. 1 Rezin, king of Aram; and Pekah, king of Israel (10 tribes) {752-732 B.C.} had made an alliance.
A.After Jeroboam II (793-753 B.C.) of Israel died, the Northern Kingdom became increasingly weak. Rezin ended up being Aram’s last king and Pekah was Israel’s next-to-last king. 2 Kings 15:27-16:20 Rezin convinced Pekah to join with him against Judah. They planned to replace Judah’s King Ahaz with a puppet king. Isa. 7:6
II.Vs. 2 House of David – Ahaz
A.Ephraim, the largest tribe in the Northern Kingdom, became another name for the entire kingdom.
B.Ahaz thought he could look to Assyria for deliverance.
Verses 3-9 – God tells Isaiah to tell Ahaz that Judah would not be destroyed.
III.Vs. 3 Shear-jashub – “a remnant will return”
A.Upper pool – a reservoir that held water for Jerusalem.
B.Ahaz would have been inspecting the city’s water supply in anticipation of an attack – Isaiah intercepted him there.
IV.Vs. 4–9 Ahaz is not to be afraid for both kings’ lives will be ended shortly. Both men died 2 years later in 732 B.C.
V.Vs. 8 Ephraim (10 tribes) will be carried off by the Assyrians leaving a remnant. That remnant will intermarry with foreign colonists moved in by the Assyrians creating a people called the Samaritans. The exiles of Israel have not been heard from since, even to this day! 2 Kings 17:1-18; Ezra 4:10
VI.Vs. 9 “If you will not believe, you surely shall not last.” Literally – if you will not be sure, you cannot be secure.
A.Note: 33 years later King Hezekiah is challenged at the same place by Assyria. Isa. 36:2-37:7
Verses 10-12 – Ahaz’s rejection of a sign.
VII.Though Ahaz’s response sounds pious, God’s response indicates that Ahaz’s motivations behind the response were not right.
Verses 13-25 – God’s response to Ahaz.
VIII.Vs. 13 Isaiah responds to Ahaz’s refusal to respond to God’s offer – you are testing both man’s and God’s patience.
IX.Vs. 14–16 God will give Ahaz a sign anyway. The sign will be a child born named Immanuel – “God with us.”
A.The boy will be born of a virgin.
B.He will be raised in a time of national calamity (vs.21-22 – the abundance of… milk is a distressful factor. With many animals dying, a farmer’s “cow and two goats” would have no young to nurse, and so the plentiful milk for the people.)
C.While the child is still young, the two-king alliance will be broken.
D.Fulfillment --
1.The prophecy was directed primarily to Ahaz regarding the breakup of the alliance between Rezin and Pekah.
2.The woman spoken of is a virgin who would be married and have a child.
3.Before the child born was able to grow, the alliance would be broken.
4.Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, centuries later, Matthew quotes Isaiah 7:14 as a statement that was also true of Christ’s birth. We have the immediate or short- term fulfillment for the time given and then the long-term fulfillment which is always revealed by God.
X.Vs. 17–19
A.God will bring upon Jerusalem and Judah bad times. The king of Assyria will be the primary opponent extracting heavy tribute from Judah.
B.God will call the “flies” from Egypt and the “bees” from the land of Assyria. They will come and settle on the people bringing them perpetual difficulty. (Flies irritate, bees sting)
XI.Vs. 20–25
A.In that day, Judah will experience deprivation and humiliation.
B.Assyria, like a razor, will shave Judah’s hair, a sign of humiliation. Job 1:20; Jer. 48:37; Ezk. 7:18
XII.Vs. 21–22 See notes on verse 15
XIII.Vs. 23–25 The land will be ruined to such an extent that no crops will be able to grow upon it.
I.Isaiah 8:1-9:7 – The nation will be delivered and this deliverance is a picture of another deliverer, who will transform the world!
Verses 1-4 (7:4-17) – The Aram – Israel alliance will end. Rom. 13:1-2 God has called to Assyria to remove them. Isa. 10:5-6
II.Vs. 1 Isaiah is told by God to use a “visual aid” in his prophetic ministry. His next child will be named “quick pickings, easy prey” (Maher-shalal-hash-baz – the longest personal name in the Bible).
III.Vs. 2 God calls in two witnesses who will confirm that His words are true. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15
A.Uriah, the priest, later falls from his present spiritual position. 2 Kings 16:10-16
B.Zechariah, the son of Jeberechiah, may have ministered during the reign of Uzziah (Azariah) [2 Chron. 26:3-5] or was the priest mentioned in 2 Chron. 29:13-20 during Hezekiah’s reign.
IV.Vs. 3–4 The birth of Isaiah’s second son.
A.Isaiah’s son was a sign of the destruction of the Aram-Israel alliance. A year following the birth which followed the 9 months’ pregnancy saw the Assyrians plunder both Damascus and Samaria. (It was at the time of the destruction of Damascus that Ahaz went to see the king of Assyria and sent for Uriah to duplicate the “altar of worship” in Damascus – see vs. 2)
B.Historical Note: Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, put Samaria under their control in 732 B.C. and collected tribute from her for 9 years. Hoshea rebelled causing the Assyrians, now under Shalmaneser, to remove Israel from her land. 722 B.C. saw the end of the 10 tribes, which state has continued through this day. 2 Kings 17:1-41
V.Vs. 5–6 Inasmuch (because) as the ten tribes joined with Aram instead of Judah…the gently flowing waters of Shiloah (also called Siloam) was a spring that fed a small reservoir within Jerusalem’s walls.
VI.Vs. 7 Rather than the gently flowing waters, Israel has chosen the “flood waters” of Assyria.
A.OR
B.“these people” refers to the nation of Judah (led by Ahaz) and Assyria will later come down upon them (701 B.C.)
VII.Vs. 8 The assault from Assyria upon Judah will be like flood waters which come up to the neck – almost kills you but then recedes.
A.The figure of speech – no changes – Assyria, a giant bird of prey whose wings will cover the entire land, ready to devour it.
B.O Immanuel. At this point in human history “God is with us” and therefore deliverance will be forthcoming.
VIII.Vs. 9–10 The nations will prepare for battle against Judah but they will not succeed. “For Immanuel” They will be “shattered” (3 times) God has had a plan for the “House of Israel” and the “House of Judah” which preceded their birth as a nation Heb. 8:6-13. Note: Ahaz might not last, but Judah will. Isa. 7:9
IX.Vs. 11 The Lord had promised to be with His people (vs. 10), but many in Israel and Judah refused to believe that He would keep that promise (why they looked elsewhere for security). The Lord warns Isaiah not to be like those people.
X.Vs. 12 The people are afraid of the alliance between Aram and Israel. Assyria is rising in power! The people of Judah are not to be afraid of either of these potential threats.
XI.Vs. 13 It is the God of Israel that they should fear, nay, dread.
XII.Vs. 14 The “Lord of Hosts” will become two things:
A.a sanctuary
B.a stone to strike
C.a rock to stumble over
D.a snare and a trap
E.for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Lk. 2:34; Rom. 9:30-10:4; 1 Pet. 2:4-10
XIII.Vs. 15 As for the inhabitants of Jerusalem
A.Many will stumble
B.Will fall and be broken
C.Be snared and caught
XIV.Vs. 16–18 After hearing what God has said, Isaiah reaffirms his trust and dependence on God.
A.By binding the testimony and sealing the law, Isaiah lays it to the account of God’s elect (disciples). Matt. 16:18-19
B.God has not rejected the people He foreknew!
C.At the same time that God is hiding His face from the House of Jacob, there are those who wait for and even eagerly look for Him. Verse 18 is quoted in the Book of Hebrews as a prophecy referring to Christ. Heb. 2:12-13
D.Isaiah “knew” that his children were signs from God who spoke to the nation – a message from the Lord of Hosts who dwells on Mount Zion.
XV.Vs. 19 Those of Judah and Jerusalem were concerned for their future! Who did they consult? Should not a people…should they…? Deut. 18:9-14
XVI.Vs. 20 If a person is to consult their God, where would they go to accomplish their desire – to the Law and to the testimony. If their direction is not according to the Bible – they have no dawn! John 3:19-21
XVII.Vs. 21–22 In their distress they will look up to God and curse Him and look to the earth where they will face distress and end up in darkness.
A.Note: Those who consult the dead will end up with them.
I.In 8:22 distress, darkness, the gloom of anguish.
II.Vs. 1–2 In a future day – no more – “Galilee of the gentiles” will see a great light…the light will shine on them. Matt. 4:13-17
A.In 732 B.C. this part of Israel became an Assyrian province under Tiglath-Pileser III.
B.The Pharisees believed that “no prophet arises out of Galilee” – the very place where Jesus began his ministry.
C.These same leaders also believed that any input from God would begin in Jerusalem and move out from there – Jesus ended His ministry there.
D.The people will see a great light. John 1:4-9; 8:12; 9:5-7; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:7-11
E.As to the light that was seen in Galilee (Capernaum)
1.Lk. 4:31-42
2.John 4:43-54
3.Mk. 5:21-24, 35-43
4.John 6:24-25, 27-29
a.Bread…came down from heaven – 6:33, 38
b.Water…shall never thirst – 6:35
c.Flesh given for the life of the world – 6:51
5.and many more things did Jesus both teach and do in Galilee of the Gentiles.
III.Vs. 3–5 You shall – God, the Father, in the Person of the Son
A.Multiply the nation.
B.Increase their gladness (joy).
1.Like the joy at harvest time.
2.Like the joy of winning a battle and dividing the plunder.
3.Great joy is in the plan. Isa. 12:6; 14:7; 26:19-21; Chapter 35; 42:11-13; 44:23; 49:13; 51:3, 11; 54:1; 55:12; 60:15; 61:7
C.Break the yoke of their burden…the staff on their shoulders…the rod of their oppressor…as at the battle of Midian. Judges 7:1-25; Isa. 10:26
D.BY SENDING HIS SON – THE CHILD BORN TO MARY
E.After the child (Isa. 7:14, Messiah) comes [the second time] the weapons of war will be destroyed.
IV.Vs. 6–7
A.A child will be born to us – into the nation of Israel.
B.The covenant people of God. Isa. 11:1; Jer. 23:5-8; Jer. 30:8-11; 33:14-22; Ezk. 37:21-28
C.A Son will be given to us – John 3:16; Rom. 8:31-32; 1 John 4:9-10; 5:9-13;
D.The government will rest on His shoulders.
1.He will rule over Israel, God’s people. Micah 5:2; Zech. 9:9; Jer. 30:21-22; Lk. 1:31-33
2.He will rule over the world. Zech. 14:9, 16
E.He will have 4 descriptive names that will reveal His character.
1.Wonderful Counselor. Isa. 11:2
2.Mighty God. Isa. 10:21-23; Rev. 1:8; Phil. 3:20-21
3.Everlasting Father – Father of eternity. Eternality is an attribute of God. John 1:1-2; 8:58 He is eternal life and the bestower of it.
4.Prince of Peace. John 14:27
5.To the world, peace equals “absence from war.” Matt. 10:34 That which Christ brings. Rom. 5:1
6.Peace will come to the earth. Matt. 13:36-43
F.The Messiah
1.Seated on David’s throne. Lk. 1:32-33
2.Will have an eternal rule of peace and justice. Jer. 23:5
3.Forever. Dan. 7:14, 27; Micah 4:7; Lk. 1:33; Rev. 11:15
G.The fulfillment of the above is not dependent upon Israel.
1.“The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this”!
Verses 9:8-10:4 God’s judgment upon Samaria (Northern Kingdom, Ephraim, Israel, Jacob).
V.Jacob’s future will be glorious. Vs. 1-7 (Age of the kingdom – reign of Messiah)
VI.Jacob’s present is not so bright. Isa. 5:7, 8, 11, 18, 20-22; Isa. 56:10-12; Jer. 10:21; 12:10-15; 23:1-8; Ezk. 34:2-24; 37:21-28
A.Note: While God removes Israel from His sight (2 Kings 17:5-6), the subject of this section of Isaiah; God continues to work with Judah until He scatters them, first with the Babylonians and then later completely with the Romans in 70 A.D. Judah never recovers, in big part, because her shepherds refocused the purpose of their existence to provide for themselves.
1.Isaiah ministered from 740-680 B.C.
2.Jeremiah ministered from 627-585 B.C. (Babylonian captivity begins in 605 B.C. and became total in 586 B.C.)
3.Ezekiel ministered from 592-570 B.C.
VII.Vs. 8–9 Isaiah’s message is directed at Judah. When He speaks against Israel it is intended to be a warning to Judah. God judges His people and Israel’s judgment will come first (722 B.C.); learn a lesson and do something with what you’ve learned. Israel’s root problem was, in a word, Arrogance.
VIII.Vs. 10 Signs of the coming destruction can already be seen
A.Bricks have fallen down
B.Wood used to build has been consumed
C.Israel’s attitude as they see this – no problem. We will just find better building materials and build again. God is judging them because of their sin; building materials are not their problem!
IX.Vs. 11 Therefore, because of their attitude (no repentance), God will bring more forces down upon them.
A.Rezin, their ally (Isa. 7:1, 8), will become Aram, their adversary, and it is the Lord who will spur them on Isa. 7:18-19 all in preparation for Assyria who will finish the job for God. Isa. 10:5-6
X.Vs. 12 The Philistines will be added to the mix to further weaken Ephraim.
A.Historical Note: Who were the Philistines?
1.Listed in the “table of nations.” Gen. 10:14
2.Some believe that they were descended from the Rephaim (Giants). 2 Sam. 21:16-22
3.Abraham had dealings with them when Abimelech was their king. Gen. 21:22-34; 26:1-33
4.They are not listed in any of the lists of the Canaanites occupying the land. Jeremiah (47:4) and Amos (9:7) state that the Philistines came from Caphtor (Island of Crete).
5.From Exodus to Samuel they are seen inhabiting the land which lay between Judea and Egypt. Ex. 13:17; 15:14; Joshua 13:1-3; 1 Sam. 4
6.Perpetual war existed between Israel and the Philistines throughout their existence in the land prior to the reign of Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18:8
7.Their ultimate end as a warring people is prophesied by Ezekiel (25:15-17).
8.The Romans carried out the judgment of God against them.
B.In spite of all that God brings upon Ephraim,
1.His anger does not turn away.
2.His hand is still stretched out – vs. 12, 17, 21 and ch. 10:4.
3.God is angry, therefore, their judgment will continue. Rev. 14:9-11
XI.Vs. 13 Isaiah is overwhelmed by the fact that the people of the Northern Kingdom never respond to the judgment of God. The “do not” “nor do they.” Rev. 9:20-21, 16:10-13
XII.Vs. 14–15 Israel’s refusal to turn to God will result in their complete destruction (for a time but not for eternity).
A.From head – honorable man.
B.To tail – prophet who teaches falsehood.
C.And everyone in between.
XIII.Vs. 16 The operating relationship which exists between the leader and the one being led:
A.Both will go down.
B.Which one will receive the greater judgment?
C.Temporal judgment will be followed by eternal judgment!
XIV.Vs. 17 Therefore – because of verse 16, we have the result in verse 17.
A.Young men, orphans, widows, every one of them:
1.Is godless.
2.Is an evil doer.
3.Every mouth is speaking (continuous action) foolishness.
XV.Vs. 18 The people’s (Ephraim) wickedness is burning them up like a huge fire with a large column of smoke.
XVI.Vs. 19 Israel’s problem is not their earthly enemies…it is their God. His fury fuels the fire of judgment…no man spares his brother.
XVII.Vs. 20 Their judgment will be so all consuming, that they will destroy themselves – self destruction.
XVIII.Vs. 21 “Themselves” is not limited to individuals. Tribe will rise against tribe, Israel against Judah. Matt. 24:7
A.For those who fall under the judgment of God, His anger is never turned away and His hand is never withdrawn. Rev. 20:11-15; 14:10-11 with 4:9 and 11:15
Verses 1-4 continues God’s pronouncement of judgment upon Samaria.
I.Vs. 1–2 Woe to the leadership of Israel (Judah) who:
A.Make unjust laws.
B.Render unjust decisions
C.Depriving the poor (helpless) of their rights [no justice]. Ex. 23:6-7; Deut. 15:7-11
D.Taking advantage of widows. Ex. 22:22-24; Deut. 24:17-18
E.Plundering orphans
F.These actions involve taking advantage of people who could not defend themselves. These actions are directly opposed to God’s revealed law. Isa. 1:11-20
II.Vs. 3 Good questions (to be asked to those who have lived like mere men!):
A.What will you do in the day of punishment?
B.What will you do in the devastation which will come?
C.To whom will you flee for help?
D.Where will you leave your wealth?
III.Vs. 4 Nothing remains but…
A.Isa. 10:5-12:6 The fall of the Assyrian empire.
IV.Vs. 5 Woe to those who are used by God to accomplish His purpose (Just because God has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for…Prov. 16:4, does not mean that the wicked are somehow owed thanks. Isa. 7:18-19)
A.Woe to Assyria, God’s instrument (rod) in dealing with Israel…(Babylon will be God’s rod when He deals with Judah at a later date. Habakkuk 1:1-2:1)
B.Note: Overview of the argument recorded in Habakkuk
1.1:1-4 Why does God allow Judah, His child, to continue in his wickedness?
2.5-11 Answer – He doesn’t; God is going to use the Babylonians to chasten Judah.
3.12-17 Why would God use the Babylonians to deal with Judah when they are more wicked than Judah?
4.2:1 — Habakkuk awaits God’s answer.
5.2-20 God answers (vs. 2 Hush – be still, God is God).
6.3:1-19 Habakkuk praises God.
V.Vs. 6 Assyria is not a godly nation – it’s not even aware that God is using it to accomplish His good pleasure.
A.God is sovereign over His creation and all nations are tools in His hands.
VI.Vs. 7 No praise to Assyria for being God’s instrument…it was never Assyria’s intention to be an instrument in God’s hand. Its intention was to sin.
Verses 8-11 Assyria’s heart (attitude) as read by God is:
VII.The greatness of Israel’s God is not worth noting in Assyria’s mind. Assyria assumed that Israel and Judah were like any other nation.
VIII.Vs. 9 Assyria had conquered the Aramean cities of:
A.Calno
B.Carchemish
C.Hamath
D.Arpad
E.Damascus
IX.Vs. 10 And Israel’s capital, Samaria
A.Since these conquered cities had “greater gods”, in the minds of the Assyrians, than did Jerusalem.
X.Vs. 11 What’s to stop Assyria from destroying the city of Jerusalem. Isa. 36:19-20; 37:10-13
A.Note: Samaria did worship and rely upon idols – this being the very reason that God gave them over to the hand of Assyria.
Verses 12-19 That which Assyria has to look forward to when God is finished using her.
XI.Vs. 12 When God is finished dealing with Israel, He will deal with Assyria. Her sin personified in her king – haughty eyes. Prov. 6:16-19, esp. vs. 17; 30:11-14, esp. vs. 13
A.(Psalms 10:4; 138:6; Proverbs 16:18; 18:12; 21:2-4)
B.Note: The king of Assyria believes it’s all about “I”, “my” – 4 times “I” and 3 times “my”! He had taken over other nations and their wealth as easily as a person plucks eggs from a nest. Dan. 5:16-28, opposite Dan. 2:19-23; 26-30)
XII.Vs. 15 The king of Assyria had lost touch with reality.
A.Assyria, the axe, is nothing apart from the hands which swing it.
B.Assyria, the saw, cannot cut anything apart from the hands which move it.
C.Assyria, the club/rod, is not different than a stick without the arm that can lift it. 1 Cor. 4:7
XIII.Vs. 16 Therefore, God will destroy the Assyrian army by disease and fire. (In 701 B.C., 185,000 Assyrian soldiers surrounding Jerusalem were killed. Isa. 37:33-38. In 609 B.C. Assyria fell to Babylon.)
XIV.Vs. 17 The “light of Israel”, Her God, will become a fire.
A.His Holy One, a flame.
B.The God of Israel will burn and devour Assyria’s thorns and briars in a single day.
XV.Vs. 18 The God of Israel will destroy Assyria.
A.The glory of his forest.
B.The glory of his fruitful garden.
C.Both soul and body.
D.It will be like a sick man who wastes away.
XVI.Vs. 19 When God gets finished with Assyria, there will be so few trees left in its forest that a child could count them.
XVII.Vs. 20–23 The remnant – God used Assyria to chasten Israel, but a remnant will return to the land and they will trust in (rely on) the Lord (not Assyria – Hosea 5:12-15; 7:11-14; 8:9)
A.“In that day” – Deut. 30:1-10; Matt. 24:29-31
B.Israel (10 tribes) has been scheduled for a complete destruction. 2 Kings 17:1-20 Let there be no mistake, it is the God of Israel who will carry it out and it is the God of Israel that will resurrect her from the dead. Ezk. 37:1-14
Verses 24-27 Unlike Israel, Judah will not be chastened by God by means of Assyria, Zion is not to fear.
XVIII.Vs. 25 God’s anger will be spent after Assyria removes Israel. He will deal with Assyria rather than Judah.
XIX.Vs. 26 God will deal with Assyria the way He dealt with:
A.The Midianites by Gideon. Judges 7:1-24
B.The two Midianite leaders at the rock of Oreb. Judges 7:25
C.He will deal with Assyria the way he dealt with Pharaoh in Egypt.
XX.Vs. 27 God will lift the Assyrian burden and yoke from Judah. Isa. 9:4
Verses 28-34 Assyria’s defeat
XXI.Aiath – same as Ai. Joshua 7:1-26
A.Migron – located between Aiath and Michmash. 1 Sam. 14:2
B.Michmash – 9 miles northeast of Jerusalem. 1 Sam. 13:2; 14:5; Neh. 11:31
C.Geba, Ramah, Gibeah of Saul – all cities in a line in the path between Assyria and Judah.
D.Gallim 1 Sam. 25:44
E.Laishah – only here in Isaiah 10.
F.Anathoth – listed 16 times – given to the tribe of Benjamin. Joshua 21:18
G.Madmenah – another town in Benjamin, not far from Jerusalem (in Isa. 25:10 the same Hebrew word is translated manure pile).
H.Gebim – a small place north of Jerusalem. Today it is called el-Isawiyeh.
XXII.Vs. 32 Nob (1 Sam. 21:1-10) – God will stop Assyria at Nob, Assyria will shake her fist at the temple of God in Jerusalem.
XXIII.Vs. 33–34 God will cut down the forest of Assyria.
A.He will lop off the heavy branches of the trees.
B.He will cut down the tall and lofty trees.
C.He will thin out the thickets.
D.And Assyria (the forest of Lebanon) will fall by the mighty one.
I.The Rise of God’s Empire
II.Vs. 1 God will cut down the existing forest (Isa. 10:33-34) and replace it with a new one; one coming up from the stump of Jesse, David’s father. Rev. 22:16 (God’s choosing of David, Jesse’s youngest son, 1 Sam. 16:1-13.) God had promised David “a shoot would come forth from him.” – 2 Sam. 7:16 This branch will bear fruit (unlike so many of the other branches) Jer. 23:5-8; Isa. 11:10
III.Vs. 2 The 7-fold Spirit will rest upon this shoot of Jesse. Rev. 3:1
A.The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him. Matt. 3:16-17; Isa. 42:1; 61:1
B.The Spirit of wisdom – Ex. 28:2-3
C.The Spirit of understanding – Eph. 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 2:10-16
D.The Spirit of counsel
E.The Spirit of strength
F.The Spirit of knowledge – Eph. 1:15-17
G.The Spirit of fear of the Lord
H.Note: The Holy Spirit is mentioned more in the book of Isaiah than in any other O.T. book – Isa. 11:2; 30:1; 32:15; 34:16; 40:13; 42:1; 44:3; 48:16; 59:21; 61:1; 63:10-11, 14
IV.Vs. 3 He will delight in the fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10). To fear God is to respond to Him in awe, trust, obedience and worship.
A.He will not judge the world by the typical human approach (superficial) swayed by what He hears and sees.
V.Vs. 4 But in contrast to verse 3; He will judge with righteousness and fairness in contrast to the present leaders of Israel. Isa. 10:1-2
A.The poor and the afflicted of the earth will be the beneficiaries of His justice, and the wicked will be slain!
B.Note: This being a description of the reign of Christ during the millennium – death will continue for the lost during the 1,000 years; the second advent of Christ brings to an end the death of any of the saved. Rev. 20:5-6
VI.Vs. 5 He will wear:
A.Righteousness – Isa. 16:5
B.Faithfulness
VII.Vs. 6–9 Conditions of the planet during the 1,000 years.
A.The curse will be lifted – Rom. 8:20-25; peace and harmony describe life in this period; and wild animals will again be tame.
B.The wolf, leopard, lion and bear will dwell safely with farm animals – lamb, goat, calf, cow and ox.
C.A little child will be safe with lions, bears, cobras, and vipers – Isa. 65:25
VIII.Vs. 9 God’s Holy Mountain. Isa. 27:13; 56:6-8; 66:20; Ezk. 40:1-46:24
A.The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea! Jer. 31:31-34 (Hab.2:14)
IX.Vs. 10 In that day – millennium – the nations will also resort to the Messiah of Israel – Zech. 14:9; Lk. 13:25-30. Gen. 12:3 will find its complete fulfillment.
A.Jesus reigning from Jerusalem will stand as a signal.
B.His resting place will be glorious.
X.Vs. 11 Then it will happen…on that day – Matt. 24:29-31; Rom. 11:25-29; Ezk. 28:25- 26; 34:11-31
XI.Vs. 12 Deut. 30:1-6 – from the four corners of the earth, speaks to the extent that He has first scattered Israel.
XII.Vs. 13 In that day of re-gathering Ephraim (Northern Kingdom) will not be jealous of Judah (Southern Kingdom) and Judah will feel no hostility toward the ten tribes.
XIII.Vs. 14 Israel’s traditional enemies will no longer hurt them:
A.Philistines
B.Northern Arabia (sons of the east)
C.Edom
D.Moab
E.Ammonites
XIV.Vs. 15–16 When Israel returns to her land, God will prepare the way for her.
A.The Gulf of Suez will be dried up to enable her people to return from Egypt and Cush (Isa. 11:11).
B.The Euphrates river will be broken up into shallow streams so that the people can return to Israel from the east.
C.The return from Assyria (Isa. 10:20-23) will be like Israel’s exit from Egypt. The nations of the earth will be talking about it for 1,000 years!
I.Vs. 1–2 Israel’s response to “that day” is described – vs. 1, 4
A.When the nation is re-gathered and Christ is reigning, the nation will be rejoicing.
B.The anger of the Lord will have been turned away, vs. 1.
C.God will be comforting His people, vs. 1.
D.God will have become Israel’s deliverance, vs. 2.
E.God will be their strength and song, vs. 2.
II.Vs. 3 Therefore – because of the above situation – Israel will be joyously “drawing water from the springs of God’s salvation” (deliverance).
III.Vs. 4 In that day Israel will say:
A.Give thanks to the Lord.
B.Call on His name.
C.Let the world “know His deeds.”
D.Let them remember that “His name is exalted.”
IV.Vs. 5 Praise the Lord in song:
A.For He has done excellent things.
B.Let the whole earth know it.
V.Vs. 6 Let the inhabitants of Israel cry aloud and shout for joy!
A.For God is Great and that greatness is being beheld in the midst of Israel.
I.Chapters 13 through 23 describe God’s judgment upon the nations.
A.Babylon – 13:1-14:27 (21:1-10)
B.Philistia – 14:28-32
C.Moab – 15:1-16:14
D.Damascus (Aram) – 17:1-14
E.Ethiopia – 18:1-7
F.Egypt – 19:1-20:6
G.Edom – 21:11-12
H.Arabia – 21:13-17
I.Jerusalem – 22:1-25
J.Tyre – 23:1-18
II.Babylon – 13:1-14:27 (21:1-10)
A.Lays in the land of Shinar (Gen. 10:10), about 50 miles south of Baghdad!
B.There is no disagreement on its location.
C.Encircled by a double system of walls:
1.inner wall – 21 feet thick containing towers at sixty foot intervals.
2.outer wall – 11 feet thick.
3.some ancient writings claim the walls covered 56 miles.
D.The main road through the city was 40 to 50 feet wide and paved with stone. Some have been found inscribed with “I am Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. I paved the road of Babylon with mountain stone for the procession of the mighty lord Marduk. May Marduk, my lord, grant me eternal life.” (Marduk was the city’s primary deity – came into prominence in the 18th century B.C.)
E.There were more than fifty shrines within the city, fifteen of them built by Nebuchadnezzar – Jer. 50:38. One ancient text speaks of there being “180 open-air shrines for Ishtar” and more than 1,800 pedestals or sacred places for other deities.
F.Hammurabi (1792-1750 B.C.) enlarged the city and made it prosperous.
G.The Assyrians controlled it beginning in 710 B.C.
H.Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar’s father took control of the city in 626 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar made it the base of his exploits in 605 B.C.
I.Within the reign of Nebuchadnezzar:
1.in 604 B.C., Jehoiakim of Judah became his vassal. 2 Kings 24:1-4
2.in 597 B.C., Jerusalem came under the direct rule of Babylon. 2 Kings 24:10-20
3.in 586 B.C. Jerusalem was destroyed. 2 Chron. 36:5-20
J.The city declined after the death of Nebuchadnezzar.
K.It fell to the Medo-Persians (Cyrus) in 539 B.C. and was allowed to deteriorate.
L.In 331 B.C., Alexander the Great defeated the Persians (Medo-Persian Empire) and was proclaimed king in the city.
M.Trajan visited the city in 115 A.D.
N.In 199 A.D. it was reported to be deserted.
III.Vs. 1 The oracle (burden – to be lifted or carried) a message that was heavy or burdensome to deliver!
A.Note: Oracle is a common expression found in the prophetic books indicating that delivering these kinds of messages for God was not easy.
1.Isa. 14:28; 15:1; 17:1; 19:1; 21:1, 11, 13; 22:1; 23:1; 30:6 Jer. 23:33-34, 36, 38; Ezk. 12:10; Nahum 1:1; Hab. 1:1; Zech. 9:1; 12:1; Mal. 1:1
2.A ministry that was truly burdensome. Isa. 6:8-13
B.God’s message through Isaiah concerns Babylon, a city that is not yet of any significance from a prophetic standpoint. God describes the Babylonian empire’s traits and condemns it before it even exists. Prophecy – only the God of Israel can deliver it. Isa. 44:6-8; 41:21-24
C.Babylon has been a problem since its inception. Gen. 11:1-9
D.It becomes the symbol of a God rejecting world. Rev. 17-18
IV.Vs. 2 God has an army planned to deal with her.
A.It is His army:
1.“I have commanded My consecrated ones,” vs. 3
2.“I have even called My mighty warriors,” vs. 3
3.The Lord of Hosts is mustering the army, vs. 4
4.The Lord and His instruments, vs. 5
5.Again – from Isa. 10:5-6 to Rev. 17:17
B.Isaiah’s message is two-fold – God will deal with Jerusalem and Judah using Babylon and then deal with Babylon, but the real focus of the prophetic word is:
1.The day of the Lord, vs. 6, 9
2.I will punish the world for its evil, vs. 11
3.Put an end to the arrogance of the proud…vs. 11
4.Make mortal man scarcer than pure gold, vs. 12
5.I shall make the heavens tremble, vs. 13
6.In the day of His burning anger
7.(In the near future – I am going to stir up the Medes against them – again, no such nation yet exists.)
V.Vs. 3 God’s consecrated ones called to execute His anger are the Medes. They will overthrow Babylon in 539 B.C. (This prophecy is given 65 years before Assyria carries off the northern kingdom in 722 B.C., Isa. 7:8.) Dan. 5:16-31, esp. 30-31
VI.Vs. 4 The Medes were God’s plan to deal with the Babylonians. Dan. 2:39 (the great statue), Dan. 7:5 (a bear)
VII.Vs. 5 The Medes will be gathered from an area about 300 miles from Babylon.
A.They will be God’s instruments of indignation” to destroy the land controlled by the Babylonians.
VIII.Vs. 6–13 Looks forward to the tribulation period.
A.“The day of the Lord” – “destruction from the Almighty.”
IX.Vs. 7–8 Hands will fall limp
A.Hearts will melt
B.Terrified
C.Pains and anguish
D.Writhe like a woman in pain
E.Look at one another in astonishment
F.Isa. 21:3-4; 26:17-21 and Jer. 4:31; 6:22-26; 30:1-9
X.Vs. 9 In that day He will exterminate the sinners from the land.
XI.Vs. 10 The heavenly bodies will stop shining.
A.Isa. 34:1-4; Ezk. 32:7-8; Joel 2:1-11, 30-32; 3:12-17; Zech. 14:6-7; Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 6:12-17
XII.Vs. 11 God’s purposes in bringing the tribulation upon the earth:
A.Punish the world for its evil.
B.Punish the wicked for their iniquity.
C.Put an end to arrogance.
D.Abase the haughtiness of the ruthless.
XIII.Vs. 12 So many will die, people will become as scarce as…
XIV.Vs. 13 Therefore, God shall:
A.Where can man go when God has not only become angry, but is expressing that anger fully?
XV.Vs. 14–16 In the day of the Lord, vs. 6-13
A.The army formed by God, vs. 1-5
1.will attack unrelentingly.
B.The people attacked will be powerless to stop the invasion. Like gazelle and sheep, defenseless and an easy prey for hunters.
C.Everyone will attempt to flee to his own land (a world populated by immigrants).
D.No prisoners will be taken – death and rape!
XVI.Vs. 17–19 The near situation – The Medes
A.Who cannot be paid off – what does a person do when money will not buy?
XVII.Vs. 18 The Plan of God
XVIII.Vs. 19 The result of God’s plan
XIX.Vs. 20–22 Babylon from 200 A.D. through the present.
A.Saddam planned to change God’s plan – he is no more.
B.Because of Jer. 50:1-51:58 and Rev. 18, there are some who believe that the city of Babylon will be rebuilt before the day of the Lord and destroyed again at the end of the tribulation period.
I.Vs. 1 When – then. Israel’s situation as described in Isa. 9:16-17 is temporary. It is never a question of “if”, but rather of “when”!
A.“Jacob” and “Israel” refer to all 12 tribes. Ex. 19:3
II.Vs. 1b–2 Non-Israelites will come and join themselves to the nation of Israel, i.e. rather than Israel being exiled into other nations, other nations will serve Israel. (Israel will be the head and they will be the tail.) Isa. 56:6-8; 60:10-22; 61:5-7
III.Vs. 3–4a In that day – the day spoken of in verses 1-2 – Israel (Jacob) will sing a song verses 4b-21, a “taunt”.
A.Verses 4b-11 – refers to the earthly king of Babylon.
B.Verses 12-19 – refers to Lucifer, son of the morning.
IV.Vs. 4b–6
A.The king of Babylon is the oppressor who causes “fury” among the people. vs. 4, 6
B.He has subdued the nations
1.in anger
2.with unrestrained persecution
C.The Lord has broken his staff, the scepter of rulers.
V.Vs. 7–8 His death brings rest, peace, and joy (singing) to the entire region.
A.This rest is pictured symbolically by the great cedar trees of Lebanon saying they are safe from being carried down to provide tribute to the king.
VI.Vs. 9–10 Sheol – the place of the departed dead is excited over the prospect of receiving the king. The kings who have preceded him to this place rise from their thrones to greet him. They are amazed that he had become weak and dead like them, vs. 10.
VII.Vs. 11 Pomp and the music of harps have been replaced with maggots and worms. The greatest of rulers…
VIII.Vs. 12 The fall of Satan under the image of the fall of the king of Babylon. Isaiah is looking back from the tribulation event.
A.How you have fallen – from covering cherub (Ezk. 28:12-15) to going down to the pit like a trampled corpse. Isa. 14:19
B.Maggots and worms are now your covering. Isa. 14:11
C.You have been cut down to the earth (Lk. 10:18) – Satan has been defeated and the experience of the 70 is proof.
D.Rev. 12:7-9 The angel who would not rebuke Satan has now defeated him, casting him out of heaven.
E.Note: That prior to this yet future event, Satan is living in heaven. Job 1:6-7; Job 2:1-2 In Lk. 22:31-32, Satan “demanded by asking” to have you, that he may sift you. The implication is that Satan appeared personally before God with this request. What about Eph. 6:11-12? Satan is still in his original “abode” and will remain there until Rev. 12:7-9.
F.You have weakened the nations.
IX.Vs. 13–14 Lucifer’s sin – 5 “I wills” (the first sin to be committed in the universe).
A.I will ascend to heaven – the home of God. 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Rev. 4:2-5:14
1.The abode of the angels is evidently on a plane, which exists between God’s heaven and man’s realm. When Christ seated Himself in heaven after His resurrection, He is said to have been seated above the angels. Eph. 1:20-21
2.Even though Satan (an angel along with the other “sons of God”) has access to both the upper and lower spheres, his abode was in the middle level.
3.Satan, in a form of self-promotion, determined that his abode should be higher than the level God created his kind to occupy.
4.Men are said to be elevated to the highest sphere as a result of Christ’s finished work. A Sphere that is stated to be higher than the angels. John 14:3; 17:21-24; Heb. 2:10; 10:19-20
5.All of the above, in light of the statement that Satan was the covering cherub; possibly a position which does not include living above the throne?
B.I will raise my throne above the stars of God.
1.The stars. Job 38:7; Rev. 12:3-4
2.Being the covering cherub of God’s throne did not satisfy…to raise His own.
3.Satan, in some respect has a throne for he has a kingdom. Matt. 12:26; Lk. 4:5-6; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; Rev. 2:13
C.I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north.
1.“The mount” refers to the seat of Divine Government in the earth. Isa. 2:1-4
2.“The assembly” is Israel – the people set apart to be His people. The time would be the millennium; instead of Messiah reigning, Lucifer would.
3.“The north” (Ps. 48:1-2) all that God has planned for His Only begotten Son will become Lucifer’s.
D.I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.
1.Of the 150 references in the Bible to clouds, one hundred are related to the Divine presence and glory!
a.Jehovah appeared in the cloud. Ex. 16:10
b.The cloud of Jehovah. Ex. 40:38
c.Christ left with the cloud and will return in the same way. Matt. 24:30; Acts 1:9; Rev. 1:7
d.Satan’s plan – rise above them.
E.I will be like the most high – the one who is so unlike God has the desire to be like God “the possessor of heaven and earth”.
X.Vs. 15 Nothing can help! Both the king of Babylon and Lucifer will be brought down.
XI.Vs. 16 No matter how great the human or the angelic being, when God finishes with them, they are equal to the least of us.
XII.Vs. 17 When they look upon them – is this the one who…
XIII.Vs. 18–19 When contrasted, the greatest have been exposed as the least. They – each in his own tomb
A.You – a trampled corpse
XIV.Vs. 20 The king of Babylon will not join the other kings with a royal burial because:
A.You ruined your country.
B.You killed your own people.
C.Your children will not reign after you.
XV.Vs. 21 His sons will be slaughtered because:
A.Of the iniquity of their fathers.
B.They must not take possession of the earth.
C.They must not fill the face of the earth with cities.
D.Note: all of the above are why kings want to be kings.
XVI.Vs. 22–23 It is the Lord who will carry out this destruction (Isa. 10:5-6) and it will be a complete destruction.
XVII.Assyria – 14:24-32
A.Assyria was founded, before 2000 B.C. by colonists from Babylon. For many centuries there was conflict between the two.
1.About 1300 B.C., Shalmaneser I, positioned Assyria to dominate Babylon and he ended up ruling the whole Euphrates valley.
2.Then Assyria declined.
3.Tiglath-Pileser I (1120-1100) made Assyria again a great kingdom.
4.Then another period of decline.
5.From 885-607, Assyria became a world empire.
6.This is our primary period covering Biblical chronology.
B.Overview
1.Assyria carried Israel away in captivity, 734-722.
2.Babylon carried Judah away in captivity, 605-586.
3.Assyria was the north part of the Euphrates-Tigris valley.
4.Babylon was the south part of the Euphrates-Tigris valley.
5.Nineveh became the capital of the Assyria Empire.
6.Babylon became the capital of the Babylonian empire.
7.Nineveh and Babylon are about 300 miles apart.
C.The annals of the Assyrian kings list the names of ten Hebrew kings.
D.Assyrian policy was to deport conquered peoples to other lands, replacing them with other deportees. This reduced the nationalism of their conquered peoples and made it easier to control and dominate.
E.Assyria was a warring and robber nation. They built their state with the loot of other peoples. They practiced severe cruelty. They:
1.Skinned their prisoners alive.
2.Cut off their hands, feet, noses, ears.
3.Put out their eyes.
4.Pulled out their tongues.
5.Made mounds of human skulls.
F.All the above to produce terror in the hearts of those they conquered.
XVIII.Vs. 24 God is God. Rom. 11:33-36
XIX.Vs. 25 After using Assyria (Isa. 10:5-6) apart from Assyria’s intention (Isa. 10:7); God is going to destroy the Empire. Isa. 37:21-38
XX.Vs. 26 Assyria
A.Who planned to rule the earth.
B.Who stretched out his hand against all nations.
XXI.Vs. 27 Has come up against the God of Israel and will, therefore, be removed from any significance in the affairs of man.
XXII.Vs. 28–32 See the notes on Philistia.
XXIII.Vs. 28 Isaiah received this oracle in the year king Ahaz died. 715 B.C.
XXIV.Vs. 29 Do not rejoice Philistia (all of you) for the rod that struck you – House of David – (1 Sam. 17:1-58) is broken – at this point in history Philistia was in control of several of the cities of Judah at the time of the giving of this oracle.
A.Hezekiah, the successor of Ahaz, recovered those cities and defeated the Philistines in their own land. 2 Kings 18:1-8
B.Yet the prophecy is about a “viper coming out of the serpent’s root and its fruit being a flying serpent.”
1.The Jewish writings say that these are Hezekiah – the viper and Messiah – the flying serpent.
2.Or the viper is the Davidic government of the immediate future and the flying serpent is the ultimate Davidic government of the kingdom age.
XXV.Vs. 30 The fulfillment of God’s plan will mean peace for Israel and death for Philistia.
A.Those who currently are helpless, needy, insecure, and threatened will eat, lie down in security, and see their oppressors removed. Zeph. 3:12-17
XXVI.Vs. 31 Rejoicing Philistia (vs. 29) will wail and cry! They will all melt away because the God of Israel will bring an army from the north. An army that is so all-destroying that not one of its ranks will fall away from its destructive formation.
XXVII.Vs. 32 The messengers, who will come from all the nations who come to see how Israel has fared, will all reply with one mouth.
A.Zion stands unshakened.
B.Protected by its God.
C.The people of this God concealed in Zion.
I.The Oracle concerning Moab. Isa. 15:1 – 16:14
II.The fulfillment of this oracle is said to occur in three years from the time of its delivery. Isa. 16:13-14
III.For centuries, Moab had been an enemy of Israel.
A.Moab was a son born to Lot and his eldest daughter. Gen. 19:30-38
B.God gave them the land of Ar. Deut. 2:8-11
C.Moab attempted to destroy Israel toward the end of her wilderness wanderings (by means of Balaam). Num. 22:1-7ff
D.Because of this action the Moabites were permanently excluded from the assembly of Israel. Deut. 23:3-6
E.During the time of the judges, Israel was oppressed by the Moabites (Judges 3:12-14) for 18 years.
F.Saul fought Moab. 1 Sam. 14:47
G.David defeated Moab. 2 Sam. 8:1-2, 11-12
H.Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the “detestable idol of Moab” at the urging of his Moabite wives. 1 Kings 11:7-8
I.Moab was forced to pay tribute to Ahab, king of Israel. 2 Kings 3:1-4 After Ahab died (853 B.C.) Mesha, king of Moab, rebelled against Joram (Jehoram), but was defeated. 2 Kings 3:5-27
J.In Isaiah 15 & 16, God is going to remove Moab.
IV.Vs. 1 In one night Ar and Kir of Moab (2 major cities) are to fall (by Assyria). There will be such a destruction that their refugees will flee as far as Zoar, vs. 5.
V.Vs. 2 Dibon, Nebo, Medeba are the other main cities of Moab. Jer. 48:15-47 describes in great detail this destruction.
A.A bald head and a beard that has been cut off is a sign of humiliation. 2 Sam. 10:1-5; Micah 1:16; Lev. 21:1-5
VI.Vs. 3 Girded with sackcloth – cloth made of black goat’s hair, coarse, rough, used for sacks, worn by mourners, and as a sign of repentance. Isa. 3:24
A.Everyone is wailing, dissolved in tears, bewailing the loss of all of their cities.
VII.Vs. 4 Two additional cities are referenced in the destruction. Moab’s soldiers wail because they cannot stop the destruction coming upon their people and cities.
VIII.Vs. 5 Isaiah is emotionally affected by Moab’s distress. They flee the invading Assyrians going south into Edom. Zoar was the northern most Edomite city, directly south of the Dead Sea.
A.Eglath-Shelishiyah, Luhith, Horonaim; 3 more cities in ruin. (Again paralleled in Jer. 48)
IX.Vs. 6–8 The whole entire territory of Moab is included in God’s judgment. Great cities who are now lost to history, remembered by no one.
X.Vs. 9 The water supply is bloody, destruction is massive. It will be as if the fleeing survivors are being chased by a lion (review the barbarity of the Assyrians).
I.Vs. 1 Moab should send an offering to Jerusalem if she wants safety. Why? Because the God who is behind all judgment has already promised deliverance for Jerusalem when Assyria sets her sights upon her. Isa. 10:24-34
II.Vs. 2 Moab will be running from Assyria like:
A.fleeing birds
B.scattered nestlings
C.The women of Moab will be at the “fords of the Arnon,” the edges of their own land. They will be calling out to the people of Judah.
III.Vs. 3 “Give us advice
A.Make a decision
B.Cast your shadow…
C.Hide the outcasts (us)
D.Do not betray (us)”
IV.Vs. 4 Let the despondent people of Moab
A.stay with you
B.Be a hiding place to them
C.Protect us from:
1.the destroyer
2.the extortioner
3.oppressor
D.Who God will bring to an end!
V.Vs. 5 In Judah:
A.a throne will be established in loving-kindness.
B.a judge will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent of David.
C.justice and righteousness will come forth from His reign. Isa. 9:7; 11:4; 28:6; 32:16; 33:5; 42:1, 3-4; 51:5
VI.Vs. 6 Moab’s sin (Isa. 13:11)
A.pride
B.excessive pride
C.arrogance
D.pride
E.fury
F.idol boasts
VII.Vs. 7–10 Therefore – Moab will wail, everyone of Moab. Their grapes will be destroyed.
A.raisin cakes
B.fields
C.vines
D.clusters
E.summer fruits and your harvest have fallen away.
F.gladness and joy
1.in the vineyards
2.no treader treads out wine
G.God has made the shouting to cease.
VIII.Vs. 11 Therefore – Israel’s heart will respond to the calamity, which has fallen on Moab.
IX.Vs. 12 When Moab resorts to her religious ritual…he will not prevail! Moab’s gods can neither see nor hear.
X.Vs. 13 Moab has by now already suffered at the hand of God.
XI.Vs. 14 But now…within three years the glory of Moab will be degraded. A great nation will become a remnant – very small and very impotent.
I.Damascus (Aram)
A.The capital of Aram headed by Rezin (joined to Israel) [Isa. 7:8; 17:3] is located about 133 miles north of Jerusalem.
B.First mentioned in the Bible during the life of Abraham. Gen. 14:14-20, esp. vs. 15.
C.When God promised Abraham that he would bear a son of promise, Abraham asked God to use his servant Eliezer, who was from Damascus, to fulfill the promise. Gen. 15:1-3
D.It is again mentioned in the life of King David. 2 Sam. 8:5
E.In the reign of Solomon, Rezon became leader of a band who revolted from Hadadezer. 1 Kings 11:23-25 The time between Abraham and David was about 1,000 years!
F.During the life of Isaiah, God united Israel and Aram (headed by Damascus) to oppose Judah. 2 Kings 15:37
G.The Arameans were conquered by the Assyrians and the city of Damascus was destroyed. The inhabitants were carried off into Assyria. 2 Kings 16:7-9 (Isa. 7:8; 17:1; Jer. 49:23-24; Amos 1:5)
H.The Arameans remained a vassal of Assyria until the capture of Nineveh by the Medes in 612 B.C.
I.The land area of Aram was invaded by the Romans in 64 B.C. and Damascus became the seat of power under Roman rule.
J.Paul was saved in Damascus. Acts 9:1-25
K.Paul visited Damascus on his return from Arabia. Gal. 1:16-17
L.Paul’s public ministry began in Damascus. Acts 9:18-25
M.In 634 A.D., Damascus was conquered by the Muslims.
1.In 1516, it came under the rule of the Turks.
2.(Aram = Syria)
II.Vs. 1 The heavy message given by God to be delivered by Isaiah – the capital city of Aram, who had aligned itself with Israel, is to be defeated by the Assyrians (note vs. 4). Damascus the city would become a pile of ruins.
III.Vs. 2–3 The cities of Aroer are cities in Moab?
A.The cities around Damascus will be deserted and animals will make the ruins their home.
B.Both Ephraim (Israel) and Damascus (Aram) are slated to be defeated. Assyria defeated Aram in 732 B.C. and Israel in 722 B.C.
C.The glory of the sons of Israel (God’s chosen ones) will be like those cities.
IV.Vs. 4, 7, 9 In that day (appears to refer to the immediate historical situation rather than the tribulation and millennium).
V.Vs. 4–6 In that day:
A.the glory of Jacob will fade.
B.the fatness will become lean.
C.the appearance of a field will be as when the reaper removes the grain.
D.like one gleaning grain in the valley of Rephaim (Josh. 15:8; 18:16) – a fertile area west of Jerusalem. (The breadbasket of the land) stripped of its grain.
E.like an olive tree after it has been shaken; with a handful of olives on the top branches.
F.so few people left after the slaughter.
VI.Vs. 7–8 In that day:
A.the inhabitants of the land will be faced with the reality that only the God of Israel can respond!
B.the altars he has built.
C.the Asherim poles – the stem of a tree shaped into an image and planted in the ground. Ex. 34:11-14; Judges 6:24-26 At times they were made of silver or of carved stone. 2 Kings 21:1-7 (Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah)
D.cannot help in the day of calamity.
VII.Vs. 9–11 In that day:
A.their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest – overgrown with underbrush.
B.like branches from the vineyard abandoned.
C.Israel has forgotten their God, the rock of their refuge.
D.they live like tomorrow is guaranteed, But (Matt. 24:37-39)
1.the harvest will be a heap.
2.a day of sickliness.
3.a day of incurable pain.
VIII.Vs. 12–13 Assyria was like the roar of surging waters, But
A.He will rebuke them.
B.they will flee.
C.like chaff before the wind.
D.like dust before a gale.
IX.Vs. 14 at evening time, they bring terror.
A.By morning, they will be no more. Isa. 37:36
B.Such will be the end of those who plunder and pillage the apple of His eye.
I.Cush or the Cushites
A.A Black people group mentioned 54 times in Scripture. They were a continuous civilization that stood as one of the major powers in the ancient Near East for over 2500 years. Ancient references and paintings support this fact.
B.The Greeks later called every black people group south of Egypt “Ethiopian” (the burnt faces). The Septuagint translated the term “Cush” as “Ethiopia” in keeping with the Greek understanding of the day in which the translation was made.
C.Note: The Romans called them “Nubians.”
D.The most important commodity in Cush was gold – “the general gold mine of the ancient world.” Due to this fact, the Egyptians of the 9th and 10th dynasties (2160-2040 B.C.) conducted military campaigns into Cush. As a result, the Cushites began appearing in other areas of Egyptian society including the pharaoh’s royal households.
E.By the end of the Middle Kingdom (about 1800 B.C.), Cush was largely under Egyptian control (virtually a part of Egypt). This fact will influence the time period of Moses and the Exodus.
F.As Egypt weakened, the strength of Cush began to rise.
G.In 720 B.C., the Cushite king (Piye) led the first successful invasion of Egypt in over 1000 years. Cush lost control over Egypt in 663 B.C. when the Assyrians completely destroyed the city of Thebes (Nahum 3:8-10, No-amon-Thebes), the capital of Upper Egypt. From this time forward, Cush was never able to exert control over Egypt again.
H.Biblical references:
1.Genesis 2:10-14 and 10:6-12
a.Gen. 2:13, Gihon flowed around the whole land of Cush – pre- Noahic flood!!
b.Gen. 10:6, Cush was a son of Ham – Cush was black!
c.Incident of Gen. 9:18-27 – the theory surrounding where the black race came from. Why Canaan and the curse? The curse is not on the Hamites, but on the Canaanites!
d.Gen. 10:8-12, also states that Cush was the father of Nimrod, who founded the Mesopotamian civilization.
2.Numbers 12:1-16
a.Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because he married a Cushite. As a result of the conflict, Miriam was judged and Moses was reaffirmed. Does this mean that Moses’ family objected to this interracial marriage, but God approved, vs. 3-15?
3.2 Sam. 18:19-33
a.After the defeat of Absalom’s army, Joab chose a Cushite to take the news of Absalom’s death to David, vs. 20-21.
4.2 Chron. 14:9-15
a.War between Asa and the Cushites.
5.2 Chron. 12:1-3
a.The Cushites were mercenaries for the Egyptians.
6.Jeremiah 13:23
a.Some things in life are unchangeable – the sinful behavior of Judah was so habitual that it had become unchangeable like skin color!
7.Jeremiah chap. 38-39
a.Jeremiah delivered the message from God to Judah, 38:1-3.
b.The king and his officials didn’t like what they were being told (38:4), so they took Jeremiah and threw him into a well to die, 38:5-6.
c.A Cushite (Ethiopian), an official in the king’s palace, rescued Jeremiah, 38:7-13 (Cushites held places of high honor in Judah).
d.The rest of the story, 38:14-39:14.
e.Ebed-Melech, the Cushite, is blessed by God because he believed in the God of Israel when there was “no one left” in Judah who did, 39:15-18.
8.Isaiah 11:11; 45:14-25; Zeph. 3:9-10
a.The Cushites will be present in the gathering of the nations for the kingdom age.
9.Acts 8:26-40
a.A Cushite who had come to Jerusalem to worship the God of Israel.
b.Note: Cush is synonymous with Sudan, not Ethiopia.
II.Vs. 1 Modern Sudan, south of Egypt.
A.“Alas, oh land of whirring wings…” — “Alas” (Woe) is an interjection of distress or of a threat voiced in the face of coming disaster. The word occurs 22 times in the book of Isaiah, more than any other prophetic book of the Bible. (Woe or alas)
B.Whirring wings may refer to locusts.
C.lies beyond the river – Cush was divided up by branches of the Nile. Isa. 18:7
III.Vs. 2 Envoys who travel in papyrus vessels. Job 9:26
A.a people who were tall (fearsome) and smooth. Isa. 18:7
B.a people feared.
C.a powerful and oppressive nation.
IV.Vs. 3 “All the people of the world” (represented in the Cushites) should wait upon the Lord.
A.Historically the Cushites had established themselves in Egypt by 714 B.C. Assyria was a problem for all the peoples of the land. God through the prophet Isaiah warns the Cushites not to involve themselves in opposition to Assyria. When the time comes, and was coming soon, the world will see “the standard raised” and “hear the trumpet sound,” Assyria will fall!
V.Vs. 4–6 God has told Isaiah.
A.I will look from my dwelling place quietly (God from heaven or Isaiah from earth?) What will He see?
1.God’s plan for dealing with Assyria will be just like the summer heat and harvest dew. You sit around and watch it wondering if that which follows it will ever come! Why the delay? When God has finished using Assyria to deal with Israel (10 tribes) [Isa. 10:12, 25, 28-32], He will stop her and destroy her.
2.God will cut them off just when they, like grapes, were beginning to ripen (to extend their empire).
3.They will be left on the mountains as food for wild birds in the summer and wild animals in the harvest time.
VI.Vs. 7 After the Lord completes His work (at the time of the destruction of Assyria or possibly at the time of the millennium), The Cushites will bring their offerings to the God of Israel in Jerusalem. Zech. 14:16 Will they not come thank “their God” for how He spared them?
A.Note: God’s message to the Cushites is not an oracle. He will spare them from going up against Assyria.
B.God’s oracle concerning Egypt – Isaiah 19:1-20:6 (Cush is included in chapter 20).
I.Egypt
A.Flood to Abraham
B.Founded soon after the flood by Mizraim, son of Ham, son of Noah. Gen. 10:6, 13-14 Egypt was at times called the “land of Ham.” Ps. 105:23; 106:21-22
II.The History of Egypt
A.Egypt consists of two halves, geographically.
1.Northern or Lower Egypt called Mazor.
2.Southern or Upper Egypt called Pathros. Isa. 11:11
3.United, it was called Mizraim – “the two Mazors.”
B.The Old Kingdom (most ancient).
1.had Memphis as its capital. Hos. 9:6
2.the Pyramids were built during this period.
3.fell into a period of decline – this was followed by:
C.The Middle period
1.Thebes, in Upper Egypt, was the capital for this period.
2.This period was ended with its overthrow by the Hyksos (shepherd princes), who produced 3 dynasties of kings. Their capital was Tanis.
3.It was during this time that Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph entered Egypt. Gen. 12:10-13:1; Gen. 37:1-46:27, esp. 46:2-27
4.These foreigners were driven out and:
D.The New Kingdom was established under the leadership of the Rameses and others. Ex. 1:8-14 & ff
1.After Rameses III, Egypt fell into decay.
2.Solomon married the daughter of one of the last kings of the 21st dynasty. 1 Kings 11:1
3.When Solomon became old, God used Pharaoh to begin to cause deterioration in the house of David. 1 Kings 11:9-22; 14:25-28 4) In the time of Hezekiah, Egypt was conquered by the Cushites, who formed the 25th dynasty.
E.Egypt was still a factor at the time of the Babylonian captivity. Jer. 37:5-11
III.Vs. 1 Having paused for Cush, we return to our series of “burdens” given to Isaiah to deliver. (Remembering that Chapter 20 places Cush with Egypt.)
A.The Lord is riding on a swift cloud. Ps. 18:7-15 (Our study of Revelation and the picture of God and His connection with the clouds.)
B.Upon His arrival:
1.the idols of Egypt will tremble.
2.the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them.
C.Note:
1.Egypt was often looked to for assistance in times of trouble – she will be no help, for the time of her judgment has come.
2.Her gods:
a.Hapi or Apis – bull god, god of the Nile.
b.Isis – goddess of the Nile.
c.Khnum – ram god, guardian of the Nile.
d.Heqet – goddess of birth, with a frog head
e.Set – god of the desert.
f.Re – sun god.
g.Hathor – goddess with a cow head.
h.Nut – sky goddess.
i.Osiris – god of the dead.
j.Min – god of reproduction.
k.Pharaoh’s first born son – to become a god.
3.None of them could help when God called His people out of Egypt and none will be able to help when God sends the Assyrian king, Esarhaddon, upon Egypt in 671 B.C.
IV.Vs. 2 Along with an external attack, God will cause the Egyptians to turn upon each other. Judges 7:19-22; 1 Sam. 14:20; 2 Chron. 20:22-24, etc.
V.Vs. 3 Consequently, the Egyptians will become demoralized.
A.God will confound their strategy.
B.God will drive them into the arms of their gods!
VI.Vs. 4 Esarhaddon of Assyria will carry out God’s will. (Look at the notes on the cruelty of the Assyrians.) How things have changed. Ex. 1:11
VII.Vs. 5–8 Egypt’s entire economy depended upon the Nile River.
A.Egypt’s enemy will not be man as much as it will be God! A “dust bowl” will bring any nation to its knees.
B.waters from the sea will dry up.
C.Nile will drop – no more flooding.
D.water life will die off – stench.
E.The reeds and rushes will rot away.
F.dry up
G.those who make their living from the Nile will mourn – pine away.
VIII.Vs. 9 Those who work with crops, who depend on the annual flooding will become dejected.
IX.Vs. 10 The entire economy will be brought to its knees, grieving the souls of all the people.
X.Vs. 11–13 Egypt’s wise men will be unable to help – their wisdom is foolishness when compared to the wisdom of the God of the Hebrews.
A.the officials of Zoan. Num. 13:22; Ps. 78:12, 43-51 (been there before)
B.the wise counselors of Pharaoh.
C.the leaders of Memphis. Jer. 44:1-6
XI.Vs. 14 These things have not just happened – it is the Lord at work. If the Lord has purposed – who can stay His hand?
XII.Vs. 15 Neither the leaders (the head and the palm branch), nor the common population (the tail and the reed), can hold back God’s judgment.
A.Note: 2050-1800 B.C. – Zoan was Egypt’s capital city.
1.Memphis was the first capital of United Egypt.
XIII.Vs. 16–17 In that day (vs. 16, 18, 19, 23, 24) Egypt will know the true God of Israel. In contrast with Isaiah’s day when Judah looked to Egypt for help, a time will come when the reverse will occur.
A.The Egyptians will be like women – in fear of Judah because of the relationship He has with Judah.
XIV.Vs. 18 Five cities – the rest of Egypt.
A.Speaking the language of Canaan – Hebrew – they are in the land.
B.City of destruction (Sun in other manuscripts) – Heliopolis.
XV.Vs. 19–22 An altar to the Lord will be in her center.
A.A pillar recognizing the God of Israel will be displayed near her border.
B.Salvation will come to Egypt. Zech. 14:16-21
C.In Isaiah’s day – say “what”
D.In the last day – Yes
XVI.Vs. 23 The Assyrians will be included in the saved of that day.
XVII.Vs. 24–25 What a day that day will be.
A.Assyria, Egypt, and Israel as one.
B.Gen. 12:3 – “all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
I.Vs. 1 Some in Judah wanted to form an alliance with Cush and/or Egypt to help stave off the Assyrian threat.
A.In that year – 711 B.C.
B.The commander Tartan, Sargon’s general. 2 Kings 18:17
C.Sargon – king of Assyria from 722 to 705 B.C.
D.Ashdod – one of the five cities of the Philistines.
E.The capture of Ashdod was to signal to the Judahites that they could not count on foreign assistance.
II.Vs. 2 for 3 years, Isaiah did not wear his outer garment of sackcloth (2 Kings 1:8) or his sandals.
III.Vs. 3–4 “Even as – so”
A.Egypt and Cush will be treated by Assyria the same way Isaiah has appeared – naked.
IV.Vs. 5 “Then”
A.Judah shall be dismayed and ashamed.
V.Vs. 6 “So” – in that day – when Cush and Egypt fall Judah will realize that they who they have trusted in for help will have perished and Judah reduced to trusting in the Lord their God.
I.The oracle concerning – the wilderness of the sea – received by Isaiah as a harsh vision!
A.Note: this section speaks of the defeat of Babylon. This defeat will cause groaning, anguish, and the pains of a woman in labor to the Judahites. This could not be Babylon’s destruction by the Medo-Persian Empire because the result of that event was the re- establishment of Judah in the land. What historical event could it be referring to?
1.Area – area around the gulf known today as the Persian Gulf, that is, territory near Babylon.
2.In 722 B.C. (same year Assyria defeated and carried off into captivity the ten tribes of Israel), a Chaldean prince from this area, called Merodach-baladan (Isa. 39:1), revolted against Assyria, captured the city of Babylon and was crowned “King of Babylon.”
3.Elam (Isa. 21:2) supported his revolt.
4.In 710 B.C., Sargon, king of Assyria, defeated and evicted Merodach from the city.
5.Sargon died in 705 B.C. and was replaced by Sennacherib.
6.In 702 B.C., Sennacherib devastated the entire Persian Gulf region, crushing both the Chaldeans and Elam.
II.Hezekiah, king of Judah, and other members of his court felt that by forming an alliance with Merodach that Judah could protect themselves from Assyria. Isa. 39:1-8 Isaiah’s message to Judah in chapter 21 – it’s not going to happen! No one will stop Assyria but God, and Judah needs to refocus their thinking!
III.As…so it comes.
IV.Merodach, who arose suddenly from the desert regions, will revolt against Assyria.
V.Vs. 2 God gave Isaiah a “harsh vision” – Judah’s belief (hope) that the Chaldeans will save them will disappear.
A.Elam and Media will attack Babylon and free it from Assyria.
B.I – Merodach – have made an end to the groaning caused by Assyria.
C.The Assyrian Empire had caused most nations to groan under her devastation. Merodach believes that he can liberate the entire region.
VI.Vs. 3–5 Isaiah’s reaction to the event is next given – pain, bewilderment, horror.
A.In contrast to the Judahites, who assumed that all would surely be well! Rather than feasting, they should be preparing for war. Matt. 24:37-39
VII.Vs. 6 Isaiah is told by God to have someone posted as a lookout.
VIII.Vs. 7–9 What will this lookout see? The Babylonians.
A.Riders riding from the battle reporting the utter destruction that is taking place.
B.Fallen, fallen is Babylon (destroyed in 689 B.C.).
C.All their idols are shattered on the ground.
IX.Vs. 10 Judah’s last hope (apart from their God) of deliverance from Assyria is crushed! No one will be able to stop Assyria (except Judah’s God).
A.These 10 verses are the word of the Lord – Isaiah saw it and he has faithfully delivered it.
X.Edom – area southeast and southwest of the Dead Sea on opposite sides of the Arabah.
A.Edom – “red” or “ruddy” – characterizes the red sandstone terrain of much of the area – wilderness, semi desert, not very well used for agriculture – its population was mostly nomadic. Isa. 63:1; Jer. 49:22; Amos 1:11-12 (Bozrah was its capital.)
B.Descendants of Esau. Gen. 36:1-43
C.Also called Seir. Gen. 32:3, 36:8; Judges 5:4
D.Forms the southern border of the Promised Land. Num. 34:3-4; Josh. 15:1-3
E.Teman was a district of Edom. Amos 1:12; (one of Job’s comforters, Eliphaz, was a Temanite) Job 2:11; Ezk. 25:13
F.Because Esau was a brother of Jacob, Edom is occasionally referred to as a brother.
G.Jacob stole the birthright of Esau (Edom). Gen. 27:30-41
H.Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory when God brought him out of Egypt. Num. 20:14-21
I.Both Saul and David (2 Sam. 8:14) conducted warfare against the Edomites.
J.God used “Hadad, the Edomite” as an adversary to both David and Solomon. 1 Kings 11:14-22
K.Edom became a vassal of Judah during the reign of Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:47) and successfully came out from under their domination during the reign of Joram. 2 Kings 8:20-22 Amaziah also fought against Edom (2 Chron. 25:11-12) and defeated them.
L.Eventually, Edom was “absorbed” by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks.
M.In N.T. times, the area of Edom (Petra) was called Idumea. Mk. 3:7-8 Herod, the Great, was of Idumean ancestry.
XI.Vs. 11–12 The oracle concerning Edom (Seir) – even though morning might be coming, it will be followed by another night. Joshua 24:4
XII.Vs. 13–17 The oracle concerning Arabia – a peninsula lying between the Red Sea on the west and the Persian Gulf on the east, incorporating over 1,200,000 square miles of territory.
A.Home to the Arabs who are described as the nomadic occupants.
B.Present day Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, as well as parts of Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and the Sinai Peninsula.
C.The Dedanites were a tribe from southern Arabia.
D.Tema was an oasis in northwestern Arabia. Job 6:19; Jer. 25:23
E.Kedar was in northern Arabia. Isa. 42:11
F.This oracle discusses the difficult times the people of Arabia will experience under the hand of Assyria within one year:
1.All the splendor of Kedar will end.
2.They will run for their lives from the sword.
G.It will happen because the Lord God of Israel has spoken!
I.Vs. 1 The oracle concerning the “valley of vision” – Jerusalem, vs. 9-10 (Ps. 125:1-2; Jer. 21:11-14). Also, the Kidron Valley runs between 2 hills directly east of the city, Ezk. 37:1-14 (there are several other valleys that run through the city).
A.All of Jerusalem has gone up to “the housetops.” Matt. 24:17
B.Assyria is gathering outside the city of Jerusalem. God has already declared that its inhabitants will not be taken by Assyria. Isa. 10:20, 23-34 It is time for Judah to trust in the Lord their God and see His deliverance. Instead, they will trust in their own efforts, vs. 9-11.
C.The question – “What is the matter with you?”!
II.Vs. 2 Judah was “living the life.” They had been cared for by their God! Unlike so many of the cities round about them who perished because of the sword of Assyria, they had been providentially spared.
III.Vs. 3 Rather than believe – the leaders had run, and were captured by the Assyrians.
A.How far away does one have to run to exceed the reach of the Lord?
IV.Vs. 4 Therefore, Isaiah says – don’t watch me for I am about to weep for my people – if only they would listen and obey. Rom. 9:1-5
V.Vs. 5 For the Lord will not always strive with Judah. Even though He will spare them this day with the Assyrians, He has appointed a day when He will use the Babylonians to carry out His judgment against this very people.
VI.Vs. 6 Elam – Jer. 49:34-39 (mentioned 29 times in the O.T.)
A.Kir – a place to which Tiglath-Pileser carried the Syrians captive after he had taken the city of Damascus. 2 Kings 16:9
VII.Vs. 7 Jerusalem was unable to defend herself, but she never turned to the Lord.
VIII.Vs. 8–10 It was the Lord who had removed Judah’s defenses and rather than turning to the Lord, Judah had depended on:
A.The weapons of the house of the forest. 1 Kings 7:2; 10:17
B.The waters of the lower pool. 2 Chron. 32:1-5, 30
C.Refortification of the city walls.
D.Note: A 1,777-foot tunnel has been found which was carved out of solid rock connecting the Gihon Spring with the pool of Siloam bringing a water supply inside the city walls of Jerusalem. It was cut out during the reign of Hezekiah.
IX.Vs. 11 The digging of this water tunnel was truly an amazing feat, but again Judah planned to rely upon that which their hands could accomplish rather than the God who made the water and who decreed from long ago that it would be there for His people.
X.Vs. 12–13 When the people saw the coming situation, a fast should have been proclaimed. They should have been pulling out their hair (Ezra 9:3-4) and putting on sackcloth. Instead, they had decided to “eat, drink, and be merry.”
XI.Vs. 14 God revealed Himself to Isaiah (Judah) – the curses of the Mosaic Law would come upon the nation. Lev. 26:14-39; Deut. 27:15-26; 28:15-68
XII.Vs. 15–19 Shebna was a high court official involved in the negotiations with Sennacherib, when he besieged Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:18-37; 19:2-ff; Isa. 36:3-22; 37:2 He had apparently decided to make a lasting name for himself by cutting out a tomb in the rock. God had revealed through Isaiah that God was going to deliver and Shebna, second only to the king, was spending his time digging himself a tomb.
A.God’s plans for Shebna – depose him from his office and pull him down from his station.
XIII.Vs. 20–21 Eliakim, the palace administrator, would fill Shebna’s position.
XIV.Vs. 22 The “key of the House of David” will pass to Eliakim.
XV.Vs. 23 He will become like a peg in a firm place. A peg on which Judah can be hung and he will not fall.
A.A throne of glory to his father’s house.
XVI.Vs. 24 Eliakim will have hung upon him the glory and possessions of his father’s house.
XVII.Vs. 25 In the short run, with all of the above being true:
A.God will yet bless Judah.
B.But,
C.In the end, the peg will give way and everything that is hung upon it will be lost.
D.The Lord has spoken.
I.Tyre Sidon
II.Tyre – a seaport of the Phoenicians, 25 miles south of Sidon and 15 miles north of the present day Lebanese border with Israel. Today both Tyre and Sidon function as ports, but the ruins of Tyre are far more extensive than those in Sidon.
A.Isa. 23:12 may indicate that Tyre was a “colony” of Sidon (daughter). In many secular writings, Sidon is treated as superior and controlling over Tyre.
B.Joshua assigned Tyre to the tribe of Asher. Josh. 19:24-31, esp. vs. 28 During the life of David and Solomon, Israel exercised some “control” over both Sidon and Tyre. 2 Sam. 24:1-7ff
C.Hiram, king of Tyre, provided building materials to both David and Solomon. 2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1 (Hiram must have lived a very long life.)
D.Note: 1 Kings 16:31, Ethbaal, a grandson of Hiram, is called “King of the Sidonians” 100 years later. (It was his daughter who became Ahab’s queen, 1 Kings 16:31)
E.Solomon made heavy payments to Hiram (1 Kings 5:11) and Hiram was apparently not satisfied with those payments. 1 Kings 9:10-13
F.Hiram helped Israel become a seafaring power. 1 Kings 9:26-28
G.Ezekiel chapters 27 and 28, give us an extensive look at the prosperity of Tyre, describing the city under the image of a ship. We also have one of the two main descriptions of the fall of Lucifer under the image of the fall of the king of Tyre.
H.Cyrus directed Tyre to provide timber for the construction of the post-exilic temple built after the return from Babylon. Ezra 3:7
I.In 332 B.C., Alexander the Great (Greece) laid siege to Tyre, building a causeway out to the city after which he destroyed the city. Ezk. 26:5, 14; 47:10
J.Tyre recovered somewhat under the Romans, but then disappeared from history in 20 B.C. under the reign of Augustus.
K.In New Testament times, Sidon and Tyre are listed together as one “concept.” Matt. 15:21 At other times, they are treated separately. Mk. 7:31 (In this passage, Jesus performs the only miracle recorded outside of Palestine.)
L.Matt. 11:21-22
M.Acts 12:20-23
N.Acts 27:3
O.The chief god of the Sidonians was Eshmun, of the Tyrians was Melqart – fertility and harvest cult (Babylon – the gods are called Ishtar and Tammuz, in Egypt as Isis and Osiris.)
III.The final oracle – City of Tyre.
IV.Vs. 1 This oracle centers on the trade carried on by this great city. Though Tyre was not destroyed until some 200 years later, her trade was cut off between 700 and 630 B.C.
A.“Ships of Tarshish” refers to large vessels that carried cargo on the open sea. This was the kind of vessel Hiram and Solomon built to carry cargo to Israel. 2 Chron. 9:20-22 (2 Chron. 20:35-37)
B.Ezk. 27:1-9 – a description of these ships.
C.Ezk. 27:10-25 – a description of their successful commerce. Ezk. 27:26-36 – description of their sinking.
D.Tyre was destroyed by the Babylonians. Word of that destruction came to Tyre’s fleet while it was docked at Cyprus, which was about 150 miles northwest of Tyre.
V.Vs. 2–3 Tyre and Sidon were chief city ports of Phoenicia, which was a great seafaring nation. The destruction of this “international” enterprise of shipping will affect both the Phoenicians and the nations (such as Egypt) which traded by means of her shipping enterprises.
A.The grain grown in the fertile land watered by the flooding Nile will be missing – the means for its distribution destroyed!
VI.Vs. 4 The Sea is “personified” – given human characteristics. The wealth of Sidon had not come by a slow means – birth process – but had produced the wealth quickly. Self-effort was not Sidon’s source, but her wealth had come from her trading partners, which surrounded the Mediterranean.
VII.Vs. 5 when Egypt, a major trading partner, hears what has happened, she will experience great anguish.
VIII.Vs. 6–7 Tarshish was rich in silver (Jer. 10:9), iron, tin, and lead. Ezk. 27:12 Its people will wail also because of their economic losses. Their trading center, an ancient city (founded around 2700 B.C.), the city of Tyre is gone. Her ships, which were used to carry people to distant places.
IX.Vs. 8 With Tyre being such a significant and powerful city, who could it be that has both willed and carried out her destruction. Her princes were the honored of the earth, who is it who could possibly do this to this city?
X.Vs. 9 The Lord of Hosts, the God of Judah, the Almighty is the one!!! He will humble this great and wealthy city (the bestower of crowns, vs. 8).
XI.Vs. 10–13 Every Gentile power mentioned has found its end with the judgment of Judah’s God:
A.Tarshish
B.Canaan
C.Sidon
D.Cyprus
E.Chaldeans
F.Assyria
XII.Vs. 14 The fleet of Tyre – the ships of Tarshish – has lost their homeport. There is nothing to go back to.
XIII.Vs. 15–17 This 70 year period (the days of a life, Ps. 90:10) was probably from about 700 to 630 B.C. This is the period when Phoenicia’s activities were restricted by Assyria. Assyria will be defeated by Babylon and Tyre will rise again to prominence with trading vessels, like a prostitute who was forgotten but who returned to her trade, singing to attract lovers to her again.
XIV.Vs. 18 Verse is hard to understand. Some believe that the 70 years coincides with the Babylonian captivity and that the ships of Tarshish will be used to carry materials for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. They were used in the building of Solomon’s Temple. We cannot be dogmatic!
I.The earth is mentioned 18 times in this chapter.
II.God will “ruin” the whole earth – complete desolation!
III.(of the earth on earth, vs. 21)
IV.Vs. 1 The Lord lays it waste.
A.devastates it.
B.distorts its surface.
C.scatters its inhabitants.
V.Vs. 2–3 All classes of people will be included in His judgment. Rev. 6:15-17 completely laid waste.
A.completely despoiled.
B.Rev. 6:8-9
C.How can we know this will happen? “The Lord has spoken this word!”
VI.Vs. 4 The earth mourns.
A.withers
B.The world fades, withers.
C.The exalted will languish (fade away).
VII.Vs. 5 The reason such devastation will come.
A.Its inhabitants have polluted the entire earth.
1.transgressed laws. Rom. 2:11-16
2.violated statutes.
3.broke the everlasting covenant. Gen. 9:8-17; Rom. 1:18-32
VIII.Vs. 6 Therefore – a curse devours the earth.
A.those who live in it are held guilty.
B.its inhabitants are burned – few remain.
IX.Vs. 7–11 Therefore – new wine mourns.
A.the vine decays.
B.merry-hearted sigh.
C.gaiety of tambourines ceases.
D.noise of revelers stops.
E.gaiety of the harp ceases.
F.no song when wine is drunk.
G.strong drink tastes bitter.
H.city of chaos is broken down.
I.every house…none may enter.
J.outcry in the streets.
K.all joy turns to gloom.
L.The gaiety of the earth is banished.
X.Vs. 12 Desolation…ruins.
XI.Vs. 13 Thus it will be…among the peoples.
A.When God pours out His wrath, little will be left.
B.Like what remains after the olive tree is harvested. Isa. 17:4-6 after the grape harvest is over.
XII.Vs. 14–16a The remnant who will be left when the judgment is over. Matt. 25:1-13;
A.31-46
B.They…cry out and sing…Glory to the righteous One – the God of Israel.
XIII.Vs. 16b–18 Isaiah is brought back to now! Woe to me.
A.All around me are treacherous, unfaithful people upon whom judgment must fall.
B.There is no escaping the judgment of sin.
1.He, who flees, falls into the pit.
2.He, who climbs out of the pit, is caught in the snare.
C.God’s judgment will be like a great rainstorm and earthquake.
XIV.Vs. 19–20 An earthquake of worldwide proportion!
XV.Vs. 21 In that day, the Lord will punish – punishment experienced on earth. Both:
A.the host of heaven.
B.the people of the earth.
C.Rev. 19:19-21
XVI.Vs. 22 Both, the fallen host of heaven and the people of the earth, will be gathered and placed in Hades for 1,000 years to await the Final judgment that sends them to hell. Rev. 20:1-15
XVII.Vs. 23 The eternal kingdom come. Rev. 21 & 22
I.Vs. 1 First comes the tribulation chapter 24. Then comes the millennial kingdom.
A.What a God. Jer. 50:41-45; Isa. 44:6-8; Isa. 40:12-26; Acts 17:29-31; Micah 7:15-20
B.My God! Amos 3:2; with Acts 17:24-28; Eph. 2:11-19; Eph. 2:1-10
C.I will exalt you (praise, acclaim, applaud, pay tribute to, sing the praises of).
D.I will give thanks to your name.
E.For:
1.You have worked wonders.
2.Plans formed long ago with perfect faithfulness. Remember the Decree of God. Ps. 135:6; Rev. 4:11; Rom. 11:33-36; Eph. 3:11; Eph. 1:9-12; Isa. 46:8-11
F.In His character He is faithful – worthy of praise.
II.Vs. 2–3 In His acts of judgment – worthy of praise.
A.His act of judgment.
B.He has made a city (world) into a heap...a ruin, a place of strangers.... a city no more. The rebellion will be over... never to be rebuilt.
C.Worthy to be praised – therefore
D.A strong people will glorify you.
E.Ruthless nations will revere you. (Isa. 2:1-4; 11:9-16; 49:6-8; 56:6-7; 66:18-24; Zech. 14:16-19)
III.Vs. 4–5 In His deliverance – worthy to be praised.
A.When the Lord’s kingdom is established, there will be a great reversal. For sets the context of the time of this praise.
B.When vs. 2 & 3 happen, verses 4 & 5 will result
C.Helpless – defended
D.Needy in his distress – defended
E.From the storm – a refuge
F.From the heat – shade
G.For the breath of the ruthless – like a storm against a wall.
1.like the heat that is the result of a drought.
2.God will subdue the uproar like a cloud that cools the heat remembered no more the ruthless is silenced.
IV.Vs. 6–7 The Lord of Hosts will – from Mt. Zion (Dan. 2:31-35, 44-45; Dan. 7:7-27; at His Return - Acts 1:10-11 with Zech. 14:1-9)
A.Prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples (how lavish a banquet?)
B.He will swallow up the veil, which is over all peoples
C.(Rom. 3:9-20; 2 Cor. 3:5-18; 4:3-4; Heb. 9:1-14ff; 10:19-25; 1 Jn. 2:7-11)
V.Vs. 8 He will (still future tense)
A.Swallow up death for all time: 1 Cor. 15:53-55
B.Wipe tears away from all faces: Rev. 21:4
C.Remove the reproach of His people from all the earth: Isa. 65: 17-25
D.For the Lord has spoken. Isa. 21:17; 24:3
VI.Vs. 9 It will be said – in that day (whole chapter is future tense)
A.Behold
B.This is our God
C.For whom we have waited
D.That He might save us (deliver us out of the Tribulation)
E.This is the Lord (in contrast to all the other lords) for whom we have waited Ps. 115:3-8
F.Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. (Both Spiritual & Physical – Rom. 11:26-32)
VII.Vs. 10–12 For the Hand of the Lord will rest on Mt. Zion
A.And at the same time...
B.Moab (representative of the nations) will be trodden down (tribulation)
C.As straw is trodden down in the water of a manure pile
D.As Moab swims in that water, He will extend his hands as victor But the Lord will lay low his pride.
E.All of Moab’s defenses will be brought down even to the dust! Zech. 12:2-10
I.Vs. 1 In that Day – not today.
A.In contrast to Moab or the gentile nations. Isa. 25:2, 10-12
B.Judah and Jerusalem will be strong with walls and ramparts built up, a strong city. Zech. 2:8-13
II.Vs. 2 The city of Jerusalem is described as being built by God, prepared, and the nation is invited to enter in. This nation has been positioned to enter her blessing by the individuals (remnant) being saved prior to their entrance at Christ’s return. Rom. 11:26-27
A.The nation of Israel is referred to as “the one that remains faithful.”
B.Not all Israel is Israel. Rom. 9:6-29; 4:13-16; 11:11-24 Believing Israel within Israel will be the recipient of the promise.
C.All individual Israelites alive at the time of the return of Christ will be saved – national salvation of Israel.
D.“Remaining faithful” is as much the product of the grace of God as the initial salvation experienced by the believer. Eph. 2:1-10
1.(What do we receive from the hand of God that is the product of what we “deserve”?) Ps. 24:1-6 must be seen through the eyes of Eph. 2:1-10!
E.Question: Whom is God speaking to when He commands them to “open the gates” – angels?
III.Vs. 3 The “steadfast” of mind (James 1:5-8) will be kept by God in “perfect peace.” Phil. 4:6-7 Not the product of positive thinking, but the result of a faithful God. Isa. 25:1 – because he trusts in you! The object of faith is the key, not the act of faith.
IV.Vs. 4 Continue in this frame of mind of trust, for the God of the Bible never changes (He, which began a good work, will complete it – the security of the believer rests in the God he has believed in and not his actions of belief – if you would just believe).
A.The God we have placed our trust in is called “Jah Jehovah, an everlasting Rock.” Isa. 12:2; Deut. 32:3-4, 15, 18, 30-31
V.Vs. 5 Those who persist in their pride – will be abased.
A.Note: God has a real problem with human pride. Isa. 10:12; 13:11; 16:6-7ff His problem is not with humans alone. Isa. 14:11-15ff
VI.Vs. 6 The feet of the afflicted (helpless) will trample down the proud (in that day). Today the afflicted and helpless will remain in our midst. Mk. 14:7
VII.Vs. 7 The way of the righteous is smooth…God smoothes it before them.
A.Question: How do we put together the passages, which extol human holiness with N.T. passages, which teach that such a life style is not possible apart from the indwelling Holy Spirit who “enables” a believer to live righteously – a ministry that did not begin until Pentecost?
B.SEE NOTES: “THE LAW OF MOSES”
VIII.Vs. 8–9a Verse 7 presented a “generalization” that being, that there are consequences which flow from our actions, i.e.: if a person lives according to God’s directions as found in His Word, there will be favorable consequences? Mt. 6:32-34; (1 Cor. 7:26-28); John 16:33 And if he disregards God’s Word, he will experience negative consequences. Ps. 73:1-28
IX.Vs. 9b Those who refuse to heed God’s ways learn of His righteousness when they are eventually judged. 1 Tim. 5:24
X.Vs. 10
A.God shows mercy to the wicked – they do not learn righteousness.
B.The wicked person continues in his life of sin and never sees God in it. A favorable environment does not necessarily produce a favorable result. Ecc. 8:10
XI.Vs. 11
A.The people are insensitive (unconcerned) about God’s majesty and hand (works).
B.The evidence of God’s person surrounds them and a day will come when they will be held accountable! Indeed, fire will devour them. Rev. 6:12-17; 16:13-16
C.Note: Isaiah’s perspective, anticipation would not be fine tuned to awaiting the tribulation period. In his time they “saw in part” and not as we see “when the perfect comes…” 1 Cor. 13:9-10
XII.Vs. 12 “Lord, You will establish peace for us (Israel).” 1 Thes. 5:3-11; Jer. 31:31-40; Zech. 14:20-21
A.Since – all that we have is the work of your hand.
XIII.Vs. 13 Over the millennia, many masters have ruled over Israel, but God alone is recognized as the “determiner” of all that has happened to them. God’s work on behalf of Israel will finally be recognized.
XIV.Vs. 14 Those who seek to dominate the remnant will be dead! The departed spirits of the lost will not be returned to the earth. God will:
A.Punish them.
B.Destroy them (does not mean annihilation).
C.Cause the remembrance of them to be wiped out.
1.In contrast to Israel’s future. Isa. 26:19
XV.Vs. 15 God has been faithful to His word! Gen. 15:3-5, 18-21
A.God is glorified. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14
XVI.Vs. 16 Israel has sought (future action spoken in the past tense) the Lord in the most difficult time this world has seen since there has been a creation. In fact, she is the center of that difficulty! The “time of Jacob’s trouble” will be such a time of distress on Israel that she will only be able to “whisper a prayer.”
XVII.Vs. 17 The tribulation will be a time of “labor” for Israel. Childbirth, once it begins, must continue until it is finished! The anticipation of the birth carries the woman into the labor. The pain of the birth leads to forgetting why the process was begun.
XVIII.Vs. 18 Israel is facing a 7-year labor.
A.Writhing in pain.
B.Giving birth…to wind – no way that which is to be born will ever arrive.
C.Israel’s travail will continue but will avail nothing. It will not result in deliverance! The world will perish.
XIX.Vs. 19 Israel’s dead will live – resurrection. Dan. 12:2; Ezk. 37:1-14 – as the dew. Hos. 14:4-7
A.“The earth will give birth to the departed spirits.” 1 Cor. 15:12-24ff; Rev. 20:11-15
B.Overview:
1.I Corinthians speaks of all men being raised with believers being the focus.
2.Isaiah speaks of Israel’s resurrection, which occurs after the tribulation period (see verse 20-21).
3.Revelation speaks of the resurrection of the lost, which occurs after the millennium.
XX.Vs. 20 The tribulation period.
XXI.Vs. 21 A day is slated for God to set matters right.
A.He will punish the wicked.
B.All sins will be made known.
1.The earth will disclose the blood shed upon her. Gen. 4:10
C.God’s people must hide until God’s wrath is poured out.
D.Until tribulation will end – God’s kingdom will come.
I.“In That Day” – vs. 1, 2, 12
II.Vs. 1 In that day, refers to Isa. 26:21, the Lord will punish Leviathan. Ps. 74:13-15 (Egypt – a symbol of the world – a land of bondage, Josh. 2:10; 4:23; 5:1 – “dried up.”) Job 3:8
A.God’s judgment on the world, which is described as a seven-headed creature who was the cause of the world’s chaotic state, will be slain at the end of the tribulation at Christ’s second advent.
B.With His…sword (Isa. 66:16; Ezk. 38:18-23; Rev. 19:11-16), even Leviathan – all the nations of the world; the world system; empire built by Satan – the twisted serpent.
C.In that day, God will kill the dragon that lives in the sea. Rev. 13:1-9
III.Vs. 2 In that day – a vineyard (Isa. 5:7 [5:1-6]) sing of it. Today the vineyard lies exposed, undefended. Isa. 5:5-6
A.In that day – protected and fruitful.
IV.Vs. 3
A.— The Lord will be its keeper.
B.He will perpetually water it (every moment).
C.No one will damage it.
D.God, Himself, will guard it night and day.
V.Vs. 4 God’s handling of the vineyard is not the product of His wrath:
A.Briars and thorns require action on God’s part (again Isa. 5:2-4).
B.Burning comes to the vineyard to rejuvenate it. Heb. 6:7-9
VI.Vs. 5 Let God’s people (Israel):
A.Rely on God’s protection.
B.Make peace with the God of Israel – emphasis added by God.
VII.Vs. 6 Prophecy – in days to come – future to our time:
A.Jacob will take root. Isa. 35:1-10
B.Israel will blossom and sprout. Amos 9:13-15
C.They (both together) will fill the whole world with fruit. Zech. 14:8-9 Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. Gen. 12:3
VIII.Vs. 7 Because the Lord cares for His people, He will judge them and purify them so they can become fruitful.
A.God has struck the enemies of Israel and caused them to be slain.
B.He also will strike Israel and she will experience her own slain.
IX.Vs. 8–9 God’s planned outcome resulting from His judging His people will be different than the outcome which was planned for the nations:
A.Judgment in the life of the believer or the chosen one (national election) always looks to the next chapter of their life. Judgment is not the end focus, but rather the means to a greater end focus. Deut. 28:49-68
B.In Judah’s case, an east wind (Babylon) will come and banish Judah to a land of idols. Living under their oppression for 70 years will become the price (required payment) for the pardoning of their sin.
X.Vs. 10 Because of Judah’s sin, Jerusalem will be destroyed.
A.Jerusalem will become like the desert. The calf will graze on its leaves.
XI.Vs. 11 When Jerusalem’s branches become dry, they will be broken off and burned by the women left in the land. A people (women):
A.Of little discernment.
B.Abandoned by their Creator.
C.No longer the object of His grace.
XII.Vs. 12 It will come about – in that day – that the Lord will thresh a very large area in the land of Palestine from the Euphrates (Iraq) to Egypt for the purpose of bringing His people back to Jerusalem and the land. Matt. 24:29-31
XIII.Vs. 13 In that day – a great trumpet will be blown – those who were perishing…who were scattered – will come and worship the Lord…at Jerusalem.
I.Vs. 1 Woe to the Northern Kingdom (1 Kings 12:16) – Israel, Ephraim (the largest tribe), and the area where Samaria was built.
A.Woe – Isa. 5:8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22 – impending doom resulting in grief.
B.Woe to the drunkard – those who are overcome with wine! Eph. 5:18-20 Who have come under the control of…?
C.The proud crown of Ephraim at the head of the fertile valley – Samaria. 1 Kings 16:21-24; Isa. 28:4
D.The wealth of the city – thrown away by the drunkard.
II.Vs. 2 Assyria will come down against Samaria and its surrounding nation like a strong hailstorm, windstorm, mighty flood.
A.God is the one who has cast down His people – with His own hand.
III.Vs. 3–4 Assyria will:
A.Trample it underfoot with no regard for its worth.
B.Trample it like a flower whose glorious beauty has faded.
C.Like a ripened fig, which is eaten by a stranger before it can be harvested – gone.
D.The northern kingdom – abandoned by its God. Hosea 9:10-14
IV.Vs. 5 In that day – 2800 years down the road; the Lord, rather than the city, will be the beautiful crown – a glorious diadem to the remnant of His people Israel. Rom. 11:11-24
V.Vs. 6 In that day – the Lord will become:
A.A spirit of justice for him who sits in judgment.
B.A strength to those who repel the onslaught…
VI.Vs. 7 The people and their leaders:
A.Reel with wine.
B.Stagger from strong drink.
C.That which they drink confuses them.
D.They reel while having visions.
E.They totter when rendering judgment.
VII.Vs. 8 So drunk, they have covered their tables with vomit!
VIII.Vs. 9–10 The speakers are those described in verses 7-8.
A.They are angry – whom does Isaiah think he is “teaching.”
B.Those born yesterday? For Isaiah says…verse 10.
C.Isaiah’s teaching is described like how one would teach a small child.
IX.Vs. 11 Isaiah’s response – if you will not listen to me then God will speak to you through another people who will speak another language and come from a different culture.
X.Vs. 12 God has offered them rest and repose if they would just listen to Isaiah, but they would not listen.
XI.Vs. 13 So, God will deliver to them the same message, but rather than Isaiah being the spokesman for God, Assyria will be. Isa. 10:6 (the godless nation is Israel.)
XII.Vs. 14 Isaiah’s focus turns once again to Judah for Jerusalem and its people are once again the focus of his message.
A.Hear the Word of the Lord, those who rule in Jerusalem.
XIII.Vs. 15 The rulers of Jerusalem think they are safe because they have made a covenant with death, a pact with Sheol.
A.Falsehood and deception have become their refuge.
B.Note: In the Ugaritic pantheon, death was the god of the underworld. Apparently the leaders of Judah have attempted to form a pact “with the devil” in an effort to spare themselves from the coming Assyrians.
XIV.Vs. 16 Therefore – thus says God! He will lay in Zion a Stone, a cornerstone, a foundation stone.
A.He who believes will not be disturbed. Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:6-10; Isa. 8:14-15; Ps. 118:22-23; Rom. 9:33
XV.Vs. 17 God will bring about justice and righteousness, both key terms used to describe the kingdom age.
A.Lies and hiding will be swept away!
XVI.Vs. 18 God will undo the damage His people have done to themselves.
A.They had made a pact hoping to “avoid” the consequences of the coming army (Assyria). Isa. 28:15 God has canceled their covenant and pact. When Assyria arrives they will be “trampled” by them (focus must be Israel and not Judah). Isa. 10:6, 5:5
XVII.Vs. 19 Wave upon wave will come over Israel…
A.Morning after morning.
B.Day after day.
C.Night after night.
D.Sheer terror.
XVIII.Vs. 20 The bed is too short.
A.The blanket is too small.
XIX.Vs. 21 The Lord is the power behind Assyria! They are simply doing His bidding.
A.As at Mt. Perazim (2 Sam. 5:18-21) – the focus of God’s anger has shifted – Israel and not the Philistines.
1.He is forced to act towards His own people as He once acted towards their enemies.
B.As in the valley of Gibeon. 2 Sam. 5:22-25 (wave upon wave).
C.God will carry out His unusual task, His extraordinary work – slaughter and carry away His own people.
XX.Vs. 22 Isaiah appeals to them to stop their mocking or they will find themselves bound even tighter in fetters.
A.Isaiah is speaking the words, which he has heard. (Do not kill the bearer of bad news – consider the one he is carrying it for).
XXI.Vs. 23 Again a plea – listen and benefit from my ministry.
A.“Why do I make you my enemy when I tell you the truth?”
XXII.Vs. 24–28 A farmer must crush his crops if he is to get his desired result.
A.Dill and cumin are beaten out with a rod or stick.
B.Grain is ground with a millstone.
C.Different crops must be dealt with differently.
D.All of the above with a view to the end product.
E.It is never the farmer’s plan to destroy his crop. Each handling is in view of the end product.
XXIII.Vs. 29 The Word that God has a plan for those He temporarily “works with,” also comes from Him. He judges, yet He binds. He breaks down, yet He lifts up.
I.Vs. 1 Woe O Ariel – Jerusalem
A.City where David camped.
B.Mount Zion, vs. 8.
C.The word Ariel means:
1.Lion of God.
2.Altar hearth. Ezk. 43:15, 16
D.(The altar of burnt offering was the strength of Israel.)
E.The outward religious services will not spare Jerusalem from judgments. Hypocrites do not impress the God of Israel!
II.Vs. 2 God is the one who will bring distress to Jerusalem by turning it into a burning hearth, where the inhabitants will be offered up. Isa. 7:23; 7:18-19 Unlike Israel, God’s planned judgment upon Judah will not be complete (yet). “Jerusalem will be like an altar hearth to Judah’s God.”
III.Vs. 3 There was a time when God’s angels camped around Jerusalem to protect her (2 Kings 6:14-17 – Dothan 12 miles north of Samaria – Ps. 68:17).
A.God, through Isaiah, is speaking of a near time when God will remove His protection from her, but stop short of destroying her. Isa. 37:30-38
B.Jesus speaks of a near time when Jerusalem’s total destruction will be experienced. Lk. 19:43-44 (70 A.D.)
IV.Vs. 4 May well describe the last 2,000 years of Jerusalem’s history, which will be repeated one final time for the final 3 ½ years of this present age.
V.Vs. 5 At the end of the tribulation, when all the nations of the earth will be in the process of destroying Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus will return and put a stop to the process. Mt. 24:21-22, 31; Rev. 19:17-19
VI.Vs. 6 Again, the wars and desolation experienced by Judah will be brought upon them by the Lord, Himself.
VII.Vs. 7 All the nations, which He has commissioned to come against His people, will be destroyed upon the completion of their assignment! Why? Isa. 10:7-17; Zech. 14:2-3; Joel 3:1-3
A.Note: The conflict that the world will enter into with the nation will ultimately center on the city of Jerusalem.
B.All, who wage war against her.
1.who distress her shall end up as a dream or vision of the night – can no longer be recalled!
VIII.Vs. 8 Their attempt to destroy Jerusalem will be as successful as:
A.A hungry man satisfying his hunger in a dream – when he awakes, his meal turns out to be an illusion.
B.The same picture is repeated with that of a thirsty man.
C.The application – thus, will the nations find themselves when they “wake up” at the end of the tribulation.
IX.Vs. 9–12 The Judahites inability to see or understand the message that the Lord is delivering to them, is part of the judgment that they are under. 2 Cor. 3:14-16, Rom. 10:16-21; 11:7-10 followed by vs. 11ff.
X.Vs. 13 Why has it gone the way it has for the nation?
A.Because…Ezk. 33:30-33; Mt. 15:3-12; Ps. 78:34-39ff; Micah 3:11-12, 6:6-8
XI.Vs. 14 Therefore, I will deal with this people:
A.The wisdom of their wise men shall perish.
B.Their discerning men shall be concealed.
C.All their “religious effort” will be exposed for what it is…and they shall cease…
XII.Vs. 15 Woe, to those:
A.Hide their plans from the Lord.
B.Do their deeds in a dark place.
C.Who say:
1.who sees us.
2.who knows us.
D.Note: God can hide things from man, but man cannot hide anything from God! Isa. 29:10-12
XIII.Vs. 16 Such twisted thinking is like confusing the potter with the clay. The clay has no power over the potter; it is the other way around. Rom. 9:18-21
A.Note: The world of men today has all resorted to this erroneous thinking.
XIV.Vs. 17(a) God will not allow this perverted thinking to continue. A day is coming when He will set man right!
A.“in just a little while” – 2900 years is a very short amount of time when the 2900 years are over and we are looking back – the time – the millennial kingdom.
XV.Vs. 17(b)–21 In a little while, on that day.
A.Lebanon will be a forest again.
B.The deaf shall hear.
C.The blind shall see. Isa. 35:4-10
D.The afflicted will experience gladness in the Lord.
E.The needy of mankind shall rejoice in the God of Israel.
F.The ruthless will come to an end.
G.The scorner will be finished.
H.All who are intent on doing evil will be cut off.
1.cause a person to be indicted by a word.
2.ensnares him who adjudicates at the gate.
3.defrauds with meaningless arguments.
XVI.Vs. 22 Thus says the Lord…concerning the house of Jacob. A time will come when Jacob will no longer be ashamed nor will his face turn pale – foreign domination and personal corporate sin will no longer make them this way.
XVII.Vs. 23 In contrast to the past, Jacob will:
A.See his children, the work of God’s hands in his midst.
B.Jacob’s children will sanctify the name of God.
C.Jacob’s children will stand in awe of the God of Israel – as a nation, they will all be believers. Rom. 11:26-29
XVIII.Vs. 24 Those who err – will know the truth.
A.Those who criticize will change – they will accept instruction.
B.Bottom line of the promise – they will all know the Lord, the least to the greatest!
I.An oracle directed at those who commit the folly of attempting to make an alliance with Egypt to counteract the threat of Assyria. Question: What does it take to turn to God rather than another man for help?
II.Vs. 1 Judah are rebellious children.
A.They execute a plan – but – note God’s plan.
B.They make an alliance – but – not of God’s Spirit.
C.In order to add sin to sin.
III.Vs. 2 Proceed down to Egypt without consulting God first. Isa. 8:19, Joshua 9:1-27, esp. vs. 14
A.To take refuge in…to seek shelter in. Isa. 36:1-37:7
IV.Vs. 3 Therefore, their plan will be the basis for their shame.
A.The shelter they are seeking…their humiliation.
B.(Because vs. 1 & 2, therefore vs. 3 – that which you trusted in will become the basis for your…)
V.Vs. 4 Zoan (+ Hanes) are already being visited by the rulers of Judah. How will they be able to help? Isa. 19:11-14
A.(Zoan is mentioned often in the O.T. – as a synonym of Egypt.)
VI.Vs. 5 Shame will result because Egypt will not profit them.
A.Egypt will not be for help or profit – but for shame and reproach.
B.(Once that which we have trusted in fails – it often becomes the basis for our shame.)
VII.Vs. 6 in order for Judah to travel to Egypt, she must travel through the Negev.
A.A difficult land – a land of distress and anguish.
B.A land containing:
1.lions
2.vipers
3.flying serpents
C.Judah would have carried her gifts on the backs of donkeys and camels to an “ally” who could not help her.
D.How often do we struggle to obtain something, when after it has been obtained, becomes the basis for our sadness.)
VIII.Vs. 7 Egypt – help is vain and empty.
A.Egypt has been renamed by God – Rahab – a female monster associated with Leviathan (Job 9:13), a symbol for pride! Job 26:12; Ps. 89:10
IX.Vs. 8 Judah would not listen – Isaiah is to write this down for use in a future day – a witness that will stand forever! Deut. 31:20-21, 26
X.Vs. 9–11 Israel (Judah)
A.Is a rebellious people.
B.False sons.
C.Sons who refuse to listen to God’s instruction.
1.Application – Christians who will not listen to God’s Word are “false sons.”
D.Who say to the seers – receive no revelation from God.
E.Who say to the prophets:
1.don’t speak the truth to us.
2.speak pleasant words.
3.prophesy illusions.
4.(What many look for in choosing a church.)
F.Get out of the way.
G.Turn aside from the path.
H.We want to hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.
1.(BOTTOM LINE)
XI.Vs. 12 Therefore, thus says the one you don’t want to hear from.
A.Since you have rejected God’s (Isaiah’s) word
B.And have put your trust in…and have relied on…
XII.Vs. 13 Therefore, your sin will rest upon you…like a high wall that comes down upon you with no warning.
XIII.Vs. 14 Like a shattered potter’s jar, so completely ruined that not a single broken piece will be useful for any purpose.
XIV.Vs. 15 If Judah wanted deliverance:
A.She should have repented, rested, and waited for her salvation to come from God.
B.Trusting in the Lord is where strength comes from.
C.But, you were unwilling (look up the word “willing” in the Bible and follow it through).
XV.Vs. 16 Judah said:
A.We will flee (Assyria) on horses, swift horses.
B.God says:
1.Yes, you will flee, but it will be those who pursue you that will have the swift horses.
XVI.Vs. 17 1,000 Judahites will flee when pursued by one man.
A.5 pursuers will be an insurmountable threat.
B.God will not stop until those left will be so few that they will look like: Deut. 28:15, 25-26
C.a flag on a mountain top.
D.a signal on a hill.
XVII.Vs. 18 The Lord longs to be gracious to you. Mt. 23:37; Zech. 14:1
A.He waits on high to have compassion on you.
B.It is not His desire…
C.(The Lord longs…waits) for He is a God of justice.
D.How blessed are all who long for Him!
XVIII.Vs. 19 People in Zion – Jewish Nation – you will weep no longer.
A.He will be gracious to you when He hears you.
B.When He hears, He answers. Rom. 10:11-15
XIX.Vs. 20–24 The Lord is the one who has given His children the “bread of privation, water of oppression.”
A.(In that day)
B.He will no longer hide Himself
C.Your eyes will behold your teacher – Jesus is called “teacher” more than 50 times in the gospels!
D.Your ears will hear…correction…whenever you turn aside.
E.You will defile your graven images…scatter them…and say to them “be gone.” (This was the result of the Babylonian captivity.)
F.He will give rain for your crops.
G.Bread from the yield of the ground.
H.The ground will be rich and plenteous. Deut. 28:1-14
I.Your livestock will graze in a roomy pasture.
J.Your oxen and donkeys…
XX.Vs. 25 On the day of the great slaughter (Rev. 16:16-21; 19:17-21), when the towers fall.
XXI.Vs. 26 On that day.
A.The lights will “be turned on.”
B.That will be the day the Lord binds up the fracture and heals the bruise He has inflicted.
Verses 27 to 33 – refocuses on Assyria and the present situation.
XXII.Vs. 27–28 The Lord will “come”, make man aware of His presence, that He matters:
A.Like a storm that comes from afar lighting up the sky.
1.Burning…dense smoke.
B.Like a man burning with wrath:
1.whose lips foam.
2.whose tongue moves back and forth like a flame.
3.whose breath threatens destruction – swelling into a stream that rises until it covers everything from the neck down.
C.The sieve will be shaken – separates the good corn from the other gathered, which is burned after it is separated out.
D.The nations are but wild horses, who would not tame, which are now so firmly bound and controlled by the wrath of God that they are driven down into the abyss.
XXIII.Vs. 29 Judah (Israel) will sing when “Passover” comes and she is delivered from her bondage once again.
A.Gladness of heart when she is led to Jerusalem and to the rock of Israel.
XXIV.Vs. 30 The Lord will cause His voice of authority to be heard.
A.His descending arm seen in fierce anger.
B.Seen as a consuming fire.
C.Cloudburst, downpour, hailstorms.
XXV.Vs. 31 Assyria is the immediate focus of this action.
XXVI.Vs. 32 Every blow of the rod will be accompanied with music from God’s people.
A.Note: God brings about the fall of Assyria with no help from Judah, only musical accompaniment.
B.God Himself will fight them.
XXVII.Vs. 33 Topheth – Valley of Hinnom, the place where Judah burned her children as an offering to Moloch, has been waiting for the offering of the Assyrians.
A.It is large enough to hold the entire nation of Assyria.
B.It will be the breath of the Lord that sets it on fire.
I.Vs. 1 Woe, to those who go down to Egypt for help.
A.Rely on horses.
B.Trust in chariots.
C.Depend upon the supremacy of numbers.
D.Look to strength, which comes from this creation.
E.BUT
F.Do not look to the Holy One of Israel.
G.Do not seek the Lord.
H.Note: Deut. 17:14-20
II.Vs. 2 God is wise.
A.He will bring disaster.
B.He does not retract His Words.
C.BUT
D.He will arise against:
1.The house of evildoers.
2.The help of the workers of iniquity.
III.Vs. 3 It will take more than mere men to deliver Judah from the Assyrians – it is God, Himself, who is behind the Assyrian presence. Isa. 10:5-6; Dan. 2:21; 4:17; Rom. 13:1-2
A.(To…was given; He raised up; the Lord, Himself will, etc.)
B.What opposition can men and horses of flesh present before God and His Spirit?
C.Both Judah, who seeks help, and Egypt, who offers help, will come to an end together.
IV.Vs. 4 For thus saith the Lord to Isaiah. As…so
A.As, a lion is not afraid of a band of shepherds when he comes for a sheep. So, The Lord of Hosts (of armies) is not afraid to come down and fight war on Mt. Zion (Jerusalem) when the Assyrians assemble to destroy Judah.
V.Vs. 5 Like birds flying over Jerusalem, the Lord will protect it. The Lord will:
A.Protect
B.Deliver
C.Rescue
VI.Vs. 6 It’s not too late – Israel, return to your God.
A.If you return, He will not reject you even though you have deeply defected.
VII.Vs. 7 In that day. Isa. 30:22; Isa. 2:17-22
VIII.Vs. 8 The Assyrians will fall by a sword, be devoured by that sword, and that sword will not be of man. Isa. 37:36-38
A.And, his young men will become forced laborers.
IX.Vs. 9 His rock (Assyria’s strength will pass away).
A.His princes will be terrified.
B.Declares the Lord – Thus saith the Lord.
C.Whose fire is in Zion.
D.Whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
I.Vs. 1 Behold (not in this age – has to be the age to come), a king will reign righteously. Isa. 11:1-5; Jer. 23:5-8
A.Princes will rule justly. Rev. 5:8-10 (?); 20:6
II.Vs. 2 Each prince that rules will be like:
A.A refuge from the wind.
B.A shelter from the storm.
C.Streams of water in a dry country.
D.Shade of a huge rock in a parched land.
III.Vs. 3 Then – when the above has been established.
A.Eyes…will not be blinded.
B.Ears…hear…listen.
C.No longer - Isa. 29:10-12, but – Isa. 29:18; 35:5-6; 42:6-7
IV.Vs. 4
A.— The mind of the hasty will discern the truth.
B.The tongue of the stammerer will speak clearly.
V.Vs. 5 The fool – defined in vs. 6.
A.The rogue – defined in vs. 7.
B.Will be recognized for who they are!
VI.Vs. 6 Fool:
A.Speaks nonsense.
B.Heart inclines toward wickedness.
C.Practices ungodliness.
D.Speaks error against the Lord.
E.Keeps the hungry unsatisfied.
F.Withholds drink from the…
VII.Vs. 7 Rogue:
A.Weapons are evil.
B.Devises wicked schemes.
C.Destroys the afflicted with slander – even the one who speaks right.
VIII.Vs. 8 The noble man devises plans worthy of his character and as a result, he stands.
IX.Vs. 9 and the following, are directed at the women of Judah. Isa. 3:16-4:1
X.Vs. 10–13 Within a little over one year Judah will experience difficulty – Assyria (Assyria’s final push into Judah occurred in 701 B.C.) – crop failure.
A.The harvest will fail (grape harvest is referenced).
XI.Vs. 14 2) — Jerusalem will be abandoned…forsaken forever (?) until…
XII.Vs. 15 The Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Isa. 44:3; Ezk. 39:27-29; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-21
A.The day of Pentecost was a “partial” fulfillment of the prophecy. The question is: What parts have been fulfilled?
B.Directed at Israel, not the church. Ezk. 39:28-29
1.Ezk. 36:26 – The Lord promised Israel a “new heart” and a “new Spirit” within them.
2.That Spirit is further called “My Spirit” in vs. 27 and His presence in them will result in their “walking in His law.”
3.Vs. 28 – They will “live in the land given to their forefathers.” Israel will be God’s people and God will belong to Israel.
4.Vs. 29-30 – Israel will be saved and their lives and their land will be fruitful and prosperous. (Their salvation is past tense because it requires “divine enlightenment” to see one’s sin.)
5.The Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence will act as a sign of God’s having entered into the New Covenant with the “new” nation – 39:28-29.
C.Note: An overview of this transforming process is recorded in Ezk. 37:1-14. The New Covenant that forms the foundation for this new relationship is found in Jer. 31:31-34.
D.Isa. 32:15-18 refers to this same time of restoration.
1.See Isa. 44:3-4; 59:20-21
E.In context of the Old Testament, Joel 2:28-32, would be referring to the same nation of Israel and the same time.
F.Remember that the literal fulfillment of the above will center on the people of Israel and not the church.
G.The Spirit in the present age poured out on the church.
H.The presence of the Spirit in the believer’s life today carries with it a focus for a future time. 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14 and 4:30 Whatever benefit derived now is but a foretaste of that which is to come.
I.Acts 2:17 (a) – has found partial fulfillment today. Verses 18-20 refer to a yet future event. Rev. 6:12
J.Note: The Jew’s reaction to the experience of the Christian is highlighted at the time of the partial fulfillment. Acts 2:37-41; 10:1-3, 44-47; 11:1-18 This was consistent with the stated purpose presented to explain the purpose for the experience. 1 Cor. 14:20-22 (This manifestation of the Spirit appears to be different than that which occurred in Acts because the salvation of the individual is not the basis for the experience.)
XIII.Vs. 16–17 Then – justice and righteousness.
A.Peace
B.Quietness
C.Confidence
D.Forever
XIV.Vs. 18 Then, Israel will live. Amos 9:13-15; Micah 4:1-7; Zech. 3:10; 14:9-11
XV.Vs. 19 It will hail. Isa. 30:30-31
A.When the forest comes down. Isa. 10:27-34
B.The city – Jerusalem will be “utterly laid low” between the humiliation of Judah until the time of her exaltation.
XVI.Vs. 20 How blessed are those who are there when the time of fulfillment comes.
A.There will be such abundance at that time that anxiety will be a thing of the past. No longer will the ox and the donkey need to be watched, lest they stray into the corn fields, but they will be able to wander wherever they please. Isa. 30:23-25
I.Vs. 1 Woe to the destroyer – Assyrians.
A.Woe to he who is treacherous – those within Judah who tried to form alliances.
B.Neither will succeed in their efforts. The time of their judgment is already set. 2 Kings 18 & 19 give us the historical details of the fulfillment of God’s message and plan.
II.Vs. 2–9 Record a prayer.
A.It is prayed by a minority who have waited for the Lord’s deliverance rather than for assistance coming from elsewhere, vs. 2a.
B.They have longed for His grace (Isa. 30:18-19), for His strength, and His salvation/deliverance, vs. 2b.
C.They are confident that God will scatter the nations who have opposed Judah, vs. 3.
D.The plunder taken by those nations will be taken from them and given to those that they have plundered. Zech. 14:1 The plundering will be as extensive as when locusts destroy everything in their path, vs. 4.
E.The exalted Lord will, in time, fill Zion with justice and righteousness. Isa. 9:7; 11:4; 16:5; 32:16
1.Stability, salvation, wisdom, and knowledge arrive when God’s people, Israel, “fear Him” once again, vs. 5-6.
F.Those in Judah who thought they could achieve…are found weeping bitterly, vs. 7.
G.The end result of Judah’s bad judgment is acknowledged, vs. 8-9.
III.Vs. 10 A time is coming – NOW – has arrived.
A.The God of Israel.
B.Will arise.
C.Will be exalted.
D.Will be lifted up.
IV.Vs. 11 Judah has conceived chaff – they will give birth to stubble.
A.God’s breath will consume them like fire.
V.Vs. 12 The majority (non-remnant) will be consumed in the anger of the Lord.
Verses 13-16 In contrast with the destruction of the destroyer (Assyria) and the treacherous majority, the righteous will live (in the far off future).
Verses 17-24 In a promised land of blessing.
VI.Vs. 13 People everywhere (far away and near). Phil. 2:5-11
A.Hear what the God of Israel has done.
B.Acknowledge His might.
VII.Vs. 14 Sinners in Zion ask, who can endure God’s awesome judgment? They see God as an all-consuming fire. Heb. 12:29; Matt. 24:22
VIII.Vs. 15 Isaiah gives us the answer to the question:
A.He who walks righteously.
B.Speaks with sincerity.
C.He who rejects unjust gain.
D.Hands…hold no bribe.
E.Stops…hearing about bloodshed.
F.Doesn’t look upon evil.
G.Psalm 15
H.Note: Living in the midst of a nation under the judgment of God, individuals are still taken note of by God!
IX.Vs. 16 To the individual described in verse 15, this is the ultimate future that awaits them.
A.Dwell on the heights.
B.Find refuge behind (in) the impregnable rock.
C.Will be supplied with the provision from God.
X.Vs. 17 Messiah, the King, will be there and He will be seen with the eyes of those invited to be present.
A.The Promised Land, which to date remains out of reach and out of sight, will be seen, for it will have come!
XI.Vs. 18–19 Those people, who in former times lived in your midst – unrighteous and prosperous, will be missing. Mt. 25:31-46; Lk. 17:26-30
A.Those who spoke with a stammering tongue…unintelligible invaders, destroyers, will also be missing. (Not only will all, the least to the greatest, know the Lord – they will also know each other.)
XII.Vs. 20 Jerusalem will be at peace, secure, never to be “broken down and moved” again.
XIII.Vs. 21 In Jerusalem, the Lord will be a place of rivers…wide canals.
A.No warships will ever be present to frighten again.
XIV.Vs. 22 At that time and in that place, Israel will be rightly related to God, seeing the Lord Jesus as:
A.Judge
B.Lawgiver
C.King
D.Savior
XV.Vs. 23 Israel (Judah) described as a warship no longer set for battle, will be dividing the spoils. Zech. 14:1
A.There will be so much plunder that the lame, who show up late, will still find much to carry home.
XVI.Vs. 24 At that time and in that place, sickness will be a thing of the past (Rom. 8:10-11), for their iniquity will have been forgiven. Rom. 11:26-27; Jer. 31:34; 33:8; 50:20
A.Israel will be rightly related to God, possessing her possessions! Obadiah 17
I.Overview of chapter - the tribulation period:
A.The Lord’s indignation is against all the nations.
1.He has utterly destroyed them.
B.All the host of heaven will wear away.
C.The sword of the Lord is filled with blood.
D.The Lord has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion.
II.Vs. 1 The chapter begins with an invitation – listen up…
A.For the God of Israel is just about to…vs. 8 for the cause of Zion!
III.Vs. 2 For, the Lord is about to start the “mother of all wars.”
A.Him against the entire world net of Israel. Rev. 6:12-17; Dan. 12:1; Mt. 24:21-22; Isa. 13:3-9; 24:1, 3-6, 19-21; 63:6
B.He will utterly destroy them…given them over to slaughter.
IV.Vs. 3 The bodies of the slain will cover the landscape. Ezk. 38:14-23, 39:1-29 (?) Is the dwelling in safety referring to the end of the millennium or the 2nd stage of the beginning of the tribulation?
V.Vs. 4 During the tribulation period, the heavens will…wear away, be rolled up, and wither away. Joel 2:1-2, 9-11, 30-32; 3:12-17; Zech. 14:2-7; Mt. 24:29-31
VI.Vs. 5–7 God’s judgment will fall upon “the people whom I have devoted to destruction” (Rom. 9:21-24), with Edom being singled out. Ezk. 35; 36:5
A.Edom – see notes on Isa. 21:11-12
B.Bozrah was the capital of Edom
VII.Vs. 8 Zion; Judah; Israel is a people for God, unique and special. Amos 3:2
A.It can only be said of Israel. Jer. 31:35-37
B.God has scheduled a day (time) when Israel will be permanently established among the nations. This day follows a seven year preparation period, called the Tribulation. Zech. 14:1; Isa. 61:1-3; 63:1-6
VIII.Vs. 9–10 Edom’s streams shall be turned to pitch...earth-brimstone...land-burning pitch. Rev. 19:1-6
A.The land of Edom (geographical) will be turned into a wilderness; the kingdom of Edom – destroyed. Mt. 25:45-46; 2 Pet. 3:10
IX.Vs. 11–15 Similar to the fate of Babylon (Isa. 13:19-22; 14:22-23) and Assyria. Zeph. 2:13-15
A.Edom will come to nothing. Not a trace will be left to remember them by.
1.Wild birds will inhabit the empty land. — vs. 11
2.Its nobles – gone.
a.Its princes – seen as nothing, humans. — vs. 12
3.Its defenses overgrown with thorn bushes. — vs. 13a
4.Jackals, ostriches, desert creatures, wolves, goats, and night monsters will make their homes there. — vs. 13b-14
5.Tree snakes and hawks, who have abundant
a.food, will nest and feed with no interference — vs. 15
X.Vs. 16 The “book of the Lord” (Bible) has recorded God’s will and plan. Every animal mentioned will be there (prophecy is to be taken literally).
A.God’s Holy Spirit has gathered them there. Gen. 7:7-9
B.The humans alive at the time of the fulfillment need only look into the Bible to see what will happen next.
XI.Vs. 17 Edom is given up by Divine Lot, measured off with a divine measure to be forever the horrible place. Malachi 1:1-5
I.The Millennial Kingdom.
II.Vs. 1–2 The Land of Palestine will become fertile and will blossom (Isa. 33:9) and will be transformed by God.
A.The King will be present in the midst of His people Israel. Isa. 33:17; Isa. 25:6-10a
III.Vs. 3 Encourage...strengthen...say...take courage, fear not.
IV.Vs. 4 Israel’s God will come with two purposes:
A.Vengeance and recompense to the nations who hated Israel.
B.Salvation (deliverance) for His people, Israel.
V.Vs. 5–6a Then, at the arrival of Messiah:
A.The blind will see.
B.The deaf will hear.
C.The lame will leap.
D.Those who cannot talk will shout.
VI.Vs. 6b–7 The land will be filled with water (Isa. 41:17-20; 44:3-4), reeds and rushes will replace grass in the land of Israel.
VII.Vs. 8 The Highway of Holiness will be opened! Isa. 40:1-5; 49:11-16ff; 62:10-12
VIII.Vs. 9 This highway will not be traveled by the unclean, wicked, or fools. No animals will hinder travel upon it. It will be a highway traveled by the redeemed.
IX.Vs. 10 The ransomed of the Lord. Isa. 51:11 (repeated)
A.Then...the ransomed...will return Rom. 9:6-18ff
I.Note: 2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chron. 32:1-23
II.Vs. 1 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah:
A.740 B.C. — Isaiah begins his ministry.
1.Isa. 1:1 Uzziah reigned from 791-740 B.C. (Isa. 6:1, Isaiah’s call to his prophetic ministry.)
B.750-731 B.C. Jotham reigns (10 years co-regency). 2 Kings 15:32-38 (Jotham is not mentioned in Isaiah.)
C.731-715 B.C. Ahaz reigns. 2 Kings 16:1-20
D.715-686 B.C. Hezekiah reigns.
E.701 B.C. — 39 years into Isaiah’s prophetic ministry, 14 years into Hezekiah’s reign.
F.Sennacherib, king of Assyria, moves against Judah. 21 years prior to this (722 B.C.) during the reign of Ahaz, Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, carried Samaria away into captivity. 2 Kings 17:1-18
G.Assyria meets her undoing! Her pride (Isa. 10:12-16ff) causes God’s arm of destruction to come down upon her after His extensive use of her. Isa. 10:5-6
H.Note: Isa. 36:2-22 and 2 Kings 18:13-37 are almost word for word identical.
III.Vs. 2 Hezekiah meets the representatives of the king of Assyria in the same place that Ahaz met the previous king of Assyria. Isa. 7:3-7ff
IV.Vs. 3 Hezekiah sent Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah out to meet with Rabshakeh, Sennacherib’s representatives.
V.Vs. 4–7 Rabshakeh’s message to be taken back to Hezekiah from the King of Assyria:
A.What is this confidence that you have? vs. 4
B.Your counsel and strength are empty words. vs. 5
C.On whom do you rely? vs. 5
1.On Egypt and its Pharaoh – a staff that turns out to be nothing more than a crushed reed which will end up hurting the hand that holds it. vs. 6
2.In the Lord your God. vs. 7
3.Hezekiah is telling you He will surely deliver you. vs. 15
4.He is no more powerful than any of the other gods that Assyria has gone up against. vs. 18-20
VI.Vs. 7 Apparently, Sennacherib had heard of the reforms that Hezekiah had carried out early in his reign! 2 Kings 18:1-6 He and his commander did not understand the meaning behind Hezekiah’s acts. He may have thought that Hezekiah was no longer depending on God since he had reduced the altars to one in Jerusalem.
VII.Vs. 8–9 In taunt, an offer is made. Assyria will give Judah 2,000 horses if Judah can find 2,000 riders to put upon them.
A.If they can find the riders, the least of Sennacherib’s servants will be able to defeat them single handedly and the chariots of Egypt will be of no help either.
VIII.Vs. 10 Saying it doesn’t make it so!! Is Rabshakeh telling the truth? Isa. 10:24-25
IX.Vs. 11–13 Damage control! The commander of Assyria says forget it…we will lay such a siege that those living in Judah will be forced to eat and drink their own body waste.
X.Vs. 14–15 Rabshakeh’s warning to the people of Judah:
A.Do not let Hezekiah deceive you.
B.Hezekiah will not be able to deliver you.
C.The God of Israel will not be able to deliver you. No one, nothing, can stop the city of Jerusalem from falling to the Assyrians.
XI.Vs. 16–17 Don’t listen to King Hezekiah.
A.Listen to the King of Assyria!
B.Forget God – trust me…everything will be fine.
XII.Vs. 18–20 Again, forget the God of Israel, He is powerless! He was not able to stop Assyria from carrying off Samaria and re-populating their land with other people. What makes the population of Judah think that the same God, who was powerless in Samaria’s case, can stop Assyria from taking Judah? (Remember Isa. 7:8-9)
XIII.Vs. 21–22 The people’s response to Rabshakeh’s message followed by King Hezekiah’s (37:1-4).
I.Vs. 1–4 King Hezekiah’s response to his envoys who brought Rabshakeh’s message to the people back to him:
A.He tore his clothes.
B.Covered himself with sackcloth. (Kneel?)
C.Entered the house of the Lord. 2 Chron. 6:1-7:11; 1 Cor. 3:16, 6:16-20
D.Sent for Isaiah the prophet, taking a message from Hezekiah to Isaiah.
1.inform Isaiah of the situation (used the same imagery that Isaiah had used with them, Isa. 26:17-18).
2.find out if the God of Israel might have a word for them – expecting it to come by means of Isaiah. (Opposite of Ahaz’s approach, chapter 7.)
3.request that Isaiah pray for the nation.
E.CONTRASTS BETWEEN NOW AND THEN:
1.Not the way it’s done today! 1 Pet. 2:5, 9-10
a.offer up spiritual sacrifices.
b.proclaim His excellences, Heb. 4:16.
c.draw near/receive…find.
(1)Heb. 10:19-23 (Therefore)
F.Access to God. All verses come from the book of Hebrews.
1.provided through Christ’s sacrifice, 10:19 (Therefore, by the blood of Jesus.)
2.Jesus has entered the sanctuary ahead of us as the forerunner of us, 6:20.
3.He serves there as our high Priest in God’s presence, 4:14, 16.
4.He provides us ongoing care, 2:18; 13:5-6.
5.Believers:
a.possess gifts of the Holy Spirit, 2:4.
b.experience the powers of the age to come, 6:5 (careful) 1 Cor. 12-14
c.have God’s law written on their heart, 8:10; 10:16.
d.have the certainty of God’s promise written on their heart, 6:17-18 (heirs of the promise, Rom. 4:13-16.)
e.are set free from the fear of death, 2:14-15.
f.are purified from dead works, 9:14.
g.are provided encouragement from Christ and others, 12:1-3; 13:7; 10:24-25.
h.are to exercise faith, 10:39; 11:6.
i.are to rely on God’s grace, 13:9.
j.are to trust that the God who raised Jesus from the dead will equip them to do His will, 13:20-21.
II.Vs. 5 That which Hezekiah had commanded was done!
III.Vs. 6–7 Isaiah’s “word from the Lord” that was to be taken back to Israel: (today, Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12; 1 Pet. 4:10-11)
A.Do not be afraid.
B.The king of Assyria has blasphemed the God of Israel, which far outweighs any threats that he has directed at the nation.
C.God will turn the king of Assyria away.
1.putting a spirit in him causing him to believe and respond in a specific way.
2.disposing of him in his own land.
IV.Vs. 8–9(a) Sennacherib, in the time covering the above exchanges, left Lachish and went to Libnah (5 miles north of Lachish). Tirhakah, king of Cush (Egypt-Isa. 18:1-7), had come to assist Judah (Isa. 36:6) in her fight against Assyria.
V.Vs. 9(b)–13 The king of Assyria sends further warnings to Hezekiah:
A.Don’t let your God in whom you trust deceive you.
B.Remember:
1.no other nation has been able to stand before Assyria – we have destroyed them all! (different from his first assurance, Isa. 36:16-17.)
2.what chance do you have?
C.Did the gods of those nations deliver them?
1.Gozan – 2 Kings 17:6; 18:11; 1 Chron. 5:26
2.Haran
3.Rezeph
4.sons of Eden in Telassar
5.Hamath
6.Arpad
7.Sepharvaim
8.Hena
9.Ivvah
VI.Vs. 14 Hezekiah read “the great king’s” letter and went right back to the house of Israel’s God and laid it out before him – Isa. 37:6 – listen to what he is saying!
Verse 15 to 20 – Hezekiah’s prayer.
VII.Vs. 15–16 The prayer begins with praise.
A.O Lord of Hosts
B.The God of Israel – I will be their God, they shall be my people, 2 Cor. 6:14-18 Who is enthroned above the cherubim, 2 Sam. 6:2
C.You are the God
D.You alone, Phil. 2:10-11
E.(God) of all the kingdoms of the earth
F.You are the creator, John 1:1-10; Col. 1:15-17; Heb. 1:1-3
VIII.Vs. 17–20 Moves on to the request.
A.Listen and see – this is not about us, but about you, vs. 17.
B.That which Sennacherib has said is true, as far as his understanding goes, vs. 18-19.
C.Deliver us that all the kingdoms of the earth may know – YOU ALONE ARE GOD!!!
IX.Vs. 21 God sends word back to Hezekiah by the mouth of Isaiah that He has heard the prayer and…
X.Vs. 22–29 This is the message that God has spoken against Sennacherib:
A.Assyria has despised and mocked the nation of Israel, vs. 22.
B.Assyria has reproached and blasphemed, raised their voice and haughtily lifted up their eyes against the God of Israel, vs. 23.
C.“I” and “my” occur seven times, vs. 24-25.
D.Doesn’t Sennacherib know, vs. 26?
1.God is the one who has done whatever Sennacherib has done.
2.God is the one who planned it all.
3.He is the one who has brought it to pass.
4.All Assyria’s victories have been God’s victories.
E.It is the God of Israel, the God of all the kingdoms of the earth that has produced these results, vs. 27.
F.Nothing, nothing that Assyria has accomplished or done is outside the control and plan of the God of Israel, vs. 28.
G.Because…therefore, vs. 29.
Verse 30 to 35 – So much for Assyria…God has a plan for His people Israel (more specifically, Judah in this context).
XI.Vs. 30 God’s word to Hezekiah:
A.You have two difficult years ahead of you while you get your crops producing normally.
B.In the third year, it will be as if nothing ever stopped.
XII.Vs. 31 The surviving remnant of Judah will grow into a rightly related people of God.
XIII.Vs. 32 Jerusalem – Mount Zion – will be the source of the survivors who will be re-established.
A.It is God’s zeal and nothing else that will cause this outcome, Isa. 34:8.
XIV.Vs. 33 Therefore, because of God’s plan for Judah and its people, this is the experience God has planned for the King of Assyria.
A.The King of Assyria will not enter Jerusalem.
B.He will not be close enough to the city to shoot an arrow in to it.
C.He will not be able to build a siege ramp against its walls.
XV.Vs. 34
A.He will return to Assyria having not touched God’s city.
XVI.Vs. 35 All of the above will happen because God will defend Jerusalem.
A.For His own sake…in answer to Hezekiah’s prayer, Isa. 37:17-20.
B.For David’s sake.
XVII.Vs. 36 One of the rare times when God carries out His judgment without the involvement of men.
A.The king of Assyria has apparently “rated” a special judgment, first his army.
B.Question: Is the angel of the Lord the pre-incarnate Christ?
XVIII.Vs. 37–38 Then himself.
A.Historical note: Sennacherib was assassinated 20 years later (681 B.C.) by the two of his sons.
B.Esarhaddon follows Sennacherib as king of Assyria, an empire that will be destroyed in about 76 years, when Nebuchadnezzar’s father Nabopolassar begins their destruction.
I.Vs. 1 Isaiah brings Hezekiah a word from the Lord.
A.Already sick, this is the Lord’s word concerning his future!
B.Note: Chapters 38 & 39 occur chronologically before Chapters 36 & 37.
C.Sennacherib’s surrounding of Jerusalem followed Hezekiah’s sickness and healing, vs. 6.
D.Merodach-baladan, mentioned in 39:1, ruled from 721 to 710 and nine months in 703-702 B.C. (he ruled before Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah in 701).
1.This means that Hezekiah was told of the Babylonian captivity awaiting Judah before God overthrew Assyria. The Babylonian captivity was caused by Hezekiah’s stupidity!
E.Hezekiah’s sickness was caused by a boil, 38:21.
F.Though Hezekiah was a man of God: 2 Kings 18:1-7(a)
1.He did some stupid things. Isa. 39
2.He became mortally ill but did not die.
II.Vs. 2–3 Hezekiah requests longer life be given him by the Lord. His request was based on his acts done for the Lord during his life.
III.Vs. 4–5 God’s response to Hezekiah’s prayer.
A.Hezekiah died in 686 B.C., therefore, his sickness and prayer would have occurred in 701 B.C.
IV.Vs. 6 God’s promise to heal Hezekiah was followed by His promise to deliver Jerusalem from the king of Assyria.
A.Note: Verse 22 apparently fits in between verses 7 and 8.
V.Vs. 7–8 Ahaz, Hezekiah’s father, had built a staircase allowing the people to ascertain the time of the day. God, through Isaiah, tells Hezekiah that the sun’s shadow would move in the opposite direction 10 steps. How did He accomplish this miracle?
A.Was the earth’s rotation reversed?
B.Were the sun’s rays refracted?
Verse 9-20 – Hezekiah’s song of thanksgiving.
VI.Vs. 10–14
A.Hezekiah’s illness came in the prime of his life.
B.Death is described as passing through gates. Job 38:17; Ps. 9:13; 107:18 Sheol, at the time of Hezekiah, is where all the departed (dead) went.
C.A walk with the Lord in this creation will no longer be possible.
D.Humanity will pass.
E.Like a shepherd’s tent – folded up.
F.The canvas of the weaver – rolled up, with the picture finished – cut off the loom.
G.As for me – I am history!
H.He hoped he would get well (vs. 13a), but he got worse, vs. 13b-14. His illness was as if God were a lion breaking all his bones, his cries of pain were like the sound of birds.
VII.Vs. 15 God had brought on this illness.
VIII.Vs. 16–20
A.Hezekiah’s experience is not unlike the experience of other men, but he cries out to God “restore me…let me live”, vs. 16.
B.That which God has “brought down” upon Hezekiah has been for his own good – he realizes this truth. Rom. 8:28
C.He also sensed that God’s love was with him and that God did not punish him with what his sins deserved, vs. 17.
D.He “reminds” God that those who are dead cannot praise the Lord.
1.Once death occurs, there is no more time to serve God – (then comes the judgment), vs. 18-19.
E.Hezekiah will proclaim the Lord’s faithfulness for as long as the Lord allows him to continue to live.
1.He has seen the sign, he will…, vs. 20.
IX.Vs. 21 God heals Hezekiah using earthly means!
X.Vs. 22 Goes between verses 6 and 7.
I.Historical Note:
A.Merodach-baladan had tried to break away from the Assyrians twice. One of those times, he had gained control over the city of Babylon.
B.After his second reign (nine months in 703-702 B.C.), he was deported by Sennacherib and sent to Elam. While in Elam, he actively tried to form alliances with other nations in his continuing effort to rid himself of the Assyrians.
1.His visit to Hezekiah was probably more about this than a congratulatory visit.
C.2 Chron. 32:31 states that God’s motive behind the visit was to test Hezekiah’s heart.
D.Merodach-baladan’s visit preceded Sennacherib’s attack on Jerusalem in 701 (since the wealth shown by Hezekiah had not yet been given to the king of Assyria as tribute, 2 Kings 18:13-16).
E.Therefore; Hezekiah’s illness, Merodach-baladan’s visit, and Sennacherib’s attack – all three occurred in 701 B.C.
II.Vs. 1 The visit.
III.Vs. 2 Hezekiah’s incredibly dumb act of pride! Also, note that King Hezekiah treats “everything” in his dominion as if it belonged to him.
IV.Vs. 3 Isaiah’s two questions:
A.What did these men say? – Hezekiah doesn’t answer his question!
B.From where have they come from? – from Babylon.
V.Vs. 4 Isaiah asks a third question:
A.What have they seen in your house? – Hezekiah answers.
VI.Vs. 5–7 Isaiah gives a two-part prophecy in response to what Hezekiah has done:
A.The king’s wealth will be carried off to Babylon – all of it.
B.Some of the king’s descendants will serve in the royal court of Babylon (fulfilled in 605 B.C., Dan. 1:1-7).
VII.Vs. 8 Hezekiah, the “man of God,” allows his true self to come through!
Chapters 40 through 66: While the first 39 chapters of the book are filled with messages of judgment, this section emphasizes restoration and deliverance.
Chapters 40-48: Deliverance from captivity in Babylon ends with “there is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord. Isa. 48:22
I.Cyrus is the chief deliverer! Isa. 44:28-45:1
Chapters 49-57: The rejection and restoration of the suffering servant ends with “there is no peace…for the wicked,” says my God. Isa. 57:21; 52:13-53:12
Chapters 58-66 The consummation of God’s restoration of Israel and the world.
II.The heart of this section is the coming of the Messiah, ch. 61-63.
III.Historical Note: God sent Sennacherib, king of Assyria, home in 701 B.C. 115 years of continued deterioration still lies ahead for Judah followed by a 70-year captivity in Babylon. Judah’s future is certain! God has a continuing plan for His people. As they live through these difficult times they will be able to review and remember the words of Isaiah and wait for their “renewal.”
IV.Vs. 1–2 God begins by saying to His people that their time of trial is coming to an end. The 70-year captivity (the 2000-year diaspora) is spoken of as if it’s almost over. Judah’s captivity was like (will be like) the hardships of war.
A.Her sins are the cause of her suffering.
B.Her sin has been paid for.
C.God’s blessing awaits her.
D.Question: At this time in history who are “God’s people?”
1.Who is connected with Jerusalem?
2.Did He not come “unto His own” first! John 1:11
E.Without her (our) sins being paid for, God cannot bless. Rom. 3:24-26 (“her iniquity has been removed.” Rom. 11:25-36)
F.She had received from the Lord “double for all her sins.” Jer. 16:10-18 (Note: the nations of the earth – Babylon will also receive double for their sins, Rev. 18:1-8ff.)
V.Vs. 3–5 A voice is calling – John the Baptist. Mt. 3:1-4; Mk. 1:1-4; Lk. 1:76-78; John 1:23
A.– Isaiah calling the nation to repentance – immediate fulfillment.
B.Prepare the roadway for God – roll out the red carpet.
C.Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed:
1.first to the Apostles. John 1:1-5, 18; 2 Pet. 1:16-21; 1 John 1:1-4; Mt. 17:1-3
2.then to the whole world. Rev. 1:7
D.The mouth of the Lord has spoken this! Isa. 55:11; 34:16
VI.Vs. 6–8 A second voice calls out (God or another created being) “call out”…probably directed to Isaiah.
A.All flesh is grass…surely; the people are grass, but the Word of God stands forever. John 10:35 (Ps. 82:6)
B.There is a difference between man and God.
1.People are temporary and they change.
2.God changes not, He never fails, and His Word endures forever.
C.A good truth to remember when your nation with its people are about to go into 2600 years of difficulty.
VII.Vs. 9–11 Tell the towns of Judah and Jerusalem that their God is coming to Jerusalem. Zech. 14:1-6; Rev. 19:11-21
A.With might – with His arm ruling for Him.
B.With Israel’s reward and recompense. Heb. 11:39-40
C.Like a shepherd. John 10:1-18; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25
VIII.Vs. 9 Context
A.You have been saved – your iniquity has been removed, vs. 2.
B.Your warfare is behind you, vs. 2.
C.Your (our) God is coming to you, vs. 3.
1.When He comes, His glory will be revealed – all flesh will see it, vs. 5.
D.You can count on it – for the mouth of the Lord has spoken, vs. 5!
E.Text
F.Get yourself up to the highest point you can.
G.Shout out with all your might.
H.You have “good news” for the world.
I.Shout your message out – let them hear.
J.Let Judah listen.
K.Here is your God.
IX.Vs. 10 Behold!
A.When the Lord God comes.
B.He will come with power.
C.With His arm ruling for Him. Isa. 51:5-6, 9-11; 52:10
D.He will come with reward…recompense.
X.Vs. 11 While His power and His might will be the experience of “the nations”; to those who belong to Him, He will be seen and will be experienced as a shepherd.
A.The same arm that is thrust out in power to those without…will gather the lambs and hold them close, gently leading them.
B.Here is your God…behold Him.
XI.Vs. 12 The greatness of God can be appreciated when He is compared to His creation:
A.As to the waters found on planet earth. God can hold it all in the hollow of His hand.
B.As to the distance existing between the farthest sides (not yet discovered by man) of the universe, God marks the entire distance by measuring it as nothing more than the distance between His thumb and His little finger.
C.The entire ground beneath man’s feet could be stored by God in a “basket” He has made.
D.All the mountains standing on our planet could be weighed out on a “small scale” coming from God’s realm.
XII.Vs. 13 All that is, ever has been, or ever will be, comes from the mind of God, from all eternity – who was “in the beginning” to direct His creating, offer Him counsel, or inform Him (He created it all, it is not we who are creating Him).
XIII.Vs. 14 With whom did He consult? Rom. 11:33 - 36
A.Who gave Him understanding?
B.Justice, knowledge and understanding come from Him and do not stand apart from Him to judge Him.
XIV.Vs. 15a Behold, the nations:
A.A drop from a bucket.
B.A speck of dust on a scale.
XV.Vs. 15b–16 Behold:
A.The weight of the islands of the world is so insignificant when lifted up by Him, that their weight is not noticed.
B.The forest of Lebanon:
1.not enough lumber for a sufficient offering fire.
2.not enough animals for an acceptable burnt offering.
XVI.Vs. 17 All the nations of the earth individually or corporately are as nothing when placed before Him.
A.His assessment of them – less than nothing and meaningless.
XVII.Vs. 18–20 Take the God who IS and compare Him with the finest god man can make (an idol):
A.A craftsman casts it.
B.A goldsmith plates it with gold.
C.A silversmith fits it with chains so it can be “raised up.”
1.The finest a rich man can make.
D.For the rest of us and what we can make – warning:
1.Be careful to pick a tree that won’t rot while you worship it.
2.Make sure the craftsman who makes your God for you is careful to make it well enough that it won’t fall over while you are worshiping it.
XVIII.Vs. 21 Do you not know?
A.Have you not heard?
B.Has it not been declared to you?
C.Have you not understood?
XIX.Vs. 22–24
A.It is the God of Israel who sits above the horizon (circle) watching His creation. Job 26:10; Prov. 8:27
B.From where He sits, men look like grasshoppers.
C.God stretches out the heavens. He created earth as the home for his crown of creation and then stretches (continuous action) out the heavens with the end result that man has a tent under which he dwells.
D.He sets up and removes rulers…He makes the judges of the earth (final say) meaningless.
E.Verse 24 – scarcely have the rulers and the judges of the earth been planted, sown, has their stock taken root in the earth?
1.He merely blows on them – they wither, they’re gone.
XX.Vs. 25 The question is asked again: Is there anyone or anything that compares with the God who both created and sustains it? Jn. 1:10
XXI.Vs. 26 Consider the stars that cover the universe:
A.Stars – millions upon millions of them, all of them in motion being led by Him.
B.God has named every one of them. (Adam named the animals. There are too many stars and only God could have named them.)
C.The stars are out there because God maintains them. Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17
XXII.Vs. 27 Why would God’s own possession say?
A.God is not aware of us.
B.God doesn’t know what we are living through.
XXIII.Vs. 28 Do you not know?
A.Have you not heard?
B.God never ceases to be totally involved in the affairs of His children. He knows what He is doing.
XXIV.Vs. 29 He gives strength.
A.He increases power.
XXV.Vs. 30–31 Without removing His people from their circumstances knowing youths grow weary and tired…
A.Knowing vigorous young men stumble badly (they do)…
B.Yet…
I.Vs. 1 God sends out a call to all the nations of the world. Let them come…come together for judgment. Let them gather and realize the truth of His words.
II.Vs. 2 God has aroused one from the east (Cyrus, King of Persia, who will subdue Babylon in 539 B.C.). Isa. 44:28 and 45:1
A.This king from the east will serve God’s purpose, fulfilling God’s righteous plan on the earth – human history, built around Judah and Jerusalem will progress. Cyrus fulfilling his part even though he is unaware of his place in it. Isa. 10:5-7a; 45:5
B.God will:
1.deliver up nations to Him.
2.subdue kings.
3.turning his enemies to dust and chaff.
III.Vs. 3 The path this conquering king will take will be a new path to him.
IV.Vs. 4 Capstone reminder – everything that will happen will happen because it is the Lord who brings all things to pass.
V.Vs. 5–6 The nations that Cyrus marches upon will join together in an attempt to overcome his attack. Each one will encourage his fellow object of the attack.
VI.Vs. 7 These nations will look to their idols for help. Isa. 40:18-20
VII.Vs. 8–9 But you Israel:
A.My servant.
B.Chosen. Amos 3:2
C.Descendant of Abraham – recipient of God’s unconditional covenants.
D.God’s friend. John 15:12-17
E.The ones taken by God from the ends of the earth. Deut. 30:1-6
F.Called from the earth’s remotest parts.
G.God has said to Israel:
1.You are my servant.
2.I have chosen you.
3.I have not rejected you.
VIII.Vs. 10 Do not fear, Israel:
A.I am with you.
B.Do not anxiously look about, (look up) for I am your God.
C.I will strengthen you.
D.I will help you.
E.I will uphold you – with my righteous right hand.
IX.Vs. 11 In contrast to God’s feelings and actions toward Israel, He will not protect nations who oppose her – they will perish!
X.Vs. 12 How utterly God will destroy them. They will become non-existent.
XI.Vs. 13 Israel is different in God’s eyes. The nations will find no help either from another or their idols, vs. 6-7. God will help Israel.
XII.Vs. 14 Israel is reminded that it is not because of who she is (Deut. 7:6-8) that victory will come, but because He will enter on Israel’s side and
A.Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel:
1.Israel’s deliverance will not be the result of a superior power entering on her side, but rather a God who will redeem her assuring her deliverance!
2.Being the object of God’s redemptive work, Israel is to “fear no longer.”
a.Isa. 41:10; 43:5; 44:2, 8; 54:4
B.Your redeemer, “the Holy One of Israel” is a name (title) for God. Isa. 43:14; 48:17; 49:7; 54:5 (appears 25 times in the O.T.)
XIII.Vs. 15 Israel, who will be dispersed throughout the entire earth for 2,000 years, will become God’s primary instrument when He separates the peoples of the earth. Deut. 4:26-38
A.Note: Threshing sledge (sharp instruments)
XIV.Vs. 16 You will accomplish the work of a threshing sledge.
A.You will rejoice in the Lord.
B.You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
XV.Vs. 17–18 The circumstances at the time of Israel’s deliverance will be one of:
A.seeking water, finding none.
B.tongues parched with thirst.
C.(Looking at the arid conditions of Palestine today and knowing the conflict that exists over water rights, especially in the occupied lands.)
D.God, himself, will provide them with water, abundant water without the assistance of any other nation.
XVI.Vs. 19 Seven kinds of trees will begin growing in the land of Israel; trees which do not grow in arid land!
XVII.Vs. 20 In the millennial kingdom, all people will know that the Holy One of Israel has provided all this for His people Israel!
XVIII.Vs. 21–24 The God of Israel has presented His plan. It is now time for the idols the nations worship to be brought forward so that they can tell what lies in the future. Not only can they not predict the future, but they also can’t recall past events either. The inability of their idols to do this proves that they are worthless. God makes the observation that any human that would choose such a worthless god is an abomination.
XIX.Vs. 25 The Lord has aroused the coming victor. He will come and he will accomplish all that God has said He will.
XX.Vs. 26 Only a God can reveal accurately that which will come to pass. The God of Israel has written it all down in a book. Where are the accurate predictions of the other candidates for god?
XXI.Vs. 27–28 The God of Israel has sent His prophets and they have spoken. Wait and see if their words do not come to pass.
A.God is waiting for the idols to reveal their plans, He hasn’t heard anyone speaking their words.
XXII.Vs. 29 God’s assessment of all the nations’ idols:
A.All of them are false.
B.All their works are worthless.
C.All their gods are wind (hot air) and emptiness.
I.Vs. 1 Behold, My Servant (in contrast to the nation of Israel, vs. 19). Isa. 41:8, Mt. 12:15-20 (vs. 21)
A.Note: Jesus, the servant and Israel, the servant are interspersed throughout the remainder of the book of Isaiah.
B.Isa. 43:10-13
C.Isa. 49:1-15 (NOTE: Isa. 49:15-16 with Isa. 40:27); Isa. 52:13-15; Isa. 53:10-11
D.Phil. 2:5-7ff
1.My chosen one – 1 Pet. 2:4, 6 KJV
2.Elect (or Chosen) is an adjective, not a verb. Jesus was not “chosen” by God because He was willing to do the Father’s will – His death on the cross was in harmony with the Godhead’s all inclusive, eternal plan for God’s creation!
3.The One My soul delights in – Rom. 5:15-19; Mt. 3:16-17; John 17:1-9
4.I have put My Spirit upon Him – Isa. 11:1-12; 59:20-21; 61:1-2; Lk. 4:16-21; Mt. 11:2-5; Heb. 2:1-4
5.He will bring forth justice to the nations (at His 2nd advent) – Isa. 2:4; Isa. 9:6-7
II.Vs. 2–4 He will be gentle.
A.A “weak and useless reed,” He will not break.
B.A dimly burning wick He will not “put out.”
C.He will not be disheartened.
D.He will not be crushed (at His first advent).
E.until — He establishes justice on the earth.
1.His LAW is established (at His 2nd advent).
F.Micah 4:1-3
G.Isa. 2:3
H.Jer. 31:31-34 (What place does the LAW have in the age to come? Does “dying with Christ” apply to other ages? What about natural humans in the millennial age?)
III.Vs. 5 Thus says the Lord who described Himself in Isa. 40:12-17, 22-24.
IV.Vs. 6 I am the Lord. Isa. 44:6
A.I have called you (My Servant) in righteousness. Rom. 3:21-26
B.I will hold you by the hand…watch over you. Heb. 5:7-10
C.I will appoint you as a covenant to the people. Heb. 10:10-25; 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14-21
D.A light to the nations. Lk. 1:76-79; John 1:1-9
V.Vs. 7 To open blind eyes. Isa. 29:17-19; 35:4-10; Mt. 11:2-5
A.Blind, prisoners, dwell in darkness – spiritual side.
VI.Vs. 8 LORD – Yahweh (Jehovah) Ex. 3:13-15
A.I Am the God who brought you out of Egypt – I will not share my position with another god.
VII.Vs. 9 Yahweh has prophesied before and they have come to pass. He is now declaring new predictions – they will also come to pass.
A.Name another God who can produce what we find in His Word (Bible). Isa. 41:21-24
VIII.Vs. 10–13 People everywhere – sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel; Jesus Christ. He matters to every nation and place upon the earth.
A.Sing His praise from:
1.The end of the earth.
2.Those who go down to the sea.
3.All that is in the sea.
4.Islands – those who dwell on them.
5.Wilderness.
6.Cities.
7.Kedar settlements. Isa. 21:16-17 (area in northern Arabia.)
8.Inhabitants of Sela. (City of Edom.)
9.From the tops of the mountains.
10.Coastlands.
B.Isa. 41:5-7; Isa. 45:22; Isa. 52:10
IX.Vs. 14 God has kept silent for a long time (2,000 years) and it has been hard for Him to do it. He has not “desired” to reach the day when He will be “forced” to do something. (Gen. 15:15-16; 2 Pet. 3:9) But that day will come and as painful as it will be for God, He will act, for He has no choice. Rom. 3:25-26
X.Vs. 15–17 His actions, which will be forthcoming for some:
A.He will lay waste the mountains and the hills by destroying their vegetation.
B.He will make the rivers into coastlands.
C.Dry up the ponds.
D.That, which He will do for others at the same time:
1.Lead the blind by a new way.
2.Will turn the darkness to light in the way He leads.
3.Rugged places into plains.
E.He will do the above – we have His Word on it!
XI.Vs. 17 Those who put their trust in idols (molten images) will be turned back and put to shame. Isa. 44:9-11
XII.Vs. 18–19 Israel is deaf and blind – to God’s revelation, law, servant. So deaf and blind that he is not aware of his own state. 1 John 2:9-11
A.No one has become as deaf and blind as God’s chosen servant Israel.
B.Note: The degree of deafness or blindness is a reflection of the degree of revelation given by God and ignored by the recipient!
XIII.Vs. 20 Israel has seen many things – did not observe.
A.Israel has heard many things – did not hear.
XIV.Vs. 21–22 Deut. 28:15-68 has been and is being fulfilled in the life of the nation.
XV.Vs. 23 Is there anybody who will listen and see and know why things have worked out the way that it has.
XVI.Vs. 24–25 Israel’s experience as people and a nation are not the result of “random chance!” It is the God of Israel (Jesus Christ) who has put them where they are, and they still disregard the God who determines their experiences.
I.Context:
A.Judah’s exile is over. Isa. 40:2
B.God has provided “His Servant,” the Messiah to give them spiritual release. Isa. 42:1-4, 6, 11-16
C.God will re-gather His people and bring them home. Isa. 43:5-7
D.Israel’s redemption will become God’s “witness.” Isa. 43:10,21
E.Israel is not to fear: God will bring it to pass. Isa. 44:1-5 (Isa. 43:1)
II.Vs. 1–2 Do not fear for:
A.I have redeemed you – bought, brought you out of slavery. Isa. 44:21-23
1.From Egypt.
2.From Babylon. Isa. 43:14; Isa. 48:20
3.From the four corners of the earth. Isa. 43:5-6; Isa. 52:9-10
B.I have called you by name – His relationship with them was so personal and so real that He knows them by name.
C.You are mine. Isa. 43:21; Rom. 8:28-39; Rom. 9:6-18ff
D.When you:
1.Pass through the waters – (they will get deep).
2.Through the rivers – (their currents will be strong and their direction will be against you).
3.Walk through the fire – (which will be so hot it will hurt).
E.You will not be destroyed – because:
1.I am God.
2.I am your God.
3.I am the Holy One of Israel.
4.I am Israel’s Savior.
F.It is God who will give Egypt, Sudan, northern Ethiopia, and southern Arabia to the Persians as a reward for giving up Israel. Neh. 2:1-8
III.Vs. 4 Since you (Isa. 41:14a; 42:19-20; 43:22-24):
A.Are precious in my sight.
B.Are honored.
C.I love you.
D.I will give other humans in exchange for you. Rom. 9:21
E.Their life given to preserve your life.
IV.Vs. 5–7 Another reason Israel need not fear is that God has already revealed His plans for Israel and has made promises concerning His carrying out of those plans. Deut. 30:1-5ff; Rom. 11:28-29
A.They will be re-gathered to the land. Mt. 24:31; Isa. 41:8-13; Isa. 49:11-13
B.The entire nation will be saved at the time of this re-gathering, Rom. 11:25-27. It will be said of the remnant at this time that they are:
1.Called by God’s (Christ) name.
2.Created for God’s glory.
3.Formed; made by God, himself.
V.Vs. 8 Bring out Israel before the nations. Isa. 42:19-20
VI.Vs. 9 All the nations have gathered themselves together (to carry out their will) at the same time that God has assembled them for His own purposes. Isa. 10:5-7ff
A.There is no one found among any of the nations who is able to predict the future. Isa. 41:21-23
B.Let the follower of another god predict and thereby “justify” his god and receive acclaim for whom he belongs to.
VII.Vs. 10 Israel, in contrast to any other of the nations of the world gathered:
A.Is the Lord’s witness.
B.Is the servant chosen by the Lord.
C.In order that upon seeing the culmination of all things will know and believe the God of Israel.
D.Israel will understand:
1.I am He – Jesus Christ is the God of Israel.
2.That He is the only God there is – none before; none after (there has never been an idol god).
VIII.Vs. 11
A.— I am He.
B.There is no Savior besides Me – there is no other name…
1.There is no other way.
2.Isa. 17:10; 43:3; 45:15, 21; 49:26; 60:16; 62:11; 63:8
IX.Vs. 12
A.— It is Jesus Christ who has declared, saved, and proclaimed.
B.Israel’s God was not a “strange god” among them.
C.Israel will be God’s witness. Rom. 10:14
D.Jesus Christ is God (who do people say that He is today? Who is He?)
X.Vs. 13
A.— From all eternity Jesus Christ is the Word. John 1:1
B.Among all the gods of all the nations of the earth, none can deliver from, or reverse, any action of the Lord. Job 42:2
XI.Vs. 14 Thus says the Lord, Israel’s Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
A.The Babylonians, who were conquerors in Daniel’s time, will become the vanquished at the time of Israel’s restoration. Rev. 17 & 18
XII.Vs. 15 Again, I AM your God, Creator and King!
XIII.Vs. 16–17 The Lord, Israel’s God who brought Israel out from Egypt and drowned the Egyptian army will do even greater things.
XIV.Vs. 18–19a That which He is going to do will make that which He has already done pale in comparison.
XV.Vs. 19b When God does this new work – Israel won’t miss it.
XVI.Vs. 19c–20 God will make a roadway for His people to come home and He will provide water all along the way. Isa. 35:6-7; 41:18
XVII.Vs. 21 As a result of this, God’s chosen people, whom He formed for Himself, will declare His praise. (Isa. 43:5-7)
XVIII.Vs. 22–24 All of the above will happen to Israel, not because they “earned it,” but rather because God has made them the object of His love.
A.Rather than give the Lord the desires of His heart, Israel has burdened and wearied Him with her sin.
XIX.Vs. 25 God will save them!! For His own sake and the sake of the fathers. Rom. 11:28-29
XX.Vs. 26–28 Though the Lord will forgive Israel, He still must discipline them. Heb. 12:5-11
A.Israel – state your case – correct me –
B.My case against you:
1.Adam sinned.
2.Your prophets sinned.
3.Your priests sinned.
C.God will punish Israel (but it will only be for a time and it will bring forth the perfect fruit of righteousness.
I.Vs. 1–5 Listen (Isa. 46:3)…do not fear. Isa. 41:10, 14; 43:5; 44:8; 54:4
A.Jacob my servant – that which God will transform him into being in contrast to what he has been throughout his existence. Isa. 30:1-2 Ezk. 37:21-28; 39:21-29
B.Israel, whom I have chosen. Isa. 41:8-9; Amos 3:2; Deut. 7:6
1.On the truth of God choosing: 1 John 4:10
2.Deut. 18:1-2, 5; 21:5 – Levites
3.1 Sam. 10:20-24 (16:3-13) 1 Chron. 28:4 – David
4.1 Kings 14:21 – Jerusalem
5.1 Chron. 28:5 – Solomon
6.Ps. 106:23 – Moses
7.Ps. 132:13 – Zion
8.Ps. 135:4 – Jacob/Israel, Isa. 43:20 – my chosen people.
9.Isa. 42:1 – my Servant/Christ (Mt. 12:15-18) Lk. 9:35
10.John 13:18 – Apostles. Acts 1:2; John 15:16; 17:6 with John 6:38-40 Acts 1:24 – 12th Apostle; Acts 9:10-15
11.Acts 10:39-41 – witnesses of the resurrected Christ.
12.Rom. 11:7 – believing Israelites in the O.T. era. Rom. 9:6-29 Col. 3:12 – all N.T. believers. 2 Thes. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1 1 Pet. 1:1-2; 2:9, 5:13
13.1 Tim. 5:21 – angels that did not fall.
14.Rev. 17:14 – tribulation saints.
15.Note: Another term that would describe the fallen angels and all of lost humanity / non-chosen.
C.Jeshurun, “the upright one.” Deut. 32:15; 33:5, 26
1.(similar to calling Gideon, “O valiant warrior.” Judges 6:12)
D.Thus says the Lord:
1.Who made you. 1 Cor. 8:5-6
a.Rom. 9:21 – God has a life plan and purpose for every thing found “under the sun,” which also leads to the concept – Rom. 11:33-36.
E.Formed you from the womb – Isa. 44:24
F.Who will help you – (because He sees – Job 31:4)
G.Thus says the Lord:
1.I will pour out water:
a.on the thirsty land.
b.on the dry ground.
c.taken literally, Isa. 41:17 will become Joel 3:18.
H.I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring – Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:14-36; Jer. 31:31-34
1.Note: Ezk. 37:1-14; 39:25-29; Isa. 32:15-18 (until…then); 59:21
I.I will pour out my blessings on your descendants (Jews): [just as He does on all N.T. believers – Eph. 1:3]
1.they will spring up…
2.they will say…
3.they will call…
4.they will write…
5.they will name…
6.Ezk. 34:11-31
II.Vs. 6(a) The God of Israel is the only God and, therefore, idol worship makes no sense!
A.Who is like the God of Israel?
1.The King – Isa. 43:15; Rev. 19:16 (Rev. 17:14)
2.His Redeemer – Isa. 41:14; 43:14; 44:6, 24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7, 26; Isa. 54:5, 8; 59:20; 60:16; 63:16 (Jer. 50:34)
a.Your redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
b.The Creator of Israel.
c.Your (Israel’s) King.
d.The First and the Last.
e.Only God.
f.The one who formed you from the womb.
g.The Lord of Hosts.
h.The one who teaches you to profit.
i.The one who leads you in the way you should go.
j.The despised One.
k.The One abhorred by the nation.
l.Who is faithful.
m.Who has chosen you (Israel)
n.The mighty one of Jacob.
o.Called the God of all the earth.
p.The one who will come to Zion.
q.From of old, is Your name.
III.Vs. 6(b) The King of Israel and His redeemer is God; the only one!
A.He is the First and the Last – Rev. 22:13; Rev. 1:8, 17-18
IV.Vs. 7 Who is like Me…Is there any God besides Me…I know of none. I am the only one who can tell what is going to take place in the future (I am the one who planned it all). Isa. 43:11; 46:9; 41:22-23
A.God’s people have no reason to fear. Both His people and the future belong to God. Is there any doubt that He is able to “keep that which has been entrusted to Him” or that He has no idea what the future holds?
B.Israel is God’s witness to the truth of His sovereignty for unto Israel was sent the prophets and unto Israel was God’s prophetic Word entrusted, a Word that contains hundreds of “predictions” about the future.
C.Israel’s God is a “Rock.” Isa. 17:10; 26:4; 30:29; Mt. 7:24-25; 16:13-19
V.Vs. 8 God’s people should not be afraid because of the God that they belong to! Their security rests in Him!! Isa. 41:10,14; 43:5
A.His uniqueness has been clearly and repeatedly revealed to them, Prophecy being the “indisputable” proof of the kind of God He is... Isa. 48:3; 41:21-24
B.You are my witnesses...Isa. 43:10,12; Acts 1:6-8; Jn. 17:18-20; Heb. 2:1-3; Rom. 10:8-15
C.Not only of My uniqueness, but also of my strength and stability – Rock...Mt. 7:24-27; 16:13-19; Rom. 9:33; 10:11; Isa. 26:4
VI.Vs. 9–17 How an Idol Comes To Be
A.Idol worship is foolish because:
1.They are the product of human work – craft – craftsmanship; mere men making god – vs. 11
2.They don’t work – vs. 10...No profit comes from them.
3.The god-makers get hungry and thirsty and become weary while they build the god – vs. 12 (They must be refreshed from that which the real God has created if they are to continue.)
4.The god-makers must draw out their god so they have a pattern with which they can make him.
a.What do they draw if they are new at the business?
b.The form of a man – vs. 13 (if they have been in the business long enough, their god ends up looking like a bug Rom. 1:21-23)
c.Note: Today a person knows what it will take to make them happy and secure, but once they have obtained it, and lost whatever happiness or security they thought they had, they begin again to build the new “thing” which will surely bring it!
B.As a god-maker, he needs the real God to grow the tree so he will have what he needs to make his all sufficient god – vs. 14
C.The foundation, which the god-maker plans to use for his god, actually has a dual relationship with him.
1.With part he:
a.burns it to make himself warm
b.burns it to cook his food upon
2.With the other part he:
a.makes it a graven image and falls down before it:
(1)worships it
(2)prays to it
(3)trusts in it to deliver him.
3.(Not too bright, this god-maker, when you think about what he does – why doesn’t he think about what he is doing? vs. 15-17)
VII.Vs. 18–19 Why don’t they understand? Eph. 2:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:14-16
VIII.Vs. 20 The god who was worshipped could just as easily have been the wood for the fire. He who worships an idol, worships ashes!
A.The one who worships an idol is deceived, his heart having been turned aside. That idol-worshipper cannot deliver himself.
B.He also cannot reckon with the truth that a “lie” is in his hand.
IX.Vs. 21 Remember these things – stay in touch with reality – don’t drift!
A.You are my servant – in contrast with the idol worshippers
B.(All men are not the same – Fatherhood of God, brotherhood of man – Isa. 44:1-3)
C.I formed you to be what you have turned out to be.
D.You are not an accident or the product of chance. Eph. 1:4-12; Jn. 15:16; 1 Pet. 1:3-7
E.I formed you and wiped out your transgressions – I redeemed you. You will not be forgotten by Me! Jer. 31:35-40; Isa. 49: 14-16; Rom. 8:31-39
F.Remember: Israel is the Subject in this text; the same is said of us elsewhere, but we do not replace Israel.
X.Vs. 22 I have (past tense, completed action) Isa. 53; 2 Cor. 5:14-21
A.Return to me – cannot be said of the Gentiles. Eph. 2:11-12
B.It can be said of Christians. 2 Cor. 7:8-10
C.Repentance is a family “opportunity”. Isa. 31:6; Mk. 1:1-5
XI.Vs. 23 Shout for joy...for the Lord has...in Israel
A.He shows forth His glory. Isa. 43:5-7
B.This is His plan.
C.He has revealed and declared it in advance.
D.This is what the world should be focusing on. (Christians will disappear with no fanfare and then comes the preparation for the focus.)
XII.Vs. 24 Thus says the Lord
A.your Redeemer. Isa. 43:14 (Assyria is the current situation.)
B.the One who formed you from the womb Isa. 43:1,7,21
C.the Maker of all things.....all alone; Jn. 1; Col. 1; Heb. 1; Heb. 11:3; Isa. 42:5; 45:12,18; 48:12-13
XIII.Vs. 25 The Lord, the God of Israel, is the One who:
A.causes the omens of boasters to fail (the ones who will say Israel is finished...) 2. makes fools out of all who say they can predict the future
B.profess themselves to be wise based upon their own knowledge, reason, experience, etc. (May the entire academic world of man be shown to be foolish when they talk about the things of God – and they all major in 2 subjects; their field of study and truth about God.)
XIV.Vs. 26 4. God has spoken, Rom. 3:1-2; 9:2-5, through His servant – singular 5. He has performed the purpose of His messengers – plural (Not one jot or tittle will fail) Isa. 40:8
A.It is God and not just His spokesman who says (context – the end of the Babylonian captivity)
1.Jerusalem shall be inhabited (by Jews)
a.Destroyed by Babylon, 2 Kgs. 24:10 – 25:21
b.Rebuilt by Cyrus, 2 Chron. 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4
2.Cities of Judah shall be built
a.only Judah remained after 722 BC
b.only Judah was rebuilt after the Babylonian captivity – Samaria continued from 722 BC
3.The ruins of Israel will be raised up again
a.Israel has been represented by Judah from 722 BC through 70 AD
b.All 12 Tribes will be present at the Final restoration Ezk. 47:13 – 48:29
XV.Vs. 27 It is I; I will; I am
A.Just as the God of Israel dried up the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to leave the armies of Pharaoh behind, so in a future day, He will “dry up” a River to enable His people to return home.
B.In the short view, Cyrus diverted the waters of the Euphrates, lowering its depth to the point where his armies were able to walk across the river with the water being only 1 foot high; enabling them to destroy the Babylonians, which set up the deliverance of the Jews in captivity in Babylon.
C.In the long focus, this same Euphrates River will be dried up to enable the King of the East to descend into the “Beautiful Land”, which will set the stage for the complete Restoration of the people to their Land.
XVI.Vs. 28 Cyrus, My shepherd, performing all my desire. Isa. 10:5-7; 45:5 Cyrus will decree:
A.Jerusalem will be rebuilt – The city was rebuilt while the foundation of the Temple remained.
B.The foundation of the Temple will be laid. Ezra 1:1-4; 3:1-6; 4:24
I.Vs. 1 Cyrus, His anointed (God’s shepherd, Isa. 44:28), same relationship Saul and David had with God. 1 Sam. 10:1; 16:6, also 1 Chron. 16:21-22; Lev. 4:3; Ezk. 28:14; Zech. 4:14 with Rom. 13:1-2
A.Would it not be in line with Pharaoh’s relationship to God?
B.In Cyrus’ case God chose to use him to:
1.subdue nations (Babylon; Belshazzar)
2.open doors…Ezra 1:1-3
II.Vs. 2–3 As Cyrus conquered, with God’s help, he would receive great wealth from the nations he overcame. He would experience a “touched” life in all his endeavors.
A.God’s choice of Cyrus preceded Cyrus’ existence by almost 300 years (by eternity).
III.Vs. 4 Key verse! All that God did with and for Cyrus was for the benefit of His Chosen! A human life expended for ones who are the object of His love. Same truth is multiplied throughout the Bible. Isa. 41:8-9
IV.Vs. 5 I am the Lord = Rom. 9:18-21
A.There is no other. Rom. 11:33-36; Isa. 45:14, 18, 21-22; 43:11; 46:9
B.Besides Me, there is no God. Isa. 44:6 with Rev. 22:12-13
C.What I will do is not dependent on a human with faith. Eph. 2:8-10
V.Vs. 6 Recognition of God is growing and will continue to do so until. Phil. 2:9-11
A.Who is Me? John 5:23; Mt. 28:19
VI.Vs. 7 As the sovereign Lord of the universe, God works all things after the counsel of His own will. The entire universe responds to God and not He to us!
VII.Vs. 8 The Millennium. Isa. 11:9; 66:18-24
VIII.Vs. 9 If you don’t respond to this verse as described in Rom. 9:14, 19; you are not “getting” that which is being said!
A.We are but one of many – nothing sets us apart from the other vessels.
B.We are but clay.
C.He is the potter.
D.How can the vessels say that the hands of God have nothing to do with what is. All of creation is the result of the work of His hands.
IX.Vs. 10 A human has no input into his entrance into the world either before or after the birth.
X.Vs. 11 In the context already established, let Israel now assume the right to direct his Lord in the future plans for his existence.
A.Rather, is it not time for Israel to submit to the God who created him to fulfill His plan for them?
XI.Vs. 12 It is I who created – Who is I? John 1; Col. 1; Heb. 1
A.All the hosts that occupy both the earth and the heavens were created by Christ. John 1:2-3
XII.Vs. 13 God’s plan for Cyrus:
A.Let Israel go back and rebuild Jerusalem.
B.Just as God used Assyria, so He will use Cyrus – an instrument of God carrying out God’s purpose while God owes them nothing!
XIII.Vs. 14 Must look forward to the time of the kingdom age.
A.All the gentiles will be made to see that Israel’s God is the only God. They will be subservient to Israel. Jer. 16:19-21; Zech. 8:20-23; 14:16-19
XIV.Vs. 15 There are times when the Lord seems to be hiding from Israel; yet truly, He is the God of Israel, their Savior.
XV.Vs. 16–17 All the world has their god to serve. As a nation, only Israel has the God who is. The whole world will be put to shame and humiliated, all of them.
A.When the deliverer comes to Zion and saves Israel, Rom. 11:26-29 (with an everlasting salvation – emphasizes the length of time), they will never feel shame or humiliation to all eternity. Isa. 54:4-5; Rom. 9:33; 10:11
XVI.Vs. 18 Thus says the Lord:
A.who created the heavens.
B.who formed the earth and made it.
C.who is a creator and not a God who would bring into existence a universe that would fulfill no purpose.
D.formed it to be inhabited; formed it to fulfill the purpose of an omni God!
E.He is unique, higher than any of His created beings and standing alone as God with no other gods to even consider – they are all non-entities.
F.Note: Gap theory is built off this verse.
XVII.Vs. 19 God has not spoken in riddles or symbols for man to give meaning to. He has spoken openly, clearly and with a consistent self-confirming revelation. His Word, which is righteous and upright.
A.there is no other “religious revelation” that is worthy of considering when placed along side His Word.
B.His plan to save stands alone and opposite of all other plans found in the religions of man.
1.Grace - - - - Works
C.prophecy is unique to the religious writings of mankind and found only in the Bible.
XVIII.Vs. 20–21 God throws out His often repeated challenge to the people of the earth and their many gods.
A.If you “want to be delivered,” think about what you have put your trust in – religion does not work; any of its forms.
B.Show where a piece of wood or stone has ever delivered a message to its worshipers, let alone a detailed plan for the future as the God of Israel has.
C.Only the God of the Bible has shown His capacity to tell of the future. No generalities, but specifics.
D.The God of the Bible is a class of His own.
XIX.Vs. 22 Invitation
XX.Vs. 23 The God who has been speaking in the book of Isaiah is the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 2:10 “at the name of Jesus”
A.Isa. 9:6 One of Jesus’ names is “Eternal Father.”
XXI.Vs. 24 The world will be put right only when they see Jesus for who He is. The question has always been – “Who do people say that I am?” Man’s eternal destiny hangs on the answer they give!!!
XXII.Vs. 25 We can wonder how the nations of the world will come out when time comes to an end; never do we need to question where Israel will stand when that day comes.
I.Vs. 1 Bel, a Babylonian god, will not be able to stand when Cyrus, God’s shepherd, His anointed, comes to remove the Babylonians from power in preparation to send Judah home. Jer. 50:1-2ff (Marduk – same god, different name.)
A.Nebo, the god of learning.
B.Both gods were carried by the Babylonians loaded on animals and paraded around their cities on New Year’s Day. (A donkey is smarter than the men of Babylon looking at these two gods as a load to carry that makes one weary.) In contrast, God has carried Israel from the womb, vs. 3 & 4.
II.Vs. 2 Rather than deliver Babylon, they will go into captivity with the ones who worship them.
III.Vs. 3–4 Listen to me – 44:1; 46:12; 47:8; 48:1, 12, 14, 16; 51:4; 52:8; 55:2
A.Listen
B.Give ear to Me – pay attention
C.Listen carefully to Me
D.Hear this
E.Listen to Me
F.Come near to me, listen to this
G.The God of Israel has carried them from conception to old age. He has done it and will continue to do it.
H.He will:
1.Carry them
2.Bear them
3.Deliver them
IV.Vs. 5 What god is there among the nations of the world that is like the God of Israel. All gods are incapable of action!!
A.Isa. 40:18-25
V.Vs. 6–7 The finest god that man can make.
A.That man bows down before it.
B.That man worships:
1.must be carried – it cannot move – it just stands there. 2. it cannot respond or answer.
2.it cannot deliver
C.Isa. 41:7; 44:9-20; 45:16, 20; 46:1-2
VI.Vs. 8 Remember this:
A.Be assured
B.Recall it often
C.Question: Who are the transgressors – the Babylonians or the Israelites?
VII.Vs. 9 God has had a long history of relationship with Israel!
A.Their God is different – there is none like Him!
VIII.Vs. 10 God’s ability to predict the future and make it happen makes Him stand alone as the unique God.
IX.Vs. 11 God’s plan for Cyrus is certain. Babylon will be but for a time; a very short time.
X.Vs. 12–13 God will bring His righteousness, that is, Cyrus to carry out His righteous will, which will result in salvation for Zion and deliverance from exile for Jerusalem.
A.Israel will again display God’s glory.
I.Vs. 1 Isaiah describes Babylon’s fall to the Medes in 539 B.C., who were later joined by the Persians (Iran), more than 150 years before the event took place. Judah’s captors will become captives.
A.The invitation – sit in the dust (as a mourner, Jonah 3:6).
B.To the virgin daughter (Isa. 23:12; 37:22 ?).
C.The Chaldeans with no throne.
D.Tender and delicate has become slavery.
II.Vs. 2–3 Their new place in life, as slaves, will offer them a new lifestyle. As servants of conquerors they will:
A.Have to grind the flour for another’s meal.
B.Be unable to worry about their clothing or modesty.
C.Ford the rivers, rather than be carried across.
D.Become the objects of sexual pleasure for another people.
III.Vs. 4 After their period of captivity, which God had placed them in, He will once again “Redeem” them (buy them back out of the market He has sold them into).
A.Their God is:
1.Their redeemer
2.The Lord of Hosts
3.The Holy One of Israel
IV.Vs. 5–7 The Chaldeans and Babylonians thought of themselves as “the queen of kingdoms”, “a queen forever.”
A.God had given them their position with all its successes. He had used Babylon to judge Judah just as He had used Assyria, Isa. 10:5ff; Hab. 1:6-11. Because of their sin, God will judge for what they have done, but only after they did what God commissioned them to do!
B.Babylon was a conqueror that showed no mercy, even to the old!
C.Every created being should remember that God acts righteously and sin will always be dealt with, even in the lives of those who are instruments of His.
V.Vs. 8 Hear this, you who tell yourself you have the world right where you want it and that you have it made, being the master of your own existence.
VI.Vs. 9 The day will come when God will call your game and you will lose the very things you say are untouchable.
VII.Vs. 10 You saw yourself as…I am and I’m it!
A.The God of the Bible is the only I am and He it is who is it!!!
B.Isa. 43:11 “I even I am…there is no…besides Me.”
C.Isa. 44:6 “There is no…besides me.”
D.Isa. 45:5 “Besides Me there is no…”
E.Isa. 45:14 “There is none else, no other.”
F.Isa. 45:18 “I am…there is none else.”
G.Isa. 45:21-22 “There is no other besides Me…none except Me…I am…there is no other.”
H.Isa. 46:9 “There is no one like Me.”
I.If you ever think otherwise – you are deluded!
VIII.Vs. 11 You felt…you said in your heart, but evil will come upon you; when it comes:
A.You won’t know how to charm it away.
B.You cannot atone for it.
C.It will hit you from nowhere.
D.Suddenly (it all happened in one night from under the wall) Daniel 5, esp vs. 30-31
IX.Vs. 12 Keep on with what has appeared to work from your youth. Trust in what you think has gotten you here. Perhaps it will still work and you will be OK.
X.Vs. 13 Let the astrologers and stargazers save you.
A.Note: They don’t see it coming and can’t stop it.
XI.Vs. 14 The above astrologers and stargazers are like stubble, not only unable to help others in their hour of need, but also unable to deliver themselves when God’s judgment comes.
XII.Vs. 15 All in it together; all gone together.
I.Vs. 1 House of Jacob – Gen. 28:10-15; named Israel – Gen. 35:1-13; came forth from the loins of Judah – Gen. 49:8-10; Rom. 9:6-13.
A.Who swear by the name of the Lord – Deut. 6:10-16, esp. vs. 13.
B.Invoke the God of Israel (appeal to as authority for an action or in support of an argument; call on as a witness or for inspiration):
1.not in truth
2.nor in righteousness
C.They talk of the Lord, calling out His name while they trust in idols.
II.Vs. 2 For, they thought that being a citizen of Jerusalem and or calling out His name somehow made them right. Rom. 2:17-25
A.They “lean on” the Lord of Hosts and assume that everything must be OK.
III.Vs. 3 I declared in advance the way things would be between God and His people (Deut. 29:1-29) and God has always followed through when it became necessary.
IV.Vs. 4–5 When things happened it was God’s desire that Israel know and remember that it was God who was interacting with them. He did not want them to attribute His actions as random occurrences caused by other forces.
V.Vs. 6–9 The Lord is giving Judah new prophecies about Babylon and Cyrus. They will be going into captivity and again will be brought back out and delivered home.
A.The Lord wants Judah to know that He is the source of these actions and that they must not think that their experiences are the products of any other thing.
B.Had God chosen, He could have replaced Israel many times over and been righteous (He owes them nothing), yet for His own praise He has not replaced them and started over! Eph. 1:6, 12, 14
C.He is faithful when His chosen is faithless, because He cannot deny Himself (a trustworthy statement, 2 Tim. 2:11-13).
VI.Vs. 10–11 The Lord has refined and tested Israel by means of the “furnace of affliction” though the process has not turned out like refining silver. Silver is a “pure” product, Israel is not!
A.God acts “for His own sake.” 1 Sam. 12:22; Ps. 25:11; 106: 6-8; Ezk. 20:9, 14, 22, 44; Dan. 9:17-19
B.My glory I will not give to another – God is the reason; there is no other reason!
VII.Vs. 12–13 I (Jesus) am He. John 14:8-11
A.I am the first – last. Rev. 1:8, 17-18; 22:13, 20
B.My hand (Jesus’) founded the earth. John 1; Col. 1; Heb. 1
C.And spread out the heavens. Gen. 2:1
D.I call, they stand together…sustained. Heb. 1:3; Col. 1:17
VIII.Vs. 14 Assemble…and listen.
A.There are two clear proofs for the uniqueness of the God of the Bible:
1.His creative power. Isa. 42:5; 44:24; 45:12, 18; 51:13, 16
2.His ability to foretell the future (as with Babylon and Cyrus). Isa. 44:28; 45:1
3.Note: 2 Pet. 3:3-7
B.God has not only called Cyrus, but has also declared that He will make him successful – the Lord loves him.
C.Note: Judah must be dealt with; God has chosen Babylon to do His will; Babylon has gone after the apple of God’s eye (not to help); God will punish Babylon.
IX.Vs. 15 In case you have missed His Plan…(God’s plan for the Medo-Persians). Dan. 8:1-8
X.Vs. 16 Come near…listen to this.
A.The focus sharpens – we are now focusing on Christ and the Holy Spirit and that which the ultimate deliverer will accomplish.
B.Note: All 3 persons of the Godhead are mentioned in this verse.
XI.Vs. 17 The one who was there, who was sent by the Lord, God is:
A.The Lord.
B.Israel’s Redeemer. Isa. 41:14
C.Holy One of Israel.
D.The God of Israel.
1.their teacher.
2.The one who leads them.
XII.Vs. 18–19 If only you had obeyed the Law – then. Rom. 3:19-20; 4:13-16; 5:13; 7:1-12ff
XIII.Vs. 20–21 When Cyrus issues his decree – flee quickly. 2 Chron. 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4
A.Just as the Lord provided for Israel after they left Egypt, so He will provide again for them as they leave Babylon.
XIV.Vs. 22 Joyful shouting for those who obey; no peace for the wicked. Isa. 57:21
I.The Servant (vs. 3, 5-6) is the speaker in verses 1-5.
II.Vs. 1 Listen to Me:
A.O Islands – Isa. 41:1; 42:4-5
B.Peoples from afar – gentiles.
C.My purpose for being on earth preceded my birth. Isa. 9:6; Heb. 10:5-10ff; Mt. 1:18-23
III.Vs. 2 His mouth – like a sharp sword. Heb. 4:12; John 1:1, 14; Rev. 19:13
A.In the shadow of His hand…concealed Me. Heb. 5:7
B.Made me a select arrow…hidden me in His quiver.
IV.Vs. 3 You are Israel the grand display of my glory. Rom. 9:6
A.When the Servant completes His work. Isa. 60:21-22; 61:3
V.Vs. 4a In the sequence of time it will appear that Messiah accomplished nothing with His work.
VI.Vs. 4b Yet, surely, God will bring about the fullness of His plan.
A.Jesus (like us) suffered the plan of God without receiving the promises… Heb. 11:39-40
VII.Vs. 5 Messiah’s mission – bring Jacob back…gathered to Him.
A.(For I am honored – Phil. 2:9-11…my God is my strength. Heb. 2:14; Phil. 2:6-8; John 20:17)
VIII.Vs. 6 Not only for Israel, but He became a light for the Gentiles so that salvation would extend to “the ends of the earth.” Isa. 42:6; Lk. 1:76-79; Acts 15:6-18, esp. Acts 13:42-49)
IX.Vs. 7 The Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, its Holy One to:
A.A light of the nations – Wonderful Counselor. Isa. 9:6; John 1:4-9; 8:12; 9:5; 12:46
B.Brings salvation to the end of the earth. 2 Cor. 5:18-19; John 3:16-18; 1 John 2:2
C.The despised one. Isa. 53:3; Ps. 22:6-8; Lk. 18:31-33
D.One abhorred by the nation (Israel). John 1:11; Mt. 27:22-26; Isa. 52:14
E.Servant of rulers – His position among the rulers of the earth before His glorification will change to that which follows. Mt. 17:27; 26:52-57
F.One whom kings will arise when they see Him – the humbled one who was mocked will be exalted to the point… Isa. 52:15
G.One whom princes shall bow down before – prostrate themselves before Him in worship.
H.Because –
I.The Lord who is faithful.
J.The Holy One of Israel has shown Himself truthful, a keeper of His promises.
K.Has chosen YOU – 1 Pet. 2:4.
L.Note: There are two descriptions given of the servant. One reflects His relationship with the gentile nations and the other with His restoration of the Nation of Israel.
X.Vs. 8 In context, “God” is speaking to the Servant.
A.You prayed – at the right time I answered.
B.On the appointed day to deliver – I helped you!
C.God will make His Servant “a covenant of the people,” i.e.: the bond, which unites Israel and its God. Isa. 42:6 Israel will be what she becomes because of Him, the result being their restoration to the land. Deut. 30:1-6
XI.Vs. 9–13 The servant of Jehovah falls into the background and the prophecy proceeds with a description of the return of the people of Israel (the redeemed):
A.Bound Israel – go forth.
B.Those in darkness – show yourselves – come out into the light.
C.Their trip home will not require them to deviate from the most direct path looking for food; God will provide for them all along the way.
D.No more hunger, no more thirst, no more being overwhelmed by the elements.
E.For He will have compassion on them and guide them to…
1.All roads will lead to Jerusalem and God will lay them out.
2.They will come literally from the four corners of the earth.
F.Shout for joy – rejoice – God has brought His people, Israel, back home rightly related to Him. His dispersion is over, the ten tribes have been restored, the Servant is in their midst, and the world finally understands.
XII.Vs. 14 But – Contrast – verse 13 is reality; verse 14 is perception.
A.Jerusalem (Judah) feels that God has forsaken and, in fact, forgotten them and this perception will reach its zenith when they are in Babylon; captive and their land is idle. (Tribulation period.)
XIII.Vs. 15 God answers that perception – NOT SO; “May it never be” Lk. 20:9-16 (Rom. 6:2, 15), impossible Rom. 8:31-39
A.Can a woman forget…have no compassion…? Isa. 44:21
1.With humans this might happen, but with God – perish the thought!
2.Note: God will not forget Israel.
XIV.Vs. 16 2. — I have inscribed you (Israel – Judah – Zion) on the palms of My hands. Every time I look at my hands, I am reminded of you. Every time I lift My hands, others see you.
A.Your walls are continually before Me. Ps. 48:10-14; Isa. 62:4-12
XV.Vs. 17 4. — Those who build you up hurry to get to you.
A.Those who break you down depart.
XVI.Vs. 18–20 5. — Your children will be returned to you.
A.As God lives, it will happen and when they return they will be “jewels worn as a bride” (unlike many of our children?)
B.Your waste, desolate, destroyed land (country, home) will be filled beyond capacity.
C.Those who took all that was intended for you will be gone! Zech. 14:1
D.Your children, grandchildren; great grandchildren will be desirous of being near you and there will be so many!
XVII.Vs. 21 Then you will say…
A.Note: The population that returned from the Babylonian captivity did not fit this description, therefore, a yet future time must be the focus. Remember, we don’t know when these things will happen, but the fact that they will is beyond doubt. Israel is the focus, not the church.
XVIII.Vs. 22 Thus says the Lord God, behold, I will. (Isa. 7:17-19; 13:3-11, etc. – God moves His creation just as He wishes.)
XIX.Vs. 23 Gentiles will be subservient to Israel causing Israel to realize that their Lord controls the whole world.
A.Those who wait for Christ during the tribulation will not be disappointed. Mt. 24:3,14
XX.Vs. 24–25 With humans:
A.The mighty man keeps his captives.
B.The tyrant comes out on top.
C.With God – nothing and no one is able to oppose Him.
D.Bottom line: God will contend with the one who contends with His people.
1.He will win.
XXI.Vs. 26 When God finishes with mankind in the tribulation, all flesh will know that Jesus Christ is:
A.Israel’s Savior (deliverer).
B.Israel’s Redeemer.
C.The Mighty One of Jacob.
I.Vs. 1 The Lord is “divorcing” Zion (temporarily); sending her away! She is the one responsible for the action. Deut. 24:1-4 with Mt. 5:31, 19:7-8
A.Note: In practice a husband could give his wife a divorce certificate detailing her fault(s) and she would be required to leave the home! God will send Judah out of the house to Babylon with a full description of her faults.
B.The Lord is going to sell Judah into indentured servitude because of the great debt, which they owe which they will never be able to repay!
II.Vs. 2–3 Why…When…
A.Judah’s (Israel’s) future will not be the result of a God who could not help; could not rescue or ransom. God can - (He is the one who – Deut. 28:20-44).
Verses 4 through 9 The Servant is not like the nation. His relationship to “the Lord God” (vs. 4, 5, 7 & 9) is one of obedience; His desire being to do the will of the Father even to the point of vs. 6.
III.Vs. 4 The Father has chosen for the servant to:
A.Sustain the weary one.
B.Listen as a disciple (what is the opposite of “to listen”).
IV.Vs. 5 Opened the Servant’s ear and He was not disobedient.
A.The servant “did not turn back.”
V.Vs. 6 Mt. 26:67-68, 27:28-31; Mk. 14:65, 15:17-20; Lk. 22:63-65
VI.Vs. 7 The servant was so “convinced” that the Lord God would see His work as successful that He faced His task resolutely.
VII.Vs. 8–9 The “mind set” of the Servant as He experiences the will of God for Himself is shared:
A.He is near.
B.Who can take a stand against us? Rom. 8:31-39
C.Let us stand up…
D.They will wear out.
E.They will be consumed.
VIII.Vs. 10 The Servant extends an invitation to all who are hearing. Rom. 10:9-15
IX.Vs. 11 The self-reliant, who attempt to see by the light that they themselves generate will be consumed by that light. Rom. 9:30-10:4
A.Note: As to lying down in torment. Lk. 16:23, 28; Rev. 20:13-15; 21:8
I.Vs. 1 The Lord is directing what He is about to say to the individuals who (have been chosen):
A.Pursue righteousness. Mt. 5:6 (Rom. 3:10-11ff); Prov. 15:9; 21:21; 1 Tim. 6:11-12 (Rom. 6:1-23); 2 Tim. 2:20-3:15; Rom. 9:30-10:4; Rom. 8:2-17
B.Who seek the Lord? (Rom. 3:11) Acts 15:13-18; Rom. 10:16-21; Heb. 11:6; 1 Thes. 1:2-4; 2 Thes. 2:13-14
C.Question: Why are those being spoken to in this verse called “The spirits of the righteous made perfect”? Heb. 12:23
II.Vs. 2 Look to…remember where you came from – Abraham and Sarah. Gen. 12:2; 15:5; 17:4-8; Rom. 4:16-25
A.I promised them.
B.They never received the promises. Heb. 11:11-16
C.They never stopped believing.
D.I will deliver on my promises to Abraham.
III.Vs. 3 Indeed, the Lord will also deliver on His promises to the nation. He will comfort Zion; Mt. 23:37-39 with Rom. 11:26-27; Zech. 14:1
A.He will:
1.Comfort all her waste places.
2.Make her wilderness like Eden.
3.Make her desert like Eden.
B.Note: The curse will be lifted. Isa. 65:17-25
C.Joy, gladness, thanksgiving, sound of a melody will be found in her. Isa. 51:11
IV.Vs. 4 Pay attention…give ear.
A.My people…my nation.
B.Let me repeat once again what I will do:
C.My justice will extend over the entire world. Isa. 2:2-3 (repeated in Micah 4:1-3) NOTE: The Mosaic Law contained in commandments, statutes, and the ordinances was the expression of God’s will to Israel to whom alone it was addressed. Rom. 9:3-5 (Rom. 2:12, 14)
1.Grace teachings are addressed only to those who are in the church and therefore are already perfected in Christ. 1 John 2:3 (His teachings) with 1 Cor. 7:12-17
2.Kingdom rule embodies that responsibility which will be required when
D.Christ is reigning on the earth; when Satan is in the pit; when righteousness and peace shall cover the earth. This relationship with its responsibility is reflected in the Sermon on the Mount. Mt. 5:3-ff
V.Vs. 5–6 In contrast, the heavens and the earth will pass away but that which the Lord has accomplished – salvation and righteousness – will continue forever. Mt. 24:35
A.Christ “our righteousness” is near.
B.His salvation is a finished work.
C.He will judge. John 5:22
D.There will be those who wait for Him. Rev. 22:20
VI.Vs. 7–8 Knowing God’s revealed plan “the remnant” with God’s Law within them and eternal hope before them, should take courage (John 16:33) not allowing their “enemies” to discourage them (reproach and reviling will come).
A.Contrast the two ends: What we possess is forever; what they who oppose us possess is consumable (a moth eaten future).
VII.Vs. 9–11 A (the) prayer of the remnant – awake, oh Lord, and give us another “Exodus” – save your people.
A.Rahab is Egypt. Isa. 30:7
B.The dragon. Isa. 27:1
C.“Deliver from Evil”…lead us home.
D.The redeemed, ransomed will return.
E.Zion will be theirs. Mt. 24:31; Deut. 30:1-5
F.Israel’s lot – everlasting joy. Rev. 21:1-5
VIII.Vs. 12 The remnant will be living in fear – why? (Who to fear, Lk. 12:4-5) The ones they will be fearing are only men; like grass. Isa. 40:6-8
A.The reason that they have no reason to fear. Rom. 8:31-39
B.Keep things in perspective! Remember! You are His people, vs. 16.
IX.Vs. 13 Judah has forgotten their God who is the Creator (controller) of all things.
A.Judah fears from time immemorial because of the fury of their oppressor, as those oppressors make ready to destroy – What has happened to the oppressor? Mt. 24:29-31; Rom. 11:25-27; Rev. 19:11-21
X.Vs. 14–15 God’s declaration (response) to Israel’s real life predicament.
XI.Vs. 16 God’s perspective on the entire situation.
A.Again, Israel belongs to God. Hosea 1
XII.Vs. 17 Israel had called for God to wake up and do something. Isa. 51:9
A.Now God is telling Israel to wake up.
B.In their exile, Judah has experienced God’s wrath in full – she is now about to experience His blessing.
XIII.Vs. 18 No one within the nation will be found who is able to deliver her – no more heroes (maybe they have all died).
XIV.Vs. 19 Two things have befallen Judah:
A.Devastation and destruction.
B.Famine and sword.
C.Read Rev. 6:1-18:24
XV.Vs. 20 During this time of tribulation, “the sons of Israel” will be cut down in the streets of Jerusalem, a result of the wrath of their God – His rebuke.
XVI.Vs. 21–23 The time of judgment is over.
A.The cup that God has given them to drink will now be handed over to those who have hated them.
B.Note: The world’s treatment of Israel is like that of a person who makes another as dirt on which to walk.
C.Near fulfillment – Babylon; ultimate fulfillment – end of days.
I.Vs. 1 Awake (Isa. 51:9)
A.Clothe yourself…for…will no longer come into you Zion – Jerusalem; put your royal and priestly clothes on, be what you were chosen to be. Ex. 19:1-6
B.Note: Must look forward to the millennial kingdom because that is the only time when this statement would be true.
C.Her situation – lying upon the ground stupefied with the wrath of God, exhausted with grief, complete degradation her lot for the past number of years.
II.Vs. 2 Stand up and shake the dust off you. Job 2:12-13
A.Loose yourself from the chains…you are free!
III.Vs. 3 You were sold. Isa. 50:1
A.Your redemption will not be purchased with money.
IV.Vs. 4 Two points from their history:
A.Went down into Egypt. Gen. 15:13-16
B.The Assyrian oppressed you. Isa. 10:5-ff; 2 Kings 17:20-23
V.Vs. 5 Therefore – what is the situation:
A.My people have been taken away.
B.Those who rule over them “howl”.
C.God’s name is blasphemed continually.
VI.Vs. 6 Therefore, because of the situation described in verse 5, God is going to respond:
A.Israel will know God’s name.
B.In that day (stated above), it will be God Himself who will be saying “Here I am”. Mt. 24:25-27 (NOTE: with the context of Matthew, Jesus must be the one referenced in Isaiah 52.)
VII.Vs. 7 How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him who touches…Acts 1:11; Zech. 14:1-21; Isa. 40:10-11; 61:1-11
VIII.Vs. 8 Your watchmen…will see with their own eyes…the Lord restoring Zion. This scene, which has been promised for 3500 years, has now finally arrived.
IX.Vs. 9 Shout joyfully:
A.The Lord has comforted His people.
B.He has redeemed Jerusalem.
X.Vs. 10 God’s work of grace on behalf of Israel will be seen by all the nations.
A.God’s holy arm (again Isa. 40:10)
XI.Vs. 11–12 Return:
A.From Babylon.
B.From the four corners of the earth.
C.Your departure from; your re-gathering to will not need to be done in haste for:
1.The Lord will go before you.
2.He will also be your rear guard.
3.Your expulsion from the lands that you have been scattered throughout will not be as “fugitives” evicted.
a.Unlike their departure from Egypt when they gathered from the people to take with them, they are to bring nothing, for God has set a table for their arrival.
The Suffering Servant
I.SUBSTITUTIONARY DEATH OF CHRIST:
A.Concept:
1.Christ suffered on our behalf
a.for our good
b.in our place bearing the penalty of our sins, which we
c.otherwise would ourselves have borne.
B.Substitution – one taking the place of another.
C.Passages that speak of Christ:
1.Dying for sinners: Mt. 20:28; Lk. 22:19(b) John 6:51; 10:11, 15, 18; 15:12-13; Rom. 5:8; 8:32
a.2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 21 (made sin)
b.Gal. 2:20; 3:13 (made a curse); Eph. 5:2; 1 Thes. 5:9-10; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Titus 2:13-14; Heb. 2:9 (Heb. 6:4); 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 John 3:16
D.Bearing our sins: Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 2:24
E.Suffering for our sins: Rom. 4:25; 8:3; 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4; Heb. 10:12
F.Statements of note:
1.Love may long to save, but because of the unchangeable demands of justice, be powerless to do so.
a.Grace in God is that which love accomplishes on the ground of the truth that Christ has met the demands of justice. Rom. 3:21-26
G.When Christ dies at the hand of His Father as an offering for sin, it is evident:
1.That there was no other way which sinners could be saved. Gal. 3:21 b. Christ, by His death, met the demands of justice in behalf of the sinner. c. As a consequence, those who will come to God by Christ are saved without the slightest infringement upon divine holiness.
H.God saves His own people – those who trust Him – from His own wrath. Job 42:7-8; Hos. 6:1
I.The principle of works represents all that man can do for himself; the principle of faith represents all that God can do for man.
J.Job 9:32-33
K.How the Jewish teachers have handled this section of Scripture:
L.(The following is taken from “The Suffering Messiah of Isaiah 53” by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.)
M.Two different Messiahs:
1.Son of Joseph – suffering Messiah
2.Son of David – reigning Messiah
3.2 lines of messianic prophecies.
4.This was later changed, saying that the passage represented Jewish people suffering in a Gentile world – collective body rather than an individual.
N.First rabbi – Rashi (1040-1105AD) – in 1100AD he proposed this new interpretation. In the 1800’s it became the dominant view.
O.In verses 52:13 to 53:12, of whom does Isaiah speak.
1.9 clues in how we should interpret the passages:
a.Pronouns we, us, our
(1)he, him, his
2.If “we” is the Jewish people, then is “he” the Gentiles?
a.Servant dies for My people – Israel has never died for anyone.
b.Singular personality – not described as a plural.
c.Servant is innocent, but suffering, vs. 4, 6, 8, 9.
3.God never told Israel that they would suffer, though innocent – He promised the opposite.
4.Suffering servant is suffering willingly and silently, vs. 7 (Jews were never silent, nor did they do it willingly).
5.Servant suffers a substitutionary death, vs. 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 11.
6.Nowhere do we find Israel suffering for the Gentiles – they suffer because of the Gentiles.
7.Suffering of the servant brings healing to those who accept it, vs. 5, 11.
8.Vs. 8, 12 – suffering servant dies (Israel never has died). Impossible to make this apply to the nation of Israel.
9.Vs. 10, 11 – after dying, the servant is resurrected.
II.Often quoted in the New Testament:
A.Isa. 52:15 — John 12:38; Rom. 10:16
B.Isa. 53:4 — Mt. 8:17
C.Isa. 53:7-8 — Acts 8:32-33
D.Isa. 53:9 — 1 Pet. 2:22
E.Isa. 53:12 — Lk. 22:37
God is doing the speaking.
III.Vs. 13 My Servant – Isa. 42:1; 49:5-8; 50:6
A.Will prosper.
B.Be high and lifted up. Isa. 6:1-4; Rev. 4:2-11
C.Greatly exalted. Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 3:1; Heb. 12:2; 1 Pet. 3:21-22
D.Isa. 53:11-12
IV.Vs. 14 Many (?) were astonished at the Servant’s appearance.
V.Vs. 15 The Servant will “sprinkle” many nations:
A.The sin offering. Lev. 4:6
B.Consecration of the priests. Lev. 8:11
C.Cleansing for leprosy. Lev. 14:7
D.The nations of the earth (their kings) will experience a change of perspective. They misjudged Him so badly; their mouths will become closed (a king who cannot speak).
People of Israel do the speaking.
Isaiah 53
VI.Vs. 1 Israel also misjudged Him.
A.So few people will believe.
VII.Vs. 2 He became flesh:
A.Frail, like a…
B.Plain, homely, un-attracting.
C.He did not appear to be royalty.
VIII.Vs. 3 He was the kind of individual people do not normally want to look at; they were repulsed by Him.
A.The nation despised Him and thought of Him as an embarrassment.
IX.Vs. 4–5 He died as a substitution for the ones described above.
A.The Servant bore the consequences of their (our) sins.
B.Our griefs — He bore — The consequences of sin
C.Our sorrows — He carried
D.Pierced through — for our transgressions
E.Crushed — for our iniquities – vs. 5, 6, 11 (He will bear
1.their iniquities.)
F.Chastening for our well-being — upon Him
G.By His scourging — we are healed
H.1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21
X.Vs. 6 Sheep are followers – as the lead sheep goes; so the others follow.
A.Each has turned his own way. 1 Pet. 2:25
B.But, rather than lay the consequences of our own decisions and actions upon ourselves, God laid them upon the Servant.
XI.Vs. 7–9 The Servant died willingly, though righteous (vs. 9), for others’ transgressions.
A.Sheep have a submissive nature – they can be sheared of their wool or killed as a sacrifice and put up no resistance. Jesus, as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29), quietly submitted to His death.
B.He did not attempt to stop what was happening to Him.
C.He remained silent, rather than defend Himself. Mt. 26:62-63; 27:14
D.He was willingly led to death because…Heb. 12:2
E.He was taken away for crucifixion after He was oppressed and received judgment.
F.The generation that observed (participated) was unaffected and unimpressed with what He was doing.
G.(They were under judicial condemnation.)
H.The soldiers who crucified Jesus apparently intended to bury Him as they would the other two – God had it done differently. Mt. 27:57-60
XII.Vs. 10–11 The heart of Christ’s finished work:
A.He became a guilt offering. Lev. 5:15; 6:5; 19:21; Rom. 3:21-26
B.His death will not be the end of Him:
1.He will see His offspring.
2.He will prolong His days – for eternity.
3.He will be blessed. Phil. 2
C.By means of His death – God is propitiated.
D.By knowledge of Him – many will be justified.
XIII.Vs. 12 Therefore…because
A.This section of Isaiah presents a complete picture of what the death of Jesus Christ accomplished on behalf of Israel (John 11:49-51) and the whole world (John 11:52; 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14-19).
I.Notes on the picture used in the scriptures of Israel as the wife of Jehovah:
A.Ezk. 16:1-14, esp. vs. 8 with Jer. 31:31-32 (what covenant is Jehovah referring to? Was a relationship implied within it?)
B.The Marriage:
1.The covenant established. Ex. 19:1-8
2.The unforgivable sin committed by the first generation. Deut. 1:19-2:1
3.The 2nd generation continued under that covenant. Deut. 5:1-3
4.Idolatry is the act which equals adultery in Jehovah’s relationship with Israel. Deut. 6:10-15
5.God entered into this covenant only with Israel. Deut. 7:6-11
6.Ezk. 16:8 – Sinai equaled “you became mine”.
7.Israel is the wife of Jehovah.
C.The Great Adultery:
1.Jer. 3:1-5, 20
2.Ezk. 16:15-34 (included in her list of lovers were Egypt-vs.26, Assyria-vs.28, and the Babylonians, vs. 29)
3.Hosea 2:2-5
D.A Period of Separation – Isa. 50:1
E.The Divorce – Jer. 3:6-10
F.The Punishment – Ezk. 16:35-43, 58-59; Hosea 2:6-13
G.The Remarriage – Jer. 31:31-34; Ezk. 16:60-63; Isa. 54:1-8; Isa. 62:4-5; Hosea 2:14-23
Verses 1-3 In Israel, fertility on every level was a sign of God’s blessing – the barren one is going to have lots of children!
II.Vs. 1 Israel, barren, have not travailed, though married – has been living in a continual state of mourning, devastated.
A.But, by God’s sovereign grace, she will be enabled to have many children.
B.She will break into song and shout for joy.
III.Vs. 2 As nomads, expand your tents for there will not be enough room to contain your growing families (when you finally confess – Isa. 53:4-6; Rom. 11:26-27)
IV.Vs. 3 For (when the millennium comes), you will:
A.Spread…abroad.
B.Possess nations.
C.Resettle desolate (made so in the tribulation) cities.
Verse 4-8 Israel’s regathering – The Lord will regather Israel the way a man would take back his departed wife.
V.Vs. 4 Fear Not – Isa. 41:10, 14; 43:5-7; 44:2, 6-8 – you will not:
A.Be put to shame.
B.Be disgraced.
C.You will:
1.Forget your prior shame.
2.Forget the reproach of your widowhood.
VI.Vs. 5 Your husband is:
A.Your Maker.
B.The Lord of Hosts.
C.Your Redeemer.
D.The Holy One of Israel.
E.The God of all the earth.
VII.Vs. 6 The Lord has called you like:
A.A wife forsaken…grieved in Spirit.
B.A wife of one’s youth…rejected.
C.Says your God.
VIII.Vs. 7–8 For a brief moment – I forsook you.
A.In an outburst – I hid my face from you.
B.(why – Isa. 50:1)
C.With great compassion I will gather you.
D.A moment of my hiding will be replaced with:
1.Everlasting lovingkindness.
2.Compassion.
E.Says the Lord your Redeemer.
Verses 9-10 – The Lord, Israel’s redeemer, the Holy One, God of all the earth will not stay angry with His wife.
IX.His covenant of peace with them will not be shaken.
A.He will have compassion upon His people Israel.
X.Vs. 9 Just as He “felt” as the Noahic Flood came to its completion, so He feels toward His nation. Gen. 9:11-17 (At the time of their restoration after the experiences of the tribulation.)
XI.Vs. 10 For, His lovingkindness will not be removed from Israel.
A.His covenant of peace will not be shaken!
B.Ezk. 34:23-31; 37:26-28
C.Isa. 9:7; 32:17-18; 55:12; 66:12-13
D.Jer. 30:10-11; 33:6, 9; 46:27
XII.Vs. 11–12 Jerusalem – the afflicted city will be divided no more.
A.Stones in antimony.
B.Foundations in sapphires.
C.Battlements in rubies.
D.Gates of crystal.
E.Entire wall of precious stones.
XIII.Vs. 13 Your sons will be taught of the Lord producing well-being for them.
XIV.Vs. 14 Your lives will be of:
A.Righteousness.
B.Far from oppression.
C.Free of fear.
D.Terror will not come near you.
Verses 15-17 In the past, God has allowed “the destroyer” to overcome His people – never again.
XV.This is the heritage of Israel
XVI.Their vindication is from God Himself.
I.Vs. 1 An invitation which flows out of chapters 53 & 54:
A.Every one who thirsts — Come to the waters
1.John 4:10-14; 7:37-39
2.Rev. 21:6
B.You with no money — Come buy and eat
II.Vs. 2
A.— Why spend for — What is not…
B.Why give your wages — for what does not satisfy
C.(Why give yourself over to religion that does not save.)
D.Listen carefully to the Servant:
1.Eat what is good
2.Delight yourself in abundance
E.(Believe Isa. 53 and receive.)
III.Vs. 3 Hear, come, live
A.I will make an everlasting covenant with you. 2 Sam. 7:12-17; Jer. 32:40-42 (Jer. 31:31-34 with Heb. 13:20); Ezk. 34:25-31
IV.Vs. 4 Him refers not to Israel, but to the Servant, David’s Son.
A.A witness to other nations.
V.Vs. 5 You, Israel, will attract other nations who will run to you because you belong to the Lord and He has glorified you.
Verses 6-13 – Salvation will be open to all.
VI.Vs. 6 The invitation – which must be responded to “before it is too late”!
VII.Vs. 7 Let the wicked…
A.Let the unrighteous…
B.Return to the Lord
C.1 Thes. 1:2-10
D.His response will be compassion and pardon. 1 John 1:9-2:2
VIII.Vs. 8–9 God deals with “enemies” far differently than we do!
A.(Humans who know who they are and hide from Him are amazed when they finally come to Him.)
IX.Vs. 10–11 God’s Word…will accomplish what it has been sent forth to do.
A.His word is like…
X.Vs. 12–13 In that day…nature will be for us and not against us. Rom. 8:18-23
Verses 1-8 – Promises to the Gentiles and Eunuchs who have joined themselves to the nation of Israel.
I.Vs. 1–2 Preserve justice.
A.Do righteousness.
B.Do this.
C.Take hold of it.
D.Keep from profaning the Sabbath.
E.(See Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s notes on “Keeping the Sabbath” taken from his “Israelology” series.)
F.Keep your hand from doing any evil.
G.FOR:
H.My salvation is about to come.
I.My righteousness is about to be revealed.
J.Note: present behavior affects future blessing.
II.Vs. 3 The foreigner (Gentile) who has joined himself to Israel (Proselyte) is not to fear that God will separate them from Israel when the millennium comes, Isa. 14:1.
A.Eunuchs who receive the Lord will also be included (unlike their present state, Deut. 23:1).
III.Vs. 4–8 The Eunuchs and Gentiles who have chosen the God of Israel, who:
A.Keep His Sabbaths.
B.Choose what pleases Him.
C.Will receive an everlasting name (Eunuch’s – not to be passed down to their children, for they have none – must mean they will live forever), a name better than having children.
D.They will be made joyful in His temple.
E.Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable (see Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s notes on “Sacrifices Offered in the Millennium” from his “Israelology” series.)
F.Note: Non Jews who have joined themselves to Israel continue to be seen as separate from the nation.
G.God concludes this section with a declaration of His plan.
Verses 9-12 – Warning to those who refuse to respond positively to the call.
IV.Vs. 9 A call will be sent out to the beasts of the field and forest to gather for a great feast. Rev. 19:17-18; Ezk. 39:17-29
V.Vs. 10–11 Israel’s watchmen are:
A.Blind.
B.Know nothing.
C.Mute…unable to make a sound.
D.Dreamers.
E.Love to slumber.
F.Greedy.
G.Not satisfied.
H.Possess no understanding.
I.Turned to their own way…to unjust gain to the last one.
VI.Vs. 12 The watchmen’s word, attitude and mind set.
I.Vs. 1–2 Righteous men perish (early in life) and nobody cares. Why are devout men “prematurely” removed from the earth? Ps. 73:1-28; Eccl. 2:15-16, 7:15, 8:14
A.Does not anyone think of the truth that:
1.Evil can no longer touch them.
2.They have entered their place of peace.
3.They are at rest.
4.A loss of life does not equal a loss of blessing.
5.Another possibility – things had become so bad that death is the only place the righteous will be able to find peace.
B.Note: The righteous is defined as the one who “walked in his upright way”. (1 John 2:3-6)
II.Vs. 3–11 What follows is description of the rest of the people of Israel – a wicked nation peppered with a scattering of the righteous.
A.Sorcery – 2 Chron. 33:1-13; Rev. 9:20-21; 18:23 – a prevalent “habit” among men.
B.Religious prostitution (remember Isa. 54:4-8). Hosea 4:14; Deut. 23:17-18
C.People who make fun of the “religious”, vs. 4.
D.Who go to “worship centers” on hillsides to be closer to their gods, vs. 5. Ezk. 6:11-14
E.Who sacrifice their children to appease a variety of gods, vs. 5. Ezk. 20:27-32; Lev. 18:21
F.Who pour out their offerings in the same place they made their bed with prostitutes all at a high location “closer to the god”, vs. 6-7.
1.Spent a whole evening talking about their breaking the marriage vow. Jer. 31:31-32
G.In your homes, instead of Deut. 6:6-ff, you have turned them into sexual perversity and have even called it a demonstration of your faith, vs. 8.
H.You travailed at all costs, even death, to practice your idolatry. No matter how difficult, hopeless, or faint you became, you found what it took to do that which your heart had set itself upon, vs. 9-10.
I.You were mine, but lied and chose not to remember Me. When you were deep in your sin you never gave Me a thought. I was silent so you stopped fearing me, vs. 11.
III.Vs. 12 I will expose you, your religious practices, but they will not profit you.
IV.Vs. 13 Ask your gods to come to your aid. A puff of wind and they will be carried away.
A.He who takes refuge in Me might die early, vs. 1-2; but in the long run they will:
1.Inherit the land.
2.Possess My Holy Mountain.
Verses 14 through 21 – The Lord’s promise of forgiveness.
V.Vs. 14 In Isaiah 40:3-5, the people are told to prepare a road for their God. Here, their God is going to prepare a road for His people (the remnant). Isa. 62:10
VI.Vs. 15 The God, who is high, exalted, lives forever, Holy, and lives on a high and holy place, invites humans who are contrite and lowly of spirit to come to Him to be revived in their spirit and heart. 1 John 3:1-2; Isa. 66:1-2
VII.Vs. 16 God can become angry, but His anger is for a time (in relation to the lost, Rev. 14:10-11). Gen. 6:3
VIII.Vs. 17 The reason for God’s anger against His people Israel:
A.Greed – unjust gain. Jer. 6:10-13
B.Independence – went on turning away.
IX.Vs. 18 The Lord has seen Israel’s way, but:
A.He will heal him.
B.Lead him.
C.Restore him.
D.Comfort.
X.Vs. 19 To Israel:
A.Praise.
B.Peace.
C.Healing.
XI.Vs. 20–21 To the wicked – no peace.
A.They are like a tossing sea, which cannot be calmed.
B.Garbage and mud throughout its waters.
I.Vs. 1 God is calling for His “heralds” to go and get His people’s attention.
II.Vs. 2 A people who talk the talk, who practice their religion to be seen by all.
III.Vs. 3 A people who can’t believe that God is not impressed with them (they fear that God has not noticed their “act.”
A.A people who separate their religious life from their everyday life. They had confused rituals with relationships and outward acts with inward reality.
IV.Vs. 4 You fast on Saturday for religious reasons and operate on a different basis the rest of the week. Deut. 24:14-15; James 5:1-6
V.Vs. 5–7 The following are the things that man does in hopes of receiving a positive response from God. (Maybe a positive response from people who see him?)
A.A man humbles himself.
B.Bows his head.
C.Makes a bed with sackcloth and ashes.
1.Outward acts of piety and not real “worship.” Rom. 12:1-2; Isa. 1:11-17; James 1:22-27; 2:1-4
D.That which God is looking for--
E.If you will:
1.Loosens the bonds of wickedness.
2.Undoes the bands of the yoke.
a.Lets the oppressed go free.
b.Breaks every yoke.
F.Divide your bread with the hungry.
G.Bring the homeless poor into your house. Remember – Lk. 6:26-38
H.Cover the naked.
I.Don’t hide yourself from your own flesh. Deut. 22:1-4
VI.Vs. 8 Then God will cause:
A.Your light will break out like the dawn. (See vs. 10) Mt. 5:14
B.Your recovery will spring forth. Jer. 30:10-17ff
C.Your righteousness will go before you. (Similar to Rev. 19:7-8)
D.The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Ex. 14:19-20
VII.Vs. 9–12
A.You will call and the Lord will answer. (Does God always hear?)
B.You will cry and He will respond in a way that you would hope for.
C.If you will, then He will—
D.If:
1.Remove the yoke from your midst. (Refers back to vs. 6)
2.Stop pointing your finger.
3.Speaking wickedness. (Talking trash.)
4.Give yourself to the hungry. Deut. 15:7-11
5.Satisfy the desire of the afflicted.
E.Then:
1.Your light will rise in darkness.
2.Your gloom will disappear.
3.The Lord will continually guide you. (Is it a given that the Lord guides us?)
4.Satisfy your desire in scorched places. (You’ll find yourselves in some.)
5.Give strength to your bones.
6.You will be like a watered garden.
7.Like an unfailing spring of water.
8.You will rebuild the ancient ruins.
a.Raise up old foundations.
b.Called a repairer of the breach.
c.Restorer of the streets.
VIII.Vs. 13 If you will honor my Sabbath the right way for the right reasons…
IX.Vs. 14 Then:
A.You will take delight in the Lord.
B.I will make you high.
C.I will feed you.
D.For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
I.Overview of the chapter:
A.The God of Israel is not defeated even in the light of the people He has joined Himself to! Vs. 1
B.God’s purpose and plan for Israel has not come to fruition because… Vs. 2-8
C.Israel’s experience, which has resulted from her condition. Vs. 9-15
D.God’s purpose and plan will be accomplished because God will make a reality by means of His own effort! Vs. 16-21
II.Vs. 1 Behold:
A.The Lord could save them – He is powerful enough.
1.Num. 11:12-13; Isa. 50:2-6ff; Eph. 1:9-11(vs5); Jer. 32:17
B.It is not because He cannot hear them. 1 John 1:5-2:2; Ps. 66:18; Prov. 28:9; Isa. 58:9-12; 65:24
III.Vs. 2 It is because they have continued in sin throughout their entire existence with Him. (God is speaking to His chosen, not the lost of the world.)
A.Their iniquities have made a separation between them and their God.
B.Their sins have resulted in:
1.God hiding His face from them.
2.Your sins – His inability to look upon them – resulted in His not hearing them.
C.Note: Verses 2-8 are directed at the majority. It does not apply to the remnant!
1.It can be said of the remnant
2.Righteous 57:1, 1 John 3:4-10 with Rom. 9:31 thru 10:4
3.Chosen 65:9,15,22, Eph. 1:3-6; 2 Pet. 1:3-11
4.Servants 65:8-9; 13-14 — 1 Pet. 2:4-5
5.God’s Holy People 63:18 — 1 Pet. 2:9
6.Lovers of God’s Israel 66:10 1 John 5:1
7.Take refuge in God 57:13 — Col. 3:3-4
8.Observe His word 66:2,5 — 1 John 3:2-3
IV.Vs. 3–9 That which God would have to watch had He not turned His face from them:
A.Hands defiled with blood.
B.Fingers defiled with iniquity.
C.Lips speaking falsehoods. Eph. 4:25
D.Tongues muttering wickedness. Eph. 4:31-32
E.Everyone is out to sue his brother (though he has no righteous basis). 1 Cor. 6:1-8
F.No one speaks honestly. Eph. 4:29
G.They trust in confusion. 1 Cor. 14:6-17
H.Speak lies.
I.Conceive mischief – bring forth iniquity.
V.Vs. 5–6 Within the family of God, their choices were like laying viper eggs among the members – when they hatched, people died. Jude 12-13
A.The lives they lived produced spider webs as coverings, which were unable to hide the true being that lay underneath.
B.Threads of iniquity, strands of violence.
C.Feet that run to evil – hasten the person along so that he might shed innocent blood.
D.Their every thought – iniquity.
E.Anywhere they have traveled – devastation and destruction are the signs of their passing.
1.They do not know the way of peace.
2.There is no justice with them.
3.They make the straight crooked.
4.Whoever follows after them finds no peace.
F.Therefore:
1.Justice eludes them.
2.Righteousness never catches up.
3.Only darkness for those who were hoping for light.
4.No brightness of day; only gloom.
5.God’s people’s lives become like:
a.Groping along the wall…blind.
b.Stumbling, though it is broad daylight.
c.The vigorous unable to function – like dead men.
d.Growling like bears.
(1)Moaning like doves.
e.Hoping for justice but finding none.
f.Unable to find salvation.
VI.Vs. 12 Our transgressions multiplied before the judge.
A.Sins screaming out our guilt. Gen. 4:3-10; 1 John 3:11-12
B.Our transgressions on us – unable to escape them.
C.We know our iniquities.
VII.Vs. 13
A.— Transgressing the Lord. 2 Tim. 4:9-18
B.Denying Him.
C.Turning away from Him.
D.Speaking.
E.From our hearts, lying words.
VIII.Vs. 14–15 The truth, the whole truth.
A.No justice; no righteousness; no uprightness; no truth.
B.The one who tries to escape these pollutants becomes a prey (God’s children have made it a big black hole).
C.This was not God’s plan for Israel.
IX.Vs. 16a Israel has sunk to such a low level that no one but the Lord can save the nation.
A.Like a warrior, God goes forth to fight for His people.
X.Vs. 16b–18 His armor. Eph. 6:14-17
A.God’s other armor; vengeance and zeal.
B.God will supply righteousness and salvation for His people as He executes vengeance on His enemies.
XI.Vs. 19 He will come and all mankind will see.
XII.Vs. 20 He will come to Zion and redeem Jacob.
XIII.Vs. 21 When He comes for Israel, He will inaugurate His New Covenant with them. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezk. 36:27; Joel 2:29
I.Vs. 1–3 The Lord will come to Jacob. Rom. 11:11-29; Isa. 59:19-20
A.His light will shine upon them who in turn will show forth His light to the Gentile world. (He will be God’s instrument in removing the spiritual darkness that covers the earth.) (Acts 26:14-18; Col. 1:12-14; 1 Pet. 2:9; Isa. 2:3
II.Vs. 4 The purpose of Christ’s return is the national gathering of the nation. Mt. 23:37-39
A.The desire of God’s heart (Zech. 14:1) will be realized.
III.Vs. 5 The Israelites will be radiant…their heart will thrill and rejoice.
A.The wealth of the nations will flow into her! Isa. 60:11; 61:5-7; Haggai 2:7-9; Zech. 14:9-11, 14
IV.Vs. 6–7
A.Midian – south of the Dead Sea.
B.Ephah – a branch of the Midianites. Gen. 25:4
C.Sheba – the Sabeans in SW Arabia. Isa. 43:3
D.Kedar – in northern Arabia.
E.Nebaioth – an Arabian tribe. Gen. 25:13
F.Tarshish – southern Spain. Isa. 23:1
G.Note: Many of the peoples of the nations pointed out by God in the Book of Genesis have survived intact throughout human history!
H.Some of the riches brought will be used as offerings (Isa. 56:6-7) and some will be used to beautify the temple. Isa. 60:13, Ezk. 40 thru 43
V.Vs. 8–9 All of this wealth will be brought in haste.
VI.Vs. 10–12 Israel will occupy the central position in the world’s political, economic, religious and social structure. Jerusalem’s walls will be built up by the nations. The kings of all the nations will “minister” to Israel. (Israel’s experiences, both bad and good were brought upon her by her God.)
A.Nations will bring their offerings day and night.
B.Any who hesitate will perish.
VII.Vs. 13 The temple of the Lord will be rebuilt for the fourth time.
VIII.Vs. 14 The head will become the tail and the tail will become the head! People from the nations that formerly despised Israel will recognize:
A.Zion (Jerusalem), is God’s chosen city (not Mecca).
B.Zion, the place where He dwells
IX.Vs. 15–16 Just as a nursing child gets sustenance from its mother, so Israel will be sustained by the wealth of the nations.
A.It will not be until this time and as a result of this time that Israel will truly realize that God is:
1.The Lord.
2.Savior – Isa. 43:11-13
3.Redeemer – Isa. 41:14
4.Mighty one of Jacob – Isa. 49:26
X.Vs. 17–18 Her wealth will be second to none.
A.Peace and joy will be hers in fullest measure.
XI.Vs. 19–20 The Lord will be her light and glory. The Jesus of the transfiguration will dwell in their city.
XII.Vs. 21–22 At that time:
A.Every Israelite will be righteous.
B.Every Israelite will have his or her inheritance of the land forever!
C.Both of the above will be the Lord’s doing and it will be to the praise and glory of His grace!
D.Israel’s future is as certain as God’s eternity is.
I.Vs. 1–3 The Spirit of (Holy Spirit) – Lord, God (God, the Father) – is upon Me (Messiah – Jesus Christ).
A.Because:
B.God, the Father, has “anointed” God, the Son, and sent Him endowed with supernatural power (authority). Acts 4:27-30; 10:36-43; Heb. 1:9 with Phil. 2:5-11; Isa. 42:6-9
C.To bring good news to the afflicted. Lk. 7:22-23; Mt. 10:16-28; 23:34-36; Acts 26:16-18; John 17:18, 20; 20:21-23
D.To bind up the brokenhearted. Isa. 57:15-20
E.To proclaim liberty to captives.
F.To proclaim freedom to prisoners.
G.To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
H.Luke 4:18-21 – the above was done at His first coming.
I.To proclaim the day of vengeance of our God. Isa. 34:8; 35:4; Dan. 7:19-22; Rev. 12:13
J.Comfort all who mourn. Isa. 57:17-18
K.To grant mourners of Zion:
1.A garland (crown) — instead of — ashes (sign of
a.mourning).
2.The oil of gladness — instead of — mourning.
3.The mantle of praise — instead of — a spirit of fainting.
L.So:
1.They will be called oaks of Righteousness.
2.The planting of the Lord.
3.All to the praise of His glory. Eph. 1:6, 12, 14
II.Vs. 4 Then – When the Son completes the work the Father sends Him to accomplish – after the second advent:
A.Israel, Jerusalem will be rebuilt.
1.The desolations of many generations.
III.Vs. 5
A.— Strangers (gentiles) will care for Israel’s flocks, farms and vineyards.
IV.Vs. 6
A.— The entire nation of Israel will become a nation of priests/ministers. Ex. 19:6
B.The wealth of the nations will be brought into Israel.
V.Vs. 7
A.— Instead of shame – an inheritance consisting of a double portion – taking all the nations of God’s creation and distributing the inheritance; Israel will be treated as the eldest son.
B.Instead of humiliation – joy over the portion granted them by God!
C.They will possess their land.
D.Their lot will be “everlasting” joy.
VI.Vs. 8 The Lord loves justice – things will be made right among the nations.
A.At the same time, He hates sin in the lives of His children and He will deal faithfully with both.
B.Israel’s portion – the everlasting covenant. Jer. 31:31-34
VII.Vs. 9 Then – people everywhere will acknowledge that Israel is, indeed, God’s special people!
VIII.Vs. 10 The prophet speaks in place of the remnant saved out of the tribulation.
IX.Vs. 11 For, as the earth brings forth…
A.So, God will bring Israel forth before all the nations.
I.Vs. 1–4 For Zion’s sake...for Jerusalem’s sake...for her
A.I will not be silent...will not be quiet
B.Until
C.Her righteousness goes forth...Her salvation Isa. 58:8-9
D.The nations will see; 1. your righteousness
E.the kings of those nations your glory Isa. 60:1-4
F.you are called by a new name Isa. 56:5; Rev. 2:17, 3:12
G.(God often changed a person’s name – Abram; Sarah, etc Num. 13:16)
H.The name of God changes meaning as it changes.
I.Could refer to individual names or a name change for Israel
J.a crown of beauty
K.a royal diadem 1 Pet. 2:9 kings serving the King of kings
L.a change of name: Forsaken is now called “God’s delight” Isa. 54:6-7; Isa. 49:14-16; Isa. 44:21-23
M.your land married to the God of Israel Rev. 21:2
N.Ownership and protected Jer. 32:36-42
II.Vs. 5 Isa. 49:18
III.Vs. 6–7 The watchmen on the walls will be looking for the approach of a runner with good news. Isa. 52:7-8
A.These watchmen will not keep silent until they see that the Lord has fulfilled His promises. Ps. 119:49; Jer. 14:21
B.(Those who look forward to the completion of God’s plan cannot cease to pray for the establishment of Israel and Jerusalem.)
IV.Vs. 8 Heb. 13:15
V.Vs. 9 I will never again give your....away
A.But
B.Israel will eat it and praise the Lord
C.And
D.The nation of priests will drink it in His sanctuary. Deut. 12:17-18
VI.Vs. 10 The desire of God’s heart vs 1; that which the watchmen have been crying out for, has come.
A.The Gentiles are commanded to go through the gates and clear all obstacles that would impede the return of God’s chosen people – build up the highway and remove the stones (similar to Isa. 40:3)
B.lift up the standard for the people of Israel to gather around. Isa. 11:12 49:22
VII.Vs. 11 Behold Zion’s salvation comes; their reward coming with Him. Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2
VIII.Vs. 12 The people of Israel will be called:
A.The Holy People
B.The Redeemed of the Lord
C.Sought out
D.A city not forsaken
I.Vs. 1 Who is this...This one who
A.Comes from Edom
1.Isa. 34:5-10; Gen. 36:1,8,43; Mal. 1:2-5; Rom. 9:6-14 from Bozrah, a city in Edom
B.Wears garments that are stained red with blood, having slaughtered the enemies of Israel (the peoples vs 3,6)
C.Is Majestic in His apparel; Rev. 1:12-16
D.Marching in the Greatness of His strength
E.Having destroyed Israel’s enemies, He is coming to save His chosen people
F.Note: Fruchtenbaum teaches that Jesus will return at The Second Advent to Bozrah and not the Mount of Olives; and that He will arrive at the Mount, having come from Bozrah. Either the Mount or Bozrah would be the fulfillment of Rom. 11:26.
II.Vs. 2 Rev. 19:11-21 The Battle of Armageddon is over.
A.Rev. 16:13-16; Zech. 14:1-6 (Note That: The description is that of delivering Israel, not defeating their enemies?) Rev. 14: 17-20
III.Vs. 3–6 When the Lord comes the Second Time, He is coming with great anger and vengeance will be His work. Isa. 34:8; 35:4; 61:2; 63:3,4,6
A.It is stressed that there was not a Non-Jew found that was desirous to assist the Lord in His delivery of Israel. (At this point in history it can truly be said that “everybody hates the Jew.”)
IV.Vs. 7–9 A prayer of the nation (“I”-Isaiah represents the nation.)
A.Surely God has been good to Israel.
B.Israel has been the recipient of His lovingkindness, goodness, compassion, love and mercy.
C.(Every sinner saved can declare the same truth. 1 Jn. 3:1)
D.His people have Him as their Savior.
E.In all their affliction He was afflicted.
F.The angel of His presence saved them – Angel of Jehovah, as Jehovah. Gen. 16:9-13; 22:11-12; 31: 11-13; 48:15-16; Judg. 6:11,16
G.As being distinct from Jehovah; Gen. 24:7; Zech. 1:11-17
H.The pre-Incarnate Christ; Gen. 18:1-2 with 19:1
I.Judges 2:1-4
J.“Angel of His presence” Col. 2:9; Heb. 1:3; Jn. 14:9; Ex. 33:14-15
V.Vs. 10 Israel rebelled against Him; not revolted, but became contentious.
A.From the very beginning they were difficult. Ex. 17:1-7
B.Israel grieved His Holy Spirit. Eph. 4:30
C.Because of this contentiousness, God brought against them:
D.troubles, distresses, and enemies to discipline them. Heb. 12:5-11
VI.Vs. 11–14 Bad times in the present, often causes us to review the past and wonder “where is He”?
A.the days of Moses
1.led them through the Red Sea – saw their own miraculous deliverance
2.distributed God’s Holy Spirit among them; Num. 11:17, 25-29
3.showed His glorious arm; Ex. 6:6
4.divided the waters and led them through
B.the days of Joshua
1.Joshua 21:44; 23:1
2.Note: When things are no longer the way they were, we long for those days again.
C.Your glorious Name was seen by means of Your people.
VII.Vs. 15–16 The remnant within the nation cry out to God
A.Look down and see
B.You have ceased expressing Yourself through Your people
C.You are estranged from Your people
D.You are our Father even though:
1.Abraham wouldn’t recognize us
2.nor Jacob
3.We have come down a long way
E.You are still our Father and our Redeemer
VIII.Vs. 17 What can I say? (Permissive Will of God)
IX.Vs. 18 Your sanctuary, the place you chose to bear Your Name has been defiled by those who don’t know You
X.Vs. 19 We have become like the world.
A.We look and smell the same!
B.Who would know that we ever knew You or You us?
A Prayer For Deliverance
I.Vs. 1–3 Isa. 63:15 “Look down from Heaven and see”
A.“Oh, that You would....come down”
B.That the mountains might quake at Your presence; Ex. 19:16-19
C.As fire kindles brushwood
D.As fire causes water to boil; Jer. 1:13-16
E.If You would only do this
F.Those who oppose You would know You
G.The nations would tremble at Your presence.
II.Vs. 4 Human experience, for the most part, has not seen the Hand of God in their midst.
A.The believer waits – nothing happens. We are admonished to believe that which is not seen; not our experience. Rom. 8:24-28 ff
III.Vs. 5–7 1 Jn. 2:3-6, 28-29; 3:2-3, etc (doing righteousness matters both under law and under grace)
A.A desire to confess one’s sin before God is the fruit of one who is right before Him. 1 Jn. 1:5 - 2:2
B.When one is right with God, doing righteousness is seen as a basis for one’s standing. Rom. 4:1-8
IV.Vs. 8–9 The plea of the nation on that day – the remnant will be delivered. (application is both Babylon and the end of the present age.)
V.Vs. 10–11 Israel became a waste place at the time of Babylon’s conquest and she will again, at the time of the Tribulation.
VI.Vs. 12 How long will You wait?
A.How long will You “allow” our present situation?
B.Note: READ Daniel 9:1-19
I.Vs. 1 During the time that God was/is being rejected by Israel, He has been open and receiving those Gentiles who come to Him. Rom. 10:20-21; Rom. 9:30-31; Jn. 1:11-13
II.Vs. 2 Judges 17:6; 21:25
III.Vs. 3–5 Israel had become a people who continually provoke Me to My face by:
A.Offering sacrifices in gardens — Isa. 1:29; 66:17
1.oak groves and gardens connected with adulterous, heathen worship
B.Burning incense on bricks — Jer. 11:11-15
C.Sit among graves — Isa. 8:19
1.necromancy – consulting the dead, while sitting among the graves
D.Spend the night in secret places
E.Eat swine’s flesh
1.disregarding His dietary laws
F.Eat the broth of unclean meat
G.Who are self-righteous
1.so religiously arrogant they became repulsive
H.Israelites that do the above are as irritating and painful as smoke in one’s nose.
IV.Vs. 6–7 God keeps it written before Him
A.“I will repay”
B.At the time of Isaiah, Assyria, and later Babylon, followed by Rome and the world at the time of the anti-Christ, were all used by God to judge Israel.
C.There are always consequences of sin.
D.The sin of adultery is stressed here. Jer. 31:31-32; Isa. 57: 3-7
V.Vs. 8–12 Judgment will be directed at the nation yet a remnant will be saved out of it. That remnant will be given the Land as their possession. Deut. 30:3-5
A.Valley of Achor — Hosea 2:13-23
B.The destiny of those who follow the God of Israel and those who do not are opposite destinies!
C.Fortune and Destiny were names of gods Israel worshipped in her attempt to know the future. Gad (the Aramean god of luck) and Meni (god of destiny)
D.God called – they did not answer
1.they did not hear — Rom. 10:14
2.they did evil
3.they chose
VI.Vs. 13–15 THEREFORE
A.MY SERVANTS — THE REST OF YOU
B.shall eat — shall be hungry
C.shall drink — shall be thirsty
D.shall rejoice — shall be put to shame
E.shall shout joyfully — cry out...wail with a broken spirit
F.with a glad heart — with a heavy heart
G.called by another name — your name will become a curse
H.(live) — God will slay you
VII.Vs. 16 Ex. 34:6 Today is the day of salvation – a decision for God today upon the earth will result in His:
A.forgetting their former troubles
B.their sins (former troubles) become hidden from His sight
VIII.Vs. 17 “Thy Kingdom Come” in two phases: Dan. 7:13-14
A.the millennial time — Isa. 2:3-4; Zech. 14:9
B.the eternal time — Rev. 20:7 with Rev. 21:1-8
C.Isaiah may well not have known the difference
IX.Vs. 18 Jerusalem will be a place of joy — Isa. 66:10-13
X.Vs. 19 The Lord Himself will rejoice in the city
A.and be glad in His people, Israel
B.Weeping, the sound of crying will not be heard there. Rev. 21:4
XI.Vs. 20 Death will still be present because sin will be dealt with but the norm will be to live for a thousand years.
XII.Vs. 21–22 A true demonstration of the right relationship that Israel enters into with God.
A.The opposite has been Israel’s experience all through this present age.
XIII.Vs. 23 God’s blessing will be upon their work and their families.
XIV.Vs. 24 Their lives will be filled with answered prayers.
XV.Vs. 25 The curse placed upon planet earth will be lifted .
A.Rom. 8:18-23; Isa. 11:6-9ff; Hosea 2:18-23
I.THE CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER
II.Vs. 1 God is sitting in Heaven.
A.Rev. 4:1-11; Isa. 6:1-4 — quoted in Acts 7:48-50
B.with the earth as His footstool.
C.No one can build Him a dwelling place because of Who He Is!
D.1 Kgs. 8:10-29ff
III.Vs. 2 Man cannot build for God without using materials which God made for man. Heb. 11:3; Rom. 4:17
A.God is not looking for a house to dwell in!
B.He is looking for a people who:
1.are humble
2.contrite of spirit — Isa. 57:15
3.tremble at His Word (Bible)
C.Put simply: God is interested in “who we are” more so than in what we do! What we do SHOULD be a reflection of who we are! This puts all humans on a level playing field.
IV.Vs. 3 Ritual – which their soul delights in, is what makes them an abomination. Isa. 1:11-17
A.Ritual is a way that men are drawn to – but not God!
V.Vs. 4 So – because of the way man is (including Israel, and more so), God will choose their eternal place
A.I called
B.I spoke — Rom. 3:1-4a
C.This verse is almost identical to Isa. 65:12
VI.Vs. 5 There are in the visible gatherings of “God’s people”
A.tremble at His Word
B.hate those who tremble at His Word
C.Those who “hate” those who tremble at His Word, who exclude such from the assembly...will be put to shame.
VII.Vs. 6 When the Lord returns to the city – Jerusalem, and the Temple within it, He will render recompense (pay back) to His enemies. Heb. 12:2; Matt. 25:41-46; Rev. 20:11-15
A.Note: Enemies of His children are enemies of His!
VIII.Vs. 7–9 Israel’s ultimate rebirth, at the Second Advent, will happen so quickly that the timing can be compared to a woman who gives birth at the same time as her first labor pain.
A.God does not start something and not finish it.
B.Can a land be born in one day?
C.Can a nation be brought forth all at once?
D.WATCH ZION
IX.Vs. 10–11 The people of Israel will delight in Jerusalem just as an infant delights in her mother’s sustenance.
X.Vs. 12–16 TWO DESTINIES
A.Israel – God will
1.extend peace to her like a river
2.grant her the glory of the nations
3.cause the people of Israel to be nursed, carried, & fondled d. comfort her like a mother
4.comfort her in Jerusalem
5.bless them and their heart shall be glad and their bones shall flourish g. make His Hand known to the People of Israel
B.His enemies – God will
1.show His indignation
2.render His anger with fury
3.render His rebuke with flames of fire
4.execute judgment by fire
5.execute judgment by His sword – on all flesh
6.slay many
XI.Vs. 17 Those who go to the garden Isa. 65:3
A.eating unclean animals, detestable things – shall come to an end altogether.
B.It will happen for the Lord has declared it!
XII.Vs. 18 When the Messiah returns, His judgment will be upon all nations and because of that judgment the world will see His glory.
XIII.Vs. 19–21 (Remember that during the Millennium an entire world population will be born)
A.God will use the Jews as missionaries having them travel to other parts of the earth – Matt. 28:18-20 and many will become believers, though not all – Rev. 20:7-9.
B.All who believe will be required to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship the King.
XIV.Vs. 22 Israel will endure as a separate people for as long as the new creation endures – FOREVER!
XV.Vs. 23 In the Eternal Kingdom, God will be ALL IN ALL 1 Cor. 15:28
XVI.Vs. 24 The wicked’s Eternal Experience will last as long as the Saved’s will last, but under awful conditions.
A.It may be that the Saved will know of the lost forever??? Luke 16:19-31
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”Isaiah 40:8 Download the full outline (PDF)