Major Prophets · Old Testament
Isaiah
c. 740–680 BC
- Section
- Major Prophets · Old Testament
- Events span
- c. 740–680 BC
- Written
- c. 700–680 BC critical view: chs. 1–39 in the 8th century BC; chs. 40–66 during or after the exile (c. 540 BC)
- Author
- Isaiah of Jerusalem critical view: Isaiah plus later authors ("Second" and "Third" Isaiah)
Isaiah, prophet to Judah, warns of coming judgment for sin yet promises restoration and a Messiah. His soaring visions span the fall of nations, the comfort of the exiles, the Suffering Servant who bears our sins, and the new heavens and new earth.
Key themes
- Judgment and salvation
- The holiness of God
- The coming Messiah
- The Suffering Servant
- Comfort and restoration
Key events
Judgment on Judah & the Nations (Isaiah 1–39)
- Isaiah sees the LORD high and lifted up in the temple and is commissioned to prophesy
- Isaiah warns Judah of judgment but promises Immanuel, a child who will be born
- Oracles of judgment against the nations — Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, and others
- God will one day judge the whole earth, swallow up death, and reign in Zion
- Isaiah counsels King Hezekiah; Jerusalem is delivered from Assyria and Hezekiah is healed
Comfort & the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 40–66)
- "Comfort ye my people" — God promises to restore the exiles and prepare a way for them
- God alone is God; he foretells calling Cyrus by name to set his people free
- The Suffering Servant is "wounded for our transgressions" and bears the sin of many
- An invitation to the thirsty to come and freely receive God's mercy
- God promises to create new heavens and a new earth
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”