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by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
A. Highlights of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
1. Pre-Isaiah
a. United Kingdom of Israel: 1052-931 B.C.
1052-1010 B.C. – The reign of King Saul (1 Sam 13:1)
1010-970 B.C. – The reign of King David (2 Sam 5:5)
970-931 B.C. – The reign of King Solomon (1 Kings 11:42)
b. Divided Kingdom
Israel, the Northern Kingdom (Samaria) established its own kingdom under Jeroboam, 931 B.C.
Judah, the Southern Kingdom (Judah) established its own kingdom under Rehoboam, 931 B.C.
2. Israel and Judah in Isaiah's Time
a. 740 B.C. – Pekah had become the nineteenth king Israel
-- Jotham had become the eleventh king of Judah after the
death of Uzziah
b. 740 – c. 700 B.C – The events surrounding the ministry Isaiah in
Isaiah 1-39
B. Historical Context for Isaiah 40-66
Hezekiah's experiences with Sennacherib, his illness, and his ill-advised tour of his palace, treasury, and armaments were the subject of Isaiah 36-39. Generally, Hezekiah could be described as a man prone to seek and to follow after God but his first response in a crisis seems to have been fear followed by attempts to form alliances with those that posed the greatest threat. God and His covenant to protect His people did not appear to be a practical place for Hezekiah to place his trust.
However, when Assyria invades and takes several cities in his kingdom and then appears at the gates of Jerusalem, God becomes his only option (except surrender to the cruel enemy). Fortunately for Hezekiah, God is a God of grace and promises to deliver Judah from the Assyrians avoiding further disaster.
Hezekiah has some struggles with faith and pride but is allowed to continue to live an extra fifteen years. Some reforms were probably continued during this time, but the price paid for this extension seems to be the birth of a son, Manasseh, who would prove to be the most wicked and cruel of all Judah's kings.
Scholars believe that it is within the context of Manasseh's tyrannical rule that the people began to lose hope as they suffered under his rule. Isaiah writes chapters 40-66 to give God's people a vision of their ultimate destiny. God had not forgotten His promises to them. Though they were going to pass through a time of testing and judgment for their unfaithfulness to Him, the day would come when comfort would come in the form of a Suffering Servant Who would become their Messiah and King in an everlasting kingdom.
The study to this point has led us through these sections of Isaiah:
I. God's Message to Judah and Jerusalem, Isa 1-12
II. God's Messages to the Foreign Nations, Isa 13-23
III. God's Message to the World, Isa 24-27.
IV. God's Message for Those Under the Threat of Assyria, Isa 28-35
V. A Historical Interlude, Isa 36-39
In this sixth and final section of Isaiah, the focus is upon . . .
VI. God's Message Concerning His People's Future, Isa 40-66
A. The Sovereign God, Isa 40-48
B. The Suffering Servant, Isa 49-57
C. The Sitting Judge, Isa 58-66
Consider first,
A. The Sovereign God: Isa 40-48
1. The Comforting God, Isa 40
a. The promise of God's comfort, Isa 40:1-2
Isaiah 40:1-2 (NIV) 1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
b. The promise of the God's revelation of Himself, Isa 40:3-5
Isaiah 40:3-5 (NIV) 3A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
c. The promise of the God's unchangeable word, Isa 40:6-8
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV) 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
d. The promise of God's coming in power, Isa 40:9-11
Isaiah 40:10 (NIV) 10See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.
e. The pronouncement of His sovereign power and knowledge,
Isa 40:12-14
Isaiah 40:13-14 (NIV) 13Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?
f. The pronouncement of His sovereign rule over the nations,
Isa 40:15-17
Isaiah 40:15 (NIV) 15Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
g. The pronouncement of His singular existence as God,
Isa 40:18-20
Isaiah 40:18 (NIV) 18To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to?
h. The pronouncement of His sovereign rule over all princes,
Isa 40:21-24
Isaiah 40:23 (NIV) 23He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
i. The pronouncement of His sole status as Creator of the universe, Isa 40:25-26
Isaiah 40:26 (NIV) 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
j. The promise of His sustaining grace and strength, Isa 40:27-31
Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV) 29He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2. The Reigning God, Isa 41
a. He commands the nations, Isa 41:1.
Isaiah 41:1 (NIV) 1 "Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.
b. He calls forth the conqueror (Cyrus?, See Isa 44:28), Isa 41:2-4.
Isaiah 41:2 (NIV) 2 "Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
c. He causes the panic among the idol-makers, Isa 41:5-7.
Isaiah 41:5-7 (NIV) 5The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; 6each helps the other and says to his brother, "Be strong!" 7The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, "It is good." He nails down the idol so it will not topple.
d. He comforts His people, Isa 41:8-10.
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) 10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
e. He confirms His promise of victory over enemies, Isa 41:11-16.
Isaiah 41:11 (NIV) 11 "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
f. He creates a lush land from the desert, Isa 41:17-20.
Isaiah 41:18 (NIV) 18I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
g. He challenges the idols, Isa 41:21-24.
Isaiah 41:22 (NIV) 22 "Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,
h. He charts the future as the idols cannot, Isa 41:25-29.
Isaiah 41:28-29 (NIV) 28I look but there is no one—no one among them to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them. 29See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.
3. The Servant of God (the Messiah), Isa 42
a. He will establish justice on the earth, Isa 42:1-4.
Isaiah 42:1 (NIV) 1 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.
b. He will fulfill God's liberating purpose, Isa 42:5-7.
Isaiah 42:6-7 (NIV) 6 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
c. He will fulfill the new things to be revealed as assuredly as He has the former, Isa 42:8-9.
Isaiah 42:8-9 (NIV) 8 "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. 9See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you."
d. He will accomplish a victory that will justify universal praise, Isa 42:10-13.
Isaiah 42:10 (NIV) 10Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.
e. He will make a way through the desolation for His people but turn the idol-worshipers away, Isa 42:14-17.
Isaiah 42:16-17 (NIV) 16I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. 17But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame.
f. He will recognize the pitiful condition of His people and their need for a Deliverer, Isa 42:18-22.
Isaiah 42:22 (NIV) 22But this is a people plundered and looted, all of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, "Send them back."
g. He will explain the cause of His people's judgment,
Isa 42:23-25.
Isaiah 42:24 (NIV) 24Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways; they did not obey his law.
4. The Gracious God, Isa 43
a. He redeems His people, Isa 43:1.
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) 1But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
b. He protects His people along the way, Isa 43:2.
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
c. He recalls His people to their land, Isa 43:3-7.
Isaiah 43:5 (NIV) 5Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
d. He demands recognition of His sovereign deity, Isa 43:8-13.
Isaiah 43:10-13 (NIV) 10"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. 11I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. 12I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. 13Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"
e. He declares His divine decree for Babylon, Isa 43:14-15.
Isaiah 43:14 (NIV) 14This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.
f. He delivers in a new way, Isa 43:16-20.
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
But before the way can be made open, the obstacles must be removed.
g. He exposes their past sin, Isa 43:22-24.
Isaiah 43:24 (NIV) 24You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.
h. He appoints a purging preliminary judgment, Isa 43:25-28.
Isaiah 43:25-28 (NIV) 25 "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. 26Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence. 27Your first father sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me. 28So I will disgrace the dignitaries of your temple, and I will consign Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.
Relevance
1. The nations make their noise and rattle their swords, but against God they are nothing. God will place the righteous as rulers over the nations.
Revelation 2:26-27 (NIV) 26To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—27 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'—just as I have received authority from my Father.
2. God's promises of light, deliverance, salvation, and justice to Jew and Gentile in a future kingdom ruled by His Servant are beyond any powers (earthly or heavenly) to prevent, even in death.
1 John 5:4-5 (NIV) 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Revelation 12:10-11 (NIV) 10Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. 11They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
3. God will lead His people to redemption though the course may be include many perils and endangerments along the way.
Acts 14:21-22 (NIV) 21They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.
