OT Survey IIOT Survey II

Isaiah – Part IIsaiah – Part I

Isaiah as AuthorIsaiah as Author ““Prince of the Prophets”Prince of the Prophets”

At the head of the [latter] prophetsAt the head of the [latter] prophets Master of language, poetryMaster of language, poetry Long career (spanned 5 kings!)Long career (spanned 5 kings!) Much to say about the coming MessiahMuch to say about the coming Messiah Quoted by NT more than any other prophet (at Quoted by NT more than any other prophet (at

least 65 times, mentioned by name at least 20)least 65 times, mentioned by name at least 20) A prophet to Judah and Jerusalem (1:1)A prophet to Judah and Jerusalem (1:1)

Hosea 1:1 – “…during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Hosea 1:1 – “…during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Ahaz, and and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and during the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.”days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.”

Isaiah 1:1 – “during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Isaiah 1:1 – “during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Ahaz, and and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”Hezekiah, kings of Judah.”

Isaiah as Author (cont…)Isaiah as Author (cont…) Briefly, many (most?) believe the book of Briefly, many (most?) believe the book of

Isaiah was the result of multiple authors.Isaiah was the result of multiple authors. 1-39: Isaiah of Jerusalem1-39: Isaiah of Jerusalem 40-66: “Deutero-Isaiah”40-66: “Deutero-Isaiah” [sometimes, 55-66: “Trito-Isaiah”] [sometimes, 55-66: “Trito-Isaiah”]

Various reasons are given for this, but the Various reasons are given for this, but the primary one is that Isa 40-66 is a Babylonian primary one is that Isa 40-66 is a Babylonian context (i.e., in or after exile) whereas Isa 1-39 context (i.e., in or after exile) whereas Isa 1-39 is preexilic and Assyrian in context (see also is preexilic and Assyrian in context (see also esp. Isa 45:1).esp. Isa 45:1).

Various arguments against this, but three are Various arguments against this, but three are very strong in my opinion:very strong in my opinion: Structure of the book (more later)Structure of the book (more later) Passages like Isa 41:21-24; 44:6-8; 45:20-22; 46:8-Passages like Isa 41:21-24; 44:6-8; 45:20-22; 46:8-

13…13… Passages like Matthew 3:3; 8:17; 12:17…Passages like Matthew 3:3; 8:17; 12:17…

Time PeriodTime Period

Cyrus allowsexiles to return

539 BC(Ezra 1:1-4)

Judah exiledby Babylon

586 BC (also 605, 597)

(2 Kgs 25)

Israel exiledby Assryia

722 BC(2 Kgs 17)

Solomon beginsbuilding the temple

966 BC(1 Kgs 6:1)

The Exodusfrom Egypt

1446 BC(1 Kgs 6:1)

Israel entersEgypt

1876 BC(Ex 12:40-41)

Abraham’s birth

2166 BC(Gen 12:4; 21:5;

25:26; 47:9)

Torah(Gen-Deut)

Former Prophets(Joshua-Kings)

Latter Prophets

(Isaiah-Malachi)

Time Period (cont…)Time Period (cont…)

Nehemiah inJerusalem~ 420 BC

Cyrus’sdecree539 BC

Babylonianexile

586 BC

Assyrianexile

722 BC

Jeroboam II (Israel)Uzziah (Judah)

770 BC

Jonah,Hosea

,Amos

Isaiah,Micah

AssyrianDefeat701 BC

Nahum, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Habakkuk

Ezekiel,Daniel

Haggai,Zechariah

Malachi

Joel?Joel?Obadiah?Obadiah?

Time Period (cont…)Time Period (cont…) Isaiah’s call: In the year of King Uzziah’s death (~ 740 Isaiah’s call: In the year of King Uzziah’s death (~ 740

BC)BC) Before his death, Uzziah was struck with leprosy; thus, Before his death, Uzziah was struck with leprosy; thus,

Jotham his son had become his coregent (2 Kgs 15:5).Jotham his son had become his coregent (2 Kgs 15:5). After his death, Jotham reigned alone briefly. The After his death, Jotham reigned alone briefly. The

book of Kings reports very little about him but notes book of Kings reports very little about him but notes that Israel and Syria began coming against Judah that Israel and Syria began coming against Judah during his reign. during his reign.

Ahaz reigns with Jotham and after Jotham’s deathAhaz reigns with Jotham and after Jotham’s death Commits horrid apostasyCommits horrid apostasy In response to the Israel/Syria threat, turns to Assyria for helpIn response to the Israel/Syria threat, turns to Assyria for help

Hezekiah followsHezekiah follows Commits great reformsCommits great reforms God saves Jerusalem from Assyria during his reignGod saves Jerusalem from Assyria during his reign

Isaiah writes his book during the reign of Manasseh Isaiah writes his book during the reign of Manasseh (Isa 30:9; 37:38)(Isa 30:9; 37:38)

Ahaz and HezekiahAhaz and HezekiahAhazAhaz HezekiaHezekia

hh• Made his son pass through the fire• Sacrificed on high places• Made molten images for the Baals• Imported pagan altar to the temple; modified existing temple elements• Defeated by enemies• Ignoble burial

• 2 Kings 18:5-6

• Destroyed high places• Destroyed bronze serpent and other images• Consecrated and restored temple; celebrated Passover as commanded• Defeating enemies• Buried with great honor

Isaiah 36 - 39Isaiah 36 - 39 Centerpiece of the book of IsaiahCenterpiece of the book of Isaiah The story of the deliverance of Judah in 701 BCThe story of the deliverance of Judah in 701 BC An extremely important event in Israel’s historyAn extremely important event in Israel’s history Prophesied in Hosea 1:6-7Prophesied in Hosea 1:6-7 “ “Then she conceived again and gave birth to a Then she conceived again and gave birth to a

daughter. And the LORD said to him, ‘Name her daughter. And the LORD said to him, ‘Name her Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have Lo-ruhamah, for I will no longer have compassion on the house of Israel, that I would compassion on the house of Israel, that I would ever forgive them. But I will have compassion ever forgive them. But I will have compassion on the house of Judah and deliver them by the on the house of Judah and deliver them by the LORD their God, and will not deliver them by LORD their God, and will not deliver them by bow, sword, battle, horses or horsemen.’”bow, sword, battle, horses or horsemen.’”

Preparing for Isaiah 36 - 39Preparing for Isaiah 36 - 39 Chapters 1 – 6: IntroductionChapters 1 – 6: Introduction

1:1-20 – The state of Judah1:1-20 – The state of Judah 6:1-13 – The reason and right response6:1-13 – The reason and right response

Chapter 7: The “foil,” AhazChapter 7: The “foil,” Ahaz 7:1-12 – His response to a military crisis7:1-12 – His response to a military crisis Cf. 8:5-8:8a – The result of his bad decisionCf. 8:5-8:8a – The result of his bad decision

Chapters 8 – 12: A coming, righteous king!Chapters 8 – 12: A coming, righteous king! Cf. 7:14 – A child to be born, ImmanuelCf. 7:14 – A child to be born, Immanuel 8:8b-10 – Deliverance of Judah through 8:8b-10 – Deliverance of Judah through

ImmanuelImmanuel 9:6ff – A child who has been born9:6ff – A child who has been born 10 (esp. vv. 24-26) – Assyria will be destroyed 10 (esp. vv. 24-26) – Assyria will be destroyed

…… … … and a king will reign gloriously; (11-12)and a king will reign gloriously; (11-12)

Preparing for Isaiah 36 - 39Preparing for Isaiah 36 - 39 Chapters 1-6: IntroductionChapters 1-6: Introduction Chapter 7: The “foil,” Ahaz Chapter 7: The “foil,” Ahaz Chapters 8 – 12: A coming, righteous king!Chapters 8 – 12: A coming, righteous king! Chapters 13 – 27: The nations are doomed!Chapters 13 – 27: The nations are doomed!

13-14 – The first to be mentioned….Babylon!13-14 – The first to be mentioned….Babylon! 19 – Also mentioned is Egypt19 – Also mentioned is Egypt

Chapters 28 – 35: Don’t trust in the nations!Chapters 28 – 35: Don’t trust in the nations! 30:1-5, 31:1-3 – Alliances are worthless and 30:1-5, 31:1-3 – Alliances are worthless and

unnecessaryunnecessary 31:6-9 – Assyria will be defeated by God!31:6-9 – Assyria will be defeated by God! 32 – A righteous king will do what is right32 – A righteous king will do what is right

Isaiah 36 - 37Isaiah 36 - 37 36: Sennacherib sends a messenger to 36: Sennacherib sends a messenger to

HezekiahHezekiah Note the location (v. 2)!Note the location (v. 2)!

37:1-7: Hezekiah sends messengers to Isaiah37:1-7: Hezekiah sends messengers to Isaiah 37:8-13: Sennacherib again sends a 37:8-13: Sennacherib again sends a

messenger to Hezekiahmessenger to Hezekiah 37:14-20: Hezekiah prays37:14-20: Hezekiah prays 37:21-35: God sends His messenger to 37:21-35: God sends His messenger to

HezekiahHezekiah 37:36-38: God sends His “messenger” to 37:36-38: God sends His “messenger” to

SennacheribSennacherib

““In those days…”In those days…” 2 Kings 18:2 – “He reigned 29 years in 2 Kings 18:2 – “He reigned 29 years in

Jerusalem”Jerusalem” 2 Kings 18:13 – “In the 142 Kings 18:13 – “In the 14thth year of King year of King

Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and seized them”Judah and seized them”

Isaiah 38:5 – “I will add 15 years to your Isaiah 38:5 – “I will add 15 years to your life”life”

Isaiah 38:6 – “I will deliver you and this Isaiah 38:6 – “I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city”Assyria; and I will defend this city”

Isaiah 40-66Isaiah 40-66 Isaiah 40-48 – Israel will be restored from captivityIsaiah 40-48 – Israel will be restored from captivity

God announcing it in advanceGod announcing it in advance Cyrus as God’s servant, judgment on BabylonCyrus as God’s servant, judgment on Babylon 48:20-21 Leave Babylon! 22 No peace for the wicked48:20-21 Leave Babylon! 22 No peace for the wicked

Isaiah 49-57 – Israel will be delivered from sinIsaiah 49-57 – Israel will be delivered from sin Faithless servant Israel (49) replaced by new, faithful servant Faithless servant Israel (49) replaced by new, faithful servant

(50)(50) New servant brings deliverance through sacrifice (52-53)New servant brings deliverance through sacrifice (52-53) 54-56:8 – Invitation to partake of what the servant has made 54-56:8 – Invitation to partake of what the servant has made

possiblepossible 56:9-57 – Israel fails to participate in their purchased 56:9-57 – Israel fails to participate in their purchased

deliverancedeliverance 57:21 No peace for the wicked57:21 No peace for the wicked

Isaiah 58-66 – Israel will be restored to gloryIsaiah 58-66 – Israel will be restored to glory Evil and idolatry still existsEvil and idolatry still exists 59:16-20 – God Himself will act as an avenger (not a servant)59:16-20 – God Himself will act as an avenger (not a servant) Glory to Jerusalem (60-62), judgment on enemies (63)Glory to Jerusalem (60-62), judgment on enemies (63) 65-66 – The final state65-66 – The final state

Next WeekNext Week

More Isaiah! More Isaiah!