CHAPTER S 1-5 CONCERNING JUDAH AND JERUSALEM. The first five Chapter s of the prophecy are introductory to the whole. They are a message ‘concerning Judah and Jerusalem', and are God's word to them through Isaiah. They consist of three long sections in which the sinfulness of, and judgment on, Israe... [ Continue Reading ]
INTRODUCTION. ‘The vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, in the days Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.' Isaiah's prophecies date from the year of Uzziah's death (Isaiah 6:1) in aound 740 BC, through the period when the independence of Juda... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAIAH OUTLINES THE MESSAGE HE IS BRINGING (ISAIAH 1:1). This introductory message is also presented in balanced chiastic form. a He calls on Creation to be aware of God's judgment on His people (Isaiah 1:2). b The description of Judah and Jerusalem's present state, they are almost like Sodom and... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CALLS ON CREATION TO BE AWARE OF GOD'S JUDGMENT ON HIS PEOPLE (ISAIAH 1:2). The book begins with a chiasmus, a pattern which had been commonly used in the Pentateuch, and which has also been depicted above, whereby statements are made, and then applied one way or another in reverse order. OPENI... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MAJORITY ARE LIKE SODOM AND GOMORRAH (ISAIAH 1:4). Isaiah now describes the condition of Judah, which would include refugees from Israel. This can be analysed as follows: a Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children who deal corruptly, they have forsaken Yah... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT GOD HAS AGAINST HIS PEOPLE (ISAIAH 1:10). GOD'S HATRED OF ANY OUTWARD RELIGION WHICH IS NOT MATCHED BY INNER RESPONSE. In these verses Isaiah stresses that there is little benefit in continuing with outward forms of religion unless they also respond to its inner demands. Analysis. a Hear the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RESPONSE THAT GOD REQUIRES (ISAIAH 1:16). What God requires of them is a complete change of heart and a renewing of their lives. Analysis. a “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean, Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes” (Isaiah 1:16 a). b “Cease to do evil, learn to do well,... [ Continue Reading ]
A FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THEIR STATE BEFORE GOD (ISAIAH 1:21). Isaiah 1:21 ‘How is the faithful city, Become a prostitute? She who was full of discerning judgment. Righteousness lodged in her, But now murderers.' The question now is, how has Israel got herself into this state? The description... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR THE FUTURE (ISAIAH 1:21). The call having been made to Israel for response, God describes their present state and guarantees that in the end He will bring their transformation about. a How is the faithful city, become a prostitute? She who was full of discerning judgment. Righteo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE GREAT CLEAN UP (ISAIAH 1:24). God now speaks. Without His action there would be no hope and no future, but He declares His intention to act in sovereign power and bring about that deliverance. Finally the future is bright for those who will receive it because the future is God's, but only for t... [ Continue Reading ]
DOOM AND GLOOM (ISAIAH 1:28). In contrast with this glorious future for the true Israel, is the fate determined for those who are untrue, those who do not respond to God's activity, as described in Isaiah 1:28 onwards. Analysis. a But the destruction of the transgressors and the sinners will be t... [ Continue Reading ]