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The themes of the book of Isaiah are perhaps best summarized in a phrase “God is the only one I will put my trust in.” Like competitive analysis reports for a marketing firm Isaiah delivers a message of why our God is better, bigger, and the only living God, so stop wasting your time with the little “gods” who promise nothing and who cannot hear you anyway. Put your trust in the only God. Isaiah lived at a time when pride was an issue. The army under Uzziah was strong mainly because the King feared and prayed to God, the nation was prosperous and as a result the people became prideful. The poor were oppressed, and the people were of the opinion that God was not needed. While this is the background to the theme of Isaiah after King Uzziah conditions for the people would deteriorate when an ungodly King took the throne.
Ahaz worshipped foreign gods, oppressed the lower class, and poor military decisions left the nation in poor condition. Ahaz called upon other nations to help against the assault of Judah from Israel and Syria (2 Chronicles 28) but the Assyrians rescued Judah and as payment economically crushed Judah and Ahaz. It was after Judah was in shambles from this war that Isaiah began to speak and turn the hearts of the people back toward God. (Isaiah 13-39)
Isaiah’s message is about trusting God by relating what God had done in the past for His people, the current condition of the hearts and minds of Judah, and the promise of a Messiah. While the beginning of the book tells of the Syro—Ephramite War under Ahaz, and later Hezekiah, Isaiah brings clarity to the cause of the war, the consequences of disobeying God , and a chance of redemption, hope and restoration for Judah. Isaiah’s message is like a play-by-play of cause and effect and what is needed to remedy the devastation. Isaiah paints a picture of disregard for his warnings and that disregard would be punished. (Isaiah 26-29.)
From chapter 30-39 the theme is judgment upon the proud nations. The reader reads of the prideful Assyrians who have destroyed most of Judah and have surrounded Jerusalem. Isaiah delivers a message that God hates the Assyrian boastfulness and overnight strikes down 185,000 Assyrian troops. The tone changes when a desolate bitter-sweet Judah licks its wounds. The message from Isaiah is still “Trust in the Lord” the message changes from deliverance to trusting the Lord for salvation, restoration. There is no other choice in the latter half of Isaiah’s messages. While early it was “trust in the Lord or wealth and prosperity, or other gods, or other nations” the conclusion is that you can trust in the Lord for your very life, and for everything trust in the Lord. As in other books, oracles and prophecy the tone goes from “getting beyond self and understanding what it means to give yourself over to God. The Messianic prophecies of Isaiah are full of the promises of the coming Messiah.
A voice is calling in the desert; prepare the way for the Lord! Make straight in the wilderness, a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3) NIV. The hope of Judah may not have been realized at the time Isaiah uttered these words, but the prophecy is obviously and scripturally of the future works of John the Baptist with the prophetic deliverance to prepare for The Christ. The promise that the “Glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all of mankind will see it.” (40:3-5). The pronunciations and themes are of a new relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God’s promise pronounced by Isaiah cover the rest of the book as the specifics of our Savior are revealed in the prophecy. (NIV Study Bible , Page 1073-1075)
In the previous chapters we read of judgment, historical content and eventually the comfort God provides at the end of disaster. As the remainder of the book is rolled out, the future plan of salvation are introduced in terms and description of God’s perfect plan. “The NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible” (Page 273-275) calls the last section of Isaiah the “Consolation Chapters.” The division is aptly named and as we have witnessed before that this is more than just consoling, it is also more than just a promise for the Jews, the promise is for all. It was interesting to note that through the book the prophecy about the Messiah is broadened even to the Gentiles. In Chapter 49 and throughout the tone changes and the borders widened to more than just the Jewish people: “Listen to me, all of you in far-off lands!
The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name. He made my words as sharp as the sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of His hand. I am like a sharp arrow in His quiver.“ He said to me, you are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory."
Who else but the Christ will bring God glory? He continues in verse 5, " And now the Lord speaks...to be His servant, who commissioned me to bring His people of Israel back to Him..." "You will do more than restore the people of Israel back to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
Who else but the Christ will bring God glory? He continues in verse 5, " And now the Lord speaks...to be His servant, who commissioned me to bring His people of Israel back to Him..." "You will do more than restore the people of Israel back to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
The Great commission is there, the role of Jesus on earth is there and then we there is verse 7: The Lord the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says the one who is despised and rejected by the nation, to one who is the servant of rulers: Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will bow down because the lord has chosen you. He the faithful Lord, the Holy One of Israel chooses you." This prophetic reference to Jesus Christ whom God has chosen to bring the light of the Gospel to His people-to all people- to all the ends of the earth is clearly a promise that brings clarity to God’s plan. In the years between this prophecy and the when the prophecy had been fulfilled it is interesting to contemplate the confusion that the clarification must have brought the teachers of the Religious Law.
Bibliography
Douglas, J.D. NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, 1989.
NIV Study Bible. NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI : Zondervan, 1997.
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