Isaiah Study, Chapters 1:1-3

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Introduction

The VARIETIES IN HIS STYLE do not prove spuriousness, but that he varied his style with his subject.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Introduction

The INSCRIPTION (Is 1:1) applies to the whole book and implies that Isaiah is the author of the second part (the fortieth through sixty-sixth chapters), as well as of the first

Isaiah 1:1 NASB95

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Isaiah in Hebrew means the Lord shall save. A very appropriate name for the prophet who wrote these prophecies, as they essentially constitute an OT Gospel.

חָזוֹן

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

vision

Witnessing something supernatural that is not visible to the naked eye. A vision may be related to God’s working in the present or the future and may involve the ability to see spiritual entities at work in the physical world. Visions are often connected to or synonymous with prophecy or prophetic dreams. 

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

1 The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

Isaiah’s visions occurred during the reigns of these four kings, but their content went far beyond events during their reigns. The most obvious example was his prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would appear some 700 years later.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 1

2 Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;

For the LORD speaks,

“Sons I have reared and brought up,

But they have revolted against Me.

3 “An ox knows its owner,

And a donkey its master’s manger,

But Israel does not know,

My people do not understand.”

The Lord, through Isaiah, is proclaiming publicly that the children of Israel are in rebellion against their Lord and Creator. In His rebuke, the Lord states that oxen and donkeys at least understand who their lords and masters are, but the Hebrews choose to acknowledge in any way their Lord and Creator. They refuse to acknowledge His glory and love - they are devoid of love and loyalty to their own Father. Isaiah 44:18 notes that the Lord has blinded them. Jer 4:22 accuses them not only of willful ignorance, but deliberate sin and wickedness. This is applicable to our modern day - we are in a “post-Christian” environment where people not only want to indulge their sins, they want all to embrace this.