From Groanings to Glory

A Lifetime of Faithful Service

Isaiah 1:1 HCSB

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

Isaiah is not a straight-talking prophet, but a a poetic prophet. NIV application

Isaiah would have been written more than 2700 years ago.

Often called “The Prince of the Prophets”

Isaiah covers a lot of theological ground. He speaks of Creation and of the New Heavens and New Earth. He speaks of God as judge and redeemer.

Two major divisions with the emphasis of first on judgment and second on hope (groanings to glory)

Isaiah deals with events around his day 740-700 BC, but also with future events of 585-540 BC and Israels return from exile in 539 BC. This causes some to speculate 2 authors, but the book itself gives no indication of such.

Beginning in chapter 6 God is seen as Lord over Israel culminating in in Jerusalem being delivered from Sennacherib in 37. But in later chapters, there is no rescue, but eventual exile and later restoration.

In the first section of the book there is much political unrest. Assyria is taking over the world. This had started 150 years earlier. For a season, they had slacked off, but a new king came to power and the aggressive conquering resumed. There is a split among Israel. The North is the bigger portion (Israel) and the South the smaller (Judah). These territories would have been important to Assyria because they are the pathway to a greater prize, Egypt. So, for decades there are alliances made (Israel with Syria, sometimes tribute is paid to Assyria, sometimes alliances are considered between Judah and Egypt) all with the hopes of surviving the aggression of Assyria. Eventually the Northern Kingdoms fall to Assyria.

Judah (the focus of Isaiah at this point) survives by the power of God at work. Sennacherib, the Assyrian King is on the march for Egypt. But he failed to conquer Jerusalem. From his point of view he just quits, satisfied to forget about Egypt and return home. But the Bible says that “the angel of the Lord” wiped out most of his army on a single night.

Isaiah prophecies through the reign of 4 kings (a long time of service) He sees a lot of change in his life.

The 4 kings mentioned would have ruled for a period of 100 years, but Isaiah 6.1 lets us know that Isaiah had just begun to serve in the last year of Uzziah. Jewish accounts have Isaiah put to death by Manasseh, but the Bible doesn’t say. We can safely say Isaiah preached and served the Lord for better than 50 years.

1 Corinthians 4:2 HCSB

In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one of them be found faithful.

A God Above All Gods

Isaiah 66:1–2 HCSB

This is what the Lord says: Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house could you possibly build for Me? And what place could be My home? My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word.

A view that God is not just Lord of the Tribes, nor of individuals, but Lord of all. The entire book elevates Jehovah above every other god.

Isaiah will demonstrate how silly idols are, how there is only one God and He is worthy of our worship and service.

A Revelation of Jesus

The Book of Isaiah is 66 chapters long and is quoted at least 75 times.

Many of those quotes point to Jesus specifically, but all of them bridge the old Testament to the New.

We will hone in on those passages that point to Jesus and make much of Him.

Isaiah 7:14 HCSB

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

Isaiah 53:1–7 HCSB

Who has believed what we have heard? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to? He grew up before Him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground. He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at Him, no appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; He was despised, and we didn’t value Him. Yet He Himself bore our sicknesses, and He carried our pains; but we in turn regarded Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on Him, and we are healed by His wounds. We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished Him for the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, He did not open His mouth.

Isaiah 9:1–7 HCSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this.