Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Isaiah is referred to by many as the 5th gospel as it is quoted more than any other book in the OT.

Interestingly there are 66 books in the Bible and 66 chapters in Isaiah.

Can anyone think of familiar chapters in Isaiah? 1, sins 6, vision 7, virgin birth 9, a Son is Given 14, Lucifer 40, those who wait 50, 52, 53, Messiah, 65 - Millennial Reign, and many many more .

The vision of Isaiah: This is the book of the prophesies of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, who ministered from about 740 to 680 B.C..

For about 20 years, he spoke to both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

After Israel's fall to the Assyrians in 722 B.C., Isaiah continued to prophesy to Judah.

i.

This period of Israel's history is told in through 21 and through 33.

Isaiah was a contemporary of the prophets Hosea and Micah.

By the time of Isaiah, the prophets Elijah, Elisha, Obadiah, Joel, Jonah, and Amos had already completed their ministry.

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

It is believed that Isaiah lived into the reign on Manasseh, son of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was a Godly King but Manasseh was evil one.

The worst in the history of Judah.

It is believed that the reference in of some being sawed in two was of Isaiah.

There is "a strong Judeo-Christian tradition that holds that Isaiah also outlived Hezekiah and was sawn asunder by his successor Manasseh with a wooden saw after the prophet had hidden himself in a hollow tree from the angry king."

(Bultema)

Many modern scholars think that there was more than one author to the book of Isaiah.

They throw about terms like "Deutero-Isaiah" and "Trito-Isaiah" or the "Isaianic School."

The New Testament quotes Isaiah by name more than all the other writing prophets combined.

In , John quotes from both the "first" part of Isaiah and the "second" part of Isaiah - the parts supposedly written by two or more different Isaiahs - and specifically says it is the same Isaiah.

- 4

Now it is assumed that the first 5 chapters are written during the reign of Isaiah.

Chapter 6 begins with “In the year that King Uzziah died..”.

Uzziah was a great King.

Almost a superstar King.

He followed the Lord and during his reign there was a superficial faith among the people.

People were going to temple and observing the Law and Feasts, e.g.

Passover and Tabernacles, but their heart was not into it.

It’s as if Isaiah is calling out to the heavens and the earth because the people are not listening.

All parents know the frustration of kids who disobey and will not listen.

vs 3 God’s complaint against Judah was that they did not know Him.

Even a donkey can find it’s way home.

Notice the adjective used in verse 4. What are they?

Laden with iniquity, Brood of evildoers, corrupters, backsliders.

(Lit.

to show your rear end)

How do you know if you are backslid-en?

- 15

In this section God is pleading to a people that thinks everything is OK.

They are going through the motions of religious worship but internally they were sick.

Jesus said in

“Hypocrites!

Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'”

Have you ever noticed an addicted person, whether, drugs, alcohol, sex, porn or what ever they have no concept of how bad the look and are.

Vs 6 gives a vivid picture of how God sees them:

From the sole of the foot even to the head,

There is no soundness in it,

But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores;

They have not been closed or bound up,

Or soothed with ointment.

Verses 7- 10 Is Gods perception of Judah.

They were just like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Interestingly, :8 also refers to Jerusalem as Sodom.

Now in Verse 11 - 15, God gives His view of their worship when their heart is not into it.

​​“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”

​​Says the LORD.

​​“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams

​​And the fat of fed cattle.

​​I do not delight in the blood of bulls,

​​Or of lambs or goats.

​Think of David

​​For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;

​​You do not delight in burnt offering.

17 ​​The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

​​A broken and a contrite heart—

​​These, O God, You will not despise.

​

12 ​​“When you come to appear before Me,

​​Who has required this from your hand,

​​To trample My courts?

God hates when we are just going through the motions!

13 ​​Bring no more futile sacrifices;

​​Incense is an abomination to Me.

​​The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—

​​I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

14 ​​Your New Moons and your appointed feasts

​​My soul hates;

​​They are a trouble to Me,

​​I am weary of bearing them.

15 ​​When you spread out your hands,

​​I will hide My eyes from you;

​​Even though you make many prayers,

​​I will not hear.

Just because some is praying doesnt mean God is listening!

If I regard iniquity in my heart,

The Lord will not hear.

​​Your hands are full of blood.

Now , Isaiah gives a message of hope.

Verses 16 - 10

​​“Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;

​​Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

​​Cease to do evil,

17 ​​Learn to do good;

How do we learn to do good?

​​ Gods word

Seek justice,

​​Seek justice,

​​Rebuke the oppressor;

​​Defend the fatherless,

​​Plead for the widow.