Isaiah & the Messiah

Introduction:  Isaiah is justly accounted the chief of the writing prophets.  He has the more comprehensive testimony and is distinctively the prophet of redemption.  Nowhere else in the Scriptures, written under the law, have we so clear a view of grace.  The New Testament Church does not appear (Eph 3:3-10), but Messiah in His Person, His sufferings and His triumphs, along with the blessing of the Gentiles through Him, are in full view (Scofield’s Introduction).

1.      Isaiah, the man and his message:

·         Time, place, message of his prophecies – Isa 1:1-4.

·         Primary message is to Judah for their sins; secondarily is judgment to the surrounding nations.

·         Isaiah is in two divisions:

·         Looking toward the Babylonian captivity – Isa 1:1-39:8.  Key verses – vs 1:1, 2.

·         Looking beyond the captivity – Isa 40:1-66:24.  Key verses – vs 40:1, 2.

·         Much of Isaiah is written as though God was speaking directly to the people.  Example vs 42:1.

·         Interspersed within his messages of judgment are his prophecies relating to the suffering Savior, the triumphant King and Israel’s restoration.  This is our primary interest!

2.      Isaiah’s dramatic call and consecration to his mission – Isa 6:1-13.

·         Seraph means “to burn.”  It is the word used in connection with sin offerings and judgment.

·         The seraphim searches out sin; in contrast, the cherubim protects the holiness of God.

3.      Isaiah’s prophecies relating to the suffering Messiah:

·         King Ahaz’s problem; Isaiah’s answer – Isa 7:1-16; specifically – vs 10-14.

·         No real problem for Ahaz at this point in time – vs 7:7.

·         Was addressed to the whole “house of David,” not just to faithless Ahaz – vs 13.

·         A divine Child, Israel’s ultimate hope – Isa 9:1-7; specifically – vs 6, 7.

·         John, the Baptist, Messiah’s forerunner – Isa 40:1-5.

·         Messiah as the Servant/Creator of all to be the ultimate answer for Israel – Isa 42:1-9; specifically – vs 1, 6-9.

·         The humiliation of the Holy One of Israel, i.e., of Christ – Isa 50:1-11; specifically – vs 6, 7.

·         The Servant, to be exalted and extolled, but first marred beyond recognition – Isa 52:13-15.

·         Literally, “So marred from the form of man was His aspect that His appearance was not that of a son of man,” literally, not human.  The effect of the brutalities described in Mt 26:67, 68; 27:27-30.

·         The vicarious suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary – Isa 53:1-12.

·         Note:  In vs 4-6, exchange the pronouns with your personal name.

·         Why all this suffering?  Answer; God’s love and mercy for all mankind – John 3:16; Lk 19:10; Rom 10:13; 1 John 4:9, 10; 1 Pet 1:18, 19; (Lev 17:11; Heb 9:22; Ex 12:13).

·         Song, “The Love of God,” verse 3.

4.      Isaiah’s prophecies relating to the triumphant King and His kingdom:

·         Remember, this is the 1000 year earth reign of Jesus Christ (Rev 20:4-6); not the new heaven and new earth of Rev 21.

·         Its beginning – 7 years from any moment in time; its end – 1000 years later!

·         The veracity of God’s Word – Isa 43:11-13; 45:23; 46:9-11; 55:11.

·         Judgment and deliverance of Jerusalem, both near and far – Isa 29:1-3.

·         The near deliverance – vs 37:36-38.

·         The far deliverance – Isa 2:1-3, 12; 59:19-21.  When?  Answer – Mt 23:37-39.

·         The Day of the LORD, Armageddon – Isa 34:1-17; specifically – vs 2, 4, 6, 8, 16; Rev 19:11-16.

·         The day of vengeance described – vs 63:1-4.

·         Kingdom blessings – Isa 32:1, 16-18; 35:1-10; specifically – vs 1-4, 8, 10.

·         Israel restored under the Holy One – Isa 48, 49, 51, 52:1-12:

·         Why Isaiah’s prophecy at all?  Answer – vs 48:3-5.

·         God’s mercy on Israel for His name’s sake – vs 48:9-12.

·         The Holy One is Israel’s Redeemer – vs 49:1, 7, 8, 13.

·         The aftermath of Israel’s redemption – vs 51:1, 6, 22, 23.

·         Vision of Jerusalem in the kingdom – vs 52:1, 6, 7, 10, 12.

·         Peace and blessings after the day of vengeance – Isa 61:3-62:12.

·         Two advents of Christ’s coming in one view – vs 61:1, 2; Lk 4:16-19.

·         Blessings in the kingdom – vs 61:3, 6, 11; 62:2-4, 11, 12.

·         After the kingdom age – Isa 65:17-66:24.

·         A new heaven and a new earth – vs 65:17; 66:22; Rev 21:1.

·         Idyllic conditions in the new heaven and earth – vs 65:19, 20, 22-25.

·         The LORD’s view of the kingdom – vs 66:1, 2, 12, 13.

5.      The prophet’s view of Messiah in judgment – Isa 8:14; 28:16; Psa 118:22-24; 1 Pet 2:6-8.

·         Christ crucified is the Rock of our salvation, strength and judgment:

·         To the saved, He was smitten that the Spirit of life may flow from Him to all who will drink – Ex 17:6; 1 Cor 10:4; John 4:13, 14; 7:37-39.

·         To the Church, the foundation and chief corner Stone – Eph 2:20.

·         To the Jews at His first coming a “stumbling stone” – Rom 9:32, 33; 1 Cor 1:23.

·         To Israel at His second coming the “headstone of the corner” – Zech 4:7.

·         To the Gentile world-power the smiting “stone cut out without hands” – Dan 2:34.

·         In the divine purpose the Stone which, after the destruction of Gentile world-power, is to grow and fill the earth – Dan 2:35.

·         To unbelievers the crushing Stone of judgment – Mt 21:44.

What does all this mean for us today?

·         Our Mission assigned by Christ:  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8.

·         Christ, our Constant Companion:  “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Heb 13:5.

·         Christ, our Encouragement:  “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. – Phil 4:6.

·         Christ, our Future Hope:

·         “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. – Mt 24:44.

·         “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. – John 14:3.

·          “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ….” – Tit 2:11.

·         “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.  – Rev 22:20.

The Love of God – (Vs 3):

Could we with ink the ocean fill

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill

And were every man a scribe by trade,

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

Tho’ stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forever more endure-

The saints ‘ and angels’ song!

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[1]MacArthur, J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (Electronic ed.) (Is 7:15). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.

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