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.

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1 Introduction "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." (, NKJV) 1 The book of Isaiah has been called the Great Book. One of my favorite authors is a contemporary philosopher named Mortimer Adler. He is famous for books like How To Read A Book and The Great Book Series. In order to make the list of Great Books Adler lists the following criteria: The book has contemporary significance; that is, it has relevance to the problems and issues of our times; The book is inexhaustible; it can be read again and again with benefit; The book is relevant to a large number of the great ideas and great issues that have occupied the minds of thinking individuals for the last 25 centuries (see Adler, Second Look, p.142). Without a doubt, the Bible is the greatest book ever. Isaiah has also been called the Bible in miniature. There are 66 books in the Bible. There are 66 chapters in the book of Isaiah. The Old Testament has 39 books and the New Testament has 27 books. The book of Isaiah can be broken into two sections; the first 39 chapters deal with the subject of judgment or condemnation and the last 27 books deals with hope or consolation. In the first section Isaiah warns the Jews of the impending invasion of Assyria; in the second section it encourages the captives who will be returning from Babylon. The central theme of the first section is God s discipline, chastening of Judah for her rebellion and sin. The section section s focus is God s consolation of the captives after their suffering. Like the Bible, Isaiah s vision contains history, prophecy and poetry. 1 The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1996, c1982 1

2 The Identity of Isaiah Isaiah s name means the salvation of Jehovah. Salvation is one of the great themes of Isaiah s vision and repeated throughout the book. We are told Isaiah is the son of Amoz. We think he may have been from one of Jerusalem s prominent families because he has access to kings. We know he was married (8:3) and had at least two sons (7:3; 8:1-3). The Vision of Isaiah Isaiah s vision had a profound effect on the ministry of Jesus and the writer s of the New Testament. It would appear that Isaiah s prophecy was complied some time before 680 B.C. and perhaps as early as 701 B.C. when the armies of Assyria were wiped out. Jewish tradition strongly suggests Isaiah died a martyr s death by being sawn in two pieces. Isaiah lived and wrote when two great empires existed, Assyria to the north and Babylon to the east. After the fall and captivity of Israel in the north all that was left were the territories of Judah and Benjamin to the south. Do put things in persepective, Sennacherib is ruler of Assyria. The Greek began to compete in the Olympic games in the nude; a decade earlier a settlement began on the site that was to become Bei-jing or Peking. The kingdom of Judah lived under the shadow of constant terror and fear of war, subjugation, perhaps even extinction. The people of Israel faced many enemies in her history. Perhaps none were more terrifying than the Assyrians. Assyria fought with ferocity and cruelty. They would inflict shock and horror. Their war tactics including impaling their enemies on stakes and than flaying them alive. The Assyrians would often butcher pregnant women, and the tactics were to strike fear into the hearts of enemies and force them into submission. The Assyrians lust for war and power and world domination was unrelentless. In spite of the wickedness of this enemy, the Lord God used Assyria to punish Israel. Because the people of Israel and Judah insisted on embracing idolatry, God allowed the 2

3 armies of Assyria to conquer the Northern Kingdom of Israel. As a result of this, the people lived in unrelenting fear from about the 9 th century B.C. until late in the 7 th century; when the cruel kingdom itself collapsed and was overwhelmed by the Scythians. In 722 B.C. the prophecy of judgment was fulfilled against the northern kingdom of Israel when Sargon II took Samaria. In that year, the northern kingdom fell, opening the way for more pressure against Jerusalem and the southern kingdom. In a very foolish move, King Ahaz of Judah made an alliance with the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser; trusting his former enemy to give him protection! The prophet Isaiah warned again and again both the wickedness and the foolishness of this ill-advised relationship. King Ahaz refused to listen. Soon Assyria demanded tribute from Judah. Just like Christians. Christians who form alliances with this wicked world, and their wicked companions, and the wicked ruler of this world Satan. In the end, they will demand payment and tribute. It was bad enough they demanded payment, but Assyria also insisted Israel worship their false gods. But the slippery slope had begun, out of fear Judah was forced to agree to the tribute and the worship of Assyria s false gods, In failing to fully trust the Lord God for provision and protection, Judah s sin of idolatry would lead to terrible judgment and tragedy. The principle is unmistakable, close alliances with unbelievers will yield tragic results. We simply cannot serve two masters. We cannot love this world. We must fully trust the Lord and only the Lord to meet our needs. Concerning Judah The visions and prophecies were written primarily to Judah and secondarily to the sweep of succeeding generations of Jews and third to all mankind. The book of Isaiah details God s plans for salvation to all who would listen; to warn people of the penalty of sin for those who continue to reject God plan and disobey God s Word; and to comfort all who trust in the Lord. Concerning Jerusalem Concerning You The book of Isaiah paints a vivid picture of the life and times of a future Messiah. His birth by a virgin (7:14); his titles and description (Isa.9-7); the ministry of the Messiah s forerunner John the Baptist (40:3-6); Messiah s anointing by the Holy Spirit (it sounds redundant) recorded in Isaiah 61:1-2, and recorded in Luke 4:17-19). Isaiah predicts and prefigures Jesus Christ the suffering servant (42:1-4); Messiah s rejection by the religious 3

4 leaders and Israel (6:9-11). Like previews of a coming attraction there are references to the Stone of Stumbling or the rock of offense (8:14; 28:16); the Messiah s ministry to the Gentiles (49:6); Christ s suffering and death (52:13-53:12); Messiah s resurrection from the dead (55:3) and His return in glory as coming King (9:6-7; 11:1; 32:1-2; 59:20-21). Warren Wiersbe (Wiersbe s Expository Outlines of the Old Testament; p ); There are seventeen references in Isaiah to Jehovah s servant. In thirteen of these, the nation is in view(43:10; 44:1-2,21,26; 45:4 48:20; 49:3, 5-7); in four, Jesus Christ is in view (42:1 and 19; 52:13-53:11). The entire section from 52:13 to 53:12 is a vivid description of the sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Israel was Jehovah s servant in that the nation was used of God to bring the Word and the Savior to the world. However, Israel was a disobedient servant that had to be chastened. Jesus Christ is the true servant of Jehovah who died for the world and perfectly did His Father s will. In 41:8-9, Cyrus is the servant. The Days of Uzziah ( B.C.) The Bible is filled with both history, an accurate record of the past, and prophecy an accurate account of the future. In order to understand Isaiah s prophecy, it is helpful to know the historical circumstances surrounding the succession of leaders and their reigns. The book of 2 Chronicles will give you a helpful look at the history of the reigns of Uzziah or Azariah as he is also known. In chapter 26 of 2 Chronicles there is a clear warning against pride and arrogance. Uzziah was crowned king at age 16. He was known for recapturing and rebuilding Elath or Eloth, an important seaport at the eastern tip of the Red Sea. He was the son of Amaziah and Jecoliah. He had strong spiritual life and lived a life pleasing to the Lord. He sought the Lord, and was instructed by the Lord; and he was prosperous and successful so long as he sought the Lord. In later life he did slide into sin, he experienced a terrible personal failure; when he exalted himself, and sought the role of priest in the temple. He was smitten with leprosy in judgment and lived and then died alone. Isaiah was written at a time when the King of Judah experienced both success and failure, power and pride. Pride and self-exaltation can become serious problems. Pride exalts self and it is always at the expense of others. Pride in effect says, I am better, I am more worthy, I am owed recognition and honor. A person who is prideful exalts self, makes self more appealing, but often by degrading, shaming, embarrassing or lording it over others. Being attractive or talented or skillful is a blessing from God, and must never be used to demean or degrade others. 4

5 "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. " (Proverbs 3:7, NKJV) "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. " (Proverbs 16:18, NKJV) The Days of Jotham ( B.C.) In 2 Chronicles during the reign of Jotham, there is a picture of holding fast until the end of life (2 Chron.27:1-9). Jotham lived a life pleasing to the Lord. He reigned for 16 years. He was the son of Jerusha. He didn t abuse the temple or exalt himself like his father. He did not have a great deal of influence on the people, for they continued in false worship. He rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple and repaired part of the wall of Jerusalem. He built towns, garrisons, and strong towers. He made war with Ammon (Jordon) and forced them to pay tribute. He lived a life pleasing to the Lord. God blessed him. The Days of Ahaz ( B.C.) In 2 Chronicles 28:1-27; during the reign of Ahaz, the writer paints a picture of extreme wickedness and total depravity. Ahaz began his rule at age 20 and ruled for 16 years. He was wicked. He did not live righteously like David, he followed in the ways of the wicked kings of Israel. He promoted and led the people in false worship. He committed the forbidden, detestable sin of human sacrifice; even sacrificing some of his own sons. He was totally committed to false worship. Ahaz was defeated by an alliance of Syrian and Israeli (north) forces it becomes a type and picture of both the judgment of God and how God will allow defeat in the midst of disobedience. The wickedness and disobedience of Ahaz resulted in many prisoners being taken to Damascus (Syria). The Bible speaks of Ahaz s failed alliance with Assyria; and the results of a person who seeks another savior other than the Lord. Ahaz was an apostate, a person who totally rejected the God of his fathers. Ahaz offered sacrifices to the Syrian false gods, because he believed the Syrian false gods helped him defeat Syria. His reasoning, if he worshiped the false gods, maybe they would help him, but in the end, it spelled his doom. Ahaz closed the Temple, plundered the temple furnishings, and he set up altars, for the worship of false gods at every street corner in Jerusalem. He built false worship centers in every town in Judah. He provoked and aroused the anger of the Lord. He died and was buried in Jerusalem, but the public 5

6 dishonored him by refusing him burial in the cemetery of the kings. His successor was Hezekiah. The Days of Hezekiah ( B.C.) In 2 Chronicles we see both the cleansing of the Temple for worship which becomes a type and a picture, a lesson both for the Christian and the Church for personal holiness (2 Chron.29:1-36). Hezekiah initiates a series of reforms; including the celebration of the Passover in a meaningful way a type and a picture of true revival in the heart. During the reign of Hezekiah his commitment to God results in a picture of true change and transformation of the nation (see 2 Chron.31:1-21). Finally in Hezekiah we see his eventual deliverance from Assyria, his terminal illness and death. Again the writer of 2 Chronicles gives us a picture of God s unlimited, sovereign power. Hezekiah began his reign at age 25. His mother was Abijah and probably followed and served the Lord. He followed the godly example of David. Hezekiah quickly opened the temple doors, to sanctify, cleanse and remove all the trash and the rubbish that had been heaped on the temple grounds. Hezekiah initiated repentance, and return to the Lord. Ahaz stopped the public worship services and Hezekiah reinstated public worship. Hezekiah knew that revival needed to take place so they renewed their covenant with the Lord. The priests and the Levites were called on to act, to do their priestly duties. They must represent the Lord and serve Him, they were to burn the incense (which is a symbol to renew prayer--). Hezekiah rededicated the Temple, and the priests began the sacrifices to the Lord. The Great Book Isaiah is perhaps the Great Book of the Old Testament. The Great Book that offers hope to a rebellious people (1:1-5:30). In the first chapter God speaks concerning Judah s actions and God s responses: Judah has rebelled, Judah has spurned and rejected God and His laws, God and His Word; Judah has rejected God s correction; and the country lies in ruin, the cities are barren and her fields are waste. In verse 16-20); the Lord says, Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, Through your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; But if your 6

7 refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword ; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. The Great Book that speaks of the Great Vision of the Lord on His Throne ((6:1-7); The Great Book that records the call of Isaiah (6:8-13) The Great Book that Warns of Coming Judgment but Promises a Wonderful Savior (7:1-9:7). The Great Book that warns God will not tolerate Pride (9:8-10:34). The Great Book that paints a glorious picture of a coming Messiah, the Son of David (11:1-12:6). The Great Book that prophecies judgment on the heathen nations (13:1-24:23). The Great Book that tells of God s unswerving faithfulness to His people and His triumph over the World (25:1-27:13). The Great Book that gives prophecy, after prophecy of judgment but assures the restoration of God s people (28:1-35:10). The Great Book that records the deliverance of King Hezekiah (36:1-39:8). The Great Book that promises comfort and deliverance to God s people (40:1-48:22). The Great Book that prophecies the coming Messiah, the Suffering Servant who would die for the sins of the world (49:1-53:12). The Great Book that tells of the New Covenant to Come (54:1-55:13). The Great Book that warns of God s judgment upon idolaters (56:1-58:14). The Great Book that assures the restoration of Zion (59:1-60:22). The Great Book that prophecies Good News to be brought by the Messiah (61:1-11). The Great Book that tells of the coming salvation of Zion (62:1-64:12). The Great Book that predicts time and again the coming kingdom of the Messiah and the Consumation of Human History (65:1-66:24). (This has been adapted from The Preacher s Outline & Sermon Bible; Isaiah Vol.1; p.2). 7