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Bible Reading Plan
Fee & Stuart (How to Read the Bible Book by Book) offer some helpful insight into Isaiah.
· Isaiah is writing at a time when Uzziah has been king of Jerusalem for about 50 years, and there has been little threat from Assyria during that time. However, Assyria begins to become a menace again, and both the northern and southern kingdoms are faced with paying tribute. Both Isaiah 7 - 9 (which we've already read) and 36 - 39 (today's and tomorrow's readings) deal with the political ramifications of being indebted to Assyria.
· Isaiah 40 - 55 specifically relates to a later time, after the exile of the Jewish people, when they are living in Babylon. Themes of return from exile are prominent, but those often refer to a time in the future.
· Much of the theological emphasis of Isaiah involves the difference between a faithful, holy, personal God ("the 'Holy One of Israel'") versus the uncaring, unjust idols that the nations worship. The land of Israel, and specifically the city of Jerusalem, are representative of God dwelling with his people. "Thus the book begins with a desecrated Zion that is promised to be restored, and it ends (chs. 65 - 66) with the promised final expression of the Holy City and its Holy People, which includes the Gentiles."
· "At the center of Isaiah's story is Israel, redeemed but wayward, stubborn but loved, and it is Yahweh's relationship with them, told over and over again by pointing back to the exodus and the Davidic covenant, that reveals his mercy and compassion. Judge them he must, but give them up he will not .... The story of this redemption thus climaxes with a servant Messiah who will redeem both Israel and the nations by dying for them - a story that finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the cross."
· Last week we shared a link to a BibleProject video about the first half of Isaiah. Please click here to access a video about the second half. You will find many of the above themes represented in this video.
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