Questions about Isaiah

The book of Isaiah is one of the major prophetic books in the Old Testament. Isaiah contains prophecies, warnings, and messages of hope that were delivered to the people of Israel and Judah in the 8th century BC. Many crucial themes and messages emerge in this profound book that provide insight into God’s nature, His relationship with His people, His future plans, and the coming Messiah.

Here is an overview of some key questions people often ask about the book of Isaiah:

Who wrote the book of Isaiah?

The book attributes its authorship primarily to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz (Isaiah 1:1). Isaiah was a real historical figure who lived in Jerusalem during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah (Isaiah 1:1). He was married and had children (Isaiah 7:3, 8:3). Isaiah had access to the kings and gave prophecies and messages to them regarding Judah’s sin and God’s impending judgment.

There is also evidence that some later prophets and disciples of Isaiah may have compiled and edited his prophecies into the book we have today. This could account for the mentions of Cyrus of Persia (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1), who lived later in the 6th century BC. But the book is still predominantly authored by the prophet Isaiah himself.

What time period does the book of Isaiah cover?

Most of Isaiah’s prophecies came during the reigns of the Judean kings that are mentioned, roughly between 740-680 BC. This was a turbulent time as the Assyrian Empire was rising in power and threatening the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Southern Kingdom of Judah. Isaiah provides messages both before and after the fall of the Northern Kingdom to Assyria in 722 BC (Isaiah 7-39). Chapters 40-55 seem to come from early in the Babylonian captivity starting around 586 BC.

What are the major themes in Isaiah?

Some key themes and messages that emerge in the book include:

• God’s punishment coming on both Israel and Judah for their pride, injustice, idolatry and lack of faith
• Widespread calls for Israel and Judah to repent and turn back to following the Lord
• Prophecies of God using the Assyrians and Babylonians as instruments of judgment
• Promises that a purified remnant of God’s people will survive judgment
• Descriptions of the coming Messiah and His future kingdom
• God as the sole sovereign, all-powerful Creator and Lord of history
• Contrasts between the power and faithfulness of God versus the weakness and sinfulness of idols and false gods
• Hope and comfort for God’s people found in His sovereignty, mercy and ultimate plan of salvation

How is Isaiah structured?

The book can be divided up based on content and themes into several sections:

• Chapters 1-12: Prophecies from Isaiah’s early ministry warning Judah of coming judgment, but also messages of hope and deliverance for the future
• Chapters 13-23: Oracles and burdens against various nations like Babylon, Moab, Damascus, Egypt
• Chapters 24-27: A collection of apocalyptic and poetic writings about God’s future restoration of Israel and judgment on the wicked
• Chapters 28-35: A combination of prophecies and poems ranging from warnings against Judah to visions of future deliverance and the coming kingdom
• Chapters 36-39: Historical narratives of events in Hezekiah’s reign like the siege of Jerusalem. Parallel accounts are found in 2 Kings 18-20.
• Chapters 40-55: The “Book of Comfort”, prophecies from later in the exile declaring God’s sovereignty and plan to redeem and restore Israel
• Chapters 56-66: Visions of a purified people of God, but also warnings against sin and rebellion amongst God’s people

What are some highlights and key passages in Isaiah?

Here are some important and well-known passages in the book:

• Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in the temple (Isaiah 6)
• Prophecy of Immanuel/the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14)
• Descriptions of the Branch of Jesse and the coming Messianic kingdom (Isaiah 11)
• Pronouncements against Babylon, including the proverb against the king of Babylon (Isaiah 13-14)
• Passages about the suffering servant (Isaiah 42:1-9, 49:1-7, 50:4-11, 52:13-53:12)
• Promise of a new heaven and new earth (Isaiah 65-66)
• Calls to seek the Lord, turn from sin and walk righteously (Isaiah 1:10-20, 55:1-13)

How do Isaiah’s prophecies point to Christ?

There are many messianic prophecies and passages in Isaiah that are referenced and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. These include:

• The virgin will conceive and give birth to Immanuel “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23)
• The Branch and root of Jesse who rules in righteousness (Isaiah 11:1-5, 10, Romans 15:12)
• The stone of stumbling and rock of offense (Isaiah 8:14-15, Romans 9:33)
• The Light coming to Galilee (Isaiah 9:1-2, Matthew 4:15-16)
• The wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father and prince of peace whose reign will continually increase (Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 1:32-33)
• The One anointed to preach good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners (Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18-21)
• The suffering servant, crushed for our iniquities and wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:4-6, 1 Peter 2:24-25)

Jesus affirmed that Isaiah prophesied about Him (Matthew 13:14-15, Luke 4:17), and that Isaiah’s prophecies were fulfilled in Christ (Luke 22:37). Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s visions about the coming Messiah who would bring salvation, restoration and hope.

What is the literary style of Isaiah?

Isaiah contains various types of literature and shifts between different styles. These include:

• Oracles of judgment and salvation – Divine pronouncements against Israel’s enemies but also prophecies against Israel
• Calls to repentance and renewal – Urgent appeals for God’s people to turn from sin and idolatry
• Descriptive visions of the future – Poetic glimpses of coming events, God’s kingdom and the new creation
• Narrative accounts – Stories like Hezekiah seeking the Lord’s deliverance from Assyria in Isaiah 36-39
• Songs and poetry – Passages like the vineyard song of Isaiah 5 or blessing of peace in Isaiah 54
• Woe oracles – Pronouncements warning of coming woes and judgments

Isaiah frequently shifts between vivid poetic imagery, grand visions of the future, and sharp calls and warnings to repent. This gives the book great literary beauty and power.

What was the historical context for Isaiah’s ministry?

Isaiah ministered during a turbulent time in Israel’s history. Some key historical factors included:

• The Assyrian Empire was growing in power and threatening Judah and Israel
• In 722 BC, the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and scattered the 10 tribes
• Ahaz and Hezekiah were kings in Judah who faced pressure from Assyria to abandon trust in God
• Hezekiah implemented reforms and religious renewal, but overall the nation struggled with idolatry and social injustice
• The superpowers of Assyria and Egypt vied for control and exploited smaller nations like Israel and Judah

Isaiah provides insight into how God’s people struggled with faith and hope against the backdrop of imperial turmoil and military threats.

How did Isaiah die according to tradition?

There are some extra-biblical traditions that Isaiah was martyred by being sawn in two during the reign of King Manasseh:

“Some say that when Isaiah fled from his pursuers and took refuge in a certain tree, it opened up and received him. When his persecutors came up, they cut the tree down and sawed it in half. When they had departed, while the tree remained cleft, Isaiah emerged unharmed” (Ascension of Isaiah 5.11-14).

The author of Hebrews also seems to allude to this tradition of Isaiah being sawn in two (Hebrews 11:37). However, the biblical text itself does not record how Isaiah died. These traditions give us possible historical context for why Isaiah emphasizes themes like the cost of discipleship and willingness to suffer.

How did the book reach its final form?

The book of Isaiah likely reached its final form through a few stages:

1. Isaiah and his disciples recorded his prophecies during his lifetime in the 8th century BC.
2. Later prophets and disciples likely continued to pass down and compile Isaiah’s prophecies in the generations after he died.
3. The section describing Cyrus of Persia (Isaiah 44-45) seems to have been appended sometime after 539 BC when Cyrus took Babylon.
4. By the 2nd century BC, the book of Isaiah had reached its current 66 chapter form found today.

This editing and compilation process was likely guided by God’s providence to preserve Isaiah’s messages for future generations.

What relevance does Isaiah have for us today?

While written thousands of years ago, Isaiah contains timeless truths and insights very relevant for modern readers. Key lessons and applications include:

• No human kingdoms or rulers can thwart God’s ultimate plans and sovereignty.
• Sin has consequences, so we must examine our lives, repent and seek revival.
• God hates injustice, oppression and religious hypocrisy.
• Despite current troubles, we can trust God who ultimately brings salvation and restoration.
• God’s people are called to be light pointing to Him, caring for the vulnerable.
• Jesus is the suffering servant and fulfilled messianic prophecies, so we should follow Him.

Isaiah calls all generations to place faith in the all-powerful God who controls history and keeps His promises. If we trust and obey Him, we receive comfort and hope.

What are some ways to study and interpret Isaiah’s prophecies?

Here are some principles for studying Isaiah:

• Pray for wisdom, insight and proper biblical understanding.
• Focus on the plain literal meaning first before considering symbolic interpretations.
• Understand passages in their historical context and Old Testament setting.
• Compare prophecies to their New Testament fulfillment and references.
• Look for themes, repetition and structure to see the big picture.
• Study notes and commentaries to learn from others’ analysis.
• Consider how prophecies apply to modern life and point to Christ.
• Approach with humility, an open mind and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Interpreting Isaiah requires prayer, common sense and Christ-centered application. Comparing Isaiah to the New Testament and Jesus helps unlock the book’s significance.