Isaiah’s ministry was primarily directed to the Jews in Judah(i.e., the Jewish Southern Kingdom*). His visions recorded in this book began in the year of King Uzziah’s death (c. 742 B.C.; 6:1) and extended through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (c. 742 – 687 B.C.).
Isaiah contains more messianic prophecies fulfilled in Christ than in any other Old Testament book. This book of sixty-six chapters focuses on the “R” messages of God’s Redemptive Plan.
REBELS RIDICULED
God ridiculed pagans for putting faith in worthless man-made idols (41:21-24,26, 28-29; 45:20-21; 57:13). Unlike idols, the Sovereign Lord, Creator of all things (42:5) is able to foretell future events (41:27; 42:9,16; 44:26), perform awesome deeds (29:23; 63:7; 64:3), and by his authority and power defeat his enemies – evildoers (41:25; 42:13; 59:18; 66:14-16). Anyone forsaking the Lord and trusting in idols will be rejected by God for their folly, and perish (42:17; 45:16; 65:1-7,11-15).
REPRIMANDED & REJECTED
God’s anger became inflamed with the Jews, because many of them, like their foreign counterparts, had rebelled against him by worshiping idols and abandoning his holy way of living (1:2,4; 2:6,8; 5:7,23-24). For their rejection of God and rebellion against him, the Lord vowed to discipline them severely (8:4-8,14-15; 57:17; 63:10).
REMARKABLE REVELATION
God’s remarkable revelation is that his salvation is open to all repentant sinners, Jew and Gentile alike (19:19-25; 43:5-7; 49:6,12; 51:4-5; 52:10; 55:4-5; 65:1; 66:18).
REDEEMER RESCUES & RECONCILES
After a time of chastisement (40:2), God would have compassion and mercy on his people (30:18; 49:15; 54:7-10). His redemptive plan would involve sending a Suffering Servant, a-Redeemer, who would through his righteousness rescue his people from the guilt of their sins (43:25; 44:22; 53:4-12) and defeat the evil in the world. For those who seek the Lord (55:6-7), he would clothe them with his righteousness (i.e., justification and sanctification) that leads to their salvation (59:16-17; 61:10; 63:1,5).
RELATIONSHIP RESTORATION & RENEWAL
God’s just judgments to cause their affliction would be brought on by their own sin (1:5). But, by the Lord’s unfailing love, he would later heal them and restore his covenantal relationship of peace with his people (26:12; 30:26; 54:10; 55:3; 57:18-19).
Then, the Lord would bless them (61:9; 65:23) and renew his children by faith by placing his Spirit of holiness within them (11:2; 44:3; 59:21).
RESTORE, REBUILD & REINHABIT
The rebuilding and reinhabiting of the people of God’s earthly homeland (44:26; 49:8-12; 61:4) foreshadows the coming of the nations to their glorious heavenly homeland (11:16; 57:14; 62:10), a rebuilding not of buildings within communities, but of hearts within people, who love God and partake in the process of restoring his kingdom, now.
RETRIBUTION & RUIN
Establishing God’s kingdom of holiness requires him in his righteousness and justice (33:5-6) to eradicate those responsible for the evil in the world (1:28; 13:9; 24:20; 29:20-21; 42:3; 52:1; 66:14-16). Here, God’s holy people are represented in Israel, while those evildoers in rebellion against God are represented in the Assyrians (10:5,12; 14:24-27; 30:30-33) and Babylonians (13:1-22).
REPENT + REVERE + RIGHTEOUSNESS = REWARD
God in his mercy, extends his reward of blessings (61:7-9; 65:23) to anyone who repents of their sins (1:27, 30:15; 55:7), reveres him and acts with righteousness. The “Way of Holiness” is imaginatively portrayed as a highway that leads to the Faithful City, the City of Righteousness (1:26; 35:8-10), the City of the Lord (60:14). There, God’s beloved people will experience perfect peace (26:2-3; 48:18; 54:13-15; 57:1-2,19) and joy (35:10; 55:12; 61:7) in God’s Promised Land, forever (57:13; 60:21).
RIGHTEOUSNESS REIGNS & RELIABLE REFUGE
God is our reliable refuge (4:5-6; 14:32; 25:4; 27:5) and Savior (43:11-13; 45:17,21-22; 52:7-10; 54:5). He rules forever with righteousness and justice (9:7; 32:1) in the new heavens and new earth (65:17; 66:22), where the fruit of holiness will be peace (32:17).
REDEEMED REJOICE!
Relationships require a willingness from both parties to restore the friendship. God has initiated this relationship-building process with us (54:6-8; 55:1-3,6; 65:1-2). We in turn, must do our part to reciprocate our love for the Lord (27:5). In God’s faithfulness (11:5; 16:5; 25:1; 42:3-4; 55:3; 61:8), our Redeemer (41:14; 44:6; 54:8; 59:20; 63:16) will triumph over evil (13:3). He will come with his reward for those who walk in the light of his holiness (2:3,5). Rejoice and be glad (25:9; 42:10-11; 44:23; 49:13; 51:3) for our salvation is on its way! (46:13; 51:5; 56:1; 62:11-12).
*In ancient times, Jews were divided into two houses or regions, the Southern Kingdom of Judah with its capital in Jerusalem and the Northern Kingdom of Ephraim/Israel with its capital in Samaria. The prophecy of their punishment was fulfilled respectively in 586 and 722 B.C.
Walking with Jesus Series, Refl. #132, Jan. 2026
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