JOURNEY. The Prophecy of Isaiah: Part 1. Through The Scriptures. Judgment and Purging. Study Points Pages: 2. Judgment and Purging.

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1 JOURNEY Through The Scriptures The Prophecy of Isaiah: By Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein January 2007 $5.00 Study Points Pages: 2. Judgment and Purging 3. Isaiah s Call 4. Further Judgment and Deliverance 5. Messiah s Glorious Kingdom 6. Judgment on the Nations 7. Judgment on the Nations, Continued 8. Tribulation and Triumph Judgment and Purging Isaiah 1:1 4:6 The prophet Isaiah is widely considered to be the greatest of the so-called writing prophets that is, those prophets whose messages were written down and preserved in Scripture. Isaiah was evidently from a prominent family, given his ready access to the royal court in Jerusalem during the reigns of the kings under whom he served (1:1). Isaiah also ministered during one of the most critical periods of Israel s history, from about BCE. Thus he both prophesied and witnessed the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel when it was conquered by the Assyrians in 722 and its people led into exile. Isaiah prophesied to the southern kingdom of Judah, but the disaster in the north, and the warning it held for Judah, was an important part of his message. Bible commentators have used glowing adjectives to describe the beauty and power of Isaiah s writings. But he was a prophet first and foremost, with an unsparing message of judgment and a call to repentance for God s people. These early chapters reveal the prophet s unflinching purpose to expose the corruption that characterized Judah in his day. Like a skilled physician, Isaiah opened the moral and spiritual wounds of his people so these wounds could be cleansed, bound up, and healed. The situation in Judah was desperate. First, the armies of Assyria that had overrun the northern kingdom were marching on Jerusalem. Second, and more important, the God of Israel was displeased with His people, even rejecting their sacrifices. Nothing less than a thorough purging and repentance would prevent His severe judgment.

2 1. Why did God tell the people of Judah to stop bringing (1:13) the sacrifices and offerings prescribed in the Law (Hint: Read 1 Samuel 15:22 23)? 2. What choice did God offer the rebellious people of Judah (1:19 20)? 3. What promise did God make to Judah in the midst of her judgment (1:24 27)? 4. What glorious future is pictured in Isaiah 2:1 4 and 4:2 6? 5. What image of Himself does God present to the people of Judah in Isaiah 3:13 15? Most of us have an Isaiah-type of person in our lives someone who tells us the truth even when it is painful to hear! It takes courage for a friend to tell us the truth and warn us of perils ahead, and we would do well to thank the Lord for giving us someone who cares this deeply about us. 2

3 Isaiah s Call Isaiah 5:1 6:13 These two chapters of Isaiah are a study in contrasts, built around the six woes of chapter 5 and Isaiah s plaintive cry, Woe to me, after seeing his vision of the Lord (6:5). Isaiah s long prophetic ministry to Judah involved an announcement of judgment and the future exile of God s people, and their restoration to the land after the time of exile was ended. Isaiah chose the familiar imagery of a vineyard to describe the nation (Isaiah 3:14; Jeremiah 2:21), whose builder was God Himself (5:7). But even though God did everything to make His vineyard fruitful, in Isaiah s day it yielded only bad fruit (v. 2). The six specific categories of sin that follow the description of the nation detail the ways in which the people were displeasing to God. In contrast to a people who were insensitive to holy things, Isaiah was awestruck by God s holy presence. There is another contrast here, although not explicit. King Uzziah acted in pride by usurping the priest s role, and for his disobedience was banished from the Temple for the rest of his life (2 Chronicles 26:14 21). Isaiah, on the other hand, was able to worship in the Temple. The prophet did not stand aloof from the people and look down on them, but identified with their shortcomings. God provided Isaiah s cleansing in this dramatic vision, and called him to the difficult work of speaking to a people who would not truly listen. But Isaiah responded immediately with this stirring answer, Here am I. Send me! (6:8). Generations of God s people have been motivated by the prophet s readiness to do God s will! 1. What would be the effect of God removing the hedge from Israel (5:5)? 2. Who is being described in the disturbing images of Isaiah 5:26 30? 3. Why did the seraphs in Isaiah s vision use two of their wings to cover their eyes? 4. Despite the people s refusal to listen to Isaiah, what reminder of God s mercy to Israel does the prophet record in 6:13? I cannot help but reflect on the many ways that Fellowship friends like you have also answered the biblical call to bless Israel with your own response of commitment through The Fellowship: Here I am. Send me! May God bless you for what you are doing. 3

4 Further Judgment and Deliverance Isaiah 7:1 10:34 Isaiah had a vital message for King Ahaz in Jerusalem. Israel, the northern kingdom, had formed an alliance against Judah with Aram a pact that made Ahaz fearful. But God sent Isaiah to Ahaz with a message of deliverance from this threat, and invited the king to ask for a confirming sign. Ahaz s answer (7:12) sounds pious, but the response shows it to be a statement of unbelief. The sign that Judah would be delivered from the Israel-Aram alliance was the birth of a child who would still be in infancy when Israel and Aram were laid waste. Within a few years of this prophecy, these two nations were conquered by Assyria and the threat to Judah was over. By this time, Isaiah had one son whose name was a sign to God s people: Shear-Jashub (7:3), meaning a remnant will return. Then the prophet had a second son: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:1), meaning quick to the plunder, swift to the spoil. This child s name was a prophecy of the swift destruction of Aram and Israel by Assyria. In chapter 9, Isaiah described a brighter day to come with the birth of Ahaz s son, Hezekiah, whom the Talmud and later Jewish commentators agree is the person in view here. The nation would need this hope as God s hand of judgment fell again and again although chapter 10 includes the promise that Assyria herself would one day be dealt with by God. This prophecy was fulfilled when Assyria fell to the Babylonians in 609 BCE. 1. How was the child Immanuel, prophesied about in Isaiah 7:14 a sign that God was with His people? 2. Why did Isaiah say in 8:13 that God was the only One His people needed to fear? 3. How did Hezekiah prove to be a blessing to the people of Judah (Hint: Read 2 Kings 18 19)? 4. Isaiah 9:8 10:4 describes the fall of Israel. List some reasons for this severe judgment. Isaiah made a remarkable statement in 8:20: To the law and to the testimony! This was a stirring reminder to God s people that His Word is our only reliable standard. Let us take the prophet s exhortation to heart in these days of continued threat and unrest for Israel and among the nations. 4

5 Messiah s Glorious Kingdom Isaiah 11:1 12:6 The evil Assyrian empire may fall, but God s holy kingdom will stand! That was the message Isaiah brought to the people of Judah and Israel. The prophet said a day is coming when the Davidic king, the Messiah, will arise as the Branch from the stump of David s line. Although David s house, the people of Israel, would be felled in the exile, a stump would remain (Isaiah 6:13). And from this stump the Messiah will come, in keeping with God s promise that David would have a Ruler on his throne (2 Samuel 7:16; Jeremiah 33:17). In contrast to both Assyria and the disobedient in Israel, this Ruler will delight in the fear of the Lord. The latter half of Isaiah 11 also describes the blessings that will flow to all nations from the rule of Messiah. This will be the ultimate fulfillment of God s ancient promise to Abraham, All peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:3). The Messiah will reign in Jerusalem and bless Israel, but every nation will benefit from His righteous rule. Isaiah 11:11 12 is a passage I have cited often as we see Bible prophecy being fulfilled today in the return of the Jews to Israel and as we participate in this miracle through On Wings of Eagles! The full restoration of Israel will be accompanied by praise to God, as chapter 12 makes clear. 1. What do you think Isaiah meant by the description of the Spirit of the LORD in 11:2? 2. How does the righteous rule of Messiah contrast with the situation in Judah in Isaiah s day? 3. How will the natural creation benefit from the rule of Messiah? 4. What is the theme of Isaiah s song of praise in chapter 12? We have seen the blessing that will flow to all nations, and to the natural creation, when God s people are fully restored to the land of Israel. Allow me to encourage you with the reminder that our work together through The Fellowship is, indeed, a source of blessing to many people! 5

6 Judgment on the Nations Isaiah 13:1 18:7 One inescapable aspect of Bible prophecy that we have encountered in our study of Isaiah is the pronouncement of judgment on people and nations who disregard and disobey God. Chapter 13 begins a remarkable section of Isaiah that extends through chapter 23, which we are calling judgment on the nations. These texts are referred to repeatedly as an oracle, a word that comes from the verb meaning to be lifted up or carried. Thus the prophet s word of judgment was a burdensome weight which, nevertheless, must be delivered because it too was the word of the Lord. The first nation that comes up for this prophecy is Babylon, a center of rebellion against God from its very founding as Babel (Genesis 11). This prophecy looks far into the future, well over a century after Isaiah s day, to the conquest of Babylon by the Medo-Persian empire (13:17) in 539 BCE. Philistia was a longtime enemy of Israel, as was Moab. And Cush, which included Sudan and the northern part of Ethiopia, was named for trying to persuade Judah to align herself with Egypt against Assyria. One of the most unpopular portions of Isaiah s message to Judah was a warning not to ally herself with anti- Assyrian coalitions and depend on this for her protection, but to turn to the Lord and trust in Him alone. 1. Why did Babylon fall under such severe judgment from God? 2. What promise to Jacob, or the people of Israel, is stated again in Isaiah 14:1 3? 3. How does Isaiah 15:5 give us a glimpse into the heart of Isaiah himself? 4. Why is the northern kingdom of Israel included in Isaiah s oracle against the nations? Isaiah 17:12 14 describes the ultimate fate of nations that took it upon themselves to oppress God s chosen people. These verses are very pertinent to our day as we stand with Israel against enemies devoted to her destruction. Let us be reminded that our God is sovereign over the nations of earth, and His plans will be accomplished. 6

7 Judgment on the Nations, Continued Isaiah 19:1 23:18 Isaiah s oracle concerning Egypt is an amazing prophecy that, at least in part, remains to be fulfilled. As in all the judgments of Isaiah 13 23, the impending Assyrian invasion of Israel and the entire region serves as the backdrop. Some people in Israel wanted to turn to Egypt for help to repel the Assyrian assault, but Isaiah pointed out that Egypt would be no support because she too would fall under God s judgment. It is obvious that Egypt s acknowledgment and worship of the God of Israel has yet to be realized; this remains for the Messianic age. The further oracle against Babylon in chapter 21 may refer not to the fall of Babylon in 539, but a much earlier invasion in which Babylon was conquered by Assyria as part of Assyria s sweep through the Middle East. One reason some Bible teachers point to this earlier scenario is that, whereas the conquest of Babylon in 539 was a cause of rejoicing for Israel, this conquest was a cause of fear and dread. This fear would be easily understood if the conqueror is Assyria, which would overrun and destroy Israel and besiege Jerusalem. Edom and Tyre were two other ancient kingdoms that were ripe for God s judgment. 1. What are some of the clear warnings Isaiah recorded to discourage the king and people of Judah from trusting in Egypt for help against Assyria? 2. What unusual action was Isaiah instructed to take to visualize the defeat of Egypt (20:2 4)? 3. Who were the people of Seir (21:11)? 4. What was Isaiah s burden concerning Jerusalem? Let us eat and drink... for tomorrow we die! (Isaiah 22:13) has become a famous refrain of those who often see no ultimate purpose to life. But as people of faith, we are called to remember and to bless the Lord who provides us with life s necessities and gives our lives true meaning. 7

8 Tribulation and Triumph Isaiah 24:1 25:12 The sweeping nature of Isaiah s prophecy is once again on display in these chapters. This is particularly evident in chapter 24, which speaks of an apocalyptic day in which God will judge universal evil and remove its power from the earth. The future nature of this prophecy is immediately clear from its devastating nature, a time when the curse (24:6) pronounced on the earth at the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) will finally be lifted. These chapters follow a familiar prophetic pattern of judgment followed by blessing once the cause of the judgment has been removed. The blessing that follows the devastation of Isaiah 24 is clearly the blessed kingdom of Messiah. Chapter 25 is a beautiful picture of the blessings and bounty of Messiah s reign on this mountain, a reference to Jerusalem. Again, all nations will benefit from the exaltation of Israel. Whatever pain and grief that may cause tears will be removed, and even death itself will be banished. Perhaps most exciting of all is that Israel s trust in God as her Lord and Redeemer will be fully vindicated when Messiah rules in righteousness and justice from Jerusalem. The Lord s hand of blessing will rest upon His people a day we look to and hope for! 1. What counsel did Isaiah give in light of God s impending judgment of the earth (24:15 16)? 2. How is the punishment of the kings on the earth especially appropriate (24:21 22)? 3. What attribute of God does Isaiah praise in 25:1 as he contemplates God s just judgments and the coming of the Messianic kingdom? It is wonderful to contemplate the glories of the coming Messianic kingdom. While we look forward to that day, we also have the privilege and responsibility to do everything in our power today to help alleviate human suffering and wipe away the tears of the needy North LaSalle Street Suite 2600 Chicago, IL (Fax) info@ifcj.org

9 JOURNEY Through The Scriptures Answer Key for: The Prophecy of Isaiah: Page 2: Judgment and Purging 1. God said He was not pleased by the people s sacrifices in Isaiah s day because they were not accompanied by holy living. 2. The people were offered blessing and bounty in the land of Israel for obedience, and judgment and exile for persistent disobedience. 3. God promised that He would cleanse and restore His people, in keeping with His promise that Israel would never be completely destroyed. 4. These verses describe the kingdom of Messiah, when the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship at the Temple of God. 5. God describes Himself in these verses as the great Judge who will mete out justice on those who oppress others and bring relief to the defenseless. Page 3: Isaiah s Call 1. The loss of these protective defenses would leave the vineyard vulnerable to attack, which is what was happening to both Israel and Judah. 2. These verses are referring to the armies of the Assyrian empire, which would conquer the northern kingdom of Israel in Isaiah s lifetime. 3. They covered their eyes as a sign of reverence, not daring to look upon the divine presence of God. 4. This is another statement of God s promise not to utterly destroy His ancient people, but to restore them to the land of Israel after the exile. Page 4: Further Judgment and Deliverance 1. This child s birth was to be a signal to King Ahaz and the people of Judah that God would soon deliver them from the threat of the Aram-Israel alliance a deliverance that demonstrated God s powerful presence among His people. 2. This was a message to both Israel and Judah, telling them not to fear foreign kings but to turn to the Lord and trust solely in Him. Sadly, this message went largely unheeded in Isaiah s day. 3. Hezekiah was the king who led Judah to resist the advance of the Assyrian army against Jerusalem, which resulted in the supernatural destruction of the Assyrian forces. 4. God s indictment of Israel charged the people with being arrogant and prideful, and said their leaders were misleading the people. Israel also refused to return to the Lord, continuing to practice injustice and oppressing the poor. Page 6: Judgment on the Nations 1. Babylon not only displayed arrogance against God, but of course became the destroyer of Judah and Jerusalem in 587 when the city was leveled and the people carried into exile. 2. These verses describe the future restoration and blessing of Israel when God would bring Israel back from exile and settle her people in their own land. 3. Isaiah had a compassionate heart that felt pain for the refugees from Moab, even though this nation had badly mistreated Israel in times past and was full of pride. 4. Israel was judged for the two basic reasons we studied earlier: her alliance with Aram in a futile attempt to conquer Judah, and more importantly, her turning away from God, which Isaiah called forget[ting] God your Savior (17:10). Page 7: Judgment on the Nations, Continued 1. In 19:15 16, the prophet warned that Egypt would be utterly helpless to stop the Assyrians, but would be virtually paralyzed by fear of the invaders. 2. The prophet was ordered to go barefooted and stripped, the way the captives of Egypt would be treated by their Assyrian conquerors. 3. This is another name for Edom, the land of the descendants of Esau. Even though the Edomites were related to the Israelites, the Edomites turned on their Israeli brothers and became their enemy. 4. The prophet was burdened because the people of Jerusalem were not responding properly to the Assyrian threat, failing to turn completely to God. In fact, rather than showing the signs of repentance, the people engaged in revelry (22:2, 12 13). Page 8: Tribulation and Triumph 1. The people are counseled to turn to the Lord, give Him glory, and exalt His name. 2. This is doubtless a reference to oppressive rulers who conquered and imprisoned others. They themselves will become prisoners. 3. Isaiah praises God s perfect faithfulness as the One who keeps all of the covenant promises He had made to His people. Page 5: Messiah s Glorious Kingdom 1. This many-faceted description indicates that the fullness of God s spirit will rest on the Messiah. 2. We have learned that the nation was characterized by injustice and oppression, a sharp contrast to Messiah who will judge with righteousness and justice (11:4). 3. Isaiah prophesied the return of the natural world to its original state of order and harmony, with even predators having no desire to harm other animals. 4. This song celebrates the return of God s favor on His people and the glories of the coming Messianic kingdom. (Vol. 2, No. 11) 2007, IFCJ, all rights reserved

10 JOURNEY Through The Scriptures An Exciting Adventure of Discovery and Faith in the Pages of God s Word Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, an Orthodox rabbi, is the founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. He is an internationally recognized teacher of the Bible, and an expert in Jewish life and customs who has helped tens of thousands of Christians discover the Jewish roots of their Christian faith. Rabbi Eckstein is also the author of several books, including How Firm A Foundation, an authoritative guide to Judaism for Christians, and The Journey Home. Rabbi Eckstein has spent over 25 years helping Jews and Christians bridge the gap of misunderstanding and mistrust that has marked the past 2,000 years of their relationships. Realizing what could be accomplished if Christians and Jews came together in mutual respect and cooperation, and drawing on their shared biblical heritage, Rabbi Eckstein founded The Fellowship in 1983 to build bridges of understanding between these two faith communities. 30 North LaSalle Street Suite 2600 Chicago, IL (Fax) info@ifcj.org IFCJ

11 JOURNEY Through The Scriptures Bible Study Series An Exciting Adventure of Discovery and Faith in the Pages of God s Word

12 The Bible studies presented in Journey Through The Scriptures are intended to be a devotional and practical teaching series, rather than a formal or in-depth examination of biblical theology. For the deeper meaning of many aspects of theology, and of Jewish practice, holidays, and events, we suggest that you consult Rabbi Eckstein s book explaining Judaism for Christians, How Firm A Foundation, and his 3- volume CD-ROM teaching series, Returning to Zion, all of which are available from The Fellowship.