The Life and Ministry of Prophet Isaiah

A General Outline of Isaiah
Israel, God's faithless Servant and Various Enemies
Christ, God's Faithful Servant (Isa. 40-66)

Prophecies Fulfilled During His own Lifetime
Judah would be saved from the threatened Syrian and Israelite invasion
Syria and Israel would later be destroyed by Assyria.
Assyria would invade Judah; Jerusalem would be saved during the invasion
Moab would be judged by the Assyrians within three years.
Egypt and Ethiopia would be conquered by the Assyrians.
Arabia would be destroyed.
Tyre would be destroyed.
Hezekiah’s life would be extended by 15 years.
Assyria would be judged by God.

Hezekiah, God's Frightened Servant
The Deliverer – The Salvation of Yehovah
The Delivered – The Glory of Yehovah

Prophecies Fulfilled After His Lifetime
The Babylonian Captivity,
Babylon overthrown by Cyrus
The Conquests of a Persian named Cyrus
The return to Jerusalem decree of Cyrus
The joy of the returning remnants.
The Restoration of Tyre.
The perpetual desolation of Edom.
The birth, earthly life, sufferings, death, resurrection, ascension, and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
The ministry of John the Baptist.

Prophecies Yet to be Fulfilled
The Tribulation,
The Battle of Armageddon,
The Millennium

The Gentile Nations in Isaiah
Babylon:
Babylon was to be destroyed by the Medes
And Babylon, the glory of kingdom, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and
Gomorrah (Isa. 13:19; 21:3-4).

Assyria:
God had determined to crush the Assyrian army on the mountains of Israel. This world be done to remove the awful
Assyrian yoke from His people.

Philistia:
Philistia was warned not to rejoice over the death of the Judean king Ahaz, who had smote them. His son (Hezekiah) would
be even more demanding. Finally, Philistia suffered total doom under cruel attack of Sargon, the Assyrian king.

Moab:
Moab was to be punished by God, with its chief cities destroyed in one night. The whole land would be filled with weeping
from one end to another. Lions would hunt down the survivors. Moab’s refugees were invited by God to avail themselves
of His mercies. They were enjoined to pay tribute to Israel according to their past arrangement. However, pride kept Moab
from doing this. Isaiah wept because God’s judgment on this stubborn pride. Judgment was officially set to fall within three
years. The Assyrians at that time invaded Moab.

Damascus:
Ephraim (another title for the Israelite Northern Kingdom) and Damascus had allied together against Judah, thus linking that
kingdom with the divine judgment. Partners in crime meant partners in punishment.
Both allies were later besieged by Tiglath-Pileser and were finally deported by Shalmaneser.

Ethiopia:
The nation marched against Israel (Historically or prophetically) but was cut of by God Himself.
Their army will be left dead on the field for the birds and animals to eat. After this (the Tribulation) Ethiopia will bring gifts
to the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem.

Egypt:
Egypt was to be severely punished because of her idolatry. Her people were originally monotheistic but gradually lapsed into
the basest idolatry. They worshiped the bull, the frog, the fish, and various birds. Egypt was to be given over to a cruel
ruler. Egyptian would fight against Egyptian. The channels along the Nile River were filled and fouled with rotting reeds.
The paper reeds b the brooks withered away, Egypt fishing industry disappeared. Her linen industry disappeared. Egypt
staggered along in world history as a “drunken man staggereth in his vomit” (19:14). Judah was a terror to Egypt.
But all this would someday glorious change. God would smite Egypt in the Tribulation, but would then graciously heal her.
Egypt and Iraq will be connected by a highway, thus allowing both nations to freely travel to Jerusalem to worship God.
“In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of
hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel Mine inheritance”
(Isa. 24:25).

Edom:
This passage includes a question and an answer: The question—“Watchman, what of the night?
The answer—“The morning cometh, and also the night.” Both morning and night are coming.
What would be glory for some (the Medes, who will overrun Edom), would be shame for others (the Edomites).

Arabia:
Arabia was the land of the Ishmaelites, the Bedouin tribes of the desert.
They would be so severely judged that only a few of their stalwart archers would survive.

Tyre:
Type was to be destroyed by the Babylonians and carried into captivity for 70 years. This was to be done because of their
pride and utter materialism. Nebuchadnezzar would lay siege to the coastland city, raze its palaces, and make it a heap of
runs. Egypt, its ally, would sorrow over its swift destruction, along with its sailors, who would not even be able to return
home. After 70 years, Tyre would be rebuilt (as was Jerusalem) but would soon degenerate into the same gross materialism
and pride of former days. In the Millennium Tyre will be rebuilt and be blessed of God.

The Incomparable Prophet

Slowly Isaiah rose, and the crowd fell silent. Those at the back leaned forward, straining to hear. The atmosphere was
electric. He spoke, and his carefully chosen words flew like swift arrows and found their mark. The great man, a spokesman
for God, was warning—and condemning. The crowd became restless—shifting positions, clenching fists, and murmuring.
Some agreed with his message, nodding their heads and weeping softly. But most were angry, and they began to shout back
insults and threats.  Such was the life of a prophet.

The “office” of prophet was instituted during the days of Samuel, the last of the judges. Prophets stood with the priests as
God’s special representatives. The prophet’s role was to speak for God, confronting the people and their leaders with God’s
commands and promises. Because of this confrontational stance and he continuing tendency of people to disobey God, true
prophets usually were not very popular even in our day. But though their message often went unheeded, they faithfully and
forcefully proclaimed the truth.

The book of Isaiah is the first of the writings of the Prophets in the Bible; and Isaiah, the author, is generally considered to
be the greatest prophet. He was probably reared in an aristocratic home and was married to a prophetess. In the beginning
of his ministry he was well liked. But, like most prophets, he soon became unpopular because his messages were so difficult
to hear. He called the people to turn from their lives of sin and warned them of God’s judgment and punishment. Isaiah had
an active ministry for 60 years before he was executed during Manasseh’s reign. As God’s special messenger to Judah,
Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of several of its rulers. Many of those messages are recorded in his book; Uzziah and
Jotham, chapter 1-6; Ahaz, chapters 7-14; and Hezekiah, chapters 15-39.

The first half of the book of Isaiah (chapters 1-39) contains scathing denunciations and pronouncements as he calls Judah,
Israel, and the surrounding nations to repent of their sins. However, the last 27 chapters (40-60) are filled with consolidation
and hope as Isaiah unfolds God’s promise of future blessings through his Messiah.

As you read Isaiah, imagine this strong and courageous man of God, fearlessly proclaiming God’s Word, and listen to his
message in relation to your own life—return, repent, and be renewed. Then trust in God’s redemption through Jesus Christ
and rejoice.  Our savior has come, and he is coming again!!

One of the great stories of our time is the discovery of the manuscripts of the book of Isaiah. It was early spring in 1947, the
place was a desert region just west of a world famous body of water. Ahmed Mohammed, a Bedouin shepherd, was
somewhat upset. Another goat had strayed away from the flock. Where was that frustrating creature hiding? Perhaps he was
in a cave, located in the wall of a large cliff which rose up from the desert floor. Well, he would soon see. Tossing a rock
into the cave brought an immediate response, but not the cry of a goat Ahmed had expected. Instead, it resembled a
crushing sound, as if something had been broken. Hurriedly entering the cave, the shepherd found eight large jars. From one
of these he drew out three leather scrolls.

Standing there in the cave, pondering the strange figures on those ancient parchments, the humble goat-tender was utterly
oblivious to the fact that he was an integral part of a momentous historical event. As it turned out, that famous body of
water near the cave would later give Ahmed’s amazing discovery its official name—the Dead Sea Scrolls. Those scrolls
were probably hidden there sometime during the second century B.C. by an Israelite group call the Essenes. They included
fragments of every Old Testament book in the Hebrew Bible, except the Book of Esther. Especially exciting was a complete
scroll of the Book of Isaiah. During the next paragraphs we will show just why the Essenes so carefully preserved it, and
why Israelites, Jews and Christians revere the Book of Isaiah so highly today.

Isaiah is the author of his book Isaiah (whose name means “The Lord God is salvation”), the son of Amoz. Isaiah lived in
Jerusalem, and was well educated, and was familiar with the royal courts. He prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah,
Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, and according to tradition, was sawn in pieces during the kingdom of Manasseh. His ministry
extended over a period of more than fifty years (740-681 B.C) and concerned itself largely with Judah, although references
are made to Samaria. He lived through the days when Assyria conquered Samaria and brought an end to the Northern
Kingdom comprising of the 10 tribes of Israel.

The authorship of Isaiah has been questioned by the so called rationalist scholars since the late eighteenth century. These
scholars have thought that chapters 40 through 66 have been written by someone other than Isaiah. If you have read those
chapters you may have noticed they speak of the Messiah (Jesus Christ), therefore, the obvious reason for the skepticism on
the part of these so called rationalist or antichrists. However, there is a case to make for Isaiahic authorship on the grounds
of the book’s unity, style, use of words, and internal evidences for a pre-exilic date, and for its composition in Palestine
rather than Babylon. The New Testament consistently witnesses to the authorship of the latter part of the book by Isaiah the
prophet and not someone else. The strongest affirmation is found in John 12: 38-41. Indeed if Isaiah did not write chapters
40-66, the testimony of the New Testament is untrue and the biblical doctrine of scriptural infallibility or inerrancy falls to
the ground. Bible believing Christians have always assembled to Isaiahic authorship.

The Elect and the Enemy.

The enemy of God and the elect of God! The story of how both rebelled and how one was restored. Perhaps heaven’s holy
angels shook their heads, indicating shock and sadness. They had witnessed this kind of sordid thing before. On neither
occasion did they understand it. How could any finite creature possibly revolt against the holy and glorious Creator? But it
had happened in time past and was right then happening again. The first instance involved one of their own. Lucifer by
name. Disregarding God’s person and defying His power, this ambitious and apostate angel unsuccessfully attempted a
celestial coup, only to become the devil.

Now it was happening again. This time, however, human, not angels were involved. The sad truth was that the Israel of
God had turned against the Go of Israel. This then was the reason for the angelic surprise and sadness.

But before the story ended, another emotion would be experienced by these heavenly creatures, that of praise to God. The
reason? Unlike Lucifer, whose sin was unforgivable, Israel would be forgiven, redeemed and restored.

The Nation of Israel in Isaiah – Her Sin:

Willful ignorance (Isa. 1:3),
“The Ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib, but Israel doth not know; My people doth not consider”

Hypocrisy in their burnt offerings (Isa. 1:14-15),
“Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hateth; they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them. And
when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide Mine eyes from you. Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear; your
hands are full of blood”

Corrupt leadership (Isa. 1:23; 9:16),
“The princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves. Everyone loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards; they judge not
the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them”  “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and
they that are led f them are destroyed”

Idolatry (Isa. 2:8),
“Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their hands fingers made.”

Gross materialism (Isa. 2: 7),
“Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is
there any end of their chariots”

Godless women (1 Pet. 3:1-4),
Their Godless women, before God judged them they were haughty with their noses in the air. They had wanton eyes. They
wore ornaments about their feet and chains around their ankles. They had necklaces and braces. They had veils of
shimmering gauze. They wore headbands. They wore rose jewels and earrings. They sported partly clothes, negligence, and
capes. They wore ornate combs and carried purses. How far removed was all this from Peter’s description of real beauty
and adornment?

After God judged them. Instead of sweet fragrance, there would be rottenness; instead of a girdle (sash), a rope; instead of
well-set hair, baldness; instead of beauty, shame, disgrace, and widowhood.

Fruitlessness (Matt 21:33-46),
The Parable of the Lord’s Vineyard. This parable employed one of the two figures taken from the botanical world to
represent the nation Israel. The other figure was a fig tree.

Drunkenness (Isa. 5:11),
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they many follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine
inflame them!”

Amorality (Isa. 5:20),
“Woe unto them that are wise evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter.”

Humanism (Isa. 5:21),
“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their won sight.

Unscriptural Alliances (Isa. 31:1),
“Woe unto them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in
horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord.

Rebellion (Isa. 30:9-11; 65:2),
“that this is a rebellious people. Lying children, children that will not hear the Law of The Lord God Almighty” “I have
spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their won thoughts

Infant sacrificing (Isa. 57:5),
“Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clefts of the rocks”

Overall Condition (Isa. 1:6; 59:1-3, 7-8; 64:6).
“From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores.
They have been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment” “Behold the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it
cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and
your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with
iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness . . .  “Their feet run to evil, and they make
haste to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of
peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings. They have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth
therein shall not know peace” “But we are all as an unclean things, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all
do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind have taken us away”

Comments
Now, you have read this article to this point, I want you to take a panoramic view in your mind of everything you could
remember that has gone on in the country where you live, compare them with what is described in this article on the nations
including Israel in the book of Isaiah. Tell me, does it look to you like there is not going to be judgment at some point for all
that is going on? The Lord in one of our prophesy letters said, “Do Not Ask Me How I Will Render Judgment,” this is
because he has already explained in the Scriptures the causes of these judgments and why they come. At the same time, He
has also provided a guideline of what we must do to avoid them or rather to escape these judgments before they come.

The Majesty of Our Maker
Isaiah Chapters 6; 40-41; 55; 63

The same basic defiant question had been asked o two occasions. First it was heard by the River Nile in Egypt. Pharaoh
demanded of Moses: “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (Ex. 5:2).
Centuries later it was repeated by River Euphrates in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar hurled it at three young Hebrew men: “Who
is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Dan 3:15).
Both monarchs got their answers soon enough. Who is this God? Well, for starters, He could and would protect His own.
Pharaoh found he couldn’t drown them and Nebuchadnezzar discovered he couldn’t burn the.

In this portion of his book in Isaiah expands on the question posed by these tow pagans. Who indeed is the God of Israel? In
glowing term the prophet speaks of His salvation, righteousness, grace, glory, holiness, mercy, compassion, wrath, power,
eternality, long-suffering, triunity, uniqueness, faithfulness, and love! What more need be said? In fact, what more could be
said?

From the Cradle to the Cross to the Crown
Isaiah Chapters 7; 9; 11; 49; 52-53

“Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.”
Here it is, the wonderful story of Jesus, as told by Isaiah the prophet some seven centuries before it actually happened. A
glorious story about a glorious Savior. Isaiah has been called the author of the fifth Gospel because of his detailed and
accurate account of Christ’s earthly ministry. Beginning with the Virgin birth, he reverently and relevantly traces Jesus’
route from the cradle to the cross, and finally to the crown.
Along the way we are told of His lowliness and youth in Nazareth. His special relationship with the Father, and His ministry
to both Jews and Gentiles. In fact, Isaiah predicts His miracles and actually writes one of His sermons. What a privileged
task. But the prophet must have wiped the tears fro his eyes as he spoke of he Savior’s agony in chapter 53. Soon,
however, Isaiah’s sobbing turns to singing, for he is allowed to preview his Messiah’s glorious resurrection, ascension,
exaltation, and future millennial reign.

Seven Years of Hell, Ten Centuries of Heaven
Isaiah Chapters 24; 35

Question: Is this the worst or best of all possible worlds to live in?

Biblical answer: Yes. Earthly philosophers have throughout the centuries pondered this question.

Prophet Isaiah responds as follows: Is this the worst possible world to live in? In the future, for a period of seven years, yes.
This coming evil time is known as the Great Tribulation. According to the prophet, the skies will darken, the stars will fall,
the earth will shake, and sinners will die. At the end of this frightful era. Armageddon, the biggest, bloodiest, and most
blasphemous battle in all history, will be fought. Heaven’s mighty Conqueror will appear, and earth’s miserable creatures
will be crushed like overripe grapes.

Is this the best possible world to live in? In the future, for a period of 1,000 years, yes. After describing the agony of
Armageddon, Isaiah depicts in breathtaking terms the blessed Millennium. Wars will cease. Gentiles will worship God in
Jerusalem. Israel will be redeemed and re-gathered. The curse on Creation imposed by the first Adam will be removed by
the second Adam. The infirmed will be healed. The valleys will be exalted and the mountains abased. The earth itself will
glow with the glory of God.

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