Isaiah: The Holy One saves His people

Where Isaiah sits

In the story

Act IV, Israel · Divided, c. 930–586 BC

In the Bible

Old Testament · Prophets · book 23 of 66

Before it in the story

Hosea

After it in the story

Micah

During the divided kingdom, Isaiah announces judgment and a hope that outlasts both Assyria and Babylon. The promised King and Servant direct the story toward Jesus.

Isaiah summary

Isaiah confronts Judah with the holiness of the LORD. Corrupt worship, oppression and reliance on human power bring judgment, yet God preserves a remnant and promises a righteous King (1–12). His rule reaches the surrounding nations and the whole earth (13–27). Judah must trust Him through the Assyrian crisis, while Hezekiah's story also points toward Babylonian exile (28–39). God announces comfort, exposes powerless idols and promises a Servant whose suffering brings forgiveness (40–55). The closing visions distinguish empty religion from faithful worship and look toward the gathering of the nations, final judgment and new creation (56–66).

Isaiah in context

Written by

Isaiah son of Amoz, whose ministry is located under Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (1:1).

Written to

Judah and Jerusalem first, with messages concerning Israel and the nations and promises for God's people beyond the immediate crisis.

Setting

The divided kingdoms face Assyrian expansion. Judah's political fears expose a deeper refusal to trust the LORD. The prophecy also announces Babylonian exile and redemption beyond it.

When

Isaiah's ministry belongs to the eighth and early seventh centuries BC, conventionally placed around 740–680 BC. The book reaches far beyond his lifetime.

Why

To expose sin before the Holy One, call His people to trust Him, and announce the judgment and redemption through which He will establish His righteous kingdom.

Themes of Isaiah

• The Holy One of Israel
• Trust in the LORD
• The promised King
• Redemption through the Servant
• A renewed people and world

Key verses in Isaiah

• Isaiah 6:3

  And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

• Isaiah 7:14

  Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

• Isaiah 9:6–7

  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

• Isaiah 53:5–6

  But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.

• Isaiah 65:17

  For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.

Isaiah chapter by chapter

Part 1 · Judah judged and the King promised 1:1–12:6

1. 1
   Isaiah 1: Rebellion, cleansing and a restored city

   The LORD exposes Judah's rebellion, rejects unjust worship and promises to redeem a repentant people.

2. 2
   Isaiah 2: The LORD alone will be exalted

   The nations will seek the LORD's instruction, while His coming judgment brings human pride and idols low.

3. 3
   Isaiah 3: A city stripped of its supports

   Judah's injustice brings the loss of stable leadership, judgment on its rulers and humiliation for proud Jerusalem.

4. 4
   Isaiah 4: A cleansed people under God's shelter

   After Jerusalem's humiliation, the LORD promises a holy remnant, cleansing and the shelter of His presence.

5. 5
   Isaiah 5: The vineyard yields injustice

   God's carefully tended vineyard yields oppression, and Judah's persistent evil brings devastating judgment.

6. 6
   Isaiah 6: The holy King cleanses and sends

   Isaiah sees the holy King, receives cleansing and is sent to a resistant people whose judgment leaves a holy seed.

7. 7
   Isaiah 7: Ahaz fears, but God gives a sign

   Ahaz is called to trust the LORD; the Immanuel sign promises God's presence amid approaching judgment.

8. 8
   Isaiah 8: Fear the LORD and keep His word

   Assyria will flood the land, but God's people must fear Him, wait for Him and hold to His testimony.

9. 9
   Isaiah 9: Light and a King, yet anger remains

   God promises light and a righteous Davidic King, while Israel's pride and corruption still call forth judgment.

10. 10
    Isaiah 10: Assyria is a rod, not the ruler

    The LORD judges oppression through Assyria, then humbles its pride and preserves a returning remnant.

11. 11
    Isaiah 11: Jesse's King gathers the nations

    The Spirit rests on Jesse's promised ruler, whose justice brings peace and gathers God's scattered people.

12. 12
    Isaiah 12: Draw water and make His deeds known

    The redeemed thank the LORD for salvation, trust Him without fear and call the nations to hear His praise.

Part 2 · The LORD rules the nations 13:1–27:13

1. 13
   Isaiah 13: Babylon faces the day of the LORD

   The LORD summons judgment against Babylon, bringing the pride of its kingdom to a desolate end.

2. 14
   Isaiah 14: The proud ruler falls; Zion finds refuge

   The LORD gives His people relief, brings Babylon's boastful king low and establishes Zion as a refuge.

3. 15
   Isaiah 15: Moab mourns a ruined land

   Moab's cities, fields and waters are devastated, and Isaiah laments the suffering of its fleeing people.

4. 16
   Isaiah 16: Shelter, a just throne and Moab's pride

   Moab needs refuge under righteous rule, but its pride leads to mourning and the collapse of its strength.

5. 17
   Isaiah 17: Forgotten salvation and failing alliances

   Damascus and Jacob face ruin, yet a remnant turns to its Maker and the LORD drives back the raging nations.

6. 18
   Isaiah 18: Watch the LORD, then bring Him tribute

   The world must watch the LORD's decisive intervention, and a distant people will bring tribute to Zion.

7. 19
   Isaiah 19: Former enemies worship the LORD together

   The LORD humbles Egypt, then brings Egypt, Assyria and Israel into shared worship and blessing.

8. 20
   Isaiah 20: Egypt and Cush cannot rescue Judah

   Isaiah's public sign announces Egypt and Cush's humiliation and exposes the folly of trusting them for rescue.

9. 21
   Isaiah 21: The watchman announces Babylon's fall

   The LORD reveals Babylon's fall and warns neighboring peoples that their security and glory will fail.

10. 22
    Isaiah 22: Jerusalem prepares its walls but forgets its Maker

    Jerusalem trusts its defenses and celebrates instead of repenting; its officials also answer to the LORD.

11. 23
    Isaiah 23: Tyre's wealth falls under the LORD's rule

    The LORD brings Tyre's commercial pride low, then directs its restored profits toward His people's provision.

12. 24
    Isaiah 24: The whole earth answers to its King

    Human rebellion brings worldwide judgment, while survivors praise the LORD who will reign in glory.

13. 25
    Isaiah 25: The LORD prepares a feast and defeats death

    The LORD shelters the weak, prepares salvation for the peoples and promises to swallow up death forever.

14. 26
    Isaiah 26: Trust the LORD while waiting for life

    The LORD gives His people peace, accomplishes their deliverance and promises life beyond their helplessness and death.

15. 27
    Isaiah 27: The LORD keeps His vineyard and gathers His people

    The LORD defeats evil, makes His vineyard fruitful, purges idolatry and gathers His scattered people to worship.

Part 3 · Whom will Judah trust? 28:1–35:10

1. 28
   Isaiah 28: A sure foundation amid collapsing refuges

   The LORD exposes proud, drunken leaders and false refuges, while laying a foundation for those who trust Him.

2. 29
   Isaiah 29: Blind worshipers and the promise of renewed sight

   The LORD humbles Jerusalem, exposes worship without the heart and promises understanding and joy to the humble.

3. 30
   Isaiah 30: Egypt cannot give the rest Judah refuses

   Judah rejects the LORD's word and seeks Egypt's protection, yet He promises grace and judges Assyria.

4. 31
   Isaiah 31: The LORD protects what Egypt cannot save

   Egypt's human strength will fail, but the LORD defends Zion and calls His people to abandon their idols.

5. 32
   Isaiah 32: Righteous rule and the Spirit's renewing work

   Righteous rule exposes folly, while the Spirit's renewal brings justice and peace beyond the coming devastation.

6. 33
   Isaiah 33: The King saves and forgives His people

   The LORD answers His people's plea, judges the destroyer and promises Zion His saving reign and forgiveness.

7. 34
   Isaiah 34: Edom displays the judgment awaiting the nations

   The LORD summons the nations to hear His judgment and makes Edom a lasting picture of desolation.

8. 35
   Isaiah 35: The redeemed return through a renewed wilderness

   The LORD comes to save, renews the wilderness, heals the afflicted and leads His redeemed people home in joy.

Part 4 · Rescue and the coming exile 36:1–39:8

1. 36
   Isaiah 36: Assyria challenges Judah's trust in the LORD

   Assyria's envoy threatens Jerusalem and urges its people to abandon Hezekiah's call to trust the LORD.

2. 37
   Isaiah 37: The living God answers Assyria's challenge

   The LORD answers Hezekiah's prayer, preserves Jerusalem and brings the boastful Assyrian king to disgrace.

3. 38
   Isaiah 38: Life restored becomes a song of thanks

   The LORD hears Hezekiah's prayer, extends his life and receives his thanksgiving for rescue and forgiveness.

4. 39
   Isaiah 39: Displayed treasures and a warning of exile

   Hezekiah shows Babylon his treasures, and Isaiah announces that Judah's wealth and royal descendants will go there.

Part 5 · Comfort through the LORD's Servant 40:1–55:13

1. 40
   Isaiah 40: Comfort from the Creator who does not grow weary

   The LORD announces comfort, promises His coming and gives strength to His weary people.

2. 41
   Isaiah 41: The Lord of history holds His servant fast

   The LORD rules the nations, strengthens His chosen people and exposes the helplessness of their idols.

3. 42
   Isaiah 42: God's faithful servant and His unheeding people

   The LORD appoints His servant to bring justice and light, while exposing Israel's refusal to listen.

4. 43
   Isaiah 43: The Redeemer gathers and forgives His people

   The LORD claims Israel as His own, promises a new deliverance and forgives for the sake of His name.

5. 44
   Isaiah 44: The living Creator redeems; made gods cannot

   The LORD promises His Spirit, exposes manmade gods and names Cyrus as the instrument of Jerusalem's rebuilding.

6. 45
   Isaiah 45: The only God appoints Cyrus and calls the nations

   The LORD appoints Cyrus, defends His sovereign purpose and calls the ends of the earth to be saved.

7. 46
   Isaiah 46: The God who carries His people fulfills His purpose

   Babylon's gods must be carried, but the LORD carries His people and accomplishes all He has purposed.

8. 47
   Isaiah 47: Babylon's pride falls and its magic cannot save

   The LORD humbles cruel and self-confident Babylon; its luxury, sorcery and counselors cannot prevent judgment.

9. 48
   Isaiah 48: Deliverance is promised; rebellion still denies peace

   The LORD preserves His stubborn people for His name's sake and calls them out of Babylon to heed His word.

10. 49
    Isaiah 49: The servant restores Israel and brings light to nations

    The LORD appoints His servant to bring salvation to the nations and assures Zion that He has not forgotten her.

11. 50
    Isaiah 50: The obedient servant trusts God through suffering

    Israel's sin explains its distress, while the obedient servant endures abuse and trusts the LORD to vindicate him.

12. 51
    Isaiah 51: God's lasting salvation outlives every oppressor

    The LORD calls His people to trust His enduring salvation and promises to remove Jerusalem's cup of wrath.

13. 52
    Isaiah 52: God reigns, Zion is freed, and the servant is exalted

    The LORD announces Zion's release and His worldwide reign, then introduces His disfigured yet exalted servant.

14. 53
    Isaiah 53: The innocent servant bears sin and justifies many

    The rejected servant bears His people's sins in death, then lives to see the success of His saving work.

15. 54
    Isaiah 54: The Lord gathers a family under His covenant of peace

    The LORD promises His restored people a growing family, enduring compassion and a secure inheritance from Him.

16. 55
    Isaiah 55: Come freely, return to the Lord, and trust His word

    The LORD offers His covenant blessings freely, calls sinners to return and guarantees His word's success.

Part 6 · A holy people in a renewed creation 56:1–66:24

1. 56
   Isaiah 56: God gathers outsiders; careless shepherds fail

   The LORD welcomes faithful outsiders into His worshiping people and exposes leaders who neglect their calling.

2. 57
   Isaiah 57: The Holy One revives the humble and denies false peace

   Idols cannot rescue the rebellious, but the Holy One dwells with the contrite and restores them to peace.

3. 58
   Isaiah 58: True devotion joins worship with justice and mercy

   The LORD rejects fasting joined to oppression and calls His people to mercy, justice and delight in His holy day.

4. 59
   Isaiah 59: Sin blocks peace; the Lord Himself brings redemption

   The people confess their injustice, and the LORD acts as Redeemer, promising His Spirit and enduring word.

5. 60
   Isaiah 60: The Lord becomes His people's everlasting light

   The LORD brings nations to Zion's light and promises His people righteousness, peace and an end to mourning.

6. 61
   Isaiah 61: The anointed herald announces liberty and lasting joy

   The Spirit-anointed herald brings good news, and the LORD clothes His restored people with salvation and righteousness.

7. 62
   Isaiah 62: The Lord delights in Zion and promises her salvation

   God promises Zion a new name and secure joy, calling His people to persistent prayer and readiness for His coming.

8. 63
   Isaiah 63: The victorious Redeemer is sought by His troubled people

   The LORD defeats His enemies, while His people remember His compassion and plead for renewed mercy.

9. 64
   Isaiah 64: Come down, forgive us, and reshape Your people

   The people confess that sin has ruined them and appeal to the LORD as Father and Potter for mercy.

10. 65
    Isaiah 65: God distinguishes His servants and promises new creation

    The LORD judges persistent rebellion, preserves His servants and promises them joy in a renewed creation.

11. 66
    Isaiah 66: Humble worshipers are gathered; rebellion meets judgment

    The LORD honors those who tremble at His word, gathers worshipers from the nations and finally judges rebellion.

See the outline of Isaiah