Outline of Isaiah: The Holy One saves His people

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

Children who have rebelled 1:1–9 · Worship without justice 1:10–17 · Cleansing and a real choice 1:18–20 · The corrupt city refined 1:21–26 · Redemption and destruction 1:27–31

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

Nations come to learn peace 2:1–5 · A people filled with false security 2:6–9 · Every proud height brought down 2:10–18 · Abandon idols and human confidence 2:19–22

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

Support and leadership removed 3:1–7 · Open rebellion and distinct outcomes 3:8–12 · The rulers brought to court 3:13–15 · Pride exchanged for humiliation 3:16–24 · The city mourns its fallen 3:25–26

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

Desolation reaches the household 4:1 · The survivors made holy 4:2–4 · The LORD shelters His people 4:5–6

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

The owner examines His vineyard 5:1–7 · Land taken from neighbors 5:8–10 · Revelry without regard for God 5:11–17 · Evil defended and justice sold 5:18–23 · The rejected word brings judgment 5:24–30

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

The holy King enthroned 6:1–4 · Guilt confessed and removed 6:5–7 · Sent to a hardened people 6:8–10 · Devastation and a holy seed 6:11–13

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

The king must stand by faith 7:1–9 · The refused sign and Immanuel 7:10–17 · Invaders as insects and a razor 7:18–20 · A land reduced to pasture and thorns 7:21–25

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

A child names the coming plunder 8:1–4 · The flood reaches Judah 8:5–8 · Hostile plans cannot prevail 8:9–10 · Sanctuary or stumbling stone 8:11–15 · Preserve the testimony and wait 8:16–18 · Seek God's word, not the dead 8:19–22

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

Light replaces darkness and oppression 9:1–5 · A child establishes David's peace 9:6–7 · Pride persists under attack 9:8–12 · The people refuse to return 9:13–17 · Wickedness consumes the people 9:18–21

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

Unjust laws meet the day of reckoning 10:1–4 · Assyria claims the victory for itself 10:5–11 · The tool cannot boast over its maker 10:12–19 · A remnant returns to the mighty God 10:20–23 · Zion's burden will be broken 10:24–27 · The advancing forest is felled 10:28–34

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

A ruler equipped by the Spirit 11:1–5 · Peace fills the holy mountain 11:6–9 · The nations seek and the scattered gather 11:10–12 · A united people and a new exodus 11:13–16

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

Trust the God who saves 12:1–3 · Tell the nations and sing in Zion 12:4–6

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

The LORD gathers an army 13:1–5 · Pride meets the day of judgment 13:6–13 · Conquest brings terror 13:14–18 · Splendor becomes desolation 13:19–22

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

Compassion and restored belonging 14:1–2 · The oppressor can no longer rule 14:3–11 · Ambition ends in disgrace 14:12–21 · God's purpose stands 14:22–27 · Refuge belongs to Zion 14:28–32

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

Cities filled with mourning 15:1–4 · Fugitives cross a withered land 15:5–6 · Escape does not end the danger 15:7–9

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

Refuge under a righteous throne 16:1–5 · Pride gives way to tears 16:6–12 · A stated limit to Moab's glory 16:13–14

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

Two kingdoms reduced to remnants 17:1–6 · Eyes turn to the Maker 17:7–8 · Forgotten salvation bears bitter fruit 17:9–11 · The roaring nations are scattered 17:12–14

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

Messengers and a worldwide summons 18:1–3 · Quiet observation, decisive pruning 18:4–6 · A distant people brings a gift 18:7

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

Idols and civil order collapse 19:1–4 · The river economy fails 19:5–10 · Trusted wisdom becomes confusion 19:11–15 · Fear gives way to prayer and healing 19:16–22 · A highway joins former enemies 19:23–25

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

Isaiah becomes a public sign 20:1–3 · Trusted allies become captives 20:4–6

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

A vision interrupts the feast 21:1–5 · The watchman reports the fall 21:6–10 · Morning and night in Seir 21:11–12 · Refugees and the end of Kedar's glory 21:13–17

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

A celebration that calls for tears 22:1–4 · Defenses without dependence 22:5–11 · A feast instead of repentance 22:12–14 · Shebna loses his position 22:15–19 · A steward entrusted with a heavy load 22:20–25

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

The trading world mourns 23:1–7 · The LORD humbles commercial pride 23:8–14 · Restored trade serves a different end 23:15–18

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

No social rank escapes the charge 24:1–6 · Joy and city life fall silent 24:7–13 · Praise heard amid grief 24:14–16 · The earth reels under its guilt 24:17–20 · Every rival answers to the LORD 24:21–23

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

Praise for refuge and just judgment 25:1–5 · A feast beyond death and tears 25:6–9 · Pride cannot enter on its own terms 25:10–12

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

Salvation secures the city 26:1–6 · Longing for God amid refusal 26:7–11 · God has done what His people need 26:12–15 · Failed labor meets promised life 26:16–19 · Shelter while evil is exposed 26:20–21

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

The LORD defeats the serpent 27:1 · The vineyard fills the world with fruit 27:2–6 · Discipline removes idolatry 27:7–9 · A ruined city warns the uncomprehending 27:10–11 · The scattered return to worship 27:12–13

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

A fading crown and lasting glory 28:1–6 · The rejected word returns in judgment 28:7–13 · The stone stands as false shelters fall 28:14–22 · The farmer displays wise discrimination 28:23–29

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

Jerusalem humbled and her attackers scattered 29:1–8 · A sealed word and a distant heart 29:9–14 · Clay cannot overrule its Maker 29:15–16 · Hearing, joy and understanding restored 29:17–24

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

A costly journey to a useless protector 30:1–7 · Refused truth becomes approaching ruin 30:8–17 · Grace brings a listening people home 30:18–22 · The wounded land is healed 30:23–26 · Assyria faces the LORD's judgment 30:27–33

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

Human help cannot replace the Holy One 31:1–3 · The LORD defends Jerusalem 31:4–5 · Return from idols and watch Assyria fall 31:6–9

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

Good rule makes folly plain 32:1–8 · Complacency meets a ruined harvest 32:9–14 · The Spirit brings justice and peace 32:15–20

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

A prayer for grace amid betrayal 33:1–6 · Failed peace gives way to divine action 33:7–13 · Who can stand before the Holy One? 33:14–16 · The saving King secures Zion 33:17–24

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

The whole earth must hear 34:1–4 · Edom faces the day of vengeance 34:5–8 · Cities become a lasting wilderness 34:9–15 · The LORD guarantees His word 34:16–17

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

The wilderness blooms and fearful hearts take courage 35:1–4 · Healing and water transform the desolation 35:5–7 · A holy way leads the redeemed home 35:8–10

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

An army arrives at Jerusalem 36:1–3 · The envoy attacks every ground of confidence 36:4–10 · The people hear threats and tempting promises 36:11–20 · Silence and grief answer the challenge 36:21–22

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

Distress turns to prayer and promise 37:1–7 · The threat is laid before the Creator 37:8–20 · Assyrian pride meets its true Master 37:21–29 · A preserved remnant will bear fruit 37:30–35 · The threat collapses 37:36–38

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

Prayer is answered with life and a sign 38:1–8 · The king remembers his fear of death 38:9–14 · Restored life answers with thanksgiving 38:15–20 · The healing instruction and sign request recalled 38:21–22

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

Babylon sees the king's wealth 39:1–2 · Isaiah asks what has been shown 39:3–4 · The displayed wealth will be carried away 39:5–8

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

Prepare the way for the coming LORD 40:1–5 · Fading people and an enduring word 40:6–8 · The mighty ruler gathers His flock 40:9–11 · No one instructs the Creator 40:12–17 · Nothing can represent His equal 40:18–26 · The weary receive strength 40:27–31

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

The nations face the Lord of history 41:1–4 · Fear produces more idols 41:5–7 · Israel is chosen and upheld 41:8–13 · Weakness meets God's transforming power 41:14–20 · The gods fail the test 41:21–29

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

The servant will establish justice 42:1–4 · A covenant and light for the nations 42:5–9 · The earth sings of the LORD's victory 42:10–17 · The blind servant must face its sin 42:18–25

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

The redeemed belong to the LORD 43:1–7 · Israel witnesses to the only Savior 43:8–13 · A new way through the wilderness 43:14–21 · Grace answers the people's guilt 43:22–28

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

Renewal by water and the Spirit 44:1–5 · The only God announces what will come 44:6–8 · The maker cannot be saved by what he makes 44:9–20 · Remember redemption and return 44:21–23 · The Creator promises to rebuild Jerusalem 44:24–28

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

Cyrus is appointed for God's purpose 45:1–8 · The Maker has authority over His work 45:9–13 · The nations recognize Israel's Savior 45:14–17 · All the earth is called to turn to God 45:18–22 · Every knee will bow 45:23–25

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

Babylon's gods become a burden 46:1–2 · The LORD carries His people 46:3–4 · A handmade god cannot answer 46:5–7 · God's declared purpose will stand 46:8–11 · Salvation is near to stubborn people 46:12–13

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

The queen is brought down to dust 47:1–5 · Cruelty exposes Babylon's guilt 47:6–7 · False security meets sudden disaster 47:8–11 · No counselor or spell can rescue 47:12–15

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

Stubborn hearers cannot credit their idols 48:1–8 · God acts for His name's sake 48:9–11 · The Creator confirms His announced purpose 48:12–16 · Ignored instruction has cost the people peace 48:17–19 · Leave Babylon, but do not presume on release 48:20–22

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

The servant is called for a worldwide mission 49:1–6 · The despised servant brings release and joy 49:7–13 · Zion has not been forgotten 49:14–21 · Nations help bring the children home 49:22–23 · No captor can defeat the Redeemer 49:24–26

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

Sin, not divine weakness, explains the separation 50:1–3 · The servant listens and obeys through shame 50:4–6 · God's help answers every accusation 50:7–9 · Trust the LORD when the way is dark 50:10–11

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

Remember the small beginning God multiplied 51:1–3 · Salvation lasts when the world and its enemies fade 51:4–8 · Awake, arm of the LORD 51:9–11 · The Creator answers His fearful people 51:12–16 · Jerusalem lies helpless under judgment 51:17–20 · The cup passes to the oppressors 51:21–23

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

Zion must rise from captivity 52:1–6 · The herald announces God's reign 52:7–10 · Depart in purity under God's protection 52:11–12 · The servant's humiliation leads to exaltation 52:13–15

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

The revealed servant is rejected 53:1–3 · His suffering brings peace to the guilty 53:4–6 · The innocent servant submits to death 53:7–9 · His sacrifice achieves life and justification 53:10–12

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

Enlarge the tent for a promised family 54:1–3 · The Maker gathers His forsaken people 54:4–8 · The covenant of peace will stand 54:9–10 · The afflicted city is rebuilt in righteousness 54:11–14 · God grants His servants their vindication 54:15–17

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

Receive what truly satisfies without payment 55:1–2 · Share in the enduring promise to David 55:3–5 · Seek the LORD and leave wicked ways 55:6–7 · God's higher purpose is accomplished by His word 55:8–11 · Go out with joy into God's renewal 55:12–13

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

Await salvation with justice and obedience 56:1–2 · Outsiders receive a lasting place with God 56:3–8 · Self-serving shepherds leave the flock exposed 56:9–12

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

The righteous enter peace 57:1–2 · Idolatry has become persistent betrayal 57:3–10 · False refuges cannot save 57:11–13 · The Holy One restores the humble 57:14–19 · The wicked remain restless 57:20–21

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

Fasting cannot conceal oppression 58:1–5 · Mercy belongs to the fast God desires 58:6–7 · Restored conduct belongs with promised renewal 58:8–12 · Delight in the LORD's holy day 58:13–14

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

The barrier is the people's sin 59:1–8 · The people confess their darkness 59:9–15 · The LORD arms Himself to save and judge 59:16–19 · The Redeemer comes with an enduring covenant 59:20–21

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

God's glory draws the nations 60:1–3 · Children return and nations bring their praise 60:4–9 · Former hostility gives way to service 60:10–14 · Peace replaces desolation and violence 60:15–18 · The LORD is the everlasting light 60:19–22

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

The anointed herald brings good news 61:1–3 · The restored become builders and ministers 61:4–7 · God pledges justice and lasting blessing 61:8–9 · Rejoice in God-given salvation 61:10–11

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

Forsaken Zion becomes God's delight 62:1–5 · Keep praying for the promised restoration 62:6–7 · God swears to secure the people's harvest 62:8–9 · Prepare for the coming Savior 62:10–12

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

The LORD alone accomplishes judgment and redemption 63:1–6 · Remember compassion and confess rebellion 63:7–10 · Recall the Spirit's guidance through the sea 63:11–14 · Appeal to the Father and Redeemer 63:15–19

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

Reveal Your saving presence again 64:1–5 · Our sins have left us polluted and helpless 64:6–7 · Remember us as Your own handiwork 64:8–9 · Do not remain silent over the ruins 64:10–12

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

God's initiative meets persistent rebellion 65:1–7 · God preserves His servants and judges deserters 65:8–12 · Two destinies are set in contrast 65:13–16 · God creates a world of lasting joy 65:17–19 · Secure life and peace replace futility 65:20–25

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

The Creator honors humble hearers 66:1–4 · The rejected faithful will be vindicated 66:5–6 · God brings Zion's children to birth and comfort 66:7–14 · The LORD comes to judge rebellion 66:15–17 · The nations hear and are gathered 66:18–21 · Enduring worship stands beside final judgment 66:22–24