The Revelation Of Isaiah To Israel Series

Isaiah, Part 1

The Revelation of Isaiah to Israel

Isaiah 1:1-31

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons! This morning, for ~2025, we begin our study of Isaiah

-- Much to learn, and to examine, from a man who was faithful to God’s calling

-- If there is any encouragement we can grab hold of – it is to comprehend this:

• Faithfulness to God is more than performing ceremonially, obedient stuff

• It is an eagerness to live for, to worship freely, and to testify about Him!

- APP: Now, here is our challenge from the beginning:

• This is where most people tune out … Why? B/c Isaiah challenges our faith

• He challenges us to examine what we know and asks us critical questions

• Calls those who know God to be different than those who know about God

• To be penitent (repentant) in the face of a world that will judge you for it

- Big challenge is simple: Will we follow God’s ways or choose our own?

-- This will be the overarching question for this entire series … lots to unpack

- Read Isaiah 1:1-31 / Pray

- TR: Let’s begin by …

Point 1 – Setting the Foundation of Isaiah

- He is referred to as “the Messianic prophet”: prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus

-- Hebrew: navi; prophet - means: “one who proclaims or announces”

-- APP: It is an overflowing of what God is doing that comes out of a prophet

• NT quotes more scriptures from Isaiah than any other book of the OT

• However, Isaiah’s work was not just about being a “fortune teller”

- Isaiah’s favorite (most used) reference for God is: “Jehovah” (Yahweh)

-- It means, “The Lord of Hosts”; used 62 times in this book (~1 per chapter)

- Ministry: Isaiah was God’s spokesman to Judah and Jerusalem

• His name means, “salvation of the Lord”

• He is the son of Amoz; Isaiah was married and had two sons

- History tells us that Amoz was a brother of Amaziah, son of Joash, King of Judah

-- This would mean that Isaiah would be closely related to royalty

-- Think: He’d have royal access – a way to share the word with those in power

- There are 2 major divisions in this book:

1. The Assyrian Period (Chapters 1-39)

a. Shows God’s indictment against Judah and Jerusalem

b. Also portrays a sovereign rule by a God who still loves them

2. The Babylonian Period (Chapters 40-66)

a. A deep exhortation to have faith and patience in God

b. Describes the salvation for those who trust in the true God of Israel

- When Isaiah was commissioned there was great political turmoil in Judah (Israel)

• Assyria’s kingdom was expanding because they attacked region continually

• When Judah refused to be a part it, they were attacked by Assyrians too

• When Judah wanted relief – they began to look into joining the coalition

• However, Isaiah challenged the king to (big) “put their trust in Jehovah”

• Their king (Ahaz) rejected Isaiah’s word – and they fell under attack

• The capital of Israel (Samaria) was crushed & overtaken in 722 BC

- There are also two major themes occur in this book:

1. There is an exhortation to “trust in the Holy God of Israel”

-- Why? Because putting their faith in God would lead to their sins being forgiven

2. There is a prophecy of the Messiah to come (and the glory He will bring)

-- Eight times the people are urged to “wait upon the Lord” - to trust and remember

- TR: This would be a recurring theme in history (actually) – to wait/trust in God

-- Why? Because once we know who He is, we can faithfully follow His will

Point 2 – Understanding Judah’s Sinful Condition

- As Isaiah unpacks the country’s ailments, see if you can see our own parallel

-- TJ: Trust me, what they are dealing with is also what we experience today!

I. God’s primary charge against Israel

- God indicts Israel in the presence of Heaven and earth (witnesses) (vv2-3)

-- Want us to know, this charge is public; it’s chastening & it’s very directive

-- What is the charge? They are rebellious children who’ve turned against God!

-- EX: Even an ox knows it’s owner, even a donkey knows it’s caregiver

-- APP: Yet, they have become strangers to the very God who created them!

II. The condition of Israel

- They are a sinful, corrupt nation that has turned away from God (vv2-4)

-- Like an injured body with wounds and ailments, yet asks for more (vv5-6)

-- The countryside is overthrown by strangers; they are in ruins! (vv7-8)

-- Except for a small group of faithful – they’d be Sodom and Gomorrah (v9)