Isaiah, Part I

These are notes from Sunday, March 30.

Isaiah chapters 1-39 (pre-exile): composed of the literary records of the major prophetic figure for whom the book is named.

The distinction between Isaiah, the prophet, and the Book of Isaiah must be kept in mind. Almost all of the material is of unusual interest and value, both literary and religious. But each part has to be studied for itself to see what it says, what it means, and what it implies.

The contents can be clearly divided into parts or sections but the core of the first 39 chapters undoubtedly consist of the literary records of Isaiah's ministry (8th century B.C.).

The following divisions are provided with some references to other Biblical writings:
Chapter I: A booklet of prophecies
Chapter 2-12: A collection of prophecies mainly about Judah and Jerusalem with some narrations (Hebrews chapters 8 and 9 have some specific references to this section).
Chapter 13-23: A collection of doom oracles on foreign peoples
Chapter 24-27: A booklet of late eschatological (having to do with end times) prophecies
Chapter 28-33: A collection of oracles that begin with "Woe"
Chapter 34-35: Two eschatological prophecies
Chapter 36-39: Narratives concerning the activities of the prophet toward the end of Hezekiah's reign

ISAIAH, THE MAN

He may have been a priest and was most certainly an aristocrat. He prophesied during the reigns of 4 kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. His understanding of God (his theology) was based on God as the one and only exalted, sovereign Lord whose nature was unique goodness and righteousness. His ultimate purpose was to establish a personal relationship with people.

Next week: Chapters 40-66
Notes by Harrell Guard