An outline of the Book of Isaiah
Hebrew Name - Yeshayahu "Yah is salvation"
Greek Name - Esaias (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Isaiah (According to Tradition)
Date - 760 BC Approximately
Theme - The kingdom of the Messiah
Types and Shadows - In Isaiah Jesus is the suffering servant
Isaiah prophesied during one of the
worst times in the history of Israel. The Israelites had become so corrupt God
was going to remove them out of His sight. He raised up the Assyrian army to be
an unmerciful, barbaric, ruthless, an unstoppable war machine. Their military
tactics are still applauded today by those who understand the art of war. God
called them from their distant land to come and destroy the Jews living in the
north, and take them away from their homeland. Isaiah was living in Judah, in
the city of Jerusalem during a time when King Uzziah had died. Isaiah prophesied during the reign of King Uzziah, King Jotham,
King Ahaz, King Hezekiah, and probably King Manasseh of Judah. His prophetic
ministry lasted from about 760 BC until about 720 BC. Isaiah chapter 6 records a
powerful vision that Isaiah received of God the King on his throne, and the king
called Isaiah to prophesy to His people. This was Isaiah's call to ministry as a
prophet of God and it is interesting that it was at a time when king Uzziah had
just died. King Uzziah was faithful servant of the Lord and people felt secure
under his leadership, but when he died there was almost a panic. This is when
the Lord showed Isaiah who was really on the throne. Isaiah was terrified at the
sight of God's holiness (Isaiah 6) and when the Lord called him and asked him
who will go with this message and Isaiah said "here am I, send me."
Isaiah warned Jerusalem about her idolatry, and her foreign alliances, but they
scorned him. They did not listen to his warnings and quickly destroy their
instruments of idolatry. He prophesied about the Assyrians who would destroy the
northern kingdom, they were also good to come to Jerusalem but God would deliver
them. But he also told them that eventually the city will be destroyed and
captured by the Babylonians, and that a Persian ruler named Cyrus would release
the Jews from captivity. Isaiah prophesied more about the Messiah than any other
book in the Old Testament. He also described in great detail the blessings of
the future kingdom of the Messiah. His coming would be as a lion bringing the
day of God's wrath, but he would also first come as a savior who would die for
the sins of the people. This was Isaiah's message, the humility and beauty of
the Savior.
1:1-1:20 The Wickedness of Judah
1:21-1:31 The Degenerate City
2:1-2:4 The Future House of God
2:5-4:1 Judgment pronounced on arrogance
4:2-4:6 The Future Glory of the Survivors of Zion
5:1-5:7 The Song of the Unfaithful Vineyard
5:8-5:23 Social Injustice Denounced
5:24-5:30 Foreign Invasion Predicted
6:1-6:13 A Vision of God in the Temple
7:1-7:9 Isaiah Reassures King Ahaz
7:10-7:25 Isaiah Gives Ahaz the Sign of Immanuel
8:1-8:15 Isaiah's Son a Sign of the Assyrian Invasion
8:16-8:22 Disciples of Isaiah
9:1-9:7 The Righteous Reign of the Coming King
9:8-10:4 Judgment on Arrogance and Oppression
10:5-10:19 Arrogant Assyria Also Judged
10:20-10:34 The Repentant Remnant of Israel
11:1-11:9 The Peaceful Kingdom
11:10-11:16 Return of the Remnant of Israel and Judah
12:1-12:6 Thanksgiving and Praise
13:1-13:22 Proclamation against Babylon
14:1-14:2 Restoration of Judah
14:3-14:23 Downfall of the King of Babylon
14:24-14:27 An Oracle concerning Assyria
14:28-14:32 An Oracle concerning Philistia
15:1-16:14 An Oracle concerning Moab
17:1-17:14 An Oracle concerning Damascus
18:1-18:7 An Oracle concerning Ethiopia
19:1-19:17 An Oracle concerning Egypt
19:18-19:25 Egypt, Assyria, and Israel Blessed
20:1-20:6 Isaiah Dramatizes the Conquest of Egypt and Ethiopia
21:1-21:17 Oracles concerning Babylon, Edom, and Arabia
22:1-22:14 A Warning of Destruction of Jerusalem
22:15-22:25 Denunciation of Self-Seeking Officials
23:1-23:18 An Oracle concerning Tyre
24:1-24:23 Impending Judgment on the Earth
25:1-25:12 Praise for Deliverance from Oppression
26:1-26:21 Judah's Song of Victory
27:1-27:13 Israel's Redemption
28:1-28:29 Judgment on Corrupt Rulers, Priests, and Prophets
29:1-29:16 The Siege of Jerusalem
29:17-29:24 Hope for the Future
30:1-30:7 The Futility of Reliance on Egypt
30:8-30:17 A Rebellious People
30:18-30:26 God's Promise to Zion
30:27-30:33 Judgment on Assyria
31:1-31:9 Alliance with Egypt Is Futile
32:1-32:8 Government with Justice Predicted
32:9-32:15 Complacent Women Warned of Disaster
32:16-32:20 The Peace of God's Reign
33:1-33:16 A Prophecy of Deliverance From Foes
33:17-33:24 The Land of the Majestic King
34:1-34:17 Judgment on the Nations
35:1-35:10 The Return of the Redeemed to Zion
36:1-36:22 Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
37:1-37:13 Hezekiah Consults Isaiah
37:14-37:35 Hezekiah's Prayer
37:36-37:38 Sennacherib's Defeat and Death
38:1-38:22 Hezekiah's Illness
39:1-39:8 Envoys from Babylon Welcomed
40:1-40:31 God's People Are Comforted
41:1-41:20 Israel Assured of God's Help
41:21-41:29 The Futility of Idols
42:1-42:9 The Servant, a Light to the Nations
42:10-42:25 A Hymn of Praise
43:1-43:28 Restoration and Protection Promised
44:1-44:8 God's Blessing on Israel
44:9-44:20 The Absurdity of Idol Worship
44:21-44:28 Israel Is Not Forgotten
45:1-45:19 Cyrus, God's Instrument
45:20-46:13 Idols Cannot Save Babylon
47:1-47:15 The Humiliation of Babylon
48:1-48:22 God the Creator and Redeemer
49:1-49:7 The Servant's Mission
49:8-50:3 Zion's Children to Be Brought Home
50:4-50:11 The Servant's Humiliation and Vindication
51:1-51:23 Blessings in Store for God's People
52:1-52:12 Let Zion Rejoice
52:13-53:12 The Suffering Servant
54:1-54:17 The Eternal Covenant of Peace
55:1-55:13 An Invitation to Abundant Life
56:1-56:8 The Covenant Extended to All Who Obey
56:9-56:12 The Corruption of Israel's Rulers
57:1-57:13 Israel's Futile Idolatry
57:14-57:21 A Promise of Help and Healing
58:1-58:14 False and True Worship
59:1-59:20 Injustice and Oppression to Be Punished
60:1-60:18 The Ingathering of the Dispersed
60:19-60:22 God the Glory of Zion
61:1-61:11 The Good News of Deliverance
62:1-62:12 The Vindication and Salvation of Zion
63:1-63:6 Vengeance on Edom
63:7-63:14 God's Mercy Remembered
63:15-64:12 A Prayer of Penitence
65:1-65:16 The Righteousness of God's Judgment
65:17-65:25 The Glorious New Creation
66:1-66:4 The Worship God Demands
66:5-66:13 The Lord Vindicates Zion
66:14-66:24 The Reign and Indignation of God
