The Prophecies of Isaiah

By Edward Hindson, Th.D., D.Phil.
Professor, Religion; Dean, Institute of Biblical Studies and Assistant to the chancellor, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

Isaiah stands at the peak of the Old Testament as the literary genius of the prophets of Israel. His book is the longest of the prophets and looks further into the future than any of his contemporaries. This amazing book of prophecy includes Isaiah’s unique prophecies regarding the coming of Immanuel, the Suffering Servant. Its impressive grandeur, dignity of expression and dramatic style make it one of the finest examples of Hebrew literature.

Isaiah, son of Amoz, was one of the most prominent citizens of Jerusalem, having access to both the royal and priestly leadership of Judah. Isaiah stood against the rising threat of Assyria and the emerging spirit of universalism which encouraged the formation of political alliances with other Near Eastern nations.

When King Hezekiah ascended to the throne, a new day dawned for Judah. Pursuing a policy of spiritual reform, the new king repaired and cleansed the temple, reinstituted Mosaic Law in determining national policy and made Isaiah his chief advisor.

Isaiah has been called the Prince of the Prophets. The grandeur and dignity of his style parallels a liveliness of energy and profusion of imagery which made a lasting impression on his readers. Isaiah’s prophecies are generally divided into two major sections: prophetic condemnation, chapters 1 – 35; and prophetic consolation, chapters 40 – 66; with an historic interlude in chapters 36 – 39.

The prophet opens with a series of warnings aimed at Judah and Jerusalem, chapters 1 – 5. These serve as an overview of his concern for the moral decay of the Jewish nation.

In chapter 6, Isaiah includes the story of his call to the prophetic ministry.

Next, he brings a series of predictions regarding the coming of the virgin-born Messiah, symbolically identified as Immanuel, God With Us in chapters 7 – 12.

Then Isaiah proceeds to a series of prophecies against the nations, including Babylon, Moab, Syria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Babylon, Edom, Arabia and Phoenicia, chapters 13 – 23.

In chapter 24, the prophet foresees the tragedies of the Tribulation period and in chapters 25 – 27, he foresees the triumphs of the Millennial Kingdom. He repeats a similar parallel in chapters 34 and 35. In between, are a series of woes pronounced upon Israel and Judah, chapters 28 – 33.

In the middle of the book are four chapters, 36 – 39, which serve as an interlude between the major sections of the book. These chapters include the story of Assyria’s failed attempt to conquer Jerusalem and the rising threat of the Babylonian Empire on the prophetic horizon.

The closing section of Isaiah, chapters 40 – 66, includes predictions of a future peaceful consolation which will be brought to reality by the servant of the Lord. These prophecies of deliverance foresee the Messianic reign of Christ in peace and prosperity, which will occur in the Millennium; see Revelation 20.

The theme of Isaiah’s prophecies points to the coming of Jesus Christ, the virgin’s Son, Immanuel, the Branch of the Lord, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace, the coming Messiah, the Suffering Servant, the glorious King, Who will judge the nations, atone for our sins and rule the world in peace and righteousness!