FINAL SUMMARY OF ISAIAH STUDY

 

I just completed my study of the major prophet Isaiah found in the Old Testament. 

Here's the final summary (Chapters 63-66). 

CHAPTER 63 and 64: Isaiah asked for compassion and retribution on Israel's enemies after he praised God.  These two chapters are Isaiah's prophetic prayer on behalf of those who would be exiled to Babylon more than 100 years later!  The righteous remnant of people wanted to have the power and love of their God just like their forefathers had.  Acknowledging their sin showed that their choices had created a divide between God and His people.  They would once again, like a lump of clay on a potter's wheel, need to be shaped by God's Hand. (this imagery is also found in the book of Jeremiah as stated in the photo below) 

For us today: We recognize just who we are in God's eyes sometimes easier than at other times. If we've chosen Jesus as payment for our sins, God sees His righteousness covering us.  We can't have a healthy relationship and open communication with God though, if we choose to rebel and sin. We experience God's love, power, and forgiveness when we allow Him to shape us as He chooses. 

CHAPTER 65: God will repay Israel for her sins but He won't destroy them all. People who serve Him will live in the new Heaven and new Earth.  Pain and sorrow won't exist there.  God's Hands are mentioned 3 times in this chapter: 

1. He graciously reaches out in love to His people. 
2. His Hand enabled Babylon and Assyria to carry out His judgement.
3. One day His Hands will create a new Heaven and a new Earth.  

Isaiah doesn't foretell a physical description like Revelation 21 does, but he does describe what life will be like in the new world. There will be no evil or sin.  People will enjoy meaningful work like in the Garden of Eden before mankind disobeyed God. And the very nature of the animal world will be changed!  Whatever caused pain or sadness will not be remembered and it won't exist. It will be when God and His people have perfect communion together. 

For us today:  Our time on Earth has experiences that relate to the consequences of sin on people, nature, and animals. It's not how God created the world to be. If we are a follower of Jesus we will live in the new heaven and new earth. Let's share the Gospel of the Good News of  Salvation and about this wonderful world that is to  come. 

CHAPTER 66: This is the climax of the prophetic book of Isaiah.  God will keep His promises to bless His people and judge Israel's enemies.  But their sacrifices were still ritualistic vs heartfelt.  Authentic worship begins in humility and being sorry for sins.  Isaiah shows Israel 2 things: 

1. The destruction of the temple by Babylon
2. The rebirth as a nation under the Messiah's (Jesus) rule.

God's message was clear: sin brings judgement.  Repentance brings salvation and eternal life. And one day in the future, "God will use Israel's faithfulness to cause worldwide worship of the Messiah as King" (taken from the Study of Salvation: Isaiah). 

For us today:  Authentic faith makes others take notice. Some who claim to follow Jesus are obstacles to other people's faith (think the far right militant type politics or nationalists; think legalism/fundamentalism).  For a classic example:  if a neighbor sees you routinely driving to church every weekend but doesn't see a difference in your lifestyle/ethics/morals, that might be hindering their decision to trust in Jesus.   Be genuine. Be authentic.  Live the way Jesus did and live out loud the two greatest commandments Jesus left us with:  to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and to love our neighbor (any one who is different from you) as yourself.