The Book of Isaiah

I recently was reading and meditating on the book of Isaiah. I decided to write a 1 sentence (or so) summary of each chapter to help me think through the book (by the way, I highly recommend this for those who want to better understand what you are reading).

Additionally, I wrote a summary and how I can obey this (also recommended).

So I thought others might be interested in this as well. Here you go:

Isaiah by chapter:

1. Israel must be refined
2. though eventually Israel will be exalted, first a great humbling is coming
3. humbling of Judah is expounded
4. after God seems to reject Israel, then he will show special favor to the remnant
5. Israel is like God’s vineyard, but keeps giving him bad fruit. God will judge all of Israel, and leave only a remnant. He will do this through other nations.
6. Isaiah is commissioned by God. His message is judgment until only the remnant remains.
7. Northern kingdom will be destroyed within 65 years… Before the virgin son is of age
8. ch 7 in more detail
9. the afflicted will see deliverance through Messiah, starting with the origin of the evil: Galilee / Northern Israel.
10. God will use Assyria to punish Israel, then He will punish Assyria for their arrogance and idolatry. Remnant in Israel will remain.
11. Messiah will restore Israels remnant
12. Israel will praise God for his deliverance. Shares language with Ex 15…just as 11 refers to Red Sea crossing as metaphor for this new deliverance to come.
13. The deliverance of Israel will happen by Medes destroying Babylon
14. Babylon, Assyria, Philistia will be judged by God and destroyed later
15. Moab to be destroyed/judged
16. More details on Moab’s destruction / Israel to provide refuge for remnant of Moab
17. Syria will be judged / destroyed
18. Cush will be conquered. Some of Cush will migrate to Israel.
19. Egypt judged, though it will result in some turning to God
20. Egypt taken captive by Assyria (for 3 years, I believe)
21. Babylon and surrounding territories will fall
22. Jerusalem will be judged; chief steward replaced
23. Tyre judged (by Babylon?)
24. Perhaps a summary of all the lands prophesied for judgment; the earth will be thoroughly and horribly judged
25. God will protect and elevate His remnant.
26. God will be a refuge for His remnant, while He destroyed the surrounding oppressors
27. God to purge then restore Israel.
28. God to thoroughly (but not permanently) judge Israel, because of their self-serving ways.
29. Jerusalem’s judgment will be deserved and bad, but only temporary. Afterward, it will be restored for the oppressed remnant.
30. Because Israel trusted in Egypt over God, they will have thorough judgment, yet God will also give glorious restoration to them after.
31. Look to God, not Egypt, for help.
32. A righteous ruler is needed to restore. God will judge Israel (to overturn false securities and oppressors), then restore.
33. After some hostility nations show toward Jerusalem, God will be aroused and will reestablish Judah and destroy the enemies.
34. God will avenge Israel against her enemies: Edom specifically here.
35. Israel will be beautifully restored.
36. Assyria’s general warns Judah and their generals that Assyria will overpower them.
37. Hezekiah looked to God, Assyrian king looked to self: Assyrian king defeated.
38. Hezekiah looked to God in illness: restored.
39. Hezekiah showed off treasury to Babylon: Babylon will later take them to their land. Warning for us: don’t be too quick to reveal and share things, even if the other gives kind gesture.
40. God will bless Israel after their judgment. He and His word alone stand the test of time.
41. No one is all-powerful and all-knowing except God.
42. God will give a new grace to Israel. Though they were blind, they will now see and lead others out of blindness.
43. Israel deserves to be punished but will actually be redeemed for Gods glory
44. God alone–for His glory and purposes alone–will reinstate Judah and the temple.
45. God is over all world affairs. He causes godless rulers (like Cyrus) to work out His purposes, largely for His people.
46. The God of Israel, not Babylon, is the one true God – He will triumph over Babylon for His glory in His people.
47. Babylon surprised by and unprepared for coming disaster
48. Israel to be delivered from Babylon. Not because they deserve it, but for Gods sake alone.
49. God’s servant (temporally Isaiah, but ultimately Christ) calls Israel back from exile – God will accomplish this.
50. Israel is wrong. God’s servant speaks truthfully.
51. Israel persists in rebellion and fears man over God. Nevertheless, God will still protect and deliver them.
52. Get ready…God will restore Israel. Messiah will be exalted.
53. Messiah will unjustly suffer to atone for Israel and restore them.
54. Israel made righteous by Messiahs death: Gods favor and life now on them instead of wrath and death.
55. Gods word will be the ultimate decree: Israel will be restored.
56. God also welcomes foreigners (Gentiles) to join Israel through Messiah alone.
57. unrighteousness will cease to flourish in Israel due to Gods goodness.
58. God wants heart obedience over outward “devotion”
59. Though Israel is wicked, God will avenge them.
60. God will make Israel glorious to and through the nations.
61. God’s Messiah brings message of blessing where there was judgment: to Israel amidst the nations.
62. God will–through prayer–redeem and beautify Israel again.
63. God alone is worthy – only He can redeem/change Israel.
64. Isaiah prays according to truth of ch. 63
65. God will glorify the faithful remnant of His people
66. God will give great glory to the worldwide remnant who humbly follows Him from the heart (not merely by outward religious actions), but will terribly judge the rest.

Summary of Isaiah

No one can stand against God. All are guilty and will be judged as such. However God will use Messiah to magnificently glorify a remnant of people that seek Him/Messiah from the heart.

For Brian to Obey

1. Place no trust in my “religious” actions, but all trust in Christ.