Isaiah

Sometimes our (or at least, my) understanding of Old Testament prophets is that of disheveled, non-relational, wild-eyed itinerants, shouting out proclamations as they stride magisterially across mountains and valleys. Well, actually, when recalling individual prophets, I find very few who fit that description. It must have been some impression that has stuck in the back of my mind since my childhood Sunday School classes. In any case, when I began my in-depth study of Isaiah, my subconscious told me not to expect too much, yet this OT prophet probably has more to say regarding the progressively revealed plan of God than any other. And this study revitalized my OT-to-NT connection as no other OT book has (besides maybe Genesis). 

In Isaiah we see the pointed message of repentance that leads to deliverance. Of course, Isaiah speaks of it for Israel the nation, but the metaphor applies to the Israel of God. And for sure, Isaiah doesn’t confine his message to mere rules about repentance and deliverance but rather examines their intricacies and the bounty of their fruit. We learn of judgment and justice, trust and authority, atonement and rescue, condemnation and restoration. Isaiah touches on almost everything of God’s redemptive plan. This study will captivate.