Isaiah 45-66: The gospel message has always been there

Isaiah is a challenging read because you have to be constantly switching timelines as you read history, present day narrative, and prophecy all within chapters and verses of each other. As a prophet, Isaiah would be forthtelling (being God's mouthpiece to present situations) and also foretelling (being God's channel to reveal future events). In addition, Isaiah would also remind Israel concerning their on-going covenantal relationship with Yahweh. No wonder, in his vision of God's holiness. Isaiah experienced a cleansing of his lips (Isa 6:7) so that he is dedicated as God's spokesperson.

As you read through the closing sections of Isaiah this week from chapters 45-66, don't read it with the frame of mind thinking - "how does this apply to me?" Rather, read with the main goal of observing the hand of Yahweh at work in the history of Israel, and also the world. Once we observe history flowing in the direction of God's sovereignty and His glory, we will stand in awe and give Him the worship that is due. "I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.'" (Isa 46:9-10). Read  this week's passage worshipfully. 

Connecting the dots
When reading this second half of Isaiah from chapters 45-66, note the theological themes which mirror that of the New Testament. This is not surprising because God works out His redemptive narrative consistently throughout all of Scripture. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

  1. Proclamation of comfort. Isaiah 40:1 ushers in a comforting tone to the book. The messengers tasked for bringing this good news of comfort could be Isaiah himself, Jeremiah, a group of prophets, and certain descriptions of "my servant" would also point towards Jesus Christ who 700 years later, read the beginning chapters of Isaiah 61 and heralded the beginning of the favorable year of the Lord. The gospel theme is scattered throughout chapters 40-66 of Isaiah.

  2. The new exodus. "Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert." (Isa 43:19). The covenant promise of Exodus 19:5-6 still holds true, "... you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Isaiah foretold the exile, and it happened. He also spoke of the restoration from the exile, and it happened. the end of exile inaugurates an eschatological era, characterized by the victory of God, the glory of Zion, and His presence with His people (65:17-25). The promised land is now the new Zion, a new creation (66:20-22).

  3. The servant of the Lord. Most people have conceptions of successful leadership when it comes  to doing great things but here we have pictures of suffering servants. This is the path of many of the prophets in the Old Testament - "They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword, they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated." (Heb 11:37). Look out for themes concerning "the servant of the Lord" in your reading. Even the apostle Paul regularly refer to himself as "a servant of Christ Jesus." Here in Isaiah, you will find detailed descriptions which expands on what Paul wrote concerning Jesus in Philippians 2:6, "but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men."
Activity idea
We have many books that extol the virtues of leadership - traits that describe the man or the woman in charge, in control. Yet, we see in Isaiah the recurring theme of the suffering-servant. Try listing the traits of the suffering-servant in Isaiah, you will begin to see an up close and personal portrait of Jesus Christ Himself, God Incarnated, He is Immanuel - God with us.

Christ in Scripture
The last chapter of Isaiah reads like Revelation chapter 21, "For just as the new heavens and the new earth which I make will endure before Me, declares the Lord, so your offspring and your name will endure." (Isa 66:22). The Suffering Servant is now the Exalted King. Jesus Christ is no longer in a state of humiliation but is now in the state of exaltation, "... we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens." and now, "... He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb 7:25, 8:1).

Jesus Christ was the suffering servant but now He lives as your interceding High Priest, your coming King. Truly, He is worthy of all our praise! All glory to Him!

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