Introduction to Isaiah: God's Plan Includes All Nations
Collin Leong. August 28, 2025
A. Historical Summary
1. Author
Isaiah son of Amoz is the named author (Isaiah 1:1). His name means “Yahweh is salvation.”
He likely had access to the royal court, possibly of noble or priestly lineage, given his interactions with kings and his deep theological insight.
Jewish tradition and early Christian sources affirm Isaiah as the primary author, though many scholars divide the book into multiple sections (e.g., First Isaiah [Ch. 1–39], Second Isaiah [Ch. 40–55], and Third Isaiah [Ch. 56–66]) based on style, content, and historical context.
2. Audience
Primarily addressed to the kingdom of Judah and its capital Jerusalem.
Isaiah’s messages target both the ruling elite and the general population—calling for repentance, justice, and trust in God rather than political alliances.
Later sections (especially Ch. 40–66) speak to exiles in Babylon, offering comfort and hope of restoration.
3. Date and Historical Context
Isaiah’s ministry spans the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah—roughly 740–686 BC.
This period includes:
Uzziah’s prosperity and pride ~740 BCE
Jotham’s relative stability ~750–740 BCE (co-regency); ~740–735 BCE
Ahaz’s idolatry and alliance with Assyria ~735–715 BCE
Hezekiah’s reforms and confrontation with Assyria ~715–686 BCE
The rise of Assyria as a dominant empire is a major backdrop, especially during the Syro-Ephraimite War and the siege of Jerusalem.
Later chapters (Ch. 40–66) reflect the Babylonian exile and post-exilic hopes, suggesting either prophetic foresight or later editorial expansion.
Contemporary Prophets: Micah ~740-700 BCE Judah; Hosea ~755–715 BCE Israel; Amos ~760–750 BCE Israel; Jonah ~760 BCE Israel; Nahum ~660–630 BCE Judah
4. Purpose and Themes
- Purpose:
- To call Judah and Israel to repentance and warn of impending judgment due to sin and idolatry.
- To reveal God’s holiness and sovereignty over all nations and history.
- To announce hope and restoration through a coming Messiah and future kingdom.
- To comfort the faithful remnant, assuring them of God’s covenant promises.
- To unfold God’s redemptive plan, blending immediate prophecy with long-term eschatological vision.
- Themes:
- God’s Holiness. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 6:3). God’s purity demands reverence and moral transformation.
- Judgment and Justice. Warnings against idolatry, injustice, and rebellion. Divine judgment is both disciplinary and purifying. Condemnation of oppression, empty ritual, and corrupt leadership.
- Messianic Hope. Prophecies of a coming Savior (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6–7; 11:1–10). The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) prefigures Christ’s redemptive work.
- Restoration and Redemption. God promises to restore Israel and renew creation. Themes of healing, rebuilding, and covenant renewal (Isaiah 40–66). Isaiah warns of divine judgment due to sin but also promises restoration.
- God’s Sovereignty Over Nations. God controls history, using empires as instruments of His will. Assyria, Babylon, and Persia are subject to divine authority. Later chapters envision Gentile inclusion and global worship of Yahweh.
- Comfort and Consolation. “Comfort, comfort My people” (Isaiah 40:1). Assurance of God’s presence, mercy, and future glory.
B. Key Messages
1. God’s Holiness Demands Reverence and Transformation
Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6—“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts”—reveals God’s absolute purity and majesty.
Application: This calls us to humility, repentance, and moral integrity in both personal and communal life.
2. Judgment Is Real, But Mercy Is Always Offered
Isaiah warns of judgment due to idolatry, injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness.
Yet even in judgment, God invites repentance: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).
Application: God disciplines to restore, not to destroy.
3. Trust in God, Not in Human Alliances
Judah’s leaders often sought security through political deals (e.g., with Assyria or Egypt).
Isaiah repeatedly urges trust in God alone—“In quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).
Application: Faith must be rooted in divine sovereignty, not worldly strategies.
4. The Messiah Will Bring Redemption Through Suffering
Isaiah 9 and 11 foretell a righteous ruler from David’s line.
Isaiah 53 introduces the “Suffering Servant” who bears our sins and brings healing.
Application: This points directly to Jesus Christ and invites us to embrace His redemptive work.
5. God’s Plan Includes All Nations
Isaiah envisions Gentiles worshiping in Jerusalem and joining God’s covenant (Isaiah 56:6–8).
Application: God’s salvation is global, inclusive, and expansive.
6. True Worship Is Ethical, Not Just Ritual
Isaiah 58 critiques empty fasting and calls for justice: “Loose the chains of injustice… share your food with the hungry.”
Application: Worship must overflow into compassion, generosity, and advocacy.
7. God Is Sovereign Over History
Isaiah declares: “I am God… declaring the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:9–10).
Application: Empires rise and fall, but God’s purposes stand. This gives us confidence amid uncertainty.
8. Comfort and Hope Are Found in God’s Promises
“Comfort, comfort my people” (Isaiah 40:1) begins a section of deep reassurance.
God promises restoration, renewal, and a new creation—“Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17).
Application: hope is not naïve optimism, but rooted in God’s faithfulness.
C. Framework
1. Introduction and Call to Prophetic Ministry (Ch. 1–6)
This opening section sets the tone for Isaiah’s entire ministry. It introduces Judah’s spiritual condition—ritualism without righteousness—and God’s call to repentance. Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6 is pivotal: it reveals God’s holiness, Isaiah’s unworthiness, and the divine commissioning that fuels the rest of the book.
Ch. 1–5: Judah’s moral and religious corruption; warnings of judgment; call to repentance; social injustice and false worship
Ch. 6: Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness; his prophetic commissioning
2. The Book of Immanuel: Trust vs. Political Alliances (Ch. 7–12)
These chapters contrast human fear with divine assurance. King Ahaz’s refusal to trust God leads to the prophecy of Immanuel—a sign of God’s presence. The section blends historical crisis with messianic hope, culminating in songs of salvation and the promise of a righteous Davidic ruler.
- Ch. 7–8: Ahaz’s refusal to trust God; prophecy of Immanuel; Assyrian threat
Ch. 9–10: Messianic hope; judgment on Israel and Assyria
Ch. 11–12: Future righteous reign from David’s line; restoration and praise
3. Oracles Against the Nations (Ch. 13–23)
Isaiah’s scope expands beyond Judah to address surrounding nations. These oracles reveal God’s sovereignty over all peoples and His judgment against pride, injustice, and idolatry. Though primarily judgmental, glimpses of restoration and inclusion appear, especially for Egypt and Assyria.
Ch. 13–14: Babylon’s downfall; restoration of Israel
Ch. 15–16: Moab’s destruction and appeal for mercy
Ch. 17–18: Judgment on Damascus and Cush
Ch. 19–20: Egypt’s turmoil and eventual worship of Yahweh
Ch. 21–23: Oracles against Babylon, Edom, Arabia, Jerusalem, and Tyre
4. The Apocalypse of Isaiah: Global Judgment and Restoration (Ch. 24–27)
Often called Isaiah’s “Little Apocalypse,” this section presents a cosmic vision of judgment and renewal. It moves from devastation to deliverance, portraying God’s ultimate triumph over evil and His preservation of a faithful remnant. Themes of resurrection and banquet imagery foreshadow eschatological hope.
- Ch. 24: Universal judgment and devastation
Ch. 25–26: Songs of praise for God’s deliverance and justice
Ch. 27: Restoration of Israel; defeat of Leviathan
5. Woes and Warnings: Judah’s Leadership and Foreign Dependence (Ch. 28–35)
These chapters critique Judah’s leaders for trusting Egypt instead of God. The repeated “woes” emphasize the dangers of political alliances and spiritual complacency. Yet amid judgment, Isaiah offers visions of a coming king, justice, and a transformed creation.
- Ch. 28–31: Woes against corrupt leaders; condemnation of alliances with Egypt
Ch. 32–33: Promise of a righteous king; deliverance from Assyria
Ch. 34–35: Judgment on Edom; hope and healing for the redeemed
6. Historical Interlude: Hezekiah’s Reign and Assyrian Crisis (Ch. 36–39)
This narrative section anchors Isaiah’s prophecies in historical events. It showcases Hezekiah’s faith during Assyria’s siege and God’s miraculous deliverance. However, Hezekiah’s later pride and openness to Babylon foreshadow the coming exile.
- Ch. 36–37: Assyria’s invasion; Hezekiah’s prayer; divine deliverance
Ch. 38–39: Hezekiah’s illness and recovery; prophecy of Babylonian exile
7. Book of Comfort: Restoration and the Servant of the Lord (Ch. 40–55)
A dramatic shift occurs here—from judgment to comfort. These chapters speak to exiles, offering hope through God’s sovereignty, the promise of return, and the Servant’s redemptive mission. The Servant Songs (especially Ch. 53) are central to messianic theology.
Ch. 40–48: Comfort for exiles; God’s sovereignty; critique of idolatry; Cyrus as deliverer
Ch. 49–55: The Servant’s mission; suffering and redemption; invitation to salvation
8. Final Restoration and Judgment: True Worship and New Creation (Ch. 56–66)
Isaiah closes with a vision of inclusive worship, ethical renewal, and cosmic transformation. It confronts hypocrisy and injustice, calls for humility, and culminates in the promise of new heavens and a new earth—where righteousness dwells and all nations worship God.
Ch. 56–59: Inclusion of foreigners; call to justice; confession of sin
Ch. 60–62: Zion’s future glory; new identity and mission
Ch. 63–66: Divine vengeance and mercy; new heavens and earth; final judgment and worship
