BIBLE SUMMARY: ISAIAH

Book of Isaiah Synopsis: Statistics And Summary of Main Topics.

Book of Isaiah Chapter by Chapter Summary.

ISAIAH TOTAL CHAPTERS: 66

ISAIAH TOTAL VERSES: 1292

TOTAL WORDS: 37,044

DATE WRITTEN: 740 – 680 BC

AUTHOR: Isaiah

ISAIAH THEME: 

The Coming Messiah. Prophecies respecting Christ and his kingdom. God’s judgment will ultimately end with a joyful triumph of his grace.

MAJOR CHARACTERS:

Amoz, Isaiah, Shear Jashub, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, Kings of Judah, King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah and Manasseh.

BOOK OF ISAIAH KEY VERSES:

6:8: Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!

7:14: Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

9:6: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

14:12-13: How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.

53:5-6: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

65:25: The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, says the LORD.

ISAIAH SUMMARY

Isaiah is the first of the 17 books of the Prophets. Among the prophets who left behind books, Isaiah is generally considered the greatest. Historically, Isaiah wrote during the period of 4 kings of Judah when the Assyrian Empire was at its height. The book’s 66 chapters correspond to the 66 books of the Bible. The first 39 chapters deal with events that correspond to the 39 books of the Old Testament while the last 27 chapters, with their emphasis on the coming Messiah sound much more like the New Testament. Isaiah was a prophet of Judah around 740 B.C. For around fifty years he revealed many of his thoughts and visions. Prophetically, Isaiah speaks of the rise and fall of the Babylonian Empire and the return of the people under the Persian King Cyrus. The book of Isaiah describes God’s sovereign majesty and redemptive love for his people. It reveals God’s judgment and salvation and that God cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Isaiah portrays God’s impending judgment as a consuming fire. Isaiah’s primary focus was the coming judgment on the southern kingdom of Judah due to its idolatry, apostasy and wickedness. Only because of the Lord’s mercy and His promise to Israel, God will not allow Israel or Judah to be completely destroyed. More than any other book of the OT, Isaiah focuses its theme on the salvation that will come through the Messiah. The Messiah will one day rule in justice and righteousness Chapter 9:7 and 32:1. Chapter 9 is often read at Christmas time as the prophet says, “For unto us a child is born. In the synagogue in Nazareth Jesus read the opening of Isaiah 61 and then proclaimed, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” Luke 4:16-21. The book ends with a picture of the final redemption of Israel and the nations in a new heaven and new earth, where God and his people meet in glory.

CHAPTER WISE SUMMARY:

Chapter#1: Terrible Wickedness of Judah. God has spoken: I raised children, but they have rebelled. Wash yourselves. I will smelt away your dross. Zion shall be redeemed.
Chapter#2: Preview of the Millennial Age. The mountain of God will be established. On that day the pride of men will be humbled. They will flee the splendor of God.
Chapter#3: God will take away all support from Judah. Children will govern. You grind the faces of the poor. The women of Zion are proud.
Chapter#4: In that day the branch of God will be glorious. Those who are left in Zion will be called holy. God will create a shelter.
Chapter#5: Why did my vineyard yield wild grapes? Woe to those who pursue drink, who call evil good. The anger of God is against his people.
Chapter#6: The Call of Isaiah. I saw God seated on high. A seraph brought a coal to my lips. God said, “Who will go for us?” I said, “Here am I; send me!”
Chapter#7: The Virgin Birth Chapter. Aram plotted with Ephraim. God sent Isaiah to King Ahaz: Behold, a virgin shall bear a son. God will use Assyria as a razor.
Chapter#8: Maher-shalal-hash-baz. The floodwaters of Assyria will overflow the land. Many will fall and be snared. I will trust in God. They will curse their gods.
Chapter#9: Names of Christ Prophesied. A child is born to us. His government will increase forever. God will raise the enemies of Israel. His anger has not turned away.
Chapter#10: The Advancing Assyrians. Woe to those who rob the poor of justice. Woe to Assyria, whose purpose is to destroy. The remnant of Israel will return to God.
Chapter#11: The Branch and the Millennial Kingdom. A shoot will come up from Jesse. He will judge with righteousness. The wolf will live with the lamb. God will gather his people.
Chapter#12: The Branch and Millennial. Kingdom. In that day you will say: I will praise you, O LORD! Your anger has turned away. Surely God is my salvation. Sing for joy, O Zion!
Chapter#13: Fall of Babylon & Philistia. The oracle concerning Babylon: Listen! God is calling an army. I will punish the world for its evil. Babylon will be overthrown.
Chapter#14: Fall of Babylon & Philistia. God will again choose Israel. How you are fallen, O Lucifer! You will be cast away like a trampled corpse. Wail, O Philistia!
Chapter#15: Moab. An oracle concerning Moab: Ar of Moab is laid waste. In the streets they wear sackcloth. The waters of Dibon are full of blood.
Chapter#16: Moab. A throne will be established from the house of David. We have heard of the pride of Moab. Within three years Moab will be despised.
Chapter#17: Damascus. An oracle concerning Damascus: Damascus will become ruins. Jacob will be brought low. You have forgotten the God of your salvation.
Chapter#18: Ethiopia. Woe to the land of buzzing wings, beyond the rivers of Cush. God will cut down the branches. Wild animals will feed on them.
Chapter#19: Egypt. An oracle concerning Egypt: I will hand the Egyptians over to a cruel master. When they cry out to God, he will send a savior.
Chapter#20: Egypt and Ethiopia, Babylon, Edom, Arabia. God spoke through Isaiah: As Isaiah has gone stripped for three years, so Assyria will lead the Egyptians and Cushites captive.
Chapter#21: The oracle concerning the wilderness of the sea: I set a watchman. He said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon!” The glory of Kedar will end.
Chapter#22: Jerusalem. The oracle concerning the valley of vision: God has taken away the covering of Judah. I will give to Eliakim the key of David.
Chapter#23: Tyre. The oracle concerning Tyre: Wail, O ships, for Tyre is laid waste. God has planned it. Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years.
Chapter#24: Tribulational Troubles. Behold, God lays the earth waste. Its people are held guilty. Fear and pit and snare await you. God of hosts will reign.
Chapter#25: Millennial Mercies. O LORD, I will praise you. You have done marvelous things. God will swallow up death forever. Moab will be trampled as straw.
Chapter#26: “Thou Wilt Keep Him in Perfect Peace” A song will be sung in Judah: God is the eternal Rock. Your hand is lifted high. We gave birth to wind, but your dead will rise.
Chapter#27: Israel Regathered. In that day God will slay Leviathan. By exile, the guilt of Jacob will be purged. Those who were perishing will worship God.
Chapter#28: Denouncing Samaria and Jerusalem. Woe to the drunkards of Ephraim! They will be snared. Behold, I lay in Zion a precious cornerstone. God will do his strange work.
Chapter#29: Imminent Siege of Jerusalem. Woe to Ariel, the city of David! However, your enemies will be like dust. I will astound these people. No longer will Jacob be ashamed.
Chapter#30: Judah’s Alliance With Egypt. Woe to the stubborn children who seek help from Egypt! God will wait to show mercy. The voice of God will shatter Assyria.
Chapter#31: Judah’s Alliance With Egypt. Woe to those who trust in chariots! As a lion roars, so God will come down to fight for Mount Zion. Turn back to him, O Israel.
Chapter#32: Preparation for Armageddon. Behold, a king will reign in righteousness. Tremble, you women of ease. The city will be deserted until the Spirit is poured upon us.
Chapter#33: Preparation for Armageddon. Woe to you, O destroyer! The fear of God is Zion’s treasure. “I will arise,” says God. You will see the king in his beauty.
Chapter#34: Preparation for Armageddon. God is enraged against the nations. His sword is filled with blood. He has a day of vengeance for Zion. Edom shall lie waste.
Chapter#35: The Regathering of Israel. The desert shall rejoice and bloom. The eyes of the blind shall be opened. The ransomed of God shall return to Zion with songs.
Chapter#36: Assyrian Army Defeated. The king of Assyria came against Judah. His commander said, “Do not listen to Hezekiah. Have any of the gods delivered their lands?”
Chapter#37: Assyrian Army Defeated. Hezekiah prayed to God. Isaiah said, “The king of Assyria will not enter the city.” The angel of God struck the Assyrians.
Chapter#38: Hezekiah’s Sickness and Death. Hezekiah became sick, so he prayed. God said that I would add fifteen years to your life. Hezekiah wrote, “God will save me.”
Chapter#39: Hezekiah’s Sickness and Death. The king of Babylon sent envoys. Hezekiah showed them his treasure houses. Isaiah said, “All you have shall be carried to Babylon.”
Chapter#40: Comfort For God’s People. Comfort, comfort my people. A voice cries: Prepare the way of God! He is the everlasting God. He gives strength to the weary.
Chapter#41: God Helps Israel. Let the nations meet for judgment. Do not fear, O Israel. I will help you. Idols are nothing. I will give a messenger of good news.
Chapter#42: The Mission Of Yahweh’s Servant. Behold, my Servant! He will bring justice to the nations. Sing to God a new song. Hear, you deaf! God gave Israel as spoil.
Chapter#43: The Restorer Of Israel. However, I am with you, O Jacob. I am God. There is no other savior. Behold, I will do a new thing! Yet you have not called upon me.
Chapter#44: Yahweh Blesses Chosen Israel. I will pour my Spirit on your offspring. Who makes an idol? A carpenter prays to a block of wood. I am God who created all things.
Chapter#45: Yahweh The Only Savior. Prophecy of Cyrus. God says to Cyrus: For the sake of Jacob, I have called you. I am God. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!
Chapter#46: Fall of Babylon. Babylonian idols versus Israel’s God. The idols of Bel and Nebo are burdens to be carried. O, Jacob, I have made you, and I will carry you. I am God and there is no other.
Chapter#47: Fall of Babylon. Sit in the dust, O daughter of Babylon. You showed no mercy. You trusted in sorcery. Evil shall fall upon you. No one shall save you.
Chapter#48: Fall of Babylon. Hear this, O Jacob: I have refined you for my own sake. I am the First and the Last. Thus says your Redeemer: Go out from Babylon!
Chapter#49: Assignment of Jehovah’s servant. God formed me in the womb to restore Jacob and to bring salvation. Can a mother forget her nursing baby? I will not forget Zion.
Chapter#50: Israel’s sins cause problems. Have I no power to deliver? God has given me a learned tongue. I gave my back to those who beat me. He who justifies me is near.
Chapter#51: Zion restored like the garden of Eden. Listen, God will comfort Zion. Awake, O arm of God! The ransomed shall return. You will drink the cup of my wrath no more.
Chapter#52: Yahweh Redeems Zion. Awake, O Zion! How beautiful are those who bring good news. God has redeemed Jerusalem. Behold, my Servant will be lifted up.
Chapter#53: The suffering, death, and burial of Jehovah’s servant. He was despised and rejected. He was pierced for our transgressions. By his wounds we are healed. Out of anguish, he will see the light.
Chapter#54: The Fertile Wife Of Yahweh. Sing, O barren woman! Your offspring will inherit the nations. Your Maker is your husband. No weapon formed against you will prosper.
Chapter#55: Invitation to eat and drink for free. Come, all you who are thirsty. I will make an everlasting covenant. My word will not return void. The mountains will burst into song.
Chapter#56: Blessings on foreigners and eunuchs. Keep justice, for salvation, is near. I will bring the outcasts of Israel to my house and gather still others. The watchmen are blind.
Chapter#57: Idolatry Is Adultery. The righteous find peace in death. As for you rebels, you make your bed wide. Let your idols save you! But I will not accuse forever.
Chapter#58: True Fasts And Sabbaths. You seek pleasure on your fast days. Is this not the fast I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice? Then your ruins will be rebuilt.
Chapter#59: Israel’s sins cause alienation from God. Your sins have separated you from God. Justice is far from us. Truth is nowhere. So God put on garments of salvation and fury.
Chapter#60: The Glorious Redeemer. Arise, shine, for your light has come! The nations will come to you. I will make you majestic forever. Your God will be your glory.
Chapter#61: Anointed to declare good news. The Spirit of God is on me. He has sent me to proclaim freedom. My people will inherit a double portion. I delight in God.
Chapter#62: Zion’s New Identity. For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent. You will be given a new name. Your God will rejoice over you. Raise a banner for the nations!
Chapter#63: Repentance and Confession. Yahweh’s Day Of Vengeance. Why are your robes red? I have trampled the nations. Israel remembered who brought them through the sea. You, O LORD, are our father.
Chapter#64: Repentance and Confession. Prayer of repentance continued. Oh that you would rend the heavens! You meet those who do right. We are all the work of your hand. Do not remember our sins forever.
Chapter#65: Judgment And Salvation. I held out my hands to an obstinate people. My servants will eat, but you will go hungry. I will create new heavens and a new earth.
Chapter#66: New Heavens and New Earth. Listen! God is repaying his enemies. Rejoice with Jerusalem and be comforted. All flesh will worship before me, says God.