Understanding the book of isaiah

The book of isaiah through jewish eyes the jerusalem post. Nephis keys to understanding the isaiah chapters by john bytheway september 20, 2010 editors note. Judah was going through times of revival and times of rebellion. The complete book of isaiah is an anthology of poems composed chiefly by the great prophet, but also by disciples, some of whom came many years after isaiah. Gods promise of endurance in judgment isaiah 2427 a. I asked my dad for permission to post these simple tips for understanding the book of isaiah. What can isaiahs description of the fall of assyria help us learn to avoid.

The prophet isaiah was primarily called to prophesy to the kingdom of judah. It is designed as a reference book, but it can also be read from cover to cover. The first main part contains the outer and the second the inner history of the people of god. This process of gaining understanding works for the writings of isaiah as much as any other ancient or modern prophet. Unsealing the sealed book of isaiah overturns the learning of academics and exposes spiritual error.

Isaiahs name means, the lord is salvation, and in chapter 12, verse 10 isaiah says of himself, behold, god is my salvation. Jehovah appears to isaiah in the temple and sends him as a prophet to warn of imminent judgments. Modern revelation from god has shed light on isaiahs writings. The changes of writing style and emphasis, the changes of historical content and the broad scope. Isaiah 60 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. This article, by the author of isaiah for airheads, is the second of a hreepart guide to the inner workings of the book of isaiah. Chapter 30 at jehovahs coming the rebellious suffer destruction but those who prove loyal enjoy deliverance. It is identified by a superscription as the words of the 8thcentury bce prophet isaiah ben amoz, but there is extensive evidence that much of it was composed during the babylonian captivity and later.

The book of isaiah was written between 739 and 681 b. Isaiah with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. We will pick up part 2 of isaiah when we get to isaiah 40 in the readings. And the author, isaiah, who is called the prince of prophets, shines above all the other writers and prophets of scripture. Isaiah is quoted directly in the new testament over 65 times, far more than any other old testament prophet, and mentioned by name over 20 times. The great seers words, instead of being a confusing stumbling block. As you read this book, ask god to allow you to learn biblical lessons. Many of his prophesies predicted events that occurred in isaiahs near future, yet at the same time they foretold the events of the distant future. Isaiah couched this message in oracles of singular poetic beauty and power, oracles in which surprising shifts in syntax, audacious puns, and double or tripleentendre are a constant feature.

The book derives its title from the author, whose name means yahweh is salvation, and is similar to the names joshua, elisha, and jesus. Isaiahs calling as a prophet was primarily to the nation of judah the southern kingdom and to jerusalem, urging the people to repent from their sins and return to god. This difference has actually led some liberal scholars to speculate that isaiah was written by two different people, the so called dueteroisaiah hypothesis. It provides sources for even further research, which makes this book. After johann christoph doderlein suggested in 1775 that the book contained the works of two prophets separated by more than a century, bernhard duhm. Unlike other works on isaiah, this book goes beyond commentary and actually includes the verses of text comprising not only the king james version of the bible but also the joseph smith. This presentation helps to unlock meaning and provide keys for better understand slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. Heres a video from the bible project that will help you understand the book of isaiah better. May you know our great god better and have a better understanding of his grace and love. A quick overview of the biblical prophet of isaiah. Isaiahs writings are difficult to grasp unless one has detailed knowledge of the history of his day, and unless one has extensice knowledge of the history of hist day, and unless one has extensive knowledge of the prophesied events of the last. The first verse in the book of isaiah is helpful in that it gives a historical setting for the prophecies that follow, and it specifies the immediate audience to. The restored earth and the restored people will then conform to the divine ideal, and all will result in the praise and glory of the holy one of israel for what he has accomplished.

This unique book focuses on the life and times of the great prophet isaiah and the glorious messages he conveyed to all mankind. Designed to guide an intensive fifteen week study, understanding isaiah is an indepth, and yet a laylevel overview of the beautiful messianic message of isaiah the prophet. Here are some of the most crucial events in this period. The author also shows how geographical and historical clues can help to understand the scripture. Jehovahs vineyard yields bad fruit, leading to assyrias invasion and covenant curses on offenders. A concise commentary on the book of isaiah eugene kimble, ph. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. I have reared sons, brought them up, but they have revolted against me. While all of these studies have unique views of the isaiah texts in the book of mormon, and contribute to an lds understanding of these sections, of special mention are works by victor ludlow for their strong attention to historical context. The book of isaiah consists of two large parts chap. If you want to better understand isaiah, it should be in your library.

The fact that one book speaks to two periods so far apart in time naturally raises the question of whether more than one person wrote it. She as well as most find the book of isaiah very difficult to understand, and patiently tread through it, wondering what meaning should be taken from this study. The book of isaiah is the first of the latter prophets in the hebrew bible and the first of the major prophets in the christian old testament. Biblical scholars of all theological persuasions have various opinions on this question. The first 39 chapters of isaiah have a message similar to the 39 books of the old testament, and the final 27 are more like the 27 books of the new. But the if youve ever, or always, groan when you get to the teachings of isaiah, then this is a book you should take time to read. Watch our overview video on the first 39 chapters of the book of isaiah, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Some believe that the book had just one author, isaiah the son of amoz. Finding doctrine and meaning in book of mormon isaiah. Judah was threatened with destruction by assyria and egypt, but was spared. How to utilize this format is explained in the first six pages of the 659page volume. Understanding isaiah was not a simple book i worked at it for months really wanting to gain an understanding of isaiahs teachings. Isaiah is the first book containing the writings of the prophets of the bible.

An ode of congratulation to zion on her restoration at the lords second advent to her true position as the mother church from which the gospel is to be diffused to the whole gentile world. His mastery of the language, his rich and vast vocabulary, and his poetic skill have earned him the title. The regard in which isaiah was held was so high that the book was frequently called the fifth gospel, the prophet who spoke more clearly of christ and the church than any others. But behold, i, nephi, have not taught my children after the manner of the jews. Do you find isaiah one of the more difficult books of scripture in the bible. Each of the four periods of prophetic fulfillment is covered, with extra attention given to isaiah. As a whole, the book is a rather large collection of writings that were produced by a number of different authors, some of whom were separated by relatively long periods of time. It just shows that none of them truly understand isaiah and that we must go to the holy ghost for that real answer. Isaiahs book, according to jewish tradition written some 2,700 years ago in firsttempleperiod jerusalem, is a singularly rich source of the jewish understanding of. The lords kingdom on earth, with its righteous ruler and his righteous subjects, is the goal toward which the book of isaiah steadily moves. Isaiah 6 new international version niv isaiahs commission. The book of isaiah, as it now appears in our old testament, contains far more than can be attributed to the prophet.

In understanding isaiah, the authors break down the otherwise formidable words of isaiah into small bites that can be absorbed, pondered, and comprehended. Book of isaiah, also spelled isaias, one of the major prophetical writings of the old testament. A chapter in the book corresponds to each chapter in isaiah. Simple tips for understanding the book of isaiah is. In understanding isaiah in the book of mormon, each isaiah book of mormon chapter is discussed with other related scriptural insights added to enhance understanding. For instance, one of your best resources for understanding isaiah is the book of mormon. What can i do to make the book of isaiah easier to. In general he does a good job and i have a better understanding of the words of isaiah than i would without his book. He also foretold the coming of the messiah and the salvation of the lord. Take advantage of the words of latterday scriptures and prophets. The superscription identifies isaiah as the son of amoz and his book as the vision of isaiah. This is an excellent book for anyone who wants to better understand the context and meaning of isaiahs writings. Overviews and a outline of isaiah incorporates two special charts that give an overview of the book of isaiah redemptive chart and a lightdarkness diagram.