The Book Of Isaiah - Executable Outlines

The Book Of IsaiahIntroduction To The Entire Prophecy (1)Mark A. CopelandOBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS SECTION1) To begin our study of Isaiah, with an introduction and sample of the entire prophecy2) To observe God’s condemnation of Judah for lack of compassion and justice for the fatherless andwidows, along with idolatrous worship3) To see the redemption God offered for those willing to repent, and the destruction promised tothose who persist in their rebellionSUMMARYThe book of Isaiah begins with a heading that defines the nature of Isaiah’s message as a ‘vision’concerning Judah and Jerusalem received during the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham,Ahaz, and Hezekiah. This would place the date of Isaiah’s work approximately 739-690 B.C. (1).The first chapter serves as an introduction to the entire prophecy, especially the first section of the book(Prophecies Concerning Judah And Jerusalem, chs. 1-12), and provides an example of the messagesGod wanted Isaiah to deliver. It begins with what has been described as “The Great Arraignment”, inwhich the Lord indicts Israel for rebellion. The corrupt condition of the nation and city is described andtheir hypocritical worship condemned (2-15).Even so, the Lord offers a call to repentance. For those willing to cleanse themselves and replace theirevil doings with justice and compassion, they can be forgiven and eat the good of the land. For thosewho refuse and continue in their rebellion, they will be devoured by the sword (16-20).The last half of chapter contains an announcement of the coming judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem.The corrupt condition of Jerusalem is described, for the ‘faithful’ city has become a ‘harlot.’ The city isfull of murderers and rebellious princes who care not for the widows and fatherless, but only rewardsand bribes. The Lord promises to purge the city of His enemies and restore good judges and counselors,that she might once again be the ‘faithful’ city. Those who repent will see Zion redeemed with justiceand righteousness, but those who continue to forsake the Lord will be consumed. The gardens in whichthey worshiped idols will be burned like dry vegetation (21-31).How the Lord will carry out His judgment will be revealed later in the book.OUTLINEI. THE HEADING (1:1)A. NATURE OF THE BOOK...1. Called a ‘vision’2. Prophets were originally called ‘seers’ - 1 Sam 9:9The Book Of Isaiah 7