Isaiah

Write one paragraph explaining the historical background and purpose of the prophet,

      Isaiah is clearly the author of this self titled prophetic book (1:1). His father's name was Amoz. He prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah and wrote this book to Judah. (God)” (29:13). We believe he was writing to the next generation so that they wouldn't be like those before them. The big contrast in this book is the switch from curses to redemption. The first 39 chapters bring curses and the last 27 bring redemption. A few verses that summarize what God is trying to communicate are 26:3-5. Isaiah explains that they should always trust God, and that He will humble the proud. If they had got that they would have done just fine, but their pride and wickedness led them to destruction. Their trust was in the kings and not in God. They were unjust to the widows and the poor (10:2).

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

      God shows His heart for the world and how He wants His children to live in 1:12-17. His character can be found in 1:17 when He says, Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” The Lord gets angry and strikes those who continue in sin (9:17). God is the one in control and He can at any moment do whatever He sees fit (10:15). God is a just God and punishes sin (13:11-12). In 17:10 God is explaining to the people why judgment has come. It was their lack of faith in the God who can save them and the Rock whom they can hide in. God does wonderful things, and He planned these things before they happened (25:1). Isaiah calls to God to show the people how He defends them (26:11). Other aspects of God's character and nature found in Isaiah are; He has anger and fury (20:27-28), He's an all consuming fire (33:14), He is Lord of all and creator (37:16), His discipline is good (38:16), He is our helper and redeemer (41:4),and He comes to the rescue of the poor (41:17). I have a ton of other references and examples, but for the sake of space I'll leave some of those out.

What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?

      There are 25 examples of God's redemptive plan for mankind that I have found simply by reading in our group, but I want to focus just on the most obvious and famous passage. I want to look at Isaiah 53. Verses two and three clearly describe the Messiah and some of the things He faced. He was not anything exceptional to look at and He was despised and rejected by His own town and many of the religious leaders of His day. His disciples turned their backs and slept instead of prayed and didn't show up when He was nailed to the cross fulfilling 53:3. The Messiah took our sins which were many and paid the price for them as described in 53:4-6. I think 53:11 sums up this passage. It says, “When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. God the father was satisfied with the offering of a perfect life and the Messiah was satisfied knowing He gave the ultimate gift He could give to man kind. He showed the greatest love the world has ever seen. Therefore, giving man freedom and redemption from sin once and for all.

Personal Application

      When the people of Jerusalem had lost all hope of God remembering them and forgiving them God came near to them. They didn't deserve it and they didn't even expect it, but God gives them an amazing picture of a mother nursing her child. “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?” God says (Isa 49:15). It's such a picture of intimacy that we have with God. I may think He's far away, but He says, that even if it were possible for a mother to forget her child He would not forget Judah. Later He says that He always has a picture of the ruins of Jerusalem's walls in His mind. He brought on the destruction, but He is sad to see them live in defeat. He punished them, but now He longs to restore relationship with them. I thought this was the crazy unexplainable way that God works with me. He sees me as His child that is completely dependent on Him, and He says that He will not be far away. It's like He has a permanent tattoo of me on His arm. This gave me such a good picture of who God is and what He's up to even when I don't feel that He's near. He will never forget me and will always be there. Like a good parent is there for their kids, so God is so much more there for me.