OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

By Gene McCarty

    The book of Isaiah is the first of the books of prophesy, and in numbered among the major prophets. This book is certainly the largest of the books of prophecy. This book fits into the latter part of the book of II Kings (15 thru 20). Isaiah began his work during the reign of Uzziah and ended in the reign of Hezekiah. 
    This is a book that speaks of the future of many peoples as it addresses many of the powerful nations that are known to the people of Judah. It is a book that speaks about the needs of worship for the day in which it was written as well as for many years into the future. Isaiah delivers a tremendous study of Idolatry, and shows the tremendous folly of worshiping something made with the hands of man. 

1. The book is first a book of prophesy and to us the prophesy of greatest importance is the prophesy of Jesus Christ. These passages refer to Jesus: 7:14 speaks of the sign of the virgin birth. 9:6-7 tells us of the boy who will receive the government on his shoulders. 11:1-9 proclaims the offspring of Jesse who will receive the spirit of the Lord and will judge with righteousness. 25:6-8 declares victory over death in Jesus. 28:16 speaks of Jesus as the precious corner stone. There are certainly more passages that prophesy about Jesus but we have noticed the most used and obvious.
    

2. The first 12 chapters of the book are concerned with the tremendous sin, and the bleak future of the Jewish people. The picture given in these chapters is very evil and the Jewish people do not have much to look forward to because of their sinful existence. Isaiah began his work at a time of great sin and will you notice in chapter 6 that he was a volunteer for the job. His work as a prophet must have been very difficult. How can a man undertake such a task when there is not hope for repentance in his lifetime?
    

3. The prophet is not limited in his prophesy to the events that are to occur in Judah. He speaks with the voice of God about events in Babylon, the Philistia, Moab, Damascus, Egypt, Dumah (Edom), Arabia, Jerusalem, and finally Tyre. Most of the information between chapters 13 and 23 is speaking of these nations.
    

4. Chapters 24 thru 35 deal with the great judgment that is to come upon the people of Judah and the city of Jerusalem.
    

5. Chapters 36 thru 39 are historical in nature so this section of the book is very different from the rest of the book. This section deals with the confrontation between Hezekiah and Sennacherib the king of Assyria. The field commander has already taken all of the fortified cities of Judea except Jerusalem, so he then sends a message to Hezekiah that is an insult against Jehovah. For this reason it is not long until an angel of Jehovah put to death 185 thousand men in the Assyrian camp and soon Sennacherib's own sons kill him as he worships and idol.
    

6. It is at the beginning of chapter 40 that a controversy arises among students of this book. Some say that this part of the book is written by some unknown author because it is delivered to a people in exile in Babylon. Most of the arguments made are useless because they ignore the power of prophesy. The prophet does not need to be present to speak to a people who need a word from God. The prophet is able to address a need that may occur long after his death, because the words are from God and not dependent upon the knowledge of the man. Chapters 40 thru 48 are words of encouragement to the remnant that are in bondage in Babylon.
    

7. Chapters 49 thru 55 are words from the servant of God. The message begins as one of strong words and the wrath of the Lord, yet ends showing the tremendous blessings that the Lord showers on those who will be obedient and receive them. Chapter 59 speaks of the salvation of the Lord that is available to these people if they will repent of their sins.
    

8. Beginning with chapter 60, the last chapters of the book, declare the glory and favor of the Lord that is still planned for the people of the Lord. These people have made a great mess of their lives and the nation of Israel, yet the Lord does not just give up and forget his people. He still has wonderful plans for this earth and the people who live here. This is the greatest message of the book as it is a prophesy of the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ.