ISAIAH

TL; DR

Woes spoken. Glory seen. Servant comes. Wrath poured. Peace promised. Savior reigns.

Key Verse

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

Key Truth

Isaiah sees beyond immediate crises to the ultimate solution in the Messiah.

Book Overview

Isaiah is the book of salvation promised. It is the most messianic book in the Old Testament, painting vivid pictures of both judgment and hope. The prophet calls Judah to repentance while announcing that a Savior is coming: a virgin will conceive, a child will be born whose name is Wonderful Counselor, a Suffering Servant will bear our griefs and carry our sorrows. Isaiah sees beyond Israel's immediate crises to the ultimate crisis and its resolution in the Messiah. The book moves from warnings about sin's consequences to promises of restoration, from pictures of human rebellion to visions of divine redemption. "Comfort, comfort my people," God says, because salvation is not just hoped for. Salvation is guaranteed.

Pause and Reflect

How does Isaiah's vision of God's holiness (chapter 6) challenge your understanding of who God is?

What comfort do you find in the Christ who understands your pain?

Message Threads

Isaiah is a tapestry of judgment and hope, devastation and beauty. From the opening rebuke of a rebellious nation to the closing promise of new heavens and a new earth, the thread that runs through it is salvation.

Isaiah sees the coming Messiah with striking clarity: a virgin will conceive (Isaiah 7:14), a child will be called Mighty God (9:6), and a suffering Servant will be pierced for our healing (53:5). Isaiah does more than predict Jesus. He gives voice to His love. The Servant triumphs not by force but through sacrifice, echoing what Paul describes in Philippians 2.

In chapter 6, Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness exposes our unclean hearts. But grace comes first. The coal touches his mouth before he is sent. Cleansing leads to calling. Mission is made possible by mercy. The book’s comfort begins in chapter 40: “Comfort, comfort my people.” These words still speak to the exiled, the anxious, and the ashamed. Isaiah promises a day when valleys will be lifted, exiles will come home, the blind will see, and beauty will rise from ashes (Isaiah 35, 40, 61). Isaiah’s vision expands beyond Israel to include all nations streaming to the Lord’s mountain (Isaiah 2:2), making known the global gospel that Christ will accomplish. Isaiah offers deep comfort. All nations will be welcomed (Isaiah 2, 35, 40, 61). When life feels lost, Isaiah reminds you: you are not forgotten. God's plan has always been Jesus. And His heart has always been yours.

Prayer

Holy God, thank You for the Suffering Servant who bore what I deserved and gave me what I could never earn. When I see Your holiness, cleanse me; when I face suffering, remind me that You understand; when I doubt Your plan, help me trust Your salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Isaiah’s Servant is promised, pierced, and reigning; Jeremiah steps in to show that even in collapse, God is still shaping hearts for the covenant the Servant Jesus Christ will seal. Next up: Jeremiah.