IN THIS lovely book we learn of the holiness of God and of His promise of a Saviour and King for all nations in the future age when Jerusalem will be His capital city.
The Suffering Servant
Isaiah prophesied the birth and life of Jesus, 800 years in advance: he is referred to as Immanuel (7:14); the Son of God (9:6); the Suffering Servant (42:1–3; 52:13, 14 etc.); the Lamb led to the slaughter (53:7), a Saviour who was to suffer and die in order to conquer sin. The second half of the book (chapters 40–66) opens with the words, “Comfort, yes, comfort My people! says your God” and brings hope of salvation not only to Jews but also to Gentiles (42:6; 60:3 etc.). Chapter 53 contains an accurate and moving description of the sufferings of the Messiah—a vivid prophecy of what actually happened to the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s Kingdom
The book was written during the reigns of four kings of Judah, against the background of attempts to overthrow God’s kingdom by the Assyrians. The early chapters pronounce doom—and hope—on Judah; but the prophet also has to deliver God’s judgements upon nearby nations (chapters 13–23). The prophecy looks forward to the ultimate restoration of the kingdom, “new heavens and a new earth” (65:17; 66:22) when Christ will rule Israel and the world.
Norman Owen
By kind permission of ‘The Christadelphian’