Following my recent blog titled “Back to the Emmaus Road and introducing Christ in the prophets” (see here), I want this to be on the first concerning the prophets I am wanting to cover – Isaiah. Rather than a bringing a polished presentation on a huge subject, I offer here the notes I used for the two sessions held at my church when I considered the subject: “Christ in the Old Testament – focussing on the Gospel of Isaiah”.  

Christ in Isaiah – Part 1

But first a hymn that will also serve as an opening prayer – “O Come O come Emmanuel”

I would like us to start with a recap of what we have covered – mindful that we have barely begun

4 sessions were (planned); 6 done so far; we need 100 (to do justice) but best we compromise

The Emmaus Road and closed room experience (first Easter Sunday) – Law, Prophets and Writings

Many hope that He would redeem Israel Luke 24:21; Restore again kingdom to Israel, when? Acts 1:6

Bible Prophecy; 27%; 2500 prophecies, 2000 fulfilled (500 at Jesus first coming backed up by the NT)

Begs the question of 500 yet to be; Judaist/Christian, Liberal/Conservative, futurist/preterist interpretations and lots out there on the Internet providing anything from helpful to unhelpful commentary.

Israel and Iran; Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlsen (ref. John MacArthur) – God blesses those who bless Israel!?

Accurate Isaiah manuscript going back two centuries before Christ – say why the Dead Sea Scrolls matter

A Jewish perspective – And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord, Isaiah 59:20 – argued Messiah could have come at any time but only when ready

Has Israel been replaced and if not what is Israel position in God’s plans, especially for the future? – the view taken here is a resounding no and there is a special place for the nation of Israel

Prophecy – how we got there, near future, other nations, First/Second Coming, Israel, end times calamity

All of these aspects are covered in Isaiah, who does to a greater extent than any other OT prophet

The Kingdom of peace and joy, righteous and justice, security and safety – all ruled over by the King

Plan to cover all 4 major prophets and all 12 minor prophets – for all say something about Christ

Isaiah covered in two sessions – Isaiah known as the Prince of Prophets; his book as the Fifth Gospel

Isaiah is a book of two halves – 39 and 27 chapters (OT & NT) (two sides of judgement and mercy coin)

To cover in two sessions; Part 1 judgment, condemnation (this time); Part 2 mercy, comfort (next time)

Lots of resources to help us; Refer to the NIV Study Bible introduction (which I find to be very helpful)

The unity of Isaiah – not two Isaiahs – elaborate on why I believe this

Two sons: Shear-Jashub – a remnant shall return; Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz – quickly to the plunder

Prophesied over 60 years; associated with royalty; turbulent times; Mrs Isaiah – the prophetess

Historical interlude (35-39) joining the two halves; Israel had been earlier conquered by Assyria

Span reigns of Uzziah, Jotham (16 good), Ahaz (16 bad), Hezekiah (29 good), start of Manasseh (bad)

Isaiah called in the year king Uzziah died (Isaiah 6) – Uzziah’s reign was one of relative prosperity and while he was known as a godly king he became proud and God inflicted on him leprosy in his later life

No mention of Manasseh in Isaiah – Jewish tradition of Isaiah sawn in half under Manasseh (Heb. 11:37)

Mountain of the Lord 2:2-5 (ref. United Nations) (Isaiah and others reflect on a future golden age)

The Sign of Immanuel 7:13-7 (Matthew 1:23) (Prophecy is fulfilled at more than one level)

For to us a child is born 9:7-11 (Matthew 1:18-25)

The Branch of Jesse 11:1-9 (c.f. 4:2) Jeremiah, Zechariah. He shall be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23)

Revelation 22:16 Jesus himself affirms, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David.”

The King that is to come and his kingdom of Righteousness 32:1-8 (c.f. Revelation 19,20)

Christ in Isaiah – Part 2

But first a hymn that will also serve as an opening prayer – “The Servant King” and a recap

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people” (Isaiah 40:1) introduces a change in mood

“Comfort ye and Ev’ry valley” one of the amazing pieces from Handel’s Messiah

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness” (40:3) – John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3)

Seeing here a change of tack from Christ as king to Christ as servant – seen in the four servant songs

“There are four “Servant Songs” of Isaiah that describe the service, suffering, and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord, the Messiah. All four songs show the Messiah to be God’s meek and gentle Servant. He is a royal figure, representing Israel in its ideal form; He is the high priest, atoning for the sins of the world. Isaiah predicts that this Servant of the Lord would deliver the world from the prison of sin. In the royal terminology of the ancient Near East, a servant was a “trusted envoy,” a “confidential representative,” or “one who is chosen.” The Servant Songs are found in Isaiah 42:1–9; Isaiah 49:1–13; Isaiah 50:4–11; and Isaiah 52:13—53:12” Quoting Got Questions.

Servant also applies to Israel (who failed) but is perfectly embodied in Jesus, Also Cyrus (Isaiah 45)

First servant song – Isaiah 42:1–9 c.f. Matthew 12:18–21

Second servant song – Isaiah 49:1-13 (the prophetic sword 49:2); Light 49:6,7, Acts 13:47,48

Third servant song – Isaiah 50:4–11, c.f. Luke 9:51, John 19:1–3; Matthew 27:30

Fourth servant song – Isaiah 52:13—53:12. Describes the suffering and triumph of the Servant. It is one of the most detailed OT passages concerning the death and resurrection of the Messiah, c.f. Acts 8:32-35

Following on from Christ the King and Christ the servant, we have Christ the King, now a conquering one.

The Year of the Lord’s favour – Isaiah 61:1-3, c.f. Luke 4:14-20 (Jesus opens scroll at synagogue)

God’s day of vengeance and redemption – Isaiah 63:1-6, c.f. Revelation 19:11-21

Next time we cover Jeremiah and Ezekiel and how those two prophets revealed Christ