Encountering the Book of Isaiah

A Historical and Theological Survey

Bryan E. Beyer

Grand Rapids, Michigan

© 2007 by Bryan E. Beyer

Published by Baker Academic

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakeracademic.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Beyer, Bryan.

Encountering the book of Isaiah: a historical and theological / survey Bryan E. Beyer.

p. cm.—(Encountering biblical studies)

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 10: 0-8010-2645-8 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-8010-2645-4 (pbk.)

1. Bible. O.T. Isaiah—Textbooks. I. Title.

BS1515.55.B49 2007

224′.1061—dc22

2007012918

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

To Mom and Dad,

with deep gratitude for

your immeasurable contribution

in shaping my life

to follow Jesus.

Proverbs 6:20–22

Contents in Brief

Preface

To the Student

Abbreviations

1. Who Was Isaiah, and What Do We Know about Him and His Book?

2. Isaiah’s Opening Words to God’s People: Isaiah 1:2–31

3. God’s Call to Live in Light of the Future: Isaiah 2:1–5:30

4. Isaiah’s Call to Prophetic Ministry: Isaiah 6:1–13

5. The Signs of Immanuel and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz: Isaiah 7:1–8:22

6. God’s Kingdom Will Surpass All Earthly Kingdoms: Isaiah 9:1–12:6

7. Oracles against the Nations: Isaiah 13:1–23:18

8. The “Little Apocalypse”: Isaiah 24:1–27:13

9. Oracles of Woe: Isaiah 28:1–33:24

10. Eschatological Summation: Isaiah 34:1–35:10

11. Highlights from Hezekiah’s Reign: Isaiah 36:1–39:8

12. Introduction to Isaiah 40–66

13. God’s People Are Coming Home! Isaiah 40:1–31

14. Proclamation of Deliverance and Restoration: Isaiah 41:1–45:25

15. The Fall of Babylon: Isaiah 46:1–47:15

16. Israel’s Release and Exaltation: Isaiah 48:1–52:12

17. The Suffering Servant: Isaiah 52:13–53:12

18. Celebrating the Return: Isaiah 54:1–59:21

19. The Grand Finale of God’s Restoration: Isaiah 60:1–66:24

20. Isaiah and the Old Testament

21. Isaiah and the New Testament

22. Isaiah and the Great Commission

Glossary

Select Bibliography

Scripture Index

Subject Index