is even diminished by its familiarity. The challenge for the preacher is to dig deep enough to uncover its powerful message with fresh force and compelling relevance for our hearers. To do this, we need to remember Isaiah’s central theological purpose for his own hearers, which is to look beyond the coming judgement to encourage faith in the unchanging promises and purposes of God for his people. He wants those who read the prophecy to be assured of the dependability of God’s steadfast word, so that