Skyscraper Ministries/Lectures/2005 Baptisms/The Other Seventy Training Academy
The Preaching of Isaiah
Isaiah 40:28-31
by
Dr. Ammar Saheli
In
gaining a beneficial and purposeful understanding of the book of Isaiah, his
character, life, and prophetic reign, four kings of Judah and their behaviors
must be introduced. During the forty-three years Isaiah operated as a prophet,
four kings of Judah reigned: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and
Hezekiah. Some of the issues that manifested from 740-697 B.C helps
the Bible reader understand why the book of Isaiah is so Salvation rich in
prophecy and the telling of the Lord Jesus Christ.
During the prophet life of Isaiah, king Uzziah began to reign at the young age of sixteen (2 Chronicles 26:1). He was valiant in war and rich in intellect. Under his leadership, his cunning men invented engines that shot arrows and stones (2 Chronicles 26:15). He functioned well as a king until he became corrupted by his own power.
He overstepped his kingship and attempted to burn incense in the temple. However, the authorized priests confronted his folly and he became angry. As a result, leprosy arose upon his head in the midst of the priests and he died a leper (2 Chronicles 26:16-21).
The son of Uzziah, Jotham, began to reign after the death of his father. He behaved himself properly as a king but the people continued to behave corruptly from the leadership of Uzziah. (2 Chronicles 27:1-2). He reigned sixteen years and after his death his son Ahaz began to rule (2 Chronicles 28:1).
Ahaz behaved disobediently as a king. “For the LORD
brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and
transgressed against the LORD” (2 Chronicles 28:19). Because of disobedience, militarily, the
Edomites and the Philistines defeated Ahaz. In and out of desperation, “…He
sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the
gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that
they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel” (2
Chronicles 28:23).
Hezekiah, the great grandfather of Josiah, began to reign after his father Ahaz and successfully facilitated many temple, worship, and kingdom reforms back to the old path (2 Chronicles 29:1-5).
During the life and time of Isaiah, evil primarily ruled Israel and Judah. The Hebrew translated name Isaiah means “the Lord saves” or LORD is Savior. The book of Isaiah is filled with consequential warnings to the disobedient and salvation through Christ to obedient believers.
The first thirty-nine chapters in the book of Isaiah primarily speak of two elements: The desolation of Israel because their disobedience and the prophecy of Christ the Messiah. Yet, chapter forty introduces words of comfort that apply to triumphant Christians (Isaiah 40:28-31).
Two thousand seven hundred and forty-four years ago, prophet Isaiah was providing words of comfort for Christians today. His words of comfort were in response to the fact that Israel needed a Savior. Isaiah 1:2-9 explains in detail the wretched condition of Israel. However, Isaiah 1:16-20 provides the remedy. Several conceptual phrases are illuminated in the aforementioned passage:
1) “Wash you…” (v. 16)
2) “Put away the evil of your doings…” (v. 16)
3) “…Make you clean…” (v. 16)
4) “Learn to do well…” (v. 17)
5) “If ye be willing and obedient..” (v. 19)
In the three verses listed above, God delivers the methodology of salvation obtainment. A person must hear, learn, and believe the Word of God. After hearing, if a person is willing to be obedient they must repent, putting away evil. Finally, God will wash you and make you clean through the process of baptism with confession being an assumed reality through the process of God having said “Let us reason together” (v. 18). Surely if one were to physically sit down with a physical Christ endowed with all power, he/she would confess, you are the Christ.
Who can challenge God with reference to His Salvation plan?
Isaiah said, “Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as
the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not?
Or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no
understanding?(Isaiah 29:16). There is one God who offers Salvation and He
said “…Understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither
shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no
savior” (Isaiah 43:10-11). God said, “I am the LORD, and there is none
else, there is no God beside me…” (Isaiah 45:5).
God said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Warnings to the Disobedient & Dull of Hearing
As a polished lawyer, Isaiah established his case as to why Israel needed a Savior, followed by illustrated Messianic prophecies of promise. He focused his preaching and ministry on making it clear in the minds of the Nation of Israel that they turned their backs on God, which created a need for reconciliation. Six indictments against Judah and Israel are explored.
Israel was captivity bound because they lacked knowledge (Isaiah 5:13). They failed and refused to retain the historical deliverance of the LORD. Israel elected not to remember God and their lack of knowledge resulted in a mental and physical imprisonment, captivity. Because of their lack of knowledge Isaiah informed Israel that she would be destroyed because covenant laws were changed and broken (Isaiah 24:3-5). God expects for His children to keep His commandments (John 15:14). In his second indictment, Isaiah made it clear that because of sin the world would be destroyed.
In Israel’s lack of knowledge and iniquity, she maintained a hypocritical attitude. In Isaiah’s third indictment he exposed their spiritual abuses: They only wanted to recognize, praise, and pray to God in tempestuous times (Isaiah 26:16). Many people today seek God and call upon Him only in times of distress, but Almighty God is worthy to be praised in all seasons. Not only did Israel and Judah have a distorted prayer life and view of God, Isaiah’s fourth indictment revealed their lack of desire for the God-breathed preached Word. During the forty-three years of Isaiah’s life as a prophet, the people wanted to be entertained by sermons that made them feel good (Isaiah 30:10-11). Within the fourth indictment Isaiah exposed the true wants and desires of Israel. The specifically desired:
- The overseers to stop observing their sins.
- The prophets to preach lies.
- The righteous prophets to get out of the way.
- The Holy One of Israel to cease from their presence.
Isaiah tried to help Israel understand the specifics of their miserable spiritual condition. In the last two author selected indictments, he informed Israel that all they possessed would be given to another. In Matthew 25 the servant who returned to his master the same one talent his master gave to him had it confiscated and given to the servant that turned his five talents into ten. Because Israel failed to manage their lives and possessions correctly, they were handed over to those who held them captive (Isaiah 39:6). The last indictment under investigation is the fact that Israel separated themselves from God because of their iniquity or lawlessness (Isaiah 59:1-2).
Someone once said, “Unless you specifically tell someone,
they will never know.” Isaiah set out to chronicle some of the specifics
regarding the wretchedness of Israel. In illustrating their condition without
holding back, his goal was to help them repent, put away evil. However, like
Ahaz there will always be those who seek to find counterproductive strategies
for healing. Gods message for the occult is, “…Let now the astrologers, the
stargazers, the monthly
prognosticators, stand up and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee” (Isaiah 47:13).
Prophesied Gospel to the Believers
1) Isaiah 53:1-12—Despite it all Christ died, but who will believe the account?
2) Isaiah 2:2—In the New Testament era, He set up His kingdom/church for all nations to flow into it.
3) Isaiah 62:2—“Thou shalt be called by a new name, which the LORD shall name.” (Acts 11:26).
4) Isaiah 7:14—A virgin Mary would have a son and call His name Immanuel
5) Isaiah 9:6—“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
6) Isaiah 11:1—“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.”
7) Isaiah 11:6—“…And a little child shall lead them.”
8) Isaiah 25:8—“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces…”
9) Isaiah 28:16—He said in Zion He would lay a foundation, a precious corner stone (Ephesians 2:20)..
10) Isaiah 43:19—God said He would do a new thing.
Through the book of Isaiah, God’s goodness is revealed from
the perspective that the world needs Him and He avails Himself through His Son.
God is a God of reconciliation and deliverance. Christ conquered death and sin
to bring salvation into the world. There will always be those who will refuse
to hear the Word. For them He said, “I also will choose their delusions, and
will bring their fears upon them; because when I called none did answer; when I
spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in
which I delight not.” (Isaiah 66:4).
Isaiah instructed in the beginning of the book, be washed and made clean. God has paved a way to save you today and baptism in water for the remissions of sins is the answer (Mark 16:15-16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:36-39; 1 Peter 3:21).