ISAIAH

Introduction

Isaiah lived during the decline of Israel in the shadow of Assyria. He spoke the word of God to a people who were “deaf and blind” (see 6:10), who refused to listen to his warnings of looming disaster. He warned that the sin of the people of Judah would bring God's judgement, yet he also declared that God is sovereign and would use Cyrus the Persian to return them from exile. The book speaks of a “servant”, a “man of sorrows”, who would be “pierced for our transgressions”, accomplishing God's purposes of salvation (52:13—53:12). The final chapters give a beautiful description of a new creation in which God will rule as King, judging the wicked and establishing eternal peace. Isaiah prophesied about 740—700 b.c. (possibly till the 680s).