Isaiah 56-66

• 56-57: Contrast of obedient outsiders and insiders with disobedient aloof insiders
• 56:1-8 Yahweh offers shelter to all who trust in him, even those rejected by the "religious."
  
• 56:9-57:13 Yahweh exposes the malfeasance of Israel's wicked leaders and interrogates them.
  
• 57:14-21 Yahweh brings healing to all who come and are contrite; the muckraking wicked receive no peace.
• 58: Honest obedience is blessed; dishonest obedience is cursed
• 58:1-5 Yahweh introduces Israel's hypocritical worship and demanding prayers to Isaiah; Yahweh counters Israel's shallow, needy righteousness with a pointed query into the heart behind ritual.
• 58:6-12 Worship of Yahweh, lived out in loving justice for the other, pleases Yahweh and results in the blessings and light bearing of a life well lived.
• 58:13-14 Honoring the Sabbath by seeking Yahweh's pleasure rather than one's own creates delight for Yahweh and results in covenant blessings.
  
• 59: Israel's sin and deception are pointed out; they confess and display remorse; redemption is delivered.
• 59:1-8 Yahweh is an ultimately capable Savior, but lying, deceptive, murdering, unjust Israel rejects salvation by separating themselves from the only Savior.
  
• 59:9-15a As a result, hoping, searching Israel confesses it finds neither justice nor hope, because their sin increases exponentially,justice flees, and truth cannot be found.
  
• 59:15b-19 Yahweh is most seriously displeased; making no distinction between unrepentant Israel and the heathen nations, he dons his armor and comes in battle array.
  
• 59:20-21 Yahweh declares his covenant with true, repentant Zion: you shall proclaim my Spirit and my words forever.
  
• 60: Blessing promised to replace wrath
• 60:1-3 Jerusalem is commanded to arise and reflect Yahweh's light that has arisen upon her; in response the nations will be drawn to her.
  
• 60:4-9 Jerusalem is commanded to see the return of her children to her as the the nations gather toward God's beautiful house.
  
• 60:10-14 God uses the nations to bless Israel as a sanctuary for all who come to worship; those who do not serve her will perish.
  
• 60:15-18 Yahweh will bring Jerusalem from being despised to being blessed with abundant peace and wealth.
  
• 60:19-22 Redeemed Israel sees by the light of Yahweh; exponential blessings abound.
• 61-62: Zion and its inhabitants will be redeemed by Yahweh
• 61:1-4 Isaiah brings good tidings of the comfort and justice of the Messianic mission.
• 61:5-7 Isaiah describes the good results of the Messianic mission: prosperity, rejoicing, and honor.
• 61:8-9 The good results will come because Yahweh promises eternal righting of wrongs and prosperity of offspring to the above.
• 61:10-11 Isaiah responds to Yahweh’s promise and blessings with praise and rejoicing.
• 62:1-5 Isaiah continues to tell of Yahweh’s commitment to blessing and Jerusalem’s favored status.
• 62:6-9 Yahweh send watchmen who will guard Jerusalem, protect her from invaders, and allow her to reap the rewards of her labor.
• 62:10-12 Hearers are commanded to respond properly to Yahweh’s mission, which he will bring to pass through his Messiah.
• 63-64: Vengeance, remembrance, confession, prayer for deliverance
• 63:1-6 Yahweh justifies his wrath: his people were inattentive when the time came for redemption.
• 63:7-14 Yahweh prescribes his covenant; the people rebelled and received their “just desserts.”
• 63:15-19 Isaiah petitions Yahweh to soften Jerusalem’s hearts despite unrecognizability due to rebellion.
• 64:1-7 Isaiah proclaims Yahweh’s awesome might and power; begs pleadingly on behalf of Jerusalem
• 64:8-12 Isaiah petitions Yahweh to restrain himself and once again bless his people.
• 65: Answer to prayer for deliverance and promise of kingdom blessings, though not to all. (outline for 65-66 modified from Dr. Constable's Expository Notes)
• 65:1-16 The Lord responded, through the prophet, to [the vengeance, remembrance, confession, and prayer for deliverance in 63-64].
• 65:17-25 God not only will be faithful to His promises in spite of Israel's unfaithfulness (63:1—
  65:16), but He will demonstrate His ability and desire to provide [unearned] righteousness for [those who trust him] by creating new heavens and a new earth.
• 66: Summation and recapitulation: blessing and judgment, heaven and hell
• 66:1-6 [Both judgment and] hope pervade this section describing Israel's glorious future (65:17—66:24). Oppressors of the godly remnant will not prosper nor will those who depend on externals for their relationship to God.
• 66:7-14 The mood now reverts back to hope (cf. 65:17-25). In contrast to all the bereavement and deprivation that Jerusalem had experienced and would yet experience (cf. 26:16-18; 37:3; 51:18-20), the ultimate future of the city and its inhabitants remains bright.
• 66:15-24 This culmination of Israel's future (65:17-66:24), Israel's future transformation (chs. 56—66), Israel's hope (chs. 40—66), and the whole book, [declares] Yahweh's salvation [for the faithful].

Isaiah 49-55

• 49:1-7 The Servant of Yahweh declares his call to Israel and the nations and is validated by Yahweh.
• 1-4 Yahweh's Servant proclaims his call and his birthright, declaring Yahweh's assured reward, despite the apparent futility of the proclamation.
  
• 5-6 The Servant is sent, not just to Jacob, but to all nations, for proclaiming only to Israel brings insufficient glory.
  
• 7 The Servant, despised and subjected in the meantime, will be glorified by kings in the end.
  
• 49:8-26 Yahweh declares his redemption through his chosen Servant to desolated Israel.
• 8-12 Yahweh commissions his Servant as a blessing to his people, freeing prisoners and gathering the scattered.
  
• 13-18 While creation celebrates Yahweh's love for his people, Yahweh's people deny it; Yahweh declares his profound, loving devotion.
  
• 19-23 Israel, who assumes herself barren, shall bring forth a throng of descendants, causing the nations to prostrate themselves.
  
• 24-26 While Israel doubts Yahweh's ability to save, Yahweh, the Mighty One of Jacob, promises certain rescue.
  

• 50:1-51:8 Yahweh rebukes those who seek their own way, exhorts those who seek righteousness, and promises comfort to the moth-eaten.
• 50:1-3 Yahweh corrects Israel's misperceptions about the exile and confronts them for their lack of faith.
  
• 50:4-9 The faithful servant submits to Yahweh, stands up to his enemies, and is vindicated by Yahweh.
  
• 50:10-11 Isaiah offers two response options: 1) trust Yahweh and be delivered or 2) trust the gods and be tormented.
• 51:1-8 God offers three reasons.
  
• 51:1-3 Just as God made Abraham into a nation, so he will restore Israel.
  
• 51:4-6 God's justice-righteousness-salvation is certain and eternal.
  
• 51:7-8 Enemies are exceedingly temporal, but Yahweh's deliverance is forever.
  
• 51:9-52:12 Yahweh calls Israel to recognize the coming salvation through the Servant.
• 51:9-11 "Arm of Yahweh" is awakened; ransomed return to Zion after deliverance from Egypt as in days of old.
• 51:12-16 Yahweh chastises his people for fearing their impotent tormentors; he, he will protect them.
• 51:17-20 Isaiah calls under-Yahweh's-wrath Jerusalem, slapping them awake to realize punishment.
• 51:21-23 Yahweh promises to remove the cup of wrath from Israel and pass it to her tormentors.
• 52:1-2 Zion is awakened; she is called out of destruction and oppression into glorious restoration.
  
• 52:3-6 Yahweh, who delivers his people from rebellious oppressors without compensation, will be known by his people by Name.
• 52:7-10 Yahweh's deliverance is so certain the heralds announce, the watchmen rejoice, and Jerusalem sings.
• 52:11-12 Israel leaves captivity clean, in peace, and protected.
  
• 52:13-53:12 Yahweh describes the exaltation and suffering sacrifice of his chosen Servant.
• 52:13-15 Acting-in-wisdom Servant, of late marred and abused, shall astonish the nations with revelation.
  
• 53:1-3 The servant (Messiah) brings saving power, but unexpectedly comes from humble beginnings and rejection by men rather than the expected triumphal entry
• 53:4-6 The servant bore Yahweh's justice to save us from our wrongdoings and wanderings - not, as we perceived, as payment for his own
• 53:7-9 He bore this punishment undeservingly and without objection, yet his only thanks was to be buried with the wicked
• 53:10-11 His sacrifice, grief and anguish were the will of Yahweh to afford salvation and righteousness to others and the fulfillment of his purpose and prosperity
• 53:12 His sacrifice earns spoils; despite being perceived a wrongdoer, he is ultimately noble in paying for others' wrongdoings
• 54:1-17 Yahweh calls the afflicted to recognize Kingdom blessing.
• 54:1-3 Yahweh offers promise-based commands to the barren one to prepare for children.
  
• 54:4-8 Yahweh offers love and compassion to lift Israel, his bride, out of shame.
  
• 54:9-10 Based upon his eternal steadfast love, Yahweh promises to end his rebuke of Israel.
  
• 54:11-15 Yahweh rebuilds and protects battered Israel.
  
• 54:16-17a Yahweh reiterates his sovereignty.
  
• 54:17b All these blessings come from Yahweh.
  
• 55:1-13 Yahweh calls his people to enter his blessing by coming to him and seeking relationship with him.
• 1-5 Yahweh calls all (Israel and Gentiles) who realize they are thirsty to be satisfied by him, basing his call on his promise to David and future glorification of Israel.
  
• 6-11 Yahweh calls unable-to-be-quenched-satisfaction-seekers to seek him, who alone is able to pardon, for he is sovereign and we are not.
  
• 12-13 Yahweh's blessing--peace and abundance for Israel--are an eternal sign of his covenant.
  

Isaiah 43

you're in such trouble
i love you; i'm god; you're not
don't you forget it

Isaiah 41

fear not, o jacob,
from tiny worm to toothed sledge;
but idols? nothing.

Isaiah 40

creator commands,
comfort and sovereign warning.
wait and be renewed.

Isaiah 40-48

The Greatness Glory of God

• In releasing Judah from captivity (40:1-11)
• 1-2 Comfort and compassion
• 3-5 Cry: Glory comes!
  
• 6-8 Cry! What? Life is short; God is eternal.
• 9-11 Herald the good news: the Lord Yahweh comes with might.
• In relation to the creation (40:12-31)
• 12-17 Compared to God our strength is less than nothing.
• 18-20 Wood idols for the poor; gold idols for the rich. Both are useless.
• 21-23 Have you not heard? (see 12-17)
• 24 Rulers of nations are short lived weeds.
• 25-26 To whom then will you compare me? (see 12-17)
• 27-31 Have you not heard? Yahweh, the Sovereign Creator, gives grace and strength.
  
• In comparison to idols (41:1-29)
• 1 The gathering of nations
• 2-4 Yahweh does what he will.
• 5-7 The gathered nations tremble at Yahweh and compliment one another.
• 8-16 Israel, chosen by God, need not fear, but, being worm-like, should not boast.
• 17-20 To the thirsty I bring water and sundry trees.
• 21-24 Called to testify in God's court, the blocks of wood and gold cannot answer
• 25-29 Cyrus, the one from the north, comes as God's instrument.
  
• In providing his servant (42:1-25)
• 1-4 God's chosen servant will establish justice on the earth.
• 5-9 Creator Yahweh gives his chosen servant as a covenant for Israel and a light for the nations, bringing about the new things.
• 10-13 The nations praise mighty, warrior Yahweh.
• 14-17 Yahweh lets loose on idolators.
• 18-23 Yahweh gets testy with blind, deaf, recalcitrant Israel.
• 24-25 Isaiah declares Yahweh's wrath on disobedient Israel.
  
• In restoring Israel (43:1-44:28)
• 43:1-7 Yahweh says, Fear not, for I have redeemed you.
  
• 43:8-13 Yahweh chooses deaf and blind Israel to be his chosen witnesses and servant.
  
• 43:14-15 Yahweh overthrows Babylon.
  
• 43:16-21 Yahweh commands Israel to think in a new way and look to the new thing.
  
• 43:22-24 Israel burdens Yahweh with sins and iniquities rather than blessing him with sacrifices and offerings.
  
• 43:25-28 Yahweh says, Take me to court and I'll prove you wrong.
  
• 44:1-5 Yahweh pours out his blessing upon Israel.
  
• 44:6-8 Yahweh says, I alone am God, do not fear, you are my witnesses.
  
• 44:9-20 Stupid people make idols and worship them.
  
• 44:21-22 Yahweh says, Remember and return, for I have redeemed.
  
• 44:23 Shout, O earth, Yahweh has redeemed Jacob.
  
• 44:24-28 Yahweh confirms his prophets and will restore Israel through Cyrus.
  
• In using Cyrus (45:1-25)
• 1-7 Cyrus is given victory in battle so that he will know Yahweh is the true God.
  
• 8 Yahweh calls all creation to share in his blessing.
  
• 9-10 Questioning Yahweh is like questioning a birthing mother.
  
• 11-13 Yahweh says, I am creator of all and caller of Cyrus.
  
• 14 Nations shall follow Israel because of Yahweh.
  
• 15-17 All are confounded except Israel.
  
• 18-19 Yahweh says, I am God, who called you openly, not in chaos.
  
• 20-25 Yahweh says, I am God, there is no other; I will be worshiped and I will triumph.
  
• In judging Babylon (46:1-47:15)
• 46:1-2 Bel and Nebo bow to Yahweh.
  
• 46:3-4 Yahweh calls Israel to listen to him, for he cares for them from womb to tomb.
  
• 46:5-7 Yahweh confronts Israel with the uselessness of useless non-gods.
  
• 46:8-11 Yahweh says, Remember all my deeds and think: I will complete my will.
  
• 46:12-13 Yahweh delivers undeserving Israel.
  
• 47:1-4 Babylon, the princess, will be made a sexually humiliated slave.
  
• 47:5-7 Yahweh commands Babylon to sit in silence, for despite her usefulness as a rod of discipline for God's people, her arrogant boasting shall bring her down.
  
• 47:8-11 Yahweh tells Babylon that their indulgences will return to bite them in the buttocks.
  
• 47:12-15 Yahweh heckles Babylon, calling her to continue trusting her useless magic; magicians are useless at best.
• In releasing Judah from Babylon (48:1-22)
• 1-5 Yahweh reminds obstinate, brass-headed Israel that he prophesied these happenings long ago; the idols did not.
  
• 6-8 Some prophecy was hidden because of rebellion.
  
• 9-11 Yahweh restrains his refining anger for the sake of his praise.
  
• 12-16 Yahweh, the Sovereign Creator, uses Cyrus to deliver Israel and Israel should pay attention.
  
• 17-19 Yahweh withholds blessing for disobedience.
• 20-21 Yahweh tells Israel to flee Babylon and revel in their redemption as in days of old.
• 22 "There is no peace for the wicked."
  

From Ryrie Study Bible (1995) with modification; sub-bullets are original.

Isaiah 36-39

• Threat of Assyrian Invasion (36-37): Arrogant, powerful, used-by-God, driven, huge, over-confident, taunting Assyria is taught Yahweh's true power when Yahweh hears the cries of faithful, calm, afraid, obedient, wise Hezekiah.
• Sennacherib invades Judah and captures all but Jerusalem (36:1).
  
• The Rabshekah tauntingly pontificates in Hebrew for a while (36:2-20).
  
• Hezekiah's posse stays mum and reports back to Hezekiah (36:21-22).
• Hezekiah mourns and sends his entourage (also mourning) to Isaiah to ask for prayer (37:1-4).
• Yahweh promises Sennacherib's departure and eventual demise (37:5-7).
• Sennacherib departs for Assyria and the Rabshekah re-taunts from afar (37:8-13).
• Hezekiah prays earnestly to the one true God for deliverance from Sennacherib (37:14-20).
• Isaiah delivers an oracle against Sennacherib (37:21-35).
• 185,000 Assyrians are smitten by the Angel of the Yahweh; Sennacherib goes home and is smitten by his two naughty sons (37:36-38).
• Hezekiah's Sickness and Recovery (38): Sick, desperate, faithful, worshiping Hezekiah successfully petitions Yahweh through interceding, cure-administering Isaiah.
  
• Hezekiah gets a fatal boil and earnestly prays (38:1-3).
• God grants Hezekiah 15 more years and grants a sign: the sun declines ten steps (38:4-8).
• Hezekiah composes a lament, moving from mourning to trust (38:9-20).
• Isaiah prescribes a cake of figs for the nasty boil (38:21-22).
• Envoys from Babylon (39): Joyful, cured, impulsive Hezekiah's showing off to the curious, conquering, tricky, "well-wishing" Babylonians brings Yahweh's judgment through angry, frustrated Isaiah.
  
• The prince of Babylon sends gift-laden envoys and Hezekiah unwisely shows off all his treasures (39:1-4).
• Isaiah delivers an oracle: Babylon will carry off Hezekiah's treasure and his sons; Hezekiah is pleased (39:5-8).
  

Isaiah 33

Closing prayer: summary haiku

woe, the destroyer,
shipwrecked and plundered by all.
the righteous are safe

Isaiah 28-35

• 28:1-29 Woe: Ephraim (Northern Kingdom) & Jerusalem-rulers (Southern Kingdom)
• 28:1-13 Prophecy against the Northern Kingdom; babbling
• 28:14-22 Exhortation to the Southern Kingdom: don't get cocky
• 28:23-29 The Lesson: God makes select and targeted judgments
• 29:1-14 Woe: Ariel (Jerusalem)
• 29:1-8 The lion/altar of God is swiftly judged by a fading enemy
• 29:9-14 God- and self-imposed inability to understand the vision
• 29:15-24 Woe: the arrogant and faithless
• 29:15-16 Non-understanding Ariel thinks it understands more than God
• 29:17-24 Chastened Ariel understands and worships
• 30:1-33 Woe: stubborn children who seek help from Egypt
• 30:1-7 DO NOT GO DOWN TO EGYPT!
• 30:8-17 Rebellious children refuse to hear Yahweh (*fingers in ears* "lalalala") but he will speak and they will fall
• 30:18-26 In that day Yahweh's graciousness is healing and abundance
• 30:27-33 Yahweh comes with fiery judgment, his children worship and Assyria is terror-stricken
• 31:1-9 Woe: flee-ers to Egypt
• 31:1-5 Woe to Judah for seeking help from Egypt and not from tenacious Yahweh
• 31:6-9 A revolting children are commanded to return to Assyria-slaying Yahweh
• 32:1-20 Promise: a King will reign in righteousness
• 32:1-8 Results and reasons that the just and righteous king is praiseworthy
• 32:9-20 Complacent women commanded to lay aside trust in material things in lieu of God's justice and righteousness
• 33:1-24 Woe: destruction of the destroyer
• 33:1 Woe against Sennacherib
• 33:2-4 A prayer for deliverance from Sennacherib
• 33:5-9 Declaration of God's justice and righteousness
• 33:10-16 Assured answer to prayer against Assyria
• 33:17-22 Blessing to Judah: behold God's justice and righteousness
• 33:23-24 Assyria's crashes like a shipwreck pillaged by the lame
• 34:1-17 Utter destruction of human civilization
• 34:1-7 Destruction soaks the land with blood and fat
• 34:8-17 Wild animals reclaim once-great Edom
• 35:1-10 Yay! Promise of Kingdom abundance
• 35:1-2 Glory and majesty bestowed upon the wilderness
• 35:3-7 Strengthening and encouragement yield bodily wholeness and fertile oases
• 35:8-10 On the way of holiness they return to Zion