Isaiah: Refresh

Wrap Up

Congratulations!

You have finished a study of Isaiah, the longest book in the Bible besides the Psalms. Thank you for joining me on this journey!

We began with a vision of God and concluded with a vision of the eternal future for all those who follow him. In between the vision of God and the vision for the future, we have witnessed this truth: “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Prov. 21:1). God is sovereign over all. He controls all things, and every action he takes has purpose and direction. As it is with kings and countries, so it is with our lives. 

Below is a summary of what we have studied. This provides an overview of Isaiah, which, in short, reminds us how seriously God views sin (Isa. 1-39) and how he forgives us completely (Isa. 40-66). 

As we wrap up, let’s review some “go-to” passages from Isaiah. I hope these are as encouraging to you as they are to me. 

Isaiah 1:18
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 

What an amazing invitation from God, and a promise for renewal! The old is gone; the new has come!

Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Peace. Isn’t that what we desire? Calm in the middle of the storm. Strength when our body is weak and worn down. Focus when life is confusing and chaotic. 

Peace comes when we keep our minds focused on Jesus by engaging in the Word and doing what it says. God is our sure anchor…forever.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

When you are feeling discouraged, exhausted, stalled, abandoned—remember the God who created the stars and all of creation is the same God who identifies with you, whoever you are and wherever you are. He desires to be your Shepherd. He is the “everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.” He gives strength to those who are weary. He is the One who renews us inside and out.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10 should always be our go-to verse for addressing fear. God upholds us with his strong and righteous right hand. That’s a promise we can live with!

Isaiah 43:1-2 
…“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you”. 

God calls us by name and says, “You are mine!” Wherever we go, he is with us. He never leaves our side. He purchased us from our slavery to sin and keeps us throughout eternity. We can live without fear because we belong to the One who has redeemed us.

Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares 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. 

Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Events happen that we simply can’t understand. We have questions that we can’t answer. Therefore, in our doubts and anxiety, we anchor in this amazing truth: God knows the beginning from the end. His ways are always right and perfect according to his sovereign will, which gives us needed comfort and refreshes our souls. We know that God is writing our story of renewal. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on the passages we considered today (or other go-to passages you have noted in our study).  

Talking to God: Thank God for writing your story of renewal. 

Have Questions?
Be sure to send your questions to our team. We are happy to assist you as we study God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll reply soon. Let us know if you’d like to learn more about a relationship with Jesus or need spiritual counsel. 

Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow hard after Jesus. 

God’s Story in You devotional series focuses on seven books that tell the story of Scripture:

• Genesis: God’s Story in You
• Job: God’s Story in Our Suffering
• Isaiah: God’s Story in Our Renewal
• John: God’s Story in Our Savior
• Romans: God’s Story in Our Identity
• Revelation: God’s Story in Our Eternity
• Psalms: God’s Story in Refreshing Relationship

Tomorrow, we start the gospel of John. Based on what we have heard from many of you, we are modifying our presentation to help us stay engaged. Here’s the plan:

Monday—Friday: Daily devos as we’ve been doing. 

Weekend Recharge

On the Saturday and Sunday emails, we will provide:

• Catch Up: Links to the previous week’s devotionals
• Review: A summary of each devotional
• Reflect: A doctrinal, inspirational, and/or applicational section

The purpose of this change is to help everyone stay involved through these essential books with daily opportunities to connect. We appreciate the input we have received through our time together. 

ISAIAH REVIEW

Book Overview
God takes sin seriously (1-39)
God forgives completely (40-66)

Breakdown
God takes sin seriously (1-39)

• Judgment on Judah and Israel (1-12)
• Judgment on the nations (13-23)
• The future glory (24-27)
• Judgment on Assyria (28-35)
• Historical interlude (36-39)

God forgives completely (40-66)

• God will deliver his people (40-48)
• God will send a Savior (49-57)
• God will bring about a glorious consummation (58-66)

Isaiah: The Man
Isaiah’s name means “Yahweh is salvation.” There were many other Jewish men with this name, so the prophet identifies himself seven times as “the son of Amoz” (1:1; 2:1; 13:1; 20:2; 37:2, 21; 38:1). Isaiah’s ministry spanned the reigns of four kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Most commentators believe that Isaiah prophesied for at least fifty-eight years (from around 739 BC, when Uzziah died, to 681 BC, when Sennacherib died).^[1]

Isaiah was married and had two sons. Isaiah’s wife is called “the prophetess” (Isa. 8:3). This could mean that she shared a prophetic gift or was married to a prophet, likely the latter, since there is no evidence of her prophesying. 

Isaiah’s two sons were named Shear-jashub (“a remnant shall return”; Isa. 7:3) and Maher-shalal-hash-baz (“quick to plunder, swift to spoil” Isa. 8:1-4). Bible scholar Warren Wiersbe notes that the sons’ names “speak of the nation’s judgment and restoration, two important themes in Isaiah’s prophecy.”^[2]

Isaiah: The Message
God desires an intimate relationship with us, but sin drives a wedge between us and the Holy One of Israel, Isaiah’s favorite name for God. God loves us too much to allow us to follow the dangerous path of sin. When we stray, he grabs our attention to draw us back home. 

The prophet understood God's promises in his covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:2-3; 15:18-21; 17:3-8, 19). In the Abrahamic Covenant, God confirmed that the nation of Israel would have a special relationship with him, possess the land of Canaan, and that others would be blessed through his people. Isaiah also recognized the covenant that God made with Moses. In the Mosaic Covenant, God vowed that blessings would follow obedience, and punishment would follow disobedience (Deut. 28). The consequences of continued disobedience would lead to exile from the promised land. God also promised to eventually allow the exiled people to return to the land based on his covenant with Abraham (Deut. 30:1-5). Therefore, in Isaiah, we see the meshing of the promises, blessings, and warnings from the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants. 

In chapters 40-66, the focus shifts to forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. Ultimately, redemption will come from the “Suffering Servant,” who will do for Israel (and us) what they cannot do for themselves. Several passages in Isaiah called “Servant Songs” speak about Jesus (42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12). The “Suffering Servant” brings peace to our hearts and peace to the world.