1. Isaiah

2. Biographical Details Isaiah = God has Saved Born ca.760, son of Amoz Inhabitant of Jerusalem, where he practices his ministry Ministry during the reign of four kings – Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah No mention of his name after 1:1

3. Difficulties With the Text Ch. 1-39 – 8th reflect the situation of 8th century B.C. Ch. 40-66 – appear to address people after the fall of Jerusalem in exile (6th Century) 56-66 seems to address a community returned from exile (after 538) The material in the text seems to cover a period of 207 years or more. The United States is 233 years old.

4. Historical Context Syro-Ephraimite War Assyrian Invasion Conquest of Jerusalem and Exile Return from Exile Isaiah of Jerusalem is alive for the first two of these periods

5. Syro-Ephraimite War Israel (Northern Kingdom) is often called Ephraim in reference to its largest tribe 745 BC – Tilgath-pileser III begins conquering lands west of Assyria, including Israel, Judah, and Syria. Ahaz becomes king Ca. 740 – pressure from Pekah, King of Israel, and Rezin, King of Syria, to join alliance against Assyria – Ahaz refuses. Syria and Judah attempt to depose Ahaz Ahaz turns to Assyria for help – Syria and Israel are defeated – Judah becomes a vassal to Assyria

6. The Assyrian Invasion Assyria expands in influence in the area taking control of Syria and Israel, which fell in 722 705 – Hezekiah (Judah) revolts, and seeks help of Egypt, which fails to materialize 701 - Sennacherib of Assyria retaliates, destroying much of the Southern Kingdom, and is convinced to spare Jerusalem only because he is promised even higher tribute

7. Conquest and Exile Over the next century, Assyria influence begins to wane 612 – Babylon conquers Assyrian capital of Nineveh – International power struggle is now between Egypt and Babylon 605 – Egypt defeated by Babylon and Judah falls under Babylon’s control Zedekiah, the last King of Judah revolts Babylon invades and eventually lays siege to Jerusalem 586 the city is sacked, the temple destroyed, and the majority of the people were sent into exile

8. Restoration 6th Century, Babylon faces pressure from Persia 539 – Cyrus of Persia defeats Babylon Jews are given leave to return to their homes – Many do so

9. Themes of Isaiah God’s providence – He is behind all historical events (10:5; 41:25) Sufficiency of God alone to protect his people Importance and Centrality of Jerusalem – Right Worship

10. Messianic Expectation Arrival of God’s anointed (9:1-6) Associated with Right worship (2:1-4) Restoration of the Temple Peace – Eutopia (11:6-9) Inclusion of people previously excluded (56:2-5)

11. Items of Theological Consequence for the New Testament 7:1-16 – The Virgin shall bear a child Virgin = Young woman? Curds and Honey – Hard to get during a siege Before weaning – w/in three years, the siege will end and the Northern Oppressor will be defeated

12. The Suffering Servant Chap 42 Chap. 53

13. A Word on Biblical Authorship Scripture is first and foremost about God It has two authors, one human and one divine The human author may not have known the divine intention of God Simply to know the intention of the human author is not to know the intention of the Scripture.

14. Isaiah Summarized The Lord will fulfill his ideal for Israel by purifying his people through judgment and then restoring them to a renewed relationship in the covenant. He will establish Jerusalem as the center of his worldwide kingdom and reconcile once hostile nations to himself.