Isaiah

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ISAIAH 9 The name “Isaiah,” Religious, social and ethical circumstances at his time, Political situation, Features of the person of Isaiah, The book of Isaiah and the New Testament; The book of Isaiah and the Coptic Liturgies; The theological thoughts of Isaiah: (God; the Holy One of Israel; Humanity and the world; the sin; the salvation; the servant of Jehovah ‘The servant of the Lord’) Reference of the book to Isaiah and its unity (Historical, ideas, linguistic, and literate backgrounds); Answering claims of a second and a third book of Isaiah; The Millennium interpretation of the book of Isaiah; Sections of the book of Isaiah. THE FIRST SECTION THE HOLY CHASTISER The Holy Chastiser 36 CHAPTER 1: The great tribunal 37 An introduction; A summons to nature; A summons to animals; A description of the conditions of the people; A summons to judges; Accusation; Formal worship; An invitation to penitence; An admonition for the past; The Judge presents Himself as a Savior. CHAPTER 2: the Mountain of the Lord’s house 65 Introduction; The mountain of the Lord’s house; Reasons behind God’s rejection of His people; Vanity of leaning upon human arm. CHAPTER 3: A devastating famine 68 Denying them the whole supply of bread and the whole supply of water; Denying them the mature leadership; Denying them possibilities of luxury and haughtiness. CHAPTER 4: The “Branch of the Lord” is the cure 86 Need for a Savior; The Branch of the Lord; The holy remnant; Dwelling of the Lord Christ in the midst of His Church; The Church of Christ as a tabernacle for shade, and a place for refuge. CHAPTER 5: Song of the Vineyard 92 God’s care for His Vineyard; A tribunal of God for His Vineyard; A detailed parade of Israel’s transgressions; A divine Chastisement; The Assyrian invasion. CHAPTER 6: The vision of Isaiah and his call 107 A vision in the temple; Consecrating Isaiah’s mouth; Mission of the prophet Isaiah CHAPTER 7: Salvation of king Ahaz and the messianic salvation 119 A pact between Rezin, king of Syria, and Pekah, king of Israel, against Ahaz; Ahaz got frightened; Isaiah assures Ahaz; Ahaz refrains from asking for a sign; Emmanuel; Assyria, the ally, turns into an enemy. 7 CHAPTER 8: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz 129 Assyria’s conquest of Aram and Israel; A warning to the children of Judah; The land of Emmanuel; Doubting and stumbling in Emmanuel; The holy remnant; Seeking the counsel of mediums and wizards. CHAPTER 9: The wonderful Child 138 A light has shone in the darkness; The wonderful Child; The stretched-out hand; The Lord’s chastisement. CHAPTER 10: Assyria invades Judah; The arrogant Assyria condemned 149 The first woe against the leadership; The second woe against Assyria; The remnant that escaped from Israel; O, My people, do not be afraid!; The Assyrian invasion of Judah; Fall of Assyria. CHAPTER 11: The Messiah and the messianic age 157 The appearance of Jesse’s offspring; The Savior and God’s Spirit; The works of the Savior; Feature of the Messianic age; Place among nations. CHAPTER 12: Praise of the redeemed 167 God’s mercies amid His anger; Jehovah, the mystery of our salvation, strength and joy; Testifying to God’s works. CHAPTER 13: A prophecy about Babylon 171 A prophecy about Babylon; A call to nations to fight Babylon; The day Babylon was destroyed. CHAPTER 14: The fall of Babylon 182 God’s mercy upon His people; Bad proverbs against the king of Babylon; Destruction of Babylon; Destruction of Assyria; Destruction of Philistia. CHAPTER 15: A prophecy against Moab 192 Prompt realization of the prophecy; Destruction of the great cities; Occurrence of famine. CHAPTER 16: Moab submitting to Judah 200 A counsel to Moab to submit to Judah; Pride, the destroyer of man; Wailing for Moab. CHAPTER 17: A prophecy about Damascus and Ephraim 205 Destruction of Damascus; Defeat of Ephraim; The enemy attacks. CHAPTER 18: Cush offers a present to the Lord 211 A delegation from Cush; Cush offers a present to the Lord; CHAPTER 19: “Blessed is Egypt, My people” 216 Escape of the Holy Family; Chastising Egypt; Setting an altar to the Lord. CHAPTER 20: Egypt submits to Assyria 226 Captivity of Egypt and Assyria; Collapse of Judah. CHAPTER 21: Fall of Babylon to Persia and Mede 228 A prophecy against Babylon; A prophecy against Edom; A prophecy against Arabia. CHAPTER 22: Siege of Jerusalem 234 Siege of Jerusalem; Human plans for salvation; Disregard of penitence; Judgment of Shebna; Eliakim appointed in Shebna’s place. CHAPTER 23: Bringing Tyre to ruins and its renewal 244 Bringing Tyre to ruins; Renewal of Tyre. 8 CHAPTER 24: Defilement of the earth 250 General devastation; Believers rejoice in the Lord; Praise with terror. CHAPTER 25: Praise to the Lord for the sake of His Kingdom 254 A praise of thanksgiving to the Lord; Banquet of the New Testament; Devastation of Moab. CHAPTER 26: Praise of Resurrection 262 A psalm motivating trust in God; Fall of the enemy; God supports His righteous; His people pass through distress; God, the Savior of His people. CHAPTER 27: Destruction of Leviathan 272 The slaying of Leviathan; Protection of the beloved Vineyard; Striking the enemy; God gathers His people. CHAPTER 28: Woe to Israel, and Glory to Judah 280 Woe to Samaria; Revealing and exposing sin; Need for a Savior; God’s dealings with his people. CHAPTER 29: Woe to Ariel 291 The second woe to Ariel; Prevalence of ignorance among His people; Formality of worship; The third woe to him, who leans upon his own wisdom; Valuable promises to believers. CHAPTER 30: Leaning upon Pharaoh 300 A warning against leaning upon Pharaoh; Chastisements because of despising God’s commandments; God’s compassion toward His repentant people; God’s wrath upon Assyria. CHAPTER 31: Leaning upon human arm 312 Resorting to Pharaoh; God, protector of His children; Invitation to return to God. CHAPTER 32: Christ, Grantor of peace 315 Blessings of the Kingdom of Christ; Chaos outside of Christ; The Holy Spirit and peace. CHAPTER 33: Assyrian invasion and the Messianic age 323 Woe to the destroyer; Taking refuge in God; Condemnation of Assyria; The King and His Kingdom. CHAPTER 34: Condemnation of enemies, opponents of the truth 327 A collective call; Desolation of Edom; A confirmation that all that will be realized. CHAPTER 35: Blessings of the Kingdom of Christ 337 Turning wilderness into paradise; Fulfilling the needs of believers; A kingdom of joy and rejoicing. THE SECOND SECTION THE HOLY ONE, GRANTOR OF VICTORY The Holy One Grantor of Victory 346 CHAPTER 36: Sennacherib agitates the people 347 Sennacherib captures the cities of Judah; Sennacherib sends his field commanders to Jerusalem; Rabshakeh agitates the people; Palace administrators report to Hezekiah. 9 CHAPTER 37: Hezekiah resorts to the Lord 358 Hezekiah resorts to the Lord and His prophet; Isaiah assures Hezekiah; The King of Assyria ridicules the Lord; Hezekiah’s prayer; Isaiah re-assures Hezekiah; The Lord strikes the Assyrian armies; Sennacherib and his son Sherezer got killed. CHAPTER 38: Hezekiah’s illness and recovery 362 “Put your house in order, because you are going to die”; A psalm of thanksgiving; Treating Hezekiah with a poultice of figs. CHAPTER 39: Hezekiah displays his treasures 371 Displaying the treasures; A divine order for the treasures to be carried off; Hezekiah admits his fault. THE THIRD SECTION THE HOLY COMFORTER WITH SALVATION The Holy Savior 376 1 Comfort, comfort, My people Isaiah 40-44 CHAPTER 40: Comfort, comfort, My people 378 “Comfort, comfort, My people”; Preparing the way for the Lord; The incomprehensible plan of the Lord; The situation of unbelievers. CHAPTER 41: Salvation from the east 392 A conquest from the east; My Servant whom I have chosen; The feeble worm becomes a threshing sledge; The wasteland turns into a garden; God, Lord of the future. CHAPTER 42: The chosen Servant of the Lord 404 The chosen Servant of the Lord; Calling the Servant of the Lord; The new praise; Forsaking the old; Calling the deaf and the blind. CHAPTER 43: No Savior but Me 410 “Fear not for I am with you”; “You are My witnesses”; The fall of Babylon; A new exodus; Salvation is a free gift. CHAPTER 44: Pouring out of the Spirit, and the new life 429 Pouring out of the Spirit; You are My witnesses; Idolatry and the void; You are Mine; A prophecy about Cyrus. 2 Cyrus attack on Babylon and its desolation Isaiah 45-47 CHAPTER 45: Cyrus and the salvation 440 A divine talk to Cyrus; A protest against choosing Cyrus; God, the hidden Savior; A call for salvation in Christ. CHAPTER 46: God, Bearer of our burdens 449 God, bearer of our burdens; Calling Cyrus from the east. 10 CHAPTER 47: The fall of Babylon 455 The fall of Babylon; The sins of Babylon. 3 Talks of salvation Isaiah 48-59 CHAPTER 48: The new exodus 462 God admonishes His people; God’s aim in allowing captivity; The prompt and joyful salvation. CHAPTER 49: Mission of the Savior 469 Humility and glorification of the Savior; His redemptive work; Setting the desolate an everlasting bride; Setting the forsaken a queen; God, the redeemer of His Church. CHAPTER 50: “I gave My back to those who struck Me” 486 A certificate of divorce; Obedience of the Cross; A call for obedience. CHAPTER 51: The redeemed people 493 An invitation to enjoy the work of redemption; The mystery of the fall of Jerusalem; Rise and fall. CHAPTER 52: The joy of salvation 502 Put on your garment of splendor; Free salvation; Bringing good tidings; Departure from evil; The glory of God’s Servant. CHAPTER 53: The crucified Christ 510 The Cross as an exalted mystery; The Cross as shame and disgrace; The Cross as redemption and salvation. CHAPTER 54: An invitation to the Church to sing 520 A praise for the sake of fruitfulness; A praise for the heavenly Groom; A praise for the renovation of the Church; A praise for the victory of the Church. CHAPTER 55: A general invitation for salvation 529 An invitation for salvation; Response of man. CHAPTER 56: A house of prayer for all nations 531 A house of prayer for all nations; Rejection of the deniers of faith. CHAPTER 57: Defilements as obstacles to salvation 544 Death of the righteous; Condemnation of the wicked; Blessings of the return to God. CHAPTER 58: The rejected fast 548 A worship of hypocrisy; The rejected fast; The accepted fast; Fruits of the right worship; Keeping the Sabbath. CHAPTER 59: Our rebellion would deny us salvation 560 Iniquities that hide the face of God; Effects of sins; Need for God, the Savior. 4 The new city of the Lord Isaiah 60-66 CHAPTER 60: The city of light 568 A city of light; A center of attraction to the nations; A glorious city. 11 CHAPTER 61: The new life 576 Christ’s program of salvation; The new ecclesiastical life; The glorified ecclesiastical life; A joyful merciful life. CHAPTER 62: The Church, the bride of Christ 583 A new name and a glorified life; A heavenly bride; Watching with praise; Preparing the way for her. CHAPTER 63: Christ who treads in the winepress 589 The crucified Christ; A praise for the loving- of the Lord; God remembers His old works with them; A prayer of penitence. CHAPTER 64: An entreaty for the sake of the Messiah’s coming 595 The Messiah coming down from heaven; The blessings of waiting for the Messiah; Confession of sins. CHAPTER 65: The new heaven and the new earth 602 An invitation to the Gentiles; The denial of His people; His care for the remnants; A comparison between believers and non-believers; The new heaven and the new earth. CHAPTER 66: The New Jerusalem 607 Corruption of formal worship; Discernment between formal and serious worship; The New Jerusalem.