Isaiah 1
Verse 1 gives us the setting of this book and its writer, who is Isaiah, son of Amoz. It was a series of messages given to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, both to the people and the kings. The Lord speaks of what He is about to do in judgment upon His people. The reasons are stated by the Lord and His view of the people. They have forsaken the Lord to do their own thing and to turn to their own ways 2-4. They were suffering as a result 5-6. The city was desolate 7-9. God likens His people to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that He overthrew, due to their sins (see: Genesis 19) Note: God does not overlook the sins of His people. God will discipline His children when they 'get out of line'. Sometimes this can be very painful and cause much suffering (Hebrews 12:5-13). The Lord calls His people to repentance, after rejecting their 'false worship' 10-17. God is willing to forgive and restore 18. They can again have His blessing or they can refuse and suffer His wrath 19-20. The 'sin problem' was pervasive among the leaders of the nation 21-23. Note: Sound familiar ? God is about to act in cleaning and bringing reform 24-26. When HE acts their will be change that is holy and good 26-27. Rebels will be judged 28 and idols consumed 29-31. Note: This repeated theme is seen in all the prophets (God's spokesmen); pointing out of sin, a call to repent, judgment if they refuse, restoration by God's grace and for His name's sake. Some of the restoration awaits a future day, even from our time. (see next chapter)

Isaiah 2
In the future (in the last days 2) all the nations will come to Jerusalem to hear of the Lord and to worship Him 2-3. The Lord (Christ) will rule as judge 4a and universal and perfect peace will prevail under the 'prince of peace' (Isaiah 9:6), Jesus Christ. Note: The last half of verse 4 is inscribed on a wall at the United Nations in New York. A noble goal, but mankind will not bring this in. Only Jesus Christ can make this a reality and one day, He most certainly will ! Also, the city and people that are so corrupt will be redeemed and made right by the Lord. What grace ! The call is for the people to 'get with the (Lord's) program' - my paraphrase of verse 5. The Day of the Lord (His taking action to judge and restore) is the focus in 6-21. Notice the awful sins 6 and emptiness of the land, even though they have 'lots of stuff' 7-8. The Lord will be exalted and man will be humbled on the day of His judgment 9-17. Note: I love verse 17 because it puts me in my proper place and stands as a warning to all of humanity ! The response to God's judgment in Judah's day and in the future (Revelation 6:12-17) is the same; men try to hide from God, but can not escape His wrath 19-21. Idols will be seen for what they are; useless 20. The call is to 'stop trusting in man, who is but a breath' 22. We are to trust in the Lord. Note: Oh, that individuals and national leaders would heed this message. It was timely for Judah and just as true for us today !

Isaiah 3
The Lord is announces that He is about to act in judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem 1a. Things were about to get really bad and this was a direct act of the Lord 1b-6. The whole structure of society was about to be overthrown and no one would have a solution 7. The reasons are stated in 8-12. Note: The Lord always acts in keeping with His holiness and justice. Sin offends the Lord and breaks His Law. There are penalties and consequences that follow sin, because God is just. We should praise Him for His mercy (withholding from us what we deserve) and flee to Him for His grace (giving us what we don't deserve and can never earn), because, like Judah of old, all of us are under the sentence of His just judgment for our sins. Notice that the Lord assumes the role of the judge in 13-15. The pride and corruption of the women 16 would also be judged by the Lord 17. Verses 18-26 describe (in advance) the look, feel, and 'smell' of judgment that would come upon them. Judah's overthrow and the devastation they faced was almost beyond comprehension (see the book of Lamentations which grieves the events of that time). Note: Some may find this picture of God, hard to embrace. This may indicate a faulty or incomplete view of both our sin and the holiness of the Lord. The totality of God's Word reveals our true condition and the perfect picture of the Lord, who both judges sin and yet chooses to extend mercy and grace. Keep reading, for in the first section of Isaiah (1-39) the main focus is on the judgment of God. His great grace is magnified against that backdrop in chapters 40-66. The Lord God and His Servant (Jesus Christ) is the only Savior and hope for any of us. Look to Him in faith (1:18).

Isaiah 4
In that day (of His judgment) there will be attempts as removing one's disgrace, but it will not work 1. The Lord will act to make His people holy once again 2-3, as He washes away their sins 4. His presence and protection would also be with His people 5-6. Note: This is brought to fullness by both the first coming of Christ (where HE dealt with our sins) and the second coming of Christ (where HE will be present with His people). I affirm that this promise (4-6) awaits the return of Christ and the Millennial Kingdom in reference to the Jewish people.

Isaiah 5
The song of the Vineyard 1-7 is a picture of the Lord and His dealings with His people. The Lord planted this vineyard with a 'choice' vine 2 and did much good that it might produce good fruit, but instead it only produced bad fruit 2,4. He would remove the protection and blessings and allow it to be trampled 5-7. This was a picture of what God was about to do in judging His people. The Lord then pronounces six woes on His people which reveal their sin and arrogance and the results that come upon them 8-25. The first, indicates having much, but producing little 8-10. Second, is a focus on entertainment as an end in itself 12, resulting in a lack of understanding. Note: Does tv 'dull the brain' ? Also, death 13-14, Yet God is not be mocked 15, but proved to be righteous 16. Third, is a rampant, deliberate choice to sin and seeking of God that is total selfish in nature and is a mocking of Him and His plans 18-19. Fourth, is a twisting of good into evil, and vise versa 20. Fifth is pride in one's self as a 'know it all' 21. The sixth, is drinking, bribery, corruption, and injustice 22-23. Note: This is an apt picture of our world and country today ! The Lord states that His judgment would fall on them as a result of these things and there will be not escape 24-25. He is about to use other nations to come in and overthrow His people and the land. They will do His bidding and He will guarantee that they will succeed 26-29. It will be a day of doom and gloom 30. Note: God is just even when He judges. Second, in what ways might you be guilty of some of the same actions and attitudes that the people of Judah expressed ? Pray, ponder, and repent.

Isaiah 6
Isaiah tells of the Lord's dealing with him and the commission he received to proclaim His message to the people. 1-13. He saw the Lord (in a vision). He is high and exalted, on a throne 1. He is praised by seraphs who declare His Holiness, three times over or the most holy or the holiest of all 2-3. The effect on Isaiah is the same for us. In light of God's holiness, we see our own sinfulness and we are undone, ruined, ripe for His wrath 5. The Lord, through the seraph, takes a coal to Isaiah's lips (indicating a sacrifice was made) and his sin is atoned for 6-7. He then hears the Lord asking for a messenger 8 (us = the trinity). Isaiah volunteers 8b. The Lord gives Him the message to deliver and the effect it will have on the hearers (dullness and apathy) 9-10. He was to do this until God's foretold judgment carried them away 11-12. Yet there would still be a place for them (as a His people) in the future 13. Note: This is a tremendous picture of God's work of salvation in each life that responds to Jesus Christ. We, like Isaiah must be cleansed from our sins before we can serve the Lord. Many times the results may appear to be a failure, however the Lord uses all things in keeping with His will. Our role is to be faithful to the task He calls us to.
Also, his testimony placed here helps them (and us) to see that the Lord who promises judgment is a holy God, who gives individuals warnings and a space to repent. The response, most often is the same that Judah had, dullness and indifference, until it is too late.

Isaiah 7
Ahaz was king of Judah and was being threaten 1-2. The Lord sends word to him through Isaiah not to be fearful, but to have faith in the Lord 3-9. The Lord even gives Ahaz reassurance through any sign he would choose 10-12. The Lord gives the sign of a virgin with child 14. A reference to the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:34-38). Showing that God's plans are far bigger and go much beyond the immediate context. For Ahaz's day, the kings who threatened him would be defeated before the child born knew the difference between good and evil 15-17. God would use Assyria 18. The land would be abandon and return to pastures as an indication of the Lord's Word coming to pass 19-25. Note: Are you willing to trust in the Lord even though there are no signs given to you ? We are called to walk by faith, not by sight and not by signs. True faith, takes God at His Word.

Isaiah 8
Isaiah has a child to be named 'quick to the plunder,swift to the spoil' as a sign to the people that the Lord would overthrow their enemies 1-4. Note: I think that is a long name to remember. Maybe they called him 'speedy' for short. - just a little humor there, no disrespect. The people would not listen (as the Lord said) and would be caught up in the flood of Assyria 5-8. Yet 9-10 indicate Judah being spared because 'God is with us' 10b. Isaiah is warned not to follow in the ways of the people, but to fear the Lord 11-14. The Lord would be a stone that causes stumbling and a rock that make men fall 14-15. A future reference to Christ (Romans 9:33). Isaiah waits for the Lord and is trusting in Him 16-18. Those who turn from the Lord and His word, have no light, but all turns to darkness and gloom 19-22. Note: This is still true. Those without the Lord, walk about in darkness (see: John 3:16-21;12:35-36).

Isaiah 9
Yet the darkness would be overcome with light, when the Lord appeared 1-2 (Matthew 4:12-18). Victory in battle would be assured 3-5 as the Lord would give His son 6. Note: Only God can bear these titles. Jesus is God (in the flesh) and He is all that verses 6-7 declare. His kingdom is one of peace, justice,and righteousness. It is eternal and involves David's throne and kingdom. The Lord will accomplish all that concerns this word of prophecy 7. In 8-21, the Lord makes His case against Israel and shows their sins and the threats (judgments) that they will undergo. Yet they refuse to repent and submit to the Lord 13. Thus, the Lord does not turn away His anger 12b,17b,21b. The judgment they will endure is an expression of the Lord's wrath 19. Note: If God's kindness fails to move one to repentance and Him in faith (Romans 2:4), He made send His judgment            (1 Corinthians 11:30-32). For many, even the fear of facing God's wrath does not move them to repent (Revelation 6:12-17, 9:19-21,16:8-11,21). Just how dark and sinful is the human heart ?