ISAIAH 21
JUDGMENT + WARNING TOWARDS BABYLON
Isaiah prophesizes the fall of Babylon, foretelling that they will be taken over by another nation like a sweeping whirlwind. Isaiah says that all of the false idols and carved images in Babylon will be shattered to the ground. The people of Dumah and Arabia will also be affected by Babylon’s fall, as the scattered Babylonians will take refuge in their land.
ISAIAH 22
JUDGMENT + WARNING TOWARDS JERUSALEM
Next, Isaiah speaks to Jerusalem, mourning their coming destruction. Instead of repenting or mourning their inequity, the people of Jerusalem bask in their sinful ways for their remaining days, knowing their end was near, being dismissive and dishonoring God’s warnings.
Shebna, one of the authorities in Jerusalem, made a pretentious tomb for himself to appear important and valued. Because of his pride, Isaiah told Shebna that God would whirl him around, tossing his remains like a ball in the wind. Instead, a man named Eliakim, from the line of David, is appointed as an authority in Judah. During the reign of Eliakim (later renamed Jehoiakim, Babylon overthrows Judah (2 Kings 23-24). This reference to Eliakim’s leadership and fall highlights the vulnerability of Judah and the need for Jesus, the ultimate Savior from the line of David.
ISAIAH 23
JUDGMENT + WARNING TOWARDS TYRE
Continuing his oracles, Isaiah speaks against the city of Tyre. At the time, Tyre was an affluent and powerful trade center on the coast. Although God will bring anguish upon Tyre, He will ultimately restore them in seventy years and use their influence and wealth to honor God and His people.
ISAIAH 24
JUDGMENT + WARNING TOWARDS THE WHOLE EARTH
Isaiah shifts from warning specific nations to warning everyone on the earth. Some of Isaiah’s prophecies occurred and were fulfilled within a few years and some within a few hundred years. In this chapter, Isaiah speaks of the end times in an apocalyptic prophecy.
Because of God’s promise in Genesis 9, the world will never be flooded again, but this chapter speaks of similar all-consuming destruction. For God to create a new, perfect, restored Earth, the current broken Earth must be devastated. Although this passage can sound frightening or extreme, the hope of Jesus helps us look forward to a renewed, sinless Earth.
To dwell completely with God, sin must be eradicated. Thankfully, Jesus paid for that sin, removing us of our guilt and granting us eternal access to God.
ISAIAH 25
GOD WILL PERMANENTLY DEFEAT DEATH
Isaiah praises God and exults Him for His redemptive nature. Isaiah remembers that God has done wonderful things in the past and trusts that He has faithful plans for the future. In the end, God will be glorified and will prepare a celebratory feast for all of His people. God permanently defeats death and puts an end to tears of mourning.
For those who have faithfully waited for God, they will rejoice in His salvation! There is good news coming for those who trust in God.
Isaiah 25:8 - He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
ISAIAH 26
GOD WILL BRING RESTORATION + PEACE
Isaiah records a song of praise that expresses how God’s people will rejoice once He has restored His perfect world. Isaiah sings that those who keep their mind of God will be kept in perfect peace. This song is a reminder that although the world will continually bring anxiety, God is the Author and Creator of peace. Isaiah acknowledges that Israel has been influenced by other gods or idols, but states that God alone is worth remembering and honoring.
Isaiah notes that God will come out from His heavenly dwelling place to deal with sin once and for all. When God sends Jesus, He steps down from His royal throne and takes our place on the cross!
ISAIAH 27
GOD WILL REDEEM + RESTORE JUDAH
Isaiah uses the image of Leviathan, a mythical sea creature also referenced in the book of Job, to depict evil being overcome. All of the nations who once oppressed the people of Judah will be afflicted.
God plans to redeem Judah, bringing them back to life like a fruitful vineyard carefully tended to. God states that when Israel is restored, there will be no pagan idols or false gods. The nation will be restored and reunited to worship God alone!
ISAIAH 28
JUDGMENT + WARNING TOWARDS ISRAEL
Isaiah warns that the northern Kingdom of Israel will soon be destroyed because of their pride and refers to them as a fading flower. Isaiah calls out the political and religious leaders for their drunkenness and poor judgment. To those who ignore God, His judgment will be like a raging storm, but to those who are righteous, His judgment will be like a beautiful crown.
Upon hearing this warning, the leaders of Israel mocked Isaiah and ignored him. Because of their mockery, God responds by telling them they will no longer hear the Word of God.
God has laid a cornerstone in Zion, another name for Jerusalem, marking Israel as a place with a firm foundation. Although God will allow Israel to suffer the consequences of their unfaithfulness, God has plans to redeem Israel.
God calls for the repentance of His people, inviting them to hear His words and pay attention to His plans. God compares His purpose for Israel to threshing wheat, saying the grain must be crushed before being made into something better.
Isaiah 28:16 - therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: “Whoever believes will not be in haste.”
ISAIAH 29
JERUSALEM WILL BE OVERTHROWN BEFORE THEIR REDEMPTION
In this chapter, Isaiah addresses Jerusalem, which he references as “Ariel,” meaning “Lion of God.” Isaiah prophesizes that Jerusalem will be overthrown by other nations and become as lowly as dirt.
Isaiah acknowledges God as the Creator, using the analogy of a potter and clay. The Israelites, despite their entitled attitudes, have no power over the God who created them. God views His creation as the work of His hands and desires their worship and affection.
The people of Jerusalem appear near to God with their words, but not with their hearts or their actions. In the same way God promised to redeem Abraham, God tells of His plans to redeem Jerusalem and rebuild the city.
ISAIAH 30
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WAIT ON THE LORD + TRUST HIS TIMING
God warns His people against making alliances with other nations without asking God for direction. The Israelites are relying on their own strength and political decisions instead of consulting God for help. The help of Egypt is worthless and empty compared to God’s authority. Isaiah remembers Rahab, the prostitute who protected Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 2) and compares Egypt to a “Rahab who sits still,” claiming their help is useless and unrighteous.
The rebellious nation of Israel is unwilling to hear God’s Word or receive His instruction. God encourages the Israelites that they will find rest, quietness, and strength in trusting in Him.
God’s wrath will ultimately fall on the Assyrians, and they will be terror-stricken by God’s ultimate victory. Despite their rebellion, God is gracious and merciful towards Jerusalem. He will establish Himself as their teacher and they will follow His divine direction. God plans to bind up the wounds of the Israelites, restoring and healing them. Blessed are those who wait on the Lord.
Isaiah 30:18 - Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
ISAIAH 31
RELY ON GOD ALONE FOR STRENGTH
God, through Isaiah, warns Israel not to put their trust in other nations, specifically Egypt. God urges His people to rely on His divine strength alone, not on horses or chariots. The Israelites forget that God was able to drown the Egyptian army (Exodus 14)! God has already proved His faithfulness and power, but the Israelites value Egypt’s influence over God’s.
In the same way a lion is not afraid of sheep, God will not be intimidated by Israel’s opposition. Assyria will not fall because of man, but by God’s mighty sword.
God wants Israel to repent, turn back to Him, and abandon their handmade idols. In the end, God will protect and restore Jerusalem.
Isaiah 31:5 - Like birds hovering, so the Lord of hosts will protect Jerusalem; he will protect and deliver it; he will spare and rescue it.
ISAIAH 32
A RIGHTEOUS KING IS COMING
Isaiah tells of a future time when a righteous king will rule over Israel with justice. When this future king arrives, the people will gain understanding and pay attention to his ways.
The foolish and evildoers will no longer be considered honorable or noble. In God’s justice system, the righteous and kind will have authority over the wicked.
God confronts complacent women who do not regard His words. Isaiah warns that in about a year, the land will dry up and there will be no harvest. Instead of a populous fruitful city, the land will become a thorny pasture of wild donkeys. Isaiah foretells that the land will remain desolate until God pours out His spirit, bringing peace and prosperity.
ISAIAH 33
GOD IS BOTH MERCIFUL + JUST
Isaiah warns those who destroy and traitors who betray. God will rise again in Zion, proving to be the strong foundation of Jerusalem. God will replace the arrogant leaders, and those who oppose Him will face His judgment.
Eventually, God will restore the faithful remnant into a place of peace and forgiveness. This chapter captures how God is both perfectly just and merciful.
Isaiah 33:22 - For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.
ISAIAH 34
GOD IS ENRAGED AGAINST THE SINFUL NATIONS
God tells the rebellious nations that He is enraged with their sin and transgressions, referring to them as “Edom,” one of Israel’s greatest enemies. Whoever opposes God’s people is in opposition with God, who has become furious with their rebellion.
God has authority over all earthly and supernatural forces. The nations who reject God will become desolate and overrun by wild animals. The chapter ends with the assurance that God's Word will stand forever, highlighting His unwavering faithfulness and justice.
ISAIAH 35
THOSE WHO KNOW GOD WILL HAVE EVERLASTING JOY
Isaiah beautifully describes a time of peace and restoration that awaits where the land will be made fruitful and lavish. When that day arrives, everyone will see God’s abundant glory and goodness. Isaiah offers hope that God’s people will be free from sorrow and sickness. Those who know God will walk in holiness and obtain gladness and joy.
Isaiah 35:5-6 prophesizes that the true Savior will be able to give sight to the blind, allow hearing for the deaf, and bring words to the mute—all miraculous acts later performed by Jesus!
ISAIAH 36
HEZEKIAH’S LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY
Assyria’s military commander approaches the leaders of Judah with mockery and vengeance. Assyria makes bold claims towards Judah, telling them that not only will God allow them to be defeated, but God is the source of their afflictions. Assyria boasts over Judah’s helplessness, knowing that Egypt is not a reliable source of help and claiming God will hand them over.
Hezekiah, Judah’s king, instructs the people of Judah to remain silent and not respond to the insults of Assyria.
ISAIAH 37
HEZEKIAH TURNS TO GOD IN PRAYER
Isaiah brings a message from God, telling King Hezekiah not to worry. God will allow confusion for the king of Assyria, causing him to turn around and leave Judah.
When Hezekiah hears the news that Assyria is threatening Judah, his response is to turn to God in prayer asking for protection.
God had already determined the fate of Judah and the later timing in which they would be captured. Assyria is far stronger, having defeated other greater nations, but God’s plans miraculously come to pass, and Judah is spared once again. Of the Assyrian army, 185,000 were killed, including King Sennacherib.
ISAIAH 38
GOD EXTENDS THE LIFE OF HEZEKIAH
Hezekiah becomes ill and is nearing death. Hezekiah pleads with God asking Him to remember his faithfulness and to spare his life.
God tells Isaiah that He hears the cries of Hezekiah and will extend his life for fifteen years and continue to protect him from the Assyrians. God uses a sundial reversing in time as a sign to Hezekiah that he will keep His promise to extend his life.
Hezekiah responds to God’s grace with a prayer of rejoicing and honoring God. Isaiah instructs Hezekiah to apply figs to his boils to heal them.
ISAIAH 39
HEZEKIAH TRUSTS GOD’S GOOD PLANS
After hearing of Hezekiah’s miraculous recovery, the King of Babylon travels to visit Hezekiah. When he arrives, Hezekiah welcomes the king and his men and proudly shows them his many treasures, including silver and gold, spices and oils, and other precious things. Instead of boasting in God’s protection and healing, Hezekiah boasts in his possessions.
Isaiah later confronts Hezekiah and warns him that one day all of his precious belongings will be taken by the Babylonians and that his sons would one day be exiled in Babylon.
Hezekiah responds to this news by saying that God’s news is good and that there would be peace and security all of his days. It is debated if his response is selfless or selfish. It is possible his response displays trust in God, but he is also glad that he would not be alive to see the coming destruction. Hezekiah’s reign is also recorded in 2 Kings 18-20.
ISAIAH 40
GOD’S GREATNESS RULES THE NATIONS + HIS WORD LASTS FOREVER
The book of Isaiah shifts in this chapter from warning Judah of the exile, to foretelling the time after the exile, when God will bring His people out of suffering and restore them to fullness.
This section was either written by Isaiah in anticipation of God’s redemption of Israel or later written by Isaiah’s disciples mentioned in 8:16. (For the sake of clarity, we will continue to refer to the prophet or the messenger as Isaiah.)
God gives comfort and strength to the weary, preparing them for a time of peace and grace. God’s glory will be revealed, and everyone will experience His goodness. Although the grass withers and the flowers fade, the Word of God will last forever.
Good news is on the way, God does not grow weary, and nothing compares to His greatness. God's understanding is unsearchable; He reveals His character to us, but His vast power is incomprehensible!
Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.