This verse always makes me so happy!
Hi guys 🤗
One thing that helps me while reading the bible is understanding the background of the books and the main characters because let’s face it, while it is the greatest book on earth, it can be very abstract. I’ll be giving you a short concise background of a book of the bible every other month. I try for these posts not to be too long so keep in mind there’s way more to learn and further reading is encouraged. I know, I sound like a lecturer. Don’t worry, no exam.
Let’s start with my favourite Old Testament book – Isaiah 🥳.
I love Isaiah, you’ll see why soon, and a good number of the verses I use during prayer come from him. Isaiah is considered as the greatest prophet of the Old Testament and the book of Isaiah, in both importance and eloquence, has been described as the greatest Old Testament manuscript.
Isaiah speaks of:
- The glory and greatness of God.
- The sins of both Israel and gentile nations and their subsequent judgement.
- The dispersement and regathering of Israel.
- The first and second coming of Christ.
- The coming of the Great Tribulation and the Glorious Millennium.
The book consists of 66 chapters divided into two periods:
- The Assyrian period (1-39)
- The Babylonian period (40-66)
Fun fact: the English Bible has 66 books also, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament; Isaiah has 66 chapters, 39 for the Assyrian period and 27 for the Babylonian period. Cool right?
WHO?
Isaiah, son of Amoz (1:1), who was married with two sons – Shear-Jashub (7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (8:3). His name means ‘God saves’ and he was often referred to as the Messianic prophet, for obvious reasons. Not obvious to you? Go and read Isaiah. Obvious? Still go and read.
According to the book, he started receiving his visions in the year King Uzziah died (6:1). He was executed by Manasseh approximately after 50 years of prophecy (739-690 BC).
WHEN?
Around 740 BC, a time of great political turmoil for Judah.
In summary:
- Assyria attacked Israel and Syria. Israel and Syria asked Judah for help, Judah no gree, so dem vex and turned to attack Judah.
- Judah decided to ask Assyria for help. Isaiah advised against it, he told them to trust in God, but dem no listen (can you imagine?). Anyway, they went ahead and joined Assyria and defeated Israel. But Assyria then turned against Judah (see why e fine for trust God?)
- Judah decided to ask Egypt for help (olday dem go beg). Isaiah advised against it again, but this time King Hezekiah listened (may God give us sober leaders). God fought for them and destroyed the Assyrian army.
- King Hezekiah however made a mistake. He showed Babylon (also Assyria’s enemies) his treasures and as a result Isaiah received a vision that Babylon will captivate the land, which they did, eventually. Isaiah also prophesied though that God will deliver them and encouraged them of a marvellous time to come, even though he won’t be alive by then.
Do you get?
FUN FACTS:
- Isaiah’s favorite designation for Jehovah was Lord of Hosts, he used it 62 times!
- His book contains one of the most important chapters of the Old Testament (53); the New Testament quotes from the amazing chapter at least 85 times!
- Three of Scripture’s greatest salvation messages are found in its pages (1:18; 45:22; 55:1-2).
- It is the only biblical book to mention the seraphim (6:1-8).
- It is the only Old Testament book to predict Mary’s birthing of Jesus (7:14) and his dual nature (9:6).
- It is one of the only two Old Testament books describing the early days of Lucifer before he became the devil (14:12-15).
- It contains one of the Old Testament’s clearest statements on the Trinity (48:16).
- Records one of the Old Testaments most remarkable and precise prophecies about an individual- King Cyrus of Persia (44:28; 45:1).
- He gives the most extended overview of the Messiah’s mission to both Jews and Gentiles (42:1-4; 49).
One thing I love about this book is the balance between God's judgement and our salvation. It shows God disciplining his children while still giving and promising them undeserved grace as the perfect father he is.
It's also so amazing to read his prophecies and see how it all came to reality in Jesus.
I hope I’ve gotten you excited to go read Isaiah, if I haven’t well………….. 😕
For real though, take a chapter each day, just one.
Those on the mailing list will be sent detailed resources if they wish to learn more, this is a ‘summarised summary’😄.
Tell us your favorite verse from Isaiah, if you have one, in the comments section. I have a lot, but one is:
Happy Isaiah-reading. Have a good month! Don't forget to follow TTC on instagram to keep up with posts and info. https://instagram.com/the_trying_christian?utm_medium=copy_link
There's a post by a guest writer and dear friend of mine, Pastor Ivan Turay, on 'bible study' also on the website, check it out.
Here is a bible study template, I pray will be useful. If you found this post helpful, share it with someone, it might help them too.
God bless you!
Diana x
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