We begin a study into the book of Isaiah (Hebrew “Yeshayahu” or “Yehovah is salvation” and you can see right away the relationship to the name Yeshua) and he was an eighth century BC prophet. We agree with the traditional view that Isaiah wrote all 66 chapters so we aren’t even going to discuss the other views. This book is the first of what is called the “Nevi’im” or “Prophets” in the Tanak and he is considered a major prophet. He lived from about 770 BC to 681 BC and he prophesied during the reigns of King Uzziah, Yotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah.
His message was one of judgment and that it was coming upon the land because the people neglected the Torah and the true worship of Yehovah. He began his ministry when King Uzziah dies, around 740 BC and may have been killed at the hands of King Manasseh. We are going to look into the historical and the eschatological aspects of the book, and there are several things we need to understand.
First, we are going to need to know the four levels of interpretation. The first one is Peshat, which is the literal, historical level. Next we have the Remez or “what is being hinted at” level. The Drash, or parabolic, interpretive level is next, and last we have the Sowd or hidden meaning, secret level.
The book of Isaiah will be studied in three aspects, so you will need to make mental notes as we go. We will look at the history at what was going on at the time of Isaiah. Next we will look at the eschatological aspect as it relates to the redemption and the Messiah, Messianic Kingdom, the False Messiah, the Birth-pains, the Abomination of Desolation, the fall of Babylon, Gog and Magog (Russia) and much more. Many prophecies have double references. We will also look at the spiritual aspect which will include the concepts of good and evil, Yehovah and Ha Satan; believers and unbelievers and so on.
There are six reference points to Biblical Eschatology and these need to be kept in mind as we not only move through this book, but all books of the Scriptures. The reference points are the historical, Messiah in his first coming, Messiah in his second coming, the Birth-pains of the Messiah, the Messianic Kingdom and the Olam Haba. All of these reference points are discussed in the book of Isaiah.
History is seen in Jewish thought as unfulfilled prophecy, and prophecy is unfulfilled history. That is a concept to remember. There is another concept to know when studying this book, or any prophetical book. The eighth century BC prophets and their prophecies may be a picture of the first three and a half of the birth-pains (tribulation). The seventh century BC prophets and their prophecies may be a picture of what happens in the last three and half years of the birth-pains. Isaiah will prophesy during the eighth century and during the reigns of King Uzziah, Yotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah in the south and King Pekah and Hoshea in the north, so he will be alluding to the first three and half years of the birth-pains. Isaiah will start his ministry at the time of Kings Uzziah’s death (Isa 6.1), so Uzziah is a picture of the days leading up to the birth-pains.
In another concept concerning eschatology, the last ten kings of Judah may be a picture of the seven years of the birth-pains, or the “tribulation” as it is known in Christian eschatology. That is a concept to remember as we study the prophets also.
Isaiah will be prophesying to Judah and Jerusalem in the south, very similar to Micah 1. The nation of Assyria is rising to be a major power, and Babylon is also going to play a major role, but will not reach its zenith till later. The main characters in the book will be Judah, Assyria and Egypt. These nations are symbolic of the end-time nations of Israel, Russia and Europe. Assyrian kings to know are Tiglat-Pilaser (744-727), the first great king in Assyria. Then we will have Sargon II (721-705) and then Sennacherib (704-681).
The theme of the book is judgment, and in Isa 1-12 Yehovah is bringing charges against Judah. In Isa 13-66 he brings charges against the nations. He will be dealing with sin in both. So, as we go through the book we will bring out the historical, eschatological and spiritual aspects in the verses we are dealing with. Because of the length of the book we will try to be as concise as we can without leaving out important information.
It will be important in this study to be familiar with Jewish eschatology and the 7000 year plan of God, and the seven years of the birth-pains. We recommend that you read the information what we have on these subjects on this website when not going through the book. It will help you understand these concepts in more detail.
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