Introduction to Isaiah 1-39 (Pt. 1)

We previously published studies in Isaiah 40-66.  We now set ourselves to consider chapters 1-39.  Given our seemingly backwards approach let us note some things about the connection between these two parts of Isaiah’s prophecies.

But first a reference to a helpful commentary which we gladly acknowledge.  The author was General Secretary of The Friends of Israel, an evangelical ministry that continues to this day. The Prophet Isaiah: A Commentary was reprinted by imprint by that organization (The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Belmawr, NJ) in 2008.  The author is of Jewish heritage and well-studied in the Hebrew language.

Some have seen significant differences between these two parts of Isaiah and have concluded two different authors, and some even three different authors.  I am not wanting to take time to deal with the authorship question but will refer you to Buksbazen (P47-54).  But because it relates to the outline of Isaiah I do want to quote Buksbazen on the relationship of these parts of Isaiah.  He points out that Isaiah provides the understanding of the emphasis of each section.

Chapters 36-37 conclude that part of Isaiah which dealt chiefly with the Assyrian menace and God’s miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem and Judah from the attempted invasions, first by Rezin of Damascus allied with Pekah of Samaria, and later by the army of Sennacherib.

In chapters 38-39 the prophet relates certain events during the reign of Hezekiah which he foresaw as being a prelude to the future disaster – the Babylonian captivity.  Chapter 38 describes the story of Hezekiah’s sickness, his prayer for healing, and the answer to his prayer.

Thus as we study it helps us to keep in mind: the backdrop of 1-35 is Assyria and their invasion of Judah after carrying away the Northern Kingdom; the backdrop of 40-66 is nearly one hundred years off in the future when Babylon will rise to power, supplanting the Assyrians, and being used by God to judge His rebellious people Israel.

I want to close today’s study with another quote (Buksbazen, p79) concerning the faithfulness of God in preserving the message of Scripture to us, thousands of years after these things were put in writing.

It is interesting to note that the two manuscripts of Isaiah recently (1947) discovered in the Qumran caves, which are over a thousand years older than any previously known text of Isaiah, are essentially the same as the Massoretic text (916 A.D.)  The two Qumran texts of Isaiah known as 1QIsa^a and 1QIsa^b go back to the first century B.C.

Let us show our thankfulness to God by investing time and effort into understanding the Word that He has brought to us.