Theological Message of the Book of Isaiah
The book of Isaiah is very important because it prophesies the birth and life of Jesus Christ. The prophecy of Christ is a testament of hope in God. Prophet Isaiah describes how Christ will save all believers on the Judgment Day. The main theological theme of this book is found in Isaiah 12: 2. This verse states that God is the salvation of every Christian. Believers should therefore trust and worship their God. The first 39 chapters of this book focus on the issue of judgment.
This portrayal of judgment is relevant because it creates room for salvation. According to many scholars of the Bible, Christians should be in need of salvation. This argument explains why the themes of judgment and salvation go hand-in-hand in this book. The first chapters of Isaiah explain how sinners will be judged. The faithful ones will receive God’s blessings. Such believers will eventually live in a renewed world full of happiness.
Summary Statement: The book of Isaiah describes how God will destroy those who have sinned and save the faithful.
Theological Themes in the Book of Isaiah
The concept of dualism is notable in many prophetic books in the Holy Bible. This is the same case with the book of Isaiah. The author of the book begins by giving the prophecies associated with his time. The author then tackles a greater fulfillment that will occur after Jesus Christ returns for the second time.
The book of Isaiah shows clearly that a great judgment awaits all believers. The verdict will take place after the end of this present era. This message of judgment is presented to the reader using four unique themes. This essay offers a detailed analysis and meaning of each of the four themes.
Jesus Christ
The theme of Christ occurs throughout this book. Most of the chapters in Isaiah contain prophesies of the Messiah. The book identifies Jesus’ first coming. The theme of Jesus Christ makes it easier for believers to understand God’s prophecies. The New Testament is a fulfillment of these prophecies by Isaiah.
Several verses in the book give a detailed analysis of Jesus’ role as the son of God. For instance, Isaiah 2:4 indicates clearly that Jesus will judge every nation. According to the book, Christ will be the child of a virgin. His name “shall be Immanuel” (Isaiah 8: 8-10).
According to Isaiah (28: 16), Jesus Christ will be the foundation of every soul. Chapter 53 of the book explains how Christ will suffer on earth. The prophet also indicates how Jesus will die to save mankind. This chapter shows clearly that Jesus will come to give his precious life on the cross in order to redeem mankind. The Passover lamp mentioned in Isaiah (53:7) symbolizes this act of heroism. God uses Isaiah’s prophecies to reveal why Jesus Christ will have a human soul. This approach will make it easier for Christ to deal with the sins affecting mankind. God also showed Isaiah how Jesus will be crucified and resurrect after three days.
Similar prophecies had been made by great leaders such as King David. The theme of Jesus Christ goes further to explain how God shall save mankind. God will judge and save those who shall repent. The role of Christ will be to bring more people to their creator.
Warnings and Assurances to Israelites
The first ten chapters of this book highlight most of the sins committed by many people during the time of Isaiah. Such are comparable to the ones committed by different Christians today. The book of Isaiah gives a detailed analysis of the Judgment Day.
Chapters 41-50 of the book also highlight the sins committed by the people of Judah and Israel. Many verses in these chapters describe how God shall redeem his people from such sins. Chapter 56 warns believers against their actions. God will punish people for such sins. Christians should therefore be warned and put their eyes on the Lord. The issue of hypocrisy is also mentioned in chapters 56 and 58. Such chapters describe why many Israelites had stopped keeping the Sabbath. Many people were also fasting without proper reasons. This theme encourages many believers to repent and focus on God’s deliverance.
Believers should therefore pray in order to receive God’s mercies. They will eventually be delivered and see God’s kingdom. This theme encourages many Christians and believers to obey God’s commandments. They should do so by keeping the covenant. God shall “rescue his people from captivity” (Isaiah 11:11). This theme encourages Christians to repent. Modern believers should also consider these warnings and assurances in order to achieve their religious goals.
The Day of the Lord
The world has been characterized by many evil occurrences. This fact explains why many Biblical books have described the Day of the Lord. This Day of the Lord is yet to come. The book of Isaiah describes a time when frightening events shall occur. Such events will create room for Jesus Christ’s second coming.
The Day of the Lord will put an end to this present age. The book indicates that “this Day of the Lord shall last for a year” (Isaiah 61: 1). This one year shall be characterized by God’s wrath and vengeance (Revelations 6:17). During this day, God’s wrath will be felt in every corner of the world. The book of Isaiah also describes “how the earth shall be shaken and moved out of its orbit” (Isaiah 13:13). This Day of the Lord will also be characterized by war.
The book of Revelation also gives similar views of this day. The daughters of Babylon will also be destroyed during this fateful day. The word “Babylon” denotes different earthly regimes that shall be obliterated before Christ’s second coming.
According to the Holy Bible, the Day of the Lord “shall end when the great trumpet will be blown” (Isaiah 27:13). The Messiah shall return after the end of this Day of the Lord. This theme is meaningful because it describes the events that will occur before God’s second coming. Believers should therefore be vigilant in order to inherit God’s kingdom. Every government and earthly system shall be destroyed during this period (Isaiah 47: 1, 5, 7, 9).
God’s Kingdom
Every chapter in this book addresses the issues surrounding the Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ will usher this new kingdom after his second coming. It is notable that the word “Kingdom” is not used in the book. However, Prophet Isaiah gives a detailed analysis of a future age that will prevail after the Day of the Lord. Several verses in the book prophesy this kingdom. For instance, Isaiah (4: 2-6) indicates that “God will establish a New Jerusalem”.
The righteous shall live in this blessed city. The book also indicates that this new kingdom shall dwell forever. The “son of God will be called the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9: 6-7). The Holy Bible also indicates that “the deaf shall hear, the blind will see, and Jacob’s children will praise God’s name forever” (Isaiah 29: 18).
The book of Isaiah presents many prophecies about this awaited kingdom. Chapters 44-66 describe how the current world shall be destroyed in order to give room for a new government. According to Hagerland, everything written in this book focuses on an eternal government led by God. The whole world shall disappear and a new one will emerge. Every person in this new world will be blessed, happy, and successful. The above prophesies are relevant because they support the religious needs of every believer. Jesus Christ will come back in order to establish God’s kingdom.
Human beings should therefore embrace these teachings in order to achieve their religious goals. Christians should also repent, forgive one another, and change their lives. These practices will make it easier for many believers to achieve their spiritual goals. Such individuals will become part of God’s kingdom.
Bibliography
Hagerland, Tobias. Jesus and the Forgiveness of Sins: An Aspect of his Prophetic Mission. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.
Peterson, David. The Prophetic Literature: An Introduction. New York, NY: Wiley, 2002.
Roberts, Jimmy. “Isaiah in Old Testament Theology.” Interpretation 36, no. 2 (1982): 130-143.
Webb, Barry. The Message of Isaiah. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Young, Edward. The Book of Isaiah. New York, NY: Longman, 2002.