Chapter Two - An Inductive Validation of the Central Theme of Isaiah
In Isaiah, as in the Old Testament as a whole, it is difficult to find a central theme from which all the material flows. At first, it appears that there should be two central themes: one for chapters 1-39 and an other for chapters 40-66. Chapters 1-39 seem to speak primarily of judgment while chapters 40-66 speak of comfort. That may help to account for the views of some modern critics who want to split the book in two to accommodate two different authors.
Redemption or pardoning from sins does not seem to be broad enough to fit the description of Isaiah, which tells of a change in the order of nature (11:6-9; 55:12-13). A broader term such as "restoration" needs to be employed to describe the changes in the whole order of the cosmos. Throughout the book reference is made to Yahweh's standard which has been broken time and time again not only by Israel, but also by the other nations of the world. The sections dealing with the blessing of the kingdom show a restoration of Yahweh's created order. He did not create the world "a waste" (45:18). The Servant's role will be to deliver justice or order to the world. The Lord promises Israel that it will be restored and smelted and then Jerusalem will be called a city of righteousness (1:24-26).
The central theme therefore is seen as "Yahweh's restoration of His created order," often expressed in the commentary in Isaiah's language: Salvation of Yahweh through His Servant to the ends of the earth. It is amazing how much restoration and salvation can be seen in chapters 1-39, which upon first reading seem so full of judgment.
1. PART ONE: CHAPTERS 1-39
1.1 Yahweh's Indictment of the Nation (1:1-6:13)
Chapter 1 is a lawsuit against the nation which shows the justification for Yahweh's action of judgment. But even in the lawsuit there is a major section of restoration of the nation (1:24-31).
Chapters 2-4 are a contrast between the future restored nation (2:1-4) and the present sinful nation (2:5-4:1). But chapter 4 closes with a promise of holy survivors who are restored (4:2-6).
Chapter 5 is an indictment of the present sinful condition of the nation, while chapter 6 is Isaiah's response not only to Yahweh's indictment but to Yahweh Himself. The section ends with a note of hope - a holy seed (6:13).
1.2 Prophecies of Deliverance (7:1-12:6)
This entire section deals with the coming deliverance of the nation both in this historical context and in the distant future. Not only will the nation have deliverance from the Syrian-Israel alliance (7:3-9; 8:1-15; 9:7-10:4), but there also will be the rise of a new glorious empire that will take the place of the Assyrian Empire, which will fall (11:1-12:6). The future deliverance of the nation will come through One who will come from Galilee, whose kingdom is eternal (9:1-7). The remnant will be regathered a second time (11:11-12) and they will sing a song of thanksgiving because they will be with the source of their salvation (12:1-6, especially 12:3).
1.3 Judgment on the Nations (13:1-23:18)
Even in the section of judgment on the nations there is a theme of restoration. Israel will again be in the land, ruling over peoples who have oppressed it (14:1-2). Moab will come to Israel for protection, justice, and the establishment of order (16:1-5). Gifts will be brought to Mt. Zion (18:7). Judah will control Egypt (19:16-17) and part of Egypt will swear allegiance to the God of Israel (19:18). The worship of the true God in Egypt will signal peace on earth (19:19-25).
1.4 Punishment and Kingdom Blessing (24:1-27:13)
Chapters 25-27 are full of the salvation of the Lord and the restoration of both the people and the world order. God preserves His people (25:1-12) and is praised by the redeemed (26:1-27). The evil system is judged (27:1) and the remnant is restored (27:2-13). It is important to notice that judgment comes on the nation for a refining purpose (27:7-13).
1.5 The Woes (28:1-33:24)
At the end of the three sections of woe there is a word of comfort: judgment will only last for a short while and is designed to purge the people (28:23-29); future things will be different and a remnant will glorify the Lord (29:17-24); and the Lord will bless His people and protect them (30:23-26; 31:4-9). The final section (32:1-33:4) describes the reign of the just King in a time of justice and righteousness.
1.6 Vengeance and Blessing (34:1-35:10)
Even in the vengeance section there is a note that a remnant will be gathered together (34:16-17). The land will then be free from the curse and the remnant will dwell with everlasting joy on their heads.
1.7 Historical Interlude (36:1-39:8)
The Lord promises immediate deliverance in the present historical situation (37:30-32). The primary purpose of this section seems to be to function as a hinge to lead the reader to the Babylonian section, Part Two.
2. PART TWO: CHAPTERS 40-66
2.1 The Deliverance of God's People (40:1-48:22)
The entire section deals with deliverance and salvation. In the immediate historical context God will deliver the people from their captivity in Babylon. In the more distant future He will change the entire world (41:17-20). His Servant is on a mission of salvation to the Gentiles (42:1-7). In His mission He will effect justice on the earth - restore order to the earth (42:1-4). The Lord promises to regather His unworthy servant Israel to the land (43:14-44:5). He uses a Gentile power to restore Temple worship in the land (44:24-28). He promises that the Gentile world will bow down to a redeemed Israel, for they are His chosen people (45:14-19).
2.2 Restoration by the Suffering Servant (49:1-57:21)
This section overwhelmingly deals with salvation and restoration. The Servant will take salvation to the Gentiles and then at the proper time Israel will return (49:1-13). The Lord assures the deserted land that it will be restored (49:14-26). The righteous remnant will be exalted (51:1-52:12). The Servant is exalted and receives His deserved place because He voluntarily did the will of God (52:13-53:12). The Servant's salvation includes both Israel (54:1-17) and the Gentiles (55:1-13).
2.3 The Realization of Restoration (58:1-66:24)
The Lord requires obedience (58:1-14), and since the nation is depraved, salvation and restoration must come by God's initiative (59:1-21). In the period of salvation there will be prosperity and peace on the earth for those whom the Lord has redeemed (60:1-22). The Anointed One will come (61:1-11) and will clothe the redeemed with a robe of righteousness (vv. 10-11). The Lord describes a new kingdom which will be set up (65:17-25). The Lord promises to fulfill His promises that are in the Abrahamic covenant and restore Israel to a prominent place (66:7-21).
3. REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER STUDY
An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books, Chapter 6, Moody Press: Chicago, 1986 Edition, by C. Hassell Bullock.