This course explores the main themes presented in the book of the prophet Isaiah. Israel’s unfaithfulness to her faithful God in the areas of worship, idolatry, and covenant obedience is central in Isaiah, and this theme is explored reflectively for self-examination of our own obedience in these areas. Another key theme is the supremacy of God not only over Israel, but also over every other nation of the world and any other presumed god; Israel’s God, Yahweh, is presented by Isaiah as being greater than anything else anyone can conceive of. The course also explores God’s redemptive program and his ability to carry it out in light of his supremacy and undoubtable power. This redemptive program includes God’s description of the character of, and future hope for, his people.
Introduction
Introduction
Introducing the Speaker and Course
4m
Introduction to Isaiah
The Importance of Isaiah
3m
The Difficulty of Prophecy
6m
Introduction to Prophecy in the Ancient near East: Egypt
4m
Prophecy in the Ancient near East: Mesopotamia
3m
Prophecy in the Ancient near East: Phoenicia and Canaan
6m
Terminology of Prophecy and Prophets in the Old Testament
9m
Characteristics of the Message of Old Testament Prophets
9m
Isaiah’s Superscription
7m
Historical Context of Isaiah
10m
Classic Critical View of Authorship
9m
Contemporary Critical View of Authorship
5m
Traditional View of Authorship
10m
The Formation of a Prophetic Book
8m
Interpreting the Prophets
7m
A Brief Overview of the Structure of Isaiah
7m
Israel Needs Physical and Spiritual Deliverance (Isa 1–5)
Overview of Isaiah 1–5
6m
Condemning Metaphors for Judah’s Condition (1:2–9)
11m
God Rejects Judah’s Worship (1:10–15)
9m
Call to Repentance (1:16–20)
5m
Prophecies of Future Consequences (1:21–5:30)
8m
Isaiah’s Prophetic Call Is a Pattern for Israel’s Deliverance (Isa 6)
Overview of Isaiah 6
7m
Isaiah’s Vision (6:1–2)
6m
Isaiah’s Cleansing (6:3–7)
6m
Rejected Worship (6:8–13)
8m
The Role of Isaiah 6 in the Structure of Isaiah
4m
It Is Yahweh Who Delivers (Isa 7–39)
To Whom Do You Turn for Deliverance?
3m
The Structure of Isaiah 7–39
5m
The Syro-Ephraimite Threat (7:1–2)
5m
Isaiah Tells Ahaz that the Coalition Will Fail (7:3–9)
7m
Ahaz Is Invited to Trust Yahweh but Refuses (7:10–13)
3m
The Prophecy of Immanuel (7:14–16)
7m
Assyria Will Destroy Judah (7:17–25)
3m
Destiny Depends on Trusting the Lord (8–12)
6m
The Task of the Davidic Messianic Figure (11:1–5)
11m
The Dominion of the Davidic Messianic Figure (11:6–9)
7m
Prophecies against the Nations, Part 1 (13:1–20:6)
10m
Prophecies against the Nations, Part 2 (20:6–23:18)
5m
Tyre’s Historical Background (23:1–3)
7m
Those Who Depend on Tyre (23:4–7)
4m
The Detail of Tyre’s Downfall (23:8–14)
5m
The Song of the Prostitute and Yahweh’s Total Victory (23:15–18)
8m
A Tale of Two Cities (24–27)
12m
Six Woes (28–35)
14m
The Assyrian Threat (36)
12m
Hezekiah Responds by Trusting Yahweh (37:1–20)
4m
The Results of Trusting Yahweh (37:21–38)
9m
An Ominous Warning (39:1–7)
6m
Summary of Isaiah 7–39
8m
Yahweh Is Willing and Able to Deliver (Isa 40–55)
Overview of Isaiah 40–55
5m
The Main Theme of Isaiah 40–55
3m
Yahweh’s Comfort Announced (40:1–2)
11m
Yahweh’s Comfort Described (40:3–11)
4m
Yahweh’s Power (40:12–31)
9m
Yahweh and the Idols (40–55)
13m
Introduction to Yahweh’s Servant (40–55)
6m
Servant Song 1: The Servant Will Bring Justice (42:1–9)
9m
Servant Song 2: The Servant Speaks (49:1–7)
9m
Servant Song 3: The Servant Sustains the Weary (50:4–9)
7m
Servant Song 4: The Incongruent Servant (52:13–53:1)
9m
Servant Song 4: A Weak and Damaged Servant (53:2–4)
8m
Servant Song 4: The Suffering and Death of the Servant (53:5–8)
8m
Servant Song 4: The Burial and Vindication of the Servant (53:9–12)
8m
The Effects of the Servant’s Work (54–55)
8m
Summary of Isaiah 40–55
8m
Yahweh’s Deliverance Brings a New World (Isa 56–66)
Overview of Isaiah 56–66
6m
Eschatological Hope (60–62): Part 1
9m
Eschatological Hope (60–62): Part 2
5m
Transformation Powerfully Enabled by Yahweh (59:15b–21; 63:1–6)
7m
Yahweh as a Mighty Divine Warrior (63:1–6)
7m
The Need for Ethical Transformation (56:9–59:15a)
5m
The Results of Ethical Transformation (63:7–66:17)
6m
Acceptance of Foreigners and Eunuchs (56:1–8): Part 1
9m
Acceptance of Foreigners and Eunuchs (56:1–8): Part 2
5m
Salvation for the World (66:18–24)
9m
Summary and Conclusions
Isaiah 1–6: Problem and Promise
5m
Isaiah 7–39: Israel Will Fall like All Other Nations
4m
Isaiah 40–55: The Creator Is Greater than Creation
4m
Isaiah 56–66: The Eschatological Hope of the New Covenant