Isaiah 1
An Introduction and Summary for Isaiah’s Prophetic Message
The opening chapter introduces most of the main issues that the prophet is to deal with, and therefore is a summary of the overall message of the book. The scene is one of judgment. God is the judge, his people the accused, heaven and earth the witnesses. The charge is that Judah has rebelled against God. - Don Fleming
In this first section, Isaiah addresses all of the major themes of his prophecy. God’s people had chosen “sacred trees” and “garden shrines” over YAHWEH (29). In His great mercy, He called them to repent so that He could restore.
Rebellion
Vs. 2 - “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
5-6 - “The whole head is hurt, and the whole heart is sick. From the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured...:”
It was unthinkable that children should revolt against a loving father who nurtured them. Even stupid oxen and donkeys know their master, but the Israelites did not realize who cared for them. - Thomas Constable
During the reign of Ahaz, the kingdom of Judah was attacked and pillaged by Israel, Syria, Edom, the Philistines, and Assyria. For all this, Judah would not repent. Their sin brought them great trouble, but they still preferred their sin, with all of its trouble, than submitting to the LORD God. - David Guzik
2 Chronicles 28:19,22 - For the Lord humbled Judah because of King Ahaz of Judah, who threw off restraint in Judah and was unfaithful to the Lord. At the time of his distress, King Ahaz himself became more unfaithful to the Lord.
Retribution
Vs. 7 - Your land is desolate, your cities burned down;
Vs. 8 - Daughter Zion is abandoned
Isaiah will continue to clearly communicate that God’s judgment has a purpose. Retribution is to produce repentance. As a loving father disciplines his children, God only burns down what He intends to build back up.
Ritual
Vs. 11 - “What are all your sacrifices to me?” asks the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings and rams and the fat of well-fed cattle;
Vs. 13 - I cannot stand iniquity with a festival.
That God desires repentance over religious ritual will be a continual theme of Isaiah’s prophecies, as well as many of the other prophets, King David’s prayers, and even the teachings of Jesus. God does not want our hands without our hearts.
Repentance
Vs. 16 - “Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from my sight.
Vs. 27 - Zion will be redeemed by justice, those who repent, by righteousness.
The Israelites could continue as they were and be destroyed, or submit to God’s will and be blessed. If they were disposed to consent and obey, God would again bless them with fertility. If they decided to refuse and rebel, He would allow their enemies to defeat and destroy them. - Thomas Constable
Restoration
White As Snow
Vs. 18 - “Come, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.
In his prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, David used this imagery of God cleansing the stain of sin so completely that no trace of it remained. The complete removal of any stain would have been so rare, if even possible, in ancient times. This made the imagery of God’s forgiveness that much more miraculous. Men could cover, but only God could cleanse.
Refining Fire
Vs. 25 - I will turn my hand against you and will burn away your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities.
God would subject His people to fires of adversity, but only to purify them, not destroy them. Just rulers would emerge and the city would once again enjoy a reputation for righteousness and faithfulness to God. This is the first allusion in Isaiah to a coming Judge who will establish justice and create righteous conditions, about whom the prophet revealed much more later. - Thomas Constable
