The opening verse of Isaiah gives us the name of the prophet, the subject of his vision, and the time when it was received. Isaiah was a prophet of Judah during the final years of Israel’s history (the ten tribes), when the Assyrian threatened and finally took that nation captive and besieged Jerusalem (2 Kings 15-20).
Chapters 36-39 are a historic account of this period, and, as is frequently the case, present conditions are used as an illustration of God’s future dealings. Jerusalem’s deliverance from the Assyrian, and Hezekiah’s recovery from sickness, are a type and sign to Israel of their deliverance and restoration.
The first prophetic section, chapters 1-35, gives the external history of Israel with respect to the surrounding nations. The final section, chapters 40-66, presents Israel’s internal history. Kings and peoples are no longer prominent; rather, this is God’s controversy with His people. While Isaiah addresses many nations, the prophecies are centered on Judah and Jerusalem (Isa. 1:11The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. (Isaiah 1:1)). The prophecies of Isaiah are the most comprehensive and His statements concerning Christ the most full.
Within this broad outline, there are further divisions. In chapters 1-12 we have Judah’s sinful condition. Two subjects of supreme importance are introduced: Christ, Immanuel (Isa. 7:1414Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)), and the Assyrian (king of the North), the rod of mine anger (Isa. 10:55O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. (Isaiah 10:5)). The section ends in a song of triumph.
In chapters 13-27 judgment is pronounced on Israel’s enemies. Beginning with the surrounding nations it goes on to address “the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth” (Isa. 24:2121And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. (Isaiah 24:21)), death is swallowed up in victory (Isa. 25:88He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 25:8)), His indignation is poured out on inhabitants of the earth (Isa. 26:2020Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (Isaiah 26:20)), and the dragon that is in the sea is slain (Isa. 27:11In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. (Isaiah 27:1)). The portion concludes with worship (Isa. 27:1313And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:13)).
In chapters 28-35 Israel and Jerusalem are again the focus; five woes are declared on Israel (Isa. 28:1, 29:1, 29:15, 30:1, 31:1), followed by Jerusalem’s deliverance from the Assyrian (Isa. 31:88Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited. (Isaiah 31:8)), God’s intervention and its blessed result (ch. 32), the destruction of Gog (ch. 33), judgment of Edom, Idumea (ch. 34), and the joy of the kingdom (ch. 35).
Chapters 40-48 give us God’s controversy with Israel because of their idolatry. Cyrus is a type of the Deliverer; he was the executor of judgment upon idolatrous Babylon (ch. 45).
Then in chapters 49-57 we have God’s controversy with Israel because of their rejection of the Messiah.
Finally, in chapters 58-66 we have the deliverance and blessing of the remnant.