Do Not Fear

O. T. #1725  "Do Not Fear"
Summary of Isaiah
July 2, 2020

Thanks go out to you who have stayed with me throughout the study of this long prophetic book written by the Prophet Isaiah. Can you believe it that we began on November 5? What a blessing it has been, to know we are not alone. Those of you who have been with me for very long know that I like to return to verses that I have highlighted during our study. So this may take a few days, since there are 66 books in Isaiah, but it will be well worth it, I think.

As a review of who the author was, Isaiah was one of the most prominent citizens in Jerusalem for his day. His name is translated Joshua, which means "the Lord is salvation." Isaiah has been described as the most notable figure, after David, in the entire history of Israel. It is obvious that God called the man and spoke to the man as he wrote this prophetic book.

Isaiah lived during the reign of 5 kings in Judah-Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and  Mannasseh. What an influence he had, too. He served as chief advisor to King Hezekiah. Tradition says that he was sawn in half by Manasseh, the evil king who followed Hezekiah. Assyria was a world-wide threat for domination, but God did not allow it in Judah. Jerusalem fell 135 years after Israel fell to Assyria; then 150 years later Judah fell to Babylon's domination.

The problem with Judah was that many in Judah turned to idol worship, some worshiped God and idols, while a remnant of true believers in God were spared and their land was  returned to them.

It is amazing that this book has been preserved down through the ages, especially when Babylon conquered Judah and the Roman government during the New Testament times would have destroyed it. If it had not been for monks who copied the scrolls, and hit them in caves, they would have been. We can see the hand of God working after Isaiah lived.

I am using Liberty Bible Commentary as a resource, with Rev. Jerry Falwell and two others as the writers-Hindson and Knoll. They receive credit for the following outline:

I. Prophetice Condemnation. (1:1-35:10)
    A. Prophecies Against Judah and Jerusalem (1:-12:6)

Verses:
*Except the LORD of Hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. (1:9)
*Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be a scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. (1:18)

Chapter 6 gives details of the vision and calling of Isaiah to be God's prophet to warn Judah what was coming it they did not repent of their sins; also, the blessings of the thousand year reign of Jesus (Millennial) and the final end times of all. Isaiah saw Jesus sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. the seraphims were crying out, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.

*Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. (6:8)

Two divine declarations of the coming Messiah-Jesus Christ is found in 7:14: Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.  Immanuel means "God with us."
Also, in 9:6 says, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Chapter 11 describes King Jesus during His Millennial reign on earth.
*Behold, God is my salvation: I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. (12:2)

    B. Prophecies Against the Nations (13:1-23:18)

In verses 24-27, we read that when God thinks something, it will come to pass, when He purposes it, then no one can disannul it, for His hand is stretched out. Several nations are mentioned in those chapters.

    C. Predictions of the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom (24:1-27:13)

*Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in the. Trust ye in the LORD for ever; for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength. (26:3-4)


    D. Perilous Woes Upon Israel and Judah (28:1-33:24)

This next verse is describing Jesus Christ as the precious corner stone, the sure foundation for our Christian life.
*Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. (28:16)

Are you waiting on the Lord's direction in your life today? Here is verse to encourage you to wait with confidence and trust in God.
*And therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him. (30:18)

Friend, are you experiencing affliction or adversity? Take courage, for God will direct you and teach you through the circumstances of life. Hang in there.

*And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.  (30:20-21)

*For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us. (33:22)

    E. Predictions of the Great Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom (34:1-35:10)

So let's encourage the downtrodden, especially during this pandemic, for some of God's acts of judgment are acts of mercy.

*Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence, He will come and save you. ((35:3-4)

*And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (35:10)

Folks, while we wait on Jesus to give us instructions and/or deliverance, praise and thank Him with songs of joy and gladness. Keep our focus on Jesus, not our sorrows and trials. We can do this, because there is nothing our God cannot do.
Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)