Thread: My relatives are reading Isaiah, and they got no idea what it means!

Hello;

My relatives are confused. They are reading the Bible weekly together and are now on Isaiah.

They emailed me and said, "We got no clue...some parts just go over our heads..."

Does anyone have a child's commentary or an outline without any jargon to help them out?

Or can anyone post a simple outline. I am swamped and cannot. Please point to Christ and please use simple and non-religious words if possible.

They are eagerly reading and making great strides and attending a local church most Sundays,and I want to nurture this desire.

Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Isaiah

I think "The Bible Speaks Today" and "Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries" are pretty easy.

The "Preach The Word" series is pastoral in nature

I've noticed Joel Beeke always recommends the "Focus on the Bible" and "Welwyn" series

btw, i got an email from my Aunt, she's been a Christian for about 50-60 years (goes to a non-denom charismatic church) - this is what she asked, "My 87 year old client asked me about my faith, she keeps saying she will die soon. I told her about Jesus and told her Jesus was the way to heaven and quoted John 3:16. What other scriptures are there to give to her?" - Sadness

I'm not too familiar with this, but it might be worth checking out as an online resource...

Isaiah Series

Here's a little. Check your email for more.

The Book of Isaiah

introduction: the vision of Isaiah (1:1)
a introductory messages of condemnation, pleading, and future restoration (1:2-12:6)
• condemnation of empty religious practices (1:12-15), social injustice, wickedness
• Yahweh’s eyes hidden; He won’t hear their prayers; their hands are full of blood (1:15)
• themes: devouring beasts, Sabbath observance, briers and thorns, unacceptable sacrifices,
drunkenness, punishment by burning, darkness transformed to light
• “the wolf will dwell with the lamb . . . and the lion will eat straw like the ox . . . they will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain” (11:6-9)
b oracles to the nations: humiliation of the proud king of Babylon (13:1-27:13)
• fall of proud Babylon
• lofty beginning of unit’s key figure, the king of Babylon: proud, boastful, respected and feared, wicked, smites, oppresses, slays people, exalts himself above the stars, bright morning star (14:1-20)
• humbling of the king of Babylon: humiliated, brought low; kings shocked to see him, rise up and taunt him; he has no seed
c collection of woes: do not trust in earthly powers (28:1-35:10)
• Egypt’s help is empty; it will not profit, shame will be result of trusting Egypt; they are people, not gods; trust Yahweh!
• folly of idols (30:22; 312:7) and of vessel advising potter (29:16)
• highway in the desert; flowers, glory of Yahweh being seen; coming with reward; strengthening the weak (35:1-10)
d CENTER: historical narratives showing Yahweh’s supremacy over all earthly and
divine powers (36:1-39:8)
c’ Yahweh’s supremacy over idols; do not trust in idols (40:1-48:22)
• idols are worthless and empty; Yahweh is Israel’s true help; idols will not profit; shame from trusting idols; trust Yahweh!
• repudiation of idols; folly of vessel advising potter (45:9)
• highway in the dessert; flowers, glory of Yahweh being seen; coming with reward; strengthening the weak (40:1-31)
b’ servant messages: exaltation of the humble servant (49:1-57:21)
• restoration of humbled Jerusalem
• humble beginning of unit’s key figure, Yahweh’s servant: humble, quiet, not esteemed, righteous, smitten, oppressed, slain for His people, remains lowly, hidden in dark obsurity
• exaltation of the servant: exalted, raised up; kings shocked to see Him, shut mouths, rise up and bow before Him; His seed
a’ concluding messages of condemnation, pleading, and future restoration (58:1-66:24)
• condemnation of empty religious practices (58:1-14); social injustice, wickedness
• Yahweh’s face hidden; He won’t hear prayers; their hands are bloody (59:1-3)
• Themes: devouring beasts, Sabbath observance, briers and thorns, unacceptable sacrifices, drunkennnes, punishment by burning, darkness transformed to light
• “the wolf and the lamb will feed together . . . the lion will eat straw like the ox . . . they will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain” (65:25)

II. Isaiah [MacArthur Study Bible, 952-4; SOTI, 363-6]

A. Introduction

1. Title: “Isaiah” [“Yahweh is Salvation” or “Yahweh will Save”]
(1:1; 2:1; 7:3; 13:1; 20:2, 3; 37:2, 5, 6, 21; 38:1, 4, 21; 39:3, 5, 8; see 2 Kin. 19:2, 5, 6, 20; 20:1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 19; cf. 2 Chron. 26:22; 32:32)

2. Focus: Judah (1:1; 2:1; 3:1, 8; 5:3, 7; 7:1, 6, 17; 8:8; 9:21; 11:12, 13; 19:17; 22:8, 21; 26:1; 36:1, 7; 37:10, 31; 38:9; 40:9; 44:26; 48:1; 65:9) and Jerusalem (1:1; 2:1, 3; 3:1, 8; 4:3, 4; 5:3; 7:1; 8:14; 10:10, 11, 12, 32; 22:10, 21; 24:23; 27:13; 28:14; 30:19; 31:5, 9; 33:20; 36:2, 7, 20; 37:10, 22, 32; 40:2, 9; 41:27; 44:26, 28; 51:17; 52:1, 2, 9; 62:6, 7; 64:10; 65:18, 19; 66:10, 13, 20); Zion (1:8, 27; 2:3; 3:16, 17; 4:3, 4, 5; 8:18; 10:12, 24, 32; 12:6; 14:32; 16:1; 18:7; 24:23; 28:16; 29:8; 30:19; 31:4, 9; 33:5, 14, 20; 34:8; 35:10; 37:22, 32; 40:9; 41:27; 46:13; 49:14; 51:3, 11, 16; 52:1, 2, 7, 8; 59:20; 60:14; 61:3; 62:1, 11; 64:10; 66:8); city [ir] (1:8, 26; 22:2, 9; 26:1; 32:14, 19; 36:15; 37:33, 34, 35; 38:6; 45:13; 48:2; 52:1; 60:14; 62:12; 66:6); city [qiryah] (1:21, 26; 22:2; 29:1; 32:13; 33:20)

3. Date: 739-681 B.C. ( 1:1; 6:1; 37:38)

a. Uzziah (1:1; 6:1; 7:1; see 2 Kin. 14:21-22; 15:1-7 [790-739 B.C.])

b. Jotham (1:1; 7:1; see 2 Kin. 15:5-7, 32-38 [750-731 B.C.])

c. Ahaz (1:1; 7:1, 3, 10, 12; 14:28; see 2 Kin. 15:38; 16:1-20 [743-715 B.C.])

d. Hezekiah (1:1; 36:1-39:8; see 2 Kin. 18:1-20:21 [728-686 B.C.])

{e. Manasseh (see 2 Kin. 21:1-18 [695-642 B.C.])}

B. Major Themes

1. Yahweh, “The Holy One of Israel” (cf. 2 Kg 19:22; Ps. 71:22; 78:41; 89:18; Jer. 50:29; 51:5; Ezek. 39:7; 25x – 1:4; 5:19, 24; 10:20; 12:6; 17:7; 29:19; 30:11, 12, 15; 31:1; 37:23; 41:14, 16, 20; 43:3, 14; 45:11; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7; 54:5; 55:5; 60:9, 14); “The Holy One of Jacob” (29:23); “The Holy One” (10:17; 40:25; 43:15; 49:7) [MSB, 955]



2. The Sinfulness of Judah (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 29, 30, 31, 39) & Yahweh’s Judgment (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39)



3. The Sinfulness of the Nations (10, 13-23, 28, 34) & Yahweh’s Judgment (10, 24, 34, 47)


4. The Salvation of Yahweh (11:11-16; 12:1-2; 19:20; 25:9; 33:2, 6; 37:35; 38:20; 43:11-13; 45:17, 22; 49:6; 51:5, 6, 8; 56:1; 59:16, 17; 60:16; 61:10; 63:1, 8)

a. The Light (9:2; 42:16; 49:6; 58:8-11; 60:1, 19, 20) [MSB, 968]

b. The Child (7:14; 9:6-7) [MSB, 968]

c. The Shoot, Branch (11:1) [MSB, 972, 960]

d. The Stone (28:16-17; 32:1-2) [MSB 995, 1002]

e. The Servant (42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12) [MSB, 1017, 1030, 1033, 1037]

f. The Redeemer of Israel (41:14; 43:14; 44:16, 24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7, 26; 54:5, 8; 59:20; 60:16; 63:16) [MSB, 1016]

g. The Second Exodus (11:11-16; 40:3-5; 41:17-20; 42:14-16; 43:1-3, 14-21;
48:20-21; 49:8-12; 51:9-10; 52:11-12; 55:12-13; 58:8; 60:2, 19; 63:7-9)
[MSB, 972]

h. The Second Moses

1) Endued with Yahweh’s Spirit (42:1; cf. Num. 11:25)

2) Will Establish Justice (42:1, 3, 4; cf. Deut. 4:8)

3) Called by Yahweh (49:1-2; cf. Ex. 3:1-4:12)

4) Will Give a Covenant (42:6; 49:8; cf. Ex. 24:1-11)

5) Will Be Rejected (49:7; 50:6; 53:3; cf. Ex. 2:14; Num. 12)

6) His Humility (42:2-3; 53:2; cf. Num. 12:3)


5. The Spirit of Yahweh (11:2; 32:15; 34:16; 40:7, 13; 42:1; 44:3; 48:16; 59:19; 61:1; 63:10, 14)


6. The Sovereignty of Yahweh (41:21-23; 42:9; 43:9-10; 44:6-8; 45:21; 46:9-11; 48:3)



C. Purpose: The holy Yahweh will not permit unholiness in His people, so He will therefore deal with them in such a way as to chasten and purge them and make them fit to participate in His program of extending His rule over the Gentiles.




D. The Literary Structure (see outline)

[note: Assyria - 7:17, 18, 20; 8:4, 7; 10:5, 12, 24; 11:11, 16; 14:25; 19:23-25; 20:1,
4, 6; 23:13; 27:13; 30:31; 31:8; 36:1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 15, 16, 18; 37: 4, 6,
8, 10, 11, 18, 21, 33, 36, 37; 38:6; 52:4
Babylon - 13:1, 19; 14:4, 22; 21:9; 39:1, 3, 6, 7; 43:14; 47:1; 48:14, 20]



E. Bibliography

1. Exegetical: Oswalt, The Book of Isaiah (NICOT) 2 vols.
Young, The Book of Isaiah. 3 vols.
2. English Interpretation: Motyer, The Prophecy of Isaiah.
3. Expositional: Wiersbe, Be Comforted.

F. Selected Interpretive Problems

1. The Child/Son (7:14) [MSB, 964]
a. A Child of Ahaz/Isaiah’s Day Only
b. The Virgin-born Child Only (i.e. Exclusively Messianic)
c. A Child of Ahaz/Isaiah’s Day Who Foreshadowed the Messiah

2. Babylon (13:1-14:23) [MSB, 973-7]
a. Assyria (cf. 14:24-25)
b. The Fall of Babylon in 689 B.C.
c. The Fall of Babylon in 539 B.C. (cf. 13:17-18)
d. The Fall of Babylon Foreshadowing the Future Fall of Babylon (cf. 13:6, 9, 20-22)
1) Double Meaning
2) Blended, yet Distinct


3. The King of Babylon (14:12-14) [MSB, 977]
a. The Human King Only
b. The Human King as a Type of Satan
c. Satan Only






4. The Identity of the “Servant” [MSB, 1017]
a. The Nation, Israel (41:8-9; 42:19; 43:10; 44:1-2, 21; 45:4; 48:20; 49:3;
cf. 49:5-6)
b. The Righteous Remnant of Israel
c. An Individual
1) The Prophet, Isaiah (cf. 20:3)
2) The Coming Messiah, the New Moses

5. The New Heavens and the New Earth (65:17; 66:22) [MSB, 1054]
a. The Temporal Kingdom Only
b. The Eternal State Only
c. The Temporal Kingdom and the Eternal State
1) Double Fulfillment
2) Blended, yet Distinct

Originally Posted by eqdj

Westminster Bookstore - Reformed Books - Low Prices - Flat Fee UPS Shipping - Isaiah

I think "The Bible Speaks Today" and "Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries" are pretty easy.

The "Preach The Word" series is pastoral in nature

I've noticed Joel Beeke always recommends the "Focus on the Bible" and "Welwyn" series

btw, i got an email from my Aunt, she's been a Christian for about 50-60 years (goes to a non-denom charismatic church) - this is what she asked, "My 87 year old client asked me about my faith, she keeps saying she will die soon. I told her about Jesus and told her Jesus was the way to heaven and quoted John 3:16. What other scriptures are there to give to her?" - Sadness

I still think that's too hard. It needs to be concise, easy to read and jargon-free.

They are primarily just reading the Scriptures and they say that this is hard enough without reading 20 extra pages on every chapter in adition to the Bible itself.

They are making good progress....in May they were in Leviticus and Deut. and sent me a few questions about eating crustaceans and capital punishment, so I am glad for questions and probing inquiries from them.


They are looking for about a paragraph or two per chapter to give them a basic overview of the book and not a verse by verse exegesis.

Perg, I know this isn't what you really want.

Can't do better than than this guy. He's not too hard to follow...
Amazon.com: Isaiah (The Crossway Classic Commentaries) (The Crossway Classic Commentaries): John Calvin: Books

And not too expensive in a used paperback.

My suggestion: take a commentary you like, and use the Table of contents or the author's outline, and simplify it yourself, and send it to your relatives.

Here's my outline. Don't know if it would be helpful or not. It isn't a paragraph by paragraph outline, but if one keeps it in mind, one can fairly easily follow the train of thought. I think that the best volume on Isaiah for someone in their shoes is Barry Webb on Isaiah. It is short and nonintimidating, uses normal language, and is inexpensive.

I. Israel is bad, and the consequences that result (1-5)
A. Plea for repentance (1)
B. God is the judge (2)
C. God will judge (3)
D. The glory of Jesus (4)
E. Israel, the wild grapes (5)
II. Isaiah's call to the ministry and first prophetic deliverance (6-12)
A. Isaiah sees the holiness of God, and God cleanses him (6)
B. The promise of the birth of Jesus (7)
C. The Assyrian invasion as judgment on Israel (8)
D. Hope in the midst of judgment (9:1-7)
E. Hope does not eliminate judgment (9:8-10:4)
F. The instrument of judgment (Assyria) will be judged, and the Messiah
will come (10:5-11:16
G. Singing as the result of salvation (12)
III. Don't trust to foreign nations; trust only in the Lord (13-23)
A. Babylon is toast (13-14:23)
B. Assyrian is toast (14:24-27)
C. Philistia is toast (14:28-32)
D. Moab is toast (15-16)
E. Damascus is toast (17)
F. Cush is toast (18)
G. Egypt is toast, but there is amazing hope for them (19-20)
H. Babylon is toast (21)
I. Jerusalem is toast (!) (22)
J. Tyre and Sidon are toast (23)
IV. The last judgment of all the world (24-27)
A. The earth (24)
B. Death (25)
C. What will happen to the righteous (26-27)
V. More calls to repent (28-35)
A. Ephraim and Jerusalem are toast without repentance (28-29)
B. Stop seeking an Egyptian solution to every problem! (30-31)
C. The righteous king (32)
D. A prayer for deliverance (33)
E. God will judge the nations (34)
F. A remnant will always remain (35)
VI. Historical bridge from judgment to mercy: the story of Hezekiah's
deliverance (36-39)
VII. Comfort for God's people (40-66)
A. Comfort is to be found in God alone (40-41)
B. God will send His Servant (42-43)
C. The folly of idolatry (44)
D. God uses even pagan rulers (45)
E. God's enemy destroyed (46-47)
F. Affliction is for refinement of faith (48)
G. God will afflict His suffering servant, Jesus (49-53)
H. Resurrection for God's people (54)
I. God's Word brings resurrection power (55)
J. God's Word will even save Gentiles (56)
K. Idolatry is even more stupid in light of what has been said (57)
L. Hypocrisy (58-59)
M. Israel will be glorious (60-62)
N. Final Judgment is terrifying for the wicked, nothing to fear for the
righteous (63-66)

Originally Posted by greenbaggins

Here's my outline. Don't know if it would be helpful or not. It isn't a paragraph by paragraph outline, but if one keeps it in mind, one can fairly easily follow the train of thought. I think that the best volume on Isaiah for someone in their shoes is Barry Webb on Isaiah. It is short and nonintimidating, uses normal language, and is inexpensive.

I. Israel is bad, and the consequences that result (1-5)
A. Plea for repentance (1)
B. God is the judge (2)
C. God will judge (3)
D. The glory of Jesus (4)
E. Israel, the wild grapes (5)
II. Isaiah's call to the ministry and first prophetic deliverance (6-12)
A. Isaiah sees the holiness of God, and God cleanses him (6)
B. The promise of the birth of Jesus (7)
C. The Assyrian invasion as judgment on Israel (8)
D. Hope in the midst of judgment (9:1-7)
E. Hope does not eliminate judgment (9:8-10:4)
F. The instrument of judgment (Assyria) will be judged, and the Messiah
will come (10:5-11:16
G. Singing as the result of salvation (12)
III. Don't trust to foreign nations; trust only in the Lord (13-23)
A. Babylon is toast (13-14:23)
B. Assyrian is toast (14:24-27)
C. Philistia is toast (14:28-32)
D. Moab is toast (15-16)
E. Damascus is toast (17)
F. Cush is toast (18)
G. Egypt is toast, but there is amazing hope for them (19-20)
H. Babylon is toast (21)
I. Jerusalem is toast (!) (22)
J. Tyre and Sidon are toast (23)
IV. The last judgment of all the world (24-27)
A. The earth (24)
B. Death (25)
C. What will happen to the righteous (26-27)
V. More calls to repent (28-35)
A. Ephraim and Jerusalem are toast without repentance (28-29)
B. Stop seeking an Egyptian solution to every problem! (30-31)
C. The righteous king (32)
D. A prayer for deliverance (33)
E. God will judge the nations (34)
F. A remnant will always remain (35)
VI. Historical bridge from judgment to mercy: the story of Hezekiah's
deliverance (36-39)
VII. Comfort for God's people (40-66)
A. Comfort is to be found in God alone (40-41)
B. God will send His Servant (42-43)
C. The folly of idolatry (44)
D. God uses even pagan rulers (45)
E. God's enemy destroyed (46-47)
F. Affliction is for refinement of faith (48)
G. God will afflict His suffering servant, Jesus (49-53)
H. Resurrection for God's people (54)
I. God's Word brings resurrection power (55)
J. God's Word will even save Gentiles (56)
K. Idolatry is even more stupid in light of what has been said (57)
L. Hypocrisy (58-59)
M. Israel will be glorious (60-62)
N. Final Judgment is terrifying for the wicked, nothing to fear for the
righteous (63-66)

Woohoooo

I still think that's too hard. It needs to be concise, easy to read and jargon-free.
They are looking for about a paragraph or two per chapter to give them a basic overview of the book and not a verse by verse exegesis.

Well then, in that case the notes from ESV Study are excellent or a one-volume commentary; Other than that, any good Bible Handbook or Old Testament Introduction or Survey is good

Originally Posted by greenbaggins

A. Babylon is toast (13-14:23)
B. Assyrian is toast (14:24-27)
C. Philistia is toast (14:28-32)
D. Moab is toast (15-16)
E. Damascus is toast (17)
F. Cush is toast (18)
G. Egypt is toast, but there is amazing hope for them (19-20)
H. Babylon is toast (21)
I. Jerusalem is toast (!) (22)
J. Tyre and Sidon are toast (23)
A. Ephraim and Jerusalem are toast without repentance (28-29)

Haha! I like your phraseology!

Check out David Linden's (member of Bethel URC) notes on Isaiah: David Linden's Theology Papers