Devotionals

Making Sense of the Book of Isaiah By Henry Jaegers Lesson 1

by Henry Jaegers
07/05/22
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Making Sense of the Book of Isaiah

By Henry Jaegers

Lesson 1

Has anyone ever faced the problem of trying to understand the book of Isaiah? For many years, the contents of this book have

escaped me. mainly because I could not see any structure to make it easier to understand. And maybe, the reason for not seeing this, is that there is no obvious structure as there is in other books of the Bible.

I then, a long time ago, managed to give this book a title. I called it, "for the Love of my people". That is the only part of Isaiah that has stood out to me. Each time that I have read through Isaiah, the thought has occurred to me that I needed to spend more quality time examining this book. And over the past 18 years, I have been involved in other projects that kept me from having time to do this.

But now that I have completed the major projects, that have taken time to complete, I am now ready to begin a more detailed study in this book. I am using a "Teaching Devotional approach, as this method has helped me in the past to present a more practical method to teach.

This year, I will turn 85, and I am telling you this because when Caleb was85, he asked Joshua to "give me this mountain". I want to be like Caleb, and perhaps writing this book on Isaiah might just be that mountain. despite my defective eyesight and distorted hearing, God has given me a healthy body, a clear mind, and a strong desire to go deeper into the word of God.

Since Isaiah is such a long book, I anticipate taking a long time to complete it. If I do, it will be so because God has been gracious and has enabled me to do so.

lesson 1

The Testimony of Isaiah1

The 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

At the very outset, in this first verse, we note several matters of importance. The first thing we are told is that he is the son of Amoz. Who is he? Why should we listen to him? What great thing has he done that should cause us to pay attention? This is often the response of the world to God's servants. Does he have a message that will contribute to our wealth and success?

At this point, I am reminded of those whom God calls to deliver his message. In first Corinthians, Paul gives us a clearer understanding of what the call of God is, and why He chooses people of low degree to deliver his message. Notice these words from Paul Himself.

for ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty   And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God has chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are:  That no flesh should glory in his presence. (I Corinthians 1: 26-29)

But his message is not to the heathen nations, but to the Sons of Abraham, the chosen of God, who have departed from those purposes and promises that God designed for them as His "chosen ones". More specifically, to the people living in Judah and Jerusalem.

At the time of his calling, the Nation of Israel, living in the Northern Kingdom, was already on the path leading to their destruction. This message of God is meant to keep Judah and Jerusalem from making those same mistakes., We notice that Isaiah ministered during the reign of four kings. This gives us some idea of Isaiah's trust in God. At this point, I remember the time when Isaiah first responded to God's Call in Chapter six. He asked the question, How Long?" God did not tell him, "how long" He told Isaiah it would be for a long time and now we are given some idea of "How long that would be. All totaled he ministered for about 62 years.

Finally, we are told that he received a vision and message from God. Looking at matters from a human perspective, Isaiah had no authority of his own of which to boast, since his background rose no interest or persuasion for the people to listen. He had a message from God and that gave him his authority. It came from God. He spoke with authority but because the people failed to recognize it as such, they must suffer the consequences of rejecting God. There is a difference between speaking with authority and having authority to speak. The people he spoke to gave him no authority, but the power of God behind the word represents the servant's true authority.  When God speaks, men cannot escape the power of that word. Have you heard a word from God lately? There is someone who needs to hear. God's word to Isaiah, is His word to us. "Who will go for us, and whom shall I send?"  Remember Isaiah's response, "Here am I Lord, Send me!" Not knowing '"What happens Next."