Walk Through the Bible: Isaiah
Text for Sermon: Isaiah 1:1-4; 40:1-5, 9; 53:3-6
Introduction.
We turn this evening to the final of the four sections of the OT.
In the first five books, call the Torah, the Pentateuch or the Law of Moses the foundation was laid for God’s redemptive purposes following the fall, and for the revelation of Christ as the righteousness of God.
The 12 historical books gave further preparation for Christ through the prophets, priests, kings, temple and the sacrifices.
The five wisdom books or poetic books give us practical wisdom for addressing the problems, experiences, beliefs, attitudes and actions that are most common to human life.
Now through the 17 prophetic books of the writing prophets we have the nation of Israel, through the prophets, looking forward with great expectation to Christ, predicting the coming of the Messiah, the coming of His kingdom, and the coming day of God’s judgment.
These seventeen books are divided into the Major Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. And the Minor Prophets, the twelve shorter books at the end of our English OT. Those twelve got grouped because they could all fit on one papyrus scroll.
They are not minor because they are of lessor importance, they are not, they are all prophets equal in importance to the major prophets. They are minor because their books are shorter.
The prophets make up over 25% of the OT. The prophetic word is the exclusive way for God’s people to receive God revelation of His will. The only true and legitimate way to know God and His will is through His Word delivered by His prophets and later His apostles.
Over 140 times just in the prophecy of Isaiah he says “thus says the Lord, or the Lord says.”
The writing prophets reveal God’s character, His redemptive plan, and His call to live faithfully before Him. As we study them, may we respond with repentance, worship, obedience, and a firm hope in Christ, who is the fulfillment of all prophecy (Luke 24:44).