(760 B.C.?) Isaiah's vision occurs in the time of the kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. God's message to all concerning Israel's blessings from Him, their sin against Him, and His rejection of them. She is compared to Sodom and Gomorrah. Their sacrifices and worship are unacceptable. He calls upon their reasoning to lead them to repentance and His cleansing. Jerusalem, the city of Zion, once full of wisdom and righteousness, now condemned as unfaithful and totally wicked! Therefore, God will ease Himself of His enemies. She will be purged and His people purified; then she will be redeemed and called a faithful city with His judges and counselors established as originally intended. However, the wicked will be cut off without a savior.

A latter day prophecy is given concerning Judah and Jerusalem. God's House and His Law will be reestablished once again in His holy mountain, with His people coming and going from it. He will be the Judge of all nations, rebuking many. Peace, real peace, shall finally be among them. No war, nor instruments of war, will be found in her. The house of Jacob failed to walk in the light of their God, running to their own wisdom, increasing in the rewards of the work of their own hands, became arrogant and self-exalted. Consequently, God will surely bring the high low, with the haughty humbled! The day of the Lord will come to all. Many will attempt to hide from His glory, seeking shelter from His visitation. They will run from Him in their desperate fear, when the Earth shakes from His presence in that great and terrible Day of the Lord!

Judah is going to suffer some terrible times. God will withdraw His efficacious grace, bread and water, judge and prophet, prudent and ancient, captains and the honorable, counselor and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator. Babes shall rule and children will be her princes. Rampant endemic oppression will occur. Young will revolt against the old. She will be oppressed by her children and ruled by women, causing the people to err and be destroyed. God will be their Judge to whom they will have to answer! The daughters of Zion are portrayed as the adorned Jezebel of Samaria. Many men will fall in war and Judah will be made utterly desolate.

Women, lacking men, will cling 7 to 1 of the remaining to take away their reproach. The people and the land will be cleansed by the spirit of judgment and fire. God then shall establish Himself as their light by both day and night, with a Tabernacle restored for their shadow and refuge.

A Song of God's Vineyard. A perfect vineyard, with fences and stones removed, tower built, and with on-scene wine presses. The choicest of vines planted but bears wild grapes! Why? He does not understand. What did He fail to do, He wonders? Israel will be laid waste. (Israel = The Vineyard; The Men of Judah = The Choice Vine.) Oppression and unrighteousness, wild grapes, are found where judgment and righteousness should have grown. He sees and hears the oppressed's cry. Israel, punished for her sins. God will be exalted in His judgment. Hell enlarges without measure as Israel descends to fill it. Land to be settled by strangers. No knowledge of God results in no truth among men (vs.19-20), wise in their own eyes and punished for their attitude toward God's Law. God's anger is now total! Nations provoked against Israel, come with relentless fury and utter destruction without cessation. The land becomes dark with much sorrow.

(758 B.C.?) Isaiah's vision the year of king Uzziah's death. (The Lord is in His Temple.) Isaiah's confession and lips purged of sin by the coal of the Seraphim. God's call for a messenger of men willingly answered by Isaiah. The people are to be blinded that judgment come and not repentance. A remnant spared to return.

(742 B.C.?) Ahaz, an evil king (offered own children as burnt sacrifices), son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, now reigns in Judah. Rezin, king of Syria and Pekah, with the king of Israel, advance on Judah, causing her great distress. Isaiah and son, Shearjashub (meaning, a remnant shall return), sent out to meet Ahaz at the upper pool, delivering to him the message that God will not allow the wicked alliance to stand. Rezin and Damascus (Syria) would fall themselves within 65 yrs. So too would Israel. Ahaz instructed to request sign for confirmation from God but refuses. Rebuked by Isaiah, God gives sign anyway (Immanuel). The fly of Egypt and the bee of Assyria will come in judgment to Syria and Israel.

(741 B.C.?) Isaiah instructed by God to record a scroll. Chooses 2 witnesses: Uriah the priest, and Zechariah, son of Jeberechiah. Isaiah goes in to his wife, a prophetess. She conceives, bearing a son named, Mahershalalhashbaz, as a sign meaning, "Samaria's impending captivity." God speaks to Israel and Syria. To Isaiah. To the people. Isaiah requests the prophecy to be sealed. Speaks to the people. Names given as a sign: Isaiah = Jehovah is salvation; Shearjashub = Remnant to return; Mahershalalhashbaz = Enemies soon to be destroyed. Isaiah rebukes Israel for seeking forbidden spirits for counsel rather than God.

(740 B.C.?) His people, walking in darkness, will be restored in great light. A messiah to be born, with many signs. (Prince of Peace, etc.) For now, Israel is arrogant and stubborn against God. Second message is received of "out-stretched hand of anger of God." (First = 5:25) Third message of hand. Fourth.

(713 B.C.?) A warning in woes to Israel's rulers, judges, and false prophets concerning widows, the poor, and fatherless. Fifth message of outstretched hand. God's judgment of Israel. Jerusalem threatened also. Assyria to be brought low because of her pride, conceit, and self-exaltation. Her greed for power is cancerous. A remnant of Israel spared. Assyria to withdraw from Judah. Though Assyria is now invading, she will later be cut low herself.

A Branch from the root of Jesse (David). Messianic reign; all evil and its associated actions removed, even from nature. Second return of a remnant of Jews. Perpetual feud between Judah and Israel to cease. (Began with Jeroboam I and Rehoboam, first kings of the divided kingdom after Solomon.) Egypt, Moab, Ammon, and Assyria judged.

The remnant's praise for their salvation from Jehovah God!

(712 B.C.?) The burden of Babylon, God's threat to destroy her. He will bring a prepared people against her (Medes). Her land will be completely terrorized in the day of her visitation. Few men will be left after utter destruction. The land will then be overrun with wild beasts. Her reign will be short (606-536 B.C.).

God will restore His chosen ones. The tables will be reversed on Babylon, Judah's captors. The whole Earth will be at rest. Hell is moved in expectancy of her new inhabitants. Lucifer is humiliated. His desire, dominion, desperation, destiny, and derision by all who witness his end. Babylon's wicked seed will be cut off so as not to recontaminate the Earth with her evil. (Continued at 46:1.) Assyria will be crushed as well for her mistreatment of Israel. Who can stand against the Lord? Ahaz's death. The burden of the Philistines, their judgment after Ahaz's death. Zion's citizens find refuge in God.

(726 B.C.?) The burden of Moab. Much weeping in the streets, including her mighty men of valor. Moab's lamentation.

Moab's condition, her appeal to the throne of David for kind treatment for outcasts. Injustice and pride consumed Moab. God has compassion for the oppressed. Their final judgment to be within 3 years, with only a few spared.

(741 B.C.?) The burden (judgment) of Damascus (Syria). Jacob's glory made thin and lean. A man will come to look and have respect for his Maker, and will not look to his pagan altars. Israel to be desolate because she abandoned the God of her strength. Woe to the multitude.

(714 B.C.?) Woe to the land shadowing with wings beyond Ethopia. Utter destruction. A present brought to the Lord out of the nations.

The burden of Egypt. She shall be her own enemy, divided within, slaying themselves, with a cruel lord! A land without water. Who knows the counsel of God for Egypt? She is weak like a woman. Universal worship of God will come. Egypt, Assyria, and Israel to be a triangle, a triad, a pyramid of blessing for all the land.

Assyrians besiege Ashdod of Philistia. Isaiah's strange commission to walk naked and barefoot for 3 years, as a sign to Egypt and Ethopia concerning their coming humiliation in an attempt to dissuade Judah from looking to them for strength.

The burden of Babylon (Desert). The burden of Dumah (Edom). The burden of Arabia. Their judgment to come within one year.

(712 B.C.?) The burden of the valley of vision (Jews). A city on edge. God's message to Jerusalem. They fortify the city, but fail to call upon God who brought their enemies against them. If they had repented He would have withdrawn them. Message to the steward, Shebna: another shall govern and he will not be buried in his prepared sepulcher, but taken into captivity and die. A new nail for glory. The old removed!

(715 B.C.?) The burden of Tyre. Returning ships from Tarshish met with sad news of their country's desolation. Honorable made contemptible, their strength removed, with no escape allowed. Forgotten for 70 years, then to be returned. Their merchandise for God's people.

(712 B.C.?) Land utterly emptied. Equal justice for all. Land polluted because of man's forsaking God's laws. The people are desperate. Cities desolate. The Gospel universal. Earth reels under the weight of man's wickedness. Final judgment? Messianic reign.

Isaiah praises God. He is a caring Judge. Marriage supper. All made one. Tears wiped away. Death swallowed up. Salvation for those with faith who wait. The saint's and God's enemies judged.

Zion sings of victory (Rock of Ages). Paths made flat, straight for the poor and needy. Other gods, who were no gods, abandoned for Jehovah. Dead men to live, hidden from His wrath to come upon the wicked. Earth will disclose her blood, testifying to the guilty.

The Day of the Lord. God's care for His restored Vineyard. Peace for any who take hold of God's strength. All winds will cease except the peace of the east after the chaff has been separated from the wheat. Pardon is promised. Gathering in one by one: all united, Jew and Gentile alike. The Great Trumpet sounded in the last day: a call to the holy mountain at Jerusalem.

(725 B.C.?) Isaiah pronounces a woe upon the crown of Israel's pride: her drunken leaders. Strong drink led Israel away from justice and God. Her once flowering beauty, Samaria, her capital city, will fade; but God will be a diadem of beauty for the remnant who are spared. Israel would not heed the word as taught. Their foolish covenant with death, teaching the doctrines of hell, will be broken. A Precious Cornerstone will be provided, a plumb line for judgment. Isn't it clear to all that God's instructions are meant for man's benefit and should be carefully heeded?

A woe now given to Jerusalem, Ariel, the lion of God. Her siege is predicted. A great distress will come upon her in the day of His visitation accompanied with natural disasters. Many from different nations shall come against her, and great famine will be within her walls. They will stagger in slumbering blindness, fruit from their slowness in learning. Their worship was hollow, with their counsel and works thought hidden from God. But in His day, the deaf will hear, the meek rejoice, and God will be sanctified and feared in Israel!

(713 B.C.?) Another woe, denouncing Judah for their turning to Egypt for assistance rather than looking to Him. They will be their shame! To their own undoing, His laws have gone unheeded. But the Holy One of Israel is gracious to those who wait upon Him. He will teach those who will hear His way and bless abundantly. He shall be their light. His breath of judgment will be heard by all, and Assyria will be brought low. Tophet (pit of fire) is prepared for her king.

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help! Egyptians are men, not God, flesh, not spirit. Repent, return, and be spared! Assyria's strength also will fail, and she will fall in His day.

Isaiah foresees a day when righteous kings and fair judges will be established. The ways of the wicked will be clearly contrasted to the benevolent. Women rulers, as predicted, will be exposed for who they are -- selfish and careless ones, neglecting His government of righteousness. They will howl when their dens are overturned and the city and land are laid desolate. Then He will establish His justice and righteousness, and His peace will be among His people.

A woe to the unjust spoiler. (Assyria's advance on Judah, ravaging the countryside.) A prayer for God's salvation. He will be gracious to those who wait on Him. Wisdom and knowledge are the pillars of stability and strength in times of salvation. The fear of Him is one's treasure. Righteous living will stand one safe through His fire. Jerusalem will be a quiet habitation, with her inhabitant's iniquity forgiven.

Earth's final judgment. Idumea (Edom) given as an example of His judgment upon all nations. (Called, "land of nothing.") Overrun with wild beasts. Judgment will be as sure and total as recorded in the book of the Lord!

A poem of joyful magnitude. The restoration of all goodness. A holy highway for the redeemed returning joyfully to Zion.

In the 14th year of Judah's king, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, advances on Judah. (See II Ki.18; II Chr.32.) Rabshakeh, his messenger, is dispatched with a message to Jerusalem. Pretentiously delivered in God's name at the upper pool. Hezekiah's officers, concerned for the fear of the people, request it be read only in Aramais (Syrian language). Rabshakeh continues in Hebrew, even louder, detailing his demands. Officers, without response, report to Hezekiah.

(710 B.C.? See II Ki.19) Hezekiah's response. Rends clothes, dresses in sackcloth, enters Temple. Summons Isaiah. Isaiah sends encouragement: Assyria shall not stand. Rabshakeh returns to Lachish, finding Sennacherib called away to battle at Libnah. Another threatening letter sent to Hezekiah. He responds, laying the letter before God in the Temple. Earnestly prays. His answer is sent through Isaiah: God will be Jerusalem's defense. His angel slays 185,000 Assyrians. Humiliated, Sennacherib returns to Nineveh, where two of his sons assassinate him while entering his pagan Temple for worship. His 3rd son, Esarhaddon, reigns in his stead.

(713 B.C.? See II Ki.20) Hezekiah deathly ill before Assyrian siege, informed by Isaiah to set house in order in preparation for his impending death. His heart-rendering prayer of contrition, answered through Isaiah, and his life extended 15 years. Assyria's future defeat predicted, with sign given as proof (sundial). Hezekiah's praise. Isaiah's prescription for his recovery noted.

(712 B.C.?) Spies from Babylon sent under guise with gifts upon his reported recovery. Imprudently displays his house and Temple treasures. Rebuked by Isaiah, prophesying Babylonian captivity after his time. Indifferently accepted, since it did not involve him personally.

[The following Chapters are futuristic in their scope.] A message of encouragement from God to His people. A prophecy of John the Baptist: one crying in the wilderness. A preparation for the coming of the Lord, the Great Shepherd. God is great and to be likened to no one! Only He is responsible for creation and its maintenance. All strength is of Him and no other. Those who wait for Him shall be renewed, mounting up as eagles and not be weary!

All will stand silent before Him. His people will be renewed. A chosen one of the east will grow strong (Cyrus of Persia?). Israel is his chosen servant. He will dwell among them, giving peace and strength. The enemies of Israel are cursed. He gives a new threshing instrument. The land Satan once destroyed, now deserts, will be restored. He issues a challenge to the gods of all nations. They are nothing! One from the east shall come, a righteous one (Cyrus?). False gods are totally vain and useless!

The mission of God's servant, though seen in Cyrus, looks beyond to the Perfect One to come. He will possess the spirit of judgment and truth. A light to the Gentiles. A universal Gospel, the good news for the entire world. A new song! The whole Earth will give Him glory. God's new servant will not fail as Israel did of old, establishing His Law for the benefit of all the Earth. God was furious because of Israel's disobedient failure.

Though disobedient, God will not forget His Covenant with Israel. Those who pass through the fire and waters will be saved. Therefore, take comfort, God will restore for His Glory. All nations will be gathered. God is Eternal; Israel is His witness. A new thing He will do. God was wearied with Israel's disproportionate sin to thanksgiving offerings. They are reminded of His continual forgiveness for their part in their first father's sin (Adam and or Jeroboam I?); therefore, Jacob is given to his curse.

Jeshurun, a name of poetic endearment for Israel, will be restored. God, who gave her birth, will not forget His child. Many, called by different names, shall live by His living waters, the river of truth. All are His witnesses. False gods are vain and their worshipers are foolish, failing to understand, not one considering his heart. Israel should take note, for they were chosen and forgiven. Heavenly songs of praise for God's salvation. Cyrus is identified and chosen for her deliverance and restoration.

(See Ezra 1.) A message to Cyrus some 150+ years before his time. Cyrus, called by name, to judge Babylon, providing repatriation of the Jews to their homeland. God's introduction of Himself to Cyrus! He is hidden from the blind. Salvation is promised to Israel. The Earth was created to be inhabited with people of righteousness. A call for the return of the scattered among the nations. God is the only Savior, and all shall bow and confess Him so; and the wicked will be ashamed.

(Continued from 14:23.) Babylonian gods, Bel (sun god), Nebo (god of literature and writings), will not stand against Cyrus. Her idols are impotent. There is no god like Jehovah God! The former things are called into remembrance, prophecies and their fulfillment. God's word is sure! His salvation is near and never delayed.

God's judgment upon Babylon is prophesied. She will sit in the dust. Her shame will not be hidden. Her glory will depart because of her oppression of His chosen in captivity. She did not take to heart her reason for her glory. She trusted in her own knowledge and wickedness, exalting herself. Evil, therefore, will come upon her. If any she considers important can save her, let them. Judgment will come. None can save her!

He speaks to Israel. With foreknowledge they were stubborn and did transgress his laws from birth. His anger was delayed against them for His own sake, saving them for Himself. God is the Alpha and Omega of all. His word was not spoken in secret. He was their teacher from the very beginning, and their redeemer. His law brings peace, if obeyed, but there is no peace for the wicked in disobedience!

He speaks to all, including the Gentiles. His servant was chosen by Him from before birth and called. Israel also was His chosen servant. His servant is always meant to be a light for the world, to all nations. His salvation is meant to extend to the ends of the Earth. God's day of salvation will come to all. His highway will be exalted, and His people will come from afar. He will not forget, nor forsake His people. His kingdom will expand. Many new sons and daughters will come. Israel will be exalted. A divine judgment will come upon her oppressors.

Israel was estranged from God, not because He put her away, but because of her sin. (His Covenant was never set aside. Her punishment for her sins was as He had predicted from the outset at Sinai.) His servant is encouraged and not to be ashamed. He is his helper. The wicked will be cut off.

His righteous are encouraged. His judgment, a light to the world. His righteousness is near, His salvation already gone out. Though all creation may pass away, yet His righteousness and salvation is forever. His law is written in the heart of the righteous! The redeemed will return singing unto Zion with everlasting joy. He is our God, creator, worker of miracles! We are His people. Jerusalem is ordered to stand. Two things will come upon her: (1) desolation and destruction; (2) famine and the sword. No more then to be oppressed. Affliction will only be upon her oppressors.

Contrasted to Babylon clothed in dust, Zion will be arrayed in beautiful garments. A song of her victory is here recorded. Redeemed without money. Assyria oppressed them without cause. His name was daily blasphemed by the oppressor. God's messengers of peace and watchmen who sing for God comforts His people. Unlike from Egypt, she will depart her oppressor uncontested. Messianic sufferings and prophecies given. Kings will be silent before Him!

A great Messianic Chapter! His person described.(vs.2) His plight described.(vs.3) His purpose described.(vs.4-10) His pleasure.(vs.10c-11) His portion.(vs.12)

His offspring among the Gentiles will be greater than all Israel's. Make room therefore for the many who will come to Zion! God no longer seen as just the "God of Israel," but of the whole Earth, as He has always been. He will be so called. Though Israel was forsaken for a small moment in time, she will be restored with great mercies (Rom.11:25-36). A New Covenant, just as sure as the Covenant with Noah, will be entered. (See 54:10; 55:13; 59:21; 61:8.) The Earth may disappear, but His kindness will never depart His people, who will be much blessed with their children, righteously instructed, and living in peace. Enemies may gather, but only in their own strength, no longer of God for judgment. Their weapons will be of no effect. Her enemies will be condemned. This, the sure heritage of His servants.

The Messiah's great Universal call for salvation to the thirsty. Riches and blessings will come without need for money. A witness has always been for the people. A call for the wicked to forsake his way and seek the Lord while He may be found. There is no comparing God's thoughts with man's. God's grace is effectual to all. His word as sure. God's eternal plan for man and nature. Another sign will be given like that of the Rainbow. (See #54.)

Justice and judgment are encouraged. God's salvation is near. He is no respector of persons. He blesses all alike. All who choose to serve Him will be accepted, even the stranger and eunuch. His house is for all who choose to pray. Greedy preachers who seek personal gain ignoring the needs of others are condemned.

(698 B.C.?) The righteous die and no one considers why. The seed of the wicked, the children of Satan, commit gross idolatry, even human sacrifices, obtaining no profit. Their works are exposed, and their vanity will take them away. But the righteous, one with a contrite and humble spirit, will inherit the land, after he is healed; but there will be no peace for the wicked.

Jacob's sin will be revealed. True religion is defined. Their fasting was in vain because pure religion was absent from their heart. The fast of the Lord is to do justice to all men. When so observed, only then will He hear and grant their requests, guiding them all the while. His rewards will be given only to the truly religious; furthermore, His word can be counted on to be sure ( Js.1:27)

God's salvation is sufficient for any, but He does not hear the people who are separated from Him due to their own iniquities. They are unclean therefore their ways are wicked and unjust. Justice and judgment are not found among them. Their transgressions multiply with no intercessor. A messianic prophecy is given, one with a breastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation who will offer an Eternal Covenant. (See #54.)

Zion's day rises. God's light shines in a dark world. The Gentiles see and come. A great throng will come from all the Earth. Sons of strangers will rebuild the walls, and her gates will be open continually. Peace at last in her borders. Her citizens will be much blessed. A future promise. Her walls called Salvation and gates, Praise. There will be no more sun or moon. God will be her eternal light, and the kingdom shall be large.

[See 59:21. The priesthood of Christ.] Messianic prophecies of the duties of the messiah, a proclaimer of the acceptable time of God, liberator of many. Future promises given, former desolations restored. Joy is promised and an everlasting covenant offered. (See #54.) Righteousness and praise will spring forth before all nations.

The restoration and glorification of Zion. He will not rest until His righteousness burns eternally bright, for Zion and Jerusalem's sake, and will be seen by all Gentiles. People will be called by a new name, no longer "FORSAKEN," but "HEPHZIBAH," meaning, "my delight is in Her," and the land changed from "DESOLATE" to "BEULAH." God's watchmen will be established, with many blessings promised. His highway will be exalted. His people will be a holy people, "the Redeemed of the Lord," and His city not forsaken, called, "SOUGHT OUT."

Messianic prophecies of one coming from judgment in Edom. The day of vengeance has come, the year of the redeemed has arrived. He will tread the wine press alone. A prayer of remembrance of God's loving kindness. Their request for His return to them for His servant's sake.

Their prayer continues. A plea for God's judgment upon His and their adversaries. All men's righteousness are as filthy rags, with none freely calling upon Him. All are like clay in the potter's hands. Holy cities are wildernesses and Jerusalem is desolate. When will He come?

The time of the Gentiles remain. They are given a divine call while Jerusalem unknowingly waits. He is patient with a rebellious Israel, rebuking their pharisaism. His mercy is promised to a remnant because of His covenant with Jacob. The rebellious, for now, are threatened with a sword. A new Heaven and Earth will be created, with a new Jerusalem. All tears of sorrow will be eliminated with their days prolonged. Heaven's citizens' activities and blessings are seen. God will dwell with His people, with nature itself restored!

God declares Heaven as His throne and the Earth His footstool. He looks favorably upon the humble spirit while condemning those who are evil. Israel, born in one day: a blessing to all. God's judgment will be by fire. Hypocrisy is condemned. A witness of His glory will be given to all nations. His new heavens and Earth, and her redeemed inhabitants, will remain forever; but the wicked will be eternally cut off!