Opening Up Isaiah

by Andrew Thomson

Publisher:

Day One

, 2012

Overview

The book of Isaiah is a tale of two cities: the Jerusalem Isaiah knew, and the Jerusalem that he saw. We’re introduced to both in the opening five chapters of this volume. Andrew Thomson guides you through the layout of Isaiah, taking in the more familiar “landmarks” like Isaiah 53, as well as less celebrated areas of the prophecy. Isaiah compels you to be awed by the holiness and justice of God, and his power and plan. He wants you to see the glory of God and to anticipate his final salvation, and most of all, he wants you to trust God. Isaiah aims not just to inform, but to inspire—repeatedly directing your thoughts to the coming Deliverer.

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Key Features

• Guides you through Isaiah
• Offers background and summary of the biblical text
• Includes list of abbreviations, notes, and additional resources

Contents

• Part 1: The King
  • Rebels without a Cause
  • The Glory of the Lord
  • The Fear of the Lord
  • The Anger of the Lord
  • King of the Nations
  • A Tale of Two Cities
  • The Day of Assyria and the Day of All Nations
• Part 2: The Current King
  • Hezekiah’s Moment of Truth
  • Hezekiah’s Recoveries
• Part 3: The Coming King
  • Our God v. Their Gods
  • The Lord’s Purpose and His Servant
  • The Suffering Servant
  • The Current Gloom
  • The Coming Glory

Top Highlights

“It means ‘The Lord is salvation’. Isaiah was his name, and ‘Isaiah’ was his message.” (Page 11)

“Holiness is, in a sense, the defining characteristic of God.” (Page 33)

“The need to trust in God through difficult times, to wait upon him for better times, and to hope in his promises regarding the end times is just as real now as it was then. Everlasting joy (35:10) resulting from everlasting salvation (45:17) that is based on an everlasting covenant (55:3) springing from God’s everlasting love (54:8) is our hope as much as it was the hope of Isaiah’s first hearers.” (Page 18)

“Isaiah’s vision recorded in chapter 6 also highlights the main themes of the book as a whole. Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, and he wanted Judah (and us) to see it too. He felt his uncleanness, which Judah needed to grasp—just as we do. Then his guilt was taken away: an experience that Judah—indeed, anyone—can share. Isaiah’s commission also summarizes the three periods that his ministry addressed: the unresponsive people of Isaiah’s day, the removed people of the captivity, but ultimately a revived people who will return.” (Pages 11–12)

“Faced not with an alliance but an invasion, in the day of his distress (Isa. 37:3) he turns to the Lord in prayer. Ahaz is offered a sign, only for him to refuse it. Hezekiah asks for a sign (2 Kings 20:8) that is granted. The contrast could not be clearer. One trusts, the other doesn’t. One is helped, the other isn’t. Isaiah wants us to follow in Hezekiah’s footsteps, not Ahaz’s.” (Pages 10–11)

Praise for the Print Edition

Clear, perceptive and accessible—this is a lively big-picture guide to a profound and complex OT prophecy. This exposition firmly roots Isaiah in the context of the whole Bible, powerfully presents the prophet’s message and effectively draws out its implications for us today. Best of all, it leads us to Christ, the wonders of his grace and the glories of his kingdom. I warmly commend it.

—David Jackman, past president of the Proclamation Trust, London

Product Details

• Title: Opening Up Isaiah
• Author: Andrew Thomson
• Series: Opening Up
• Publisher: Day One
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 160

About Andrew Thomson

Andrew Thomson is Pastor of Kesgrave Baptist Church in Suffolk. He became a Christian while studying at Oxford, where he also met his wife, Helen. He ran a Christian bookshop in Woking for some years before being called to the ministry. His first pastorate was at Mitchley Hill Evangelical Church in Sanderstead, Surrey, before moving to Kesgrave in 2010.