The Prophet and His Day: Isaiah 1-39 - Free Bible Commentary

CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTSA. There has always been a question about why Isaiah’s call to ministry occurs in chapter 6 andnot chapter 1.1. The OT books are arranged in ways that moderns, especially westerners, do notunderstand. Often they are not chronological, which surprises modern westerninterpreters. They are thematic, but in word plays or parallelisms on a strophe level.2. It is surely possible that chapters 1-5 are a general introduction to the content of theentire book. Many, if not all, of the major themes are introduced.a. the covenant people’s sinb. the consequences of disobediencec. restoration through the special Coming Oned. a new day of righteousnesse. the universal reign of God in an idealistic setting (Eden restored)B. The Jewish Study Bible (p. 796) makes an interesting comment about the placement ofchapter 6. The footnotes assert that chapter 6 is not the beginning of Isaiah’s ministry, but anew assignment. In chapters 1-5 the prophet calls on Judah to repent, but after the revelationof 6:9-10, never again in all the prophecy (chapters 7-66) does he call on them to repent.Judgment is sure and unavoidable. There is hope in a new day, but it is a future hope only.C. As chapter 6 reveals the terrible and complete judgment of YHWH on the disobedientcovenant people, chapter 12 reveals the new day of hope and restoration. Even themissionary mandate is renewed (cf. 12:4-5). This theological tension is characteristic of theprophet’s message. They enforce the Mosaic covenant’s1. consequences for disobedience and2. promises for obedience.BRIEF OUTLINEA. Isaiah saw God as He is. vv. 1-4B. Isaiah saw himself as he was. v. 5C. Isaiah saw his society for what it was. v.5D. Isaiah was cleansed to serve. vv. 6-7E. Isaiah was ready to go. vv. 9-13WORD PHRASE STUDYNASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 6:1-51In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, withthe train of His robe filling the temple. 2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: withtwo he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one calledout to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His87