What Does Isaiah Say About Jesus?
Isaiah is like a miniature Bible. The first thirty-nine chapters (like the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament) are filled with judgment upon immoral and idolatrous men. Judah has sinned; the surrounding nations have sinned; the whole Earth has sinned. Judgment must come, for God cannot allow such blatant sin to go unpunished forever. But the final twenty-seven chapters (like the twenty-seven books of the New Testament) declare a message of hope. The Messiah is coming as a Savior and a Sovereign to bear a cross and to wear a crown.
Who was Isaiah?
Isaiah, the “St. Paul of the Old Testament,” was evidently from a distinguished Jewish family. His education is evident in his impressive vocabulary and style. His work is comprehensive in scope and beautifully communicated. Isaiah maintained close contact with the royal court, but his exhortations against alliances with foreign powers were not always well received. This great poet and prophet was uncompromising, sincere, and compassionate.
What Does Isaiah Say About Jesus?
Isaiah, the “Shakespeare of the prophets” has often been called the “evangelical prophet” because of his incredibly clear and detailed messianic prophecies.
When he speaks about Christ, Isaiah sounds more like a New Testament writer than an Old Testament prophet. His messianic prophecies are clearer and more explicit than those in any other Old Testament book. They describe many aspects of the Person and work of Christ in His first and second advents, and often blend the two together. The Old Testament has over three hundred prophecies about the first advent of Christ, and Isaiah contributes a number of them. The odds that even ten of them could be fulfilled by one person is a statistical marvel.
Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 is the central passage of the consolation section (chapters 40-66). Its five stanzas present five different aspects of the saving work of Christ:
- (52:13-15) Christ’s wholehearted sacrifice (burnt offering).
- (53:1-3) Christ’s perfect character (meal offering).
- (53:4-6) Christ brought atonement that issues in peace with God (peace offering).
- (53:7-9) Christ paid for the transgression of the people (sin offering).
- (53:10-12) Christ died for the effects of sin (trespass offering).
Key Verses
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7
“All we like sheep have astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6
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This article contains content from the NKJV Open Bible.
