Wednesday Bible Study
Every Wednesday Evening at 7:00
Eden United Brethern In Christ Church Wednesday Bible Study
Every Wednesday evening at 7pm, Eden has a Bible Study. This is differnt from our other services in that it is very informal. While several songs and specials usually are done, there is no sermon. We have just started as of March 30, 2005 the Book of Isaiah. The objective is to do one chapter each week. We go through it for the most part, verse by verse. There is discussion and remarks by anyone who wants to say something. We are using J. Vernon McGee's "Thru The Bible Commentary". Below, You will See J. Vernon McGee's Outline and notes for the book of Isaiah. Please feel free to utilize them in your own study if you cannot be with us.
We would love to have you come and join us Wednedsday evenings. Besides Bible Study, we also have Prayer Meeting to conclude the Study. Requests and Praise reports are given and then we go to the Lord in Prayer. If you have any immediate prayer requests or praise reports, please e-mail the Church or call Pastor Adam Will's cell phone at 1-740-591-6626.
Thanks and have a good day. God Bless You!
Below, You will See J. Vernon McGee's Outline and notes for the book of Isaiah. Please feel free to utilize them in your own study if you cannot be with us.
Notes & Outlines
ISAIAH
J. Vernon McGee
PROPHETIC BOOKS
Beginning with Isaiah, and continuing through the Old Testament,
there is a section of Scripture called the prophetic portion of the
Bible. Although the predictive element bulks large in this section,
the prophets were more than fortune-tellers. Actually, they were men
raised up of God in a decadent day when both priest and king were
no longer worthy channels through whom the expressions of God
might flow.
These men not only spoke of events in the far-off future but also
spoke of local events in the immediate future. They had to speak
in this manner in order to qualify for this office under God, according
to the Mosaic code:
But the prophet, who shall presume to speak a word in
my name, which I have not commanded him to speak,
or who shall speak in the name of other gods, even that
prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How
shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?
When a prophet speaketh in the name of the
LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is
the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the
prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not
be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
If the local event did not transpire just as the prophet predicted, he
was labeled a false prophet and was so treated. You may be sure
that the message of the false prophet is not in the library of inspired
Scripture. The prophetic books are filled with events that are local
and fulfilled. A sharp distinction needs to be drawn between this
portion and that which is yet to be fulfilled.
One of the greatest evidences of the fact that these men were
speaking the words of God is revealed in the hundreds of prophecies
that have been fulfilled literally. Man cannot guess the future.
Even the meteorologists have difficulty in prognosticating the
weather twenty-four hours in advance, although they have the
advantage of all sorts of scientific and mechanical devices to assist
them. No modern weather forecaster could have been an accepted
prophet in Israel! The law of compound probability forbids man
from consistently foretelling the future. Each uncertain element
added decreases the chance of accuracy by fifty percent. The
example of hundreds of prophecies literally fulfilled has a genuine
appeal to the honest mind and sincere seeker after the truth.
Fulfilled prophecy is one of the infallible proofs of plenary, verbal
inspiration of Scripture.
The predictive element is the peculiar and particular contribution
of these men of God. This does not mean there was not this element
before them or after them. The last book of the Bible closes
the message of God for the future.
The prophets were extremely nationalistic. They rebuked sin in
high as well as low places. They warned the nation. They pleaded
with a proud people to humble themselves and return to God.
Fire and tears were mingled in their message, which was not one of
doom and gloom alone, for they saw the Day of the Lord and the
glory to follow. All of them looked through the darkness to the
dawn of a new day. In the night of sin they saw the light of a coming
Savior and Sovereign; they saw the millennial kingdom coming
in all its fullness. Their message must be interpreted before an
appreciation of the kingdom in the New Testament can be attained.
The correct perspective of the kingdom must be gained through the
eye of the Old Testament prophets.
The prophets were not supermen � they were men of like passions
as we are, but having spoken for God, their message is still
the infallible and inspired Word of God:
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and
searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you, searching what, or what manner
of time the Spirit of Christ who was in them did signify,
when he testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ,
and the glory that should follow. (1 Peter 1:10, 11)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy, unto which
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth
in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star
arise in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy
of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For
the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man,
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the
Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21)
Sweet is the harp of prophecy; too sweet not to be wronged by a
mere mortal touch.
� William Cowper
ISAIAH
WRITER: Isaiah (1:1)
Most of the prophets moved in an orbit of obscurity and anonymity.
They did not project their personalities into the prophecies they
proclaimed. Jeremiah and Hosea are the exceptions to this, of
course. Isaiah gives us very little of an historical character concerning
himself. There are a few scant references to his life and
ministry. In Isaiah 1:1 he gives �the days� in which his lot was
cast. It was during the reigns of �Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and
Hezekiah, kings of Judah.� These were not the darkest days in
Judah internally. Uzziah and Hezekiah were enlightened rulers
who sought to serve God. But the days were extremely dark
because of the menace of the formidable kingdom of Assyria in
the north. The northern kingdom of Israel was carried away into
captivity during this period.
Isaiah 6 records the personal call and commission of Isaiah.
This chapter should come first in the prophecy � logically if not
chronologically.
Isaiah 36 � 39 is the historical section, which records the ministry
of Isaiah during the crisis when the Assyrian host encompassed
Jerusalem.
Beyond these few personal sections, Isaiah stands in the shadow
as he points to another Person who is coming.
It is stated by some that Isaiah belonged to the royal family of
David. This cannot be positively affirmed.
Likewise, it has been stated that he is referred to in Hebrews
11:37 as the one �sawn asunder.� This may or may not be true.
The liberal critic has sawn him asunder in forging the fake fabric
of the Deutero-Isaiah hypothesis. Some have gone so far as to fabricate
a Trito-Isaiah. There is not a scrap of documentary evidence
beyond the skepticism of the destructive critic. They have cut
Isaiah up like a railroad restaurant pie. History presents only one
Isaiah, not two or three. This method of the destructive critic
could be applied one thousand years hence to prove just as easily
that there were three Dwight Eisenhowers:
1st � General Eisenhower, the military leader of the victorious
forces of World War II � European theatre.
2nd �President Eisenhower of the United States, elected in
1952 and 1956.
3rd � Dwight D. Eisenhower, the invalid man and victim of a
heart attack and a serious operation for ileitis.
We know that only one man by the name of Eisenhower fulfilled
all those requirements. Likewise, only one man by the name of
Isaiah can easily fulfill all the requirements as the sole author of
the Book of Isaiah.
THEME:
As the New Testament presents the Lord Jesus Christ as its theme,
so Isaiah presents the Lord Jesus Christ as his theme. Isaiah has
been called the 5th evangelist; the Book of Isaiah has been called
the 5th Gospel. Christ�s virgin birth, His character, His life, His
death, His resurrection, and His second coming are all presented
in Isaiah with definiteness and clarity. (See 1 Peter 1:10, 11; cp.
Luke 4:16-22 with Isaiah 61:1-4.)
STYLE AND CONTENT:
The prophecy of Isaiah is strikingly similar to the entire Bible,
which can be seen in the following comparison:
Also, there are some 66 direct quotations from Isaiah in the
New Testament. Some people have found 85 quotations and allu-
Bible
66 Books
39 Books in Old
Testament
27 Books in New
Testament
Book of Isaiah
66 Chapters
39 Chapters on LAW, the
Government of God
27 Chapters on GRACE,
Salvation of God
sions to Isaiah in the New Testament.
20 of the 27 books of the New Testament refer to Isaiah;
12 books of the New Testament have direct quotations.
ISAIAH is woven into the New Testament as a brightly colored
thread woven into a beautiful pattern.
ISAIAH is discernible and conspicuous in the New Testament.
ISAIAH is chiseled into the rock of the New Testament with the
power tool of the Holy Spirit.
ISAIAH is often used to enforce and enlarge upon those passages
that speak of Christ.
The historic interlude (chapters 36�39) leaves the high plateau
of prophecy and drops down to the record of history. Even the
form of language is different. It is couched in the form of prose
rather than poetry. Why are these four chapters of an historical
character wedged in between the two major divisions of the book?
This is a reasonable question that requires investigation and
rewards the honest inquirer. There are several significant factors
worthy of mention:
1. Sacred and secular history are not the same. Dr. Jennings
states, �Divine history is never merely history, never simply a true
account of past events.� There are great spiritual truths couched
in sacred history that are seen only by the eye of faith. The Holy
Spirit must teach us the divine purpose in recording scriptural history.
Let us note several suggestive reasons:
a. These incidents might seem trite to the average historian
who records great world movements; but events concerning
God�s people were important according to the standards
of heaven.
b. Actually these chapters note the transfer of power from
Assyria to Babylon. Babylon was the real menace to
God�s people and was to begin the period designated by
our Lord as �the times of the Gentiles� (Luke 21:24).
c. This section is a record of a son of David who was beset
by enemies and who went down to the verge of death but
was delivered and continued to reign. In this he foreshadows
the great Son of David who was beset by enemies,
delivered to death, raised from the dead, and who
is coming again to reign. Hezekiah was only a man who
walked in the ways of David, another weak man.
Hezekiah lived to play the fool. Our Lord was greater
than David and, as the crucified and risen Son of God, is
made unto us �wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification,
and redemption� (1 Corinthians 1:30). There are
other great spiritual truths which we will note in the
chapter outlines.
2. The second significant factor in this historic section is that
these particular events are recorded three times in the Scriptures
� 2 Kings 18, 19; 2 Chronicles 29, 30; and here in Isaiah. The
fact that the Holy Spirit saw fit to record them three times is in
itself a matter of great importance. These records are not identical
but similar. Some scholars think Isaiah is the author of all
three or at least the one in Kings. Surely the Spirit of God has
some special truth for us here that should cause us not to hurry
over these events as if they were of no great moment.
3. Three significant and stupendous miracles are recorded in
this brief section:
a. The death angel slays 185,000 Assyrians (37:36-38).
b. God heals Hezekiah and extends his life fifteen years
(38:1-5).
c. The sun retreats ten degrees on the sun dial of Ahaz
(38:7, 8).
4. This section opens with Assyria and closes with Babylon.
There are two important letters that Hezekiah received:
a. The first was from Assyria, which Hezekiah took directly
to God in prayer (37:14); and God delivered His people.
b. The second letter was from the king of Babylon which flattered
Hezekiah and which he did not take to the Lord in
prayer. As a result, it led to the undoing of Judah (39:1-8).
The third and last major division (chapters 40 � 66) returns to
the poetic form but is in contrast to the first major section. There
we had judgment and the righteous government of God; here we
have the grace of God, the suffering, and glory to follow. Here all
is grace and glory. The opening �comfort ye� sets the mood and
tempo.
It is this section that has caused the liberal critics to postulate
the Deutero-Isaiah hypothesis. A change of subject matter does
not necessitate a change of authorship. It is interesting that for
1900 years there was not a word about a second Isaiah. John
refers to this section as authored by Isaiah (John 1:23). Our Lord
likewise referred to this section as written by Isaiah (Luke 4:17-
21). There are numerous other references that similarly confirm
the authorship of Isaiah.
Philip used a chapter from this section to win an Ethiopian to
Christ (Acts 8).
The prophecy of Isaiah presents another important aspect of
prophecy. This has to do with the plenary, verbal inspiration of
Scripture.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may
be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
One of the most solid proofs of the plenary, verbal inspiration
of Scripture is fulfilled prophecy. Isaiah contains many prophecies
that have been fulfilled since he wrote them.
There were many false prophets in Israel, as the Scriptures
reveal. Read the entire record in 2 Chronicles 18. Note espscially
18:22 � �Now, therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying
spirit in the mouth of these, thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken
evil against thee.�
The prophet had to speak into a local situation and in respect to
contemporary events of his day. If his prophecy failed to materialize,
then he was declared a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20-
22). If the matter came to pass, he was declared a true prophet.
Isaiah prophesied into many local events. When Jerusalem was
surrounded by the Assyrian army, Isaiah made a very daring
prophecy �
Therefore, thus saith the LORD concerning the king of
Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an
arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast
a bank against it. (Isaiah 37:33)
Also see his prophecy concerning the sickness of Hezekiah in
Isaiah 38.
There are other prophecies that were not fulfilled in his lifetime,
but today they stand fulfilled. See, for instance, his prophecies
concerning the city of Babylon:
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the
Chaldeans� excellency, shall be as when God overthrew
Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited,
neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to
generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there;
neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But
wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses
shall be full of doleful creatures, and ostriches shall
dwell there, and he-goats shall dance there. And the
wild beasts of the coastlands shall cry in their desolate
houses, and jackals in their pleasant palaces; and her
time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
(Isaiah 13:19-22)
Further fulfillments relative to Babylon are recorded in Isaiah
47. Excavations at Babylon have revealed the accuracy of these
prophecies. More than fifty miles of the walls of Babylon have
been excavated. The culture of this great civilization is still
impressive but lies in dust and debris today according to the written
word of Isaiah. This is one of many examples that could be
given. Others will come before us in this study as we proceed
through the book.
OUTLINE:
I. Judgment (poetry), Chapters 1 � 35
Revelation of the Sovereign on the throne.
(The Crown, chapter 6. The government of God.)
A. Solemn call to the universe to come into the courtroom
to hear God�s charge against the nation Israel, Chapter 1
B. Preview of the future for Judah and Jerusalem, Chapter 2
C. Present view of Judah and Jerusalem, Chapter 3
D. Another preview of the future, Chapter 4
E. Parable of the vineyard and woes predicted on Israel,Chapter 5
F. Isaiah�s personal call and commission as prophet, Chapter 6
G. Prediction of local and far events, Chapters 7� 10
(Hope of future in coming Child)
H. Millennial kingdom, Chapters 11, 12
I. Burdens of surrounding nations (largely fulfilled),
Chapters 13 �23
1. Burden of Babylon, Chapters 13, 14
2. Burden of Moab, Chapters 15, 16
3. Burden of Damascas, Chapter 17
4. Burden of the land beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,Chapter 18
5. Burden of Egypt, Chapters 19, 20
6. Burden of Babylon, Edom, Arabia, Chapter 21
7. Burden of the Valley of Vision, Chapter 22
8. Burden of Tyre, Chapter 23
J. Kingdom, process and program by which the throne is
established on earth, Chapters 24�34
K. Kingdom, mundane blessings of the Millennium, Chapter
35
II. Historic interlude (prose), Chapters 36 � 39
(This section is probably a prophetic picture of how God will
deliver His people in the Great Tribulation [see 2 Kings 18,
19 and 2 Chronicles 29, 30].)
A. King Hezekiah and the invasion of Sennacherib, king
of Assyria, Chapter 36
B. King Hezekiah�s prayer and the destruction of the Assyrian
hosts, Chapter 37
C. King Hezekiah�s sickness, prayer and healing, Chapter 38
D. King Hezekiah plays the fool, Chapter 39
III. Salvation (poetry), Chapters 40 � 66
Revelation of the Savior in the place of suffering.
(The Cross, chapter 53. The grace of God. There is a threefold
division marked by the concluding thought in each division,
�There is no peace to the wicked.�)
A. Comfort of Jehovah which comes through the Servant,
Chapters 40� 48
(Polemic against idolatry � help and hope come only
through the Servant.)
B. Salvation of Jehovah which comes through the suffering
Servant, Chapters 49� 57
1. Redeemer of the whole world, who is God�s Servant,
Chapters 49:1� 52:12
2. Redemption wrought by the suffering Servant, who is
God�s Sheep (Lamb), Chapters 52:13� 53:12
3. Results of the redemption wrought by the Redeemer,
who is God�s only Savior, Chapters 54� 57
C. Glory of Jehovah which comes through the suffering
Servant, Chapters 58 � 66
1. Sin hinders the manifestation of the glory of God,
Chapters 58, 59
2. Redeemer is coming to Zion, Chapters 60 � 66
(Nothing can hinder God�s progress � He will judge
sin.)
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Criswell, W. A. Isaiah. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1977.
Gaebelein, Arno C. The Annotated Bible. Neptune, New Jersey:
Loizeaux Brothers, 1917.
Ironside, H. A. Expository Notes on Isaiah. Neptune, New Jersey:
Loizeaux Brothers, 1952.
Jennings, F. C. Studies in Isaiah. Neptune, New Jersey: Loizeaux
Brothers, n.d.
Jensen, Irving L. Isaiah and Jeremiah. Chicago, Illinois: Moody
Press, n.d.
(A self-study guide.)
Kelly, William. An Exposition of Isaiah. Addison, Illinois: Bible
Truth Publishers, 1896.
Martin, Alfred. Isaiah: The Salvation of Jehovah. Chicago, Illinois:
Moody Press, 1956.
(A fine, inexpensive survey.)
Unger, Merrill F. Unger�s Bible Handbook. Chicago, Illinois:
Moody Press, 1966.
Unger, Merrill F. Unger�s Commentary on the Old Testament. Vol.
2. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1982.
(Highly recommended.)
Vine, W. E. Isaiah. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing
House, 1946.
HELPFUL BOOKS ON BIBLE PROPHECY:
Hoyt, Herman A. The End Times. Chicago, Illinois: Moody
Press, 1969.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. Prophecy for Today. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1961.
Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1958.
Ryrie, Charles C. The Basis of the Premillennial Faith. Neptune,
New Jersey: Loizeaux Brothers, 1953.
Sauer, Erich. From Eternity to Eternity. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1954.
Walvoord, John F. Armageddon, Oil and the Middle East Crisis.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House,
1974.
Walvoord, John F. The Millennial Kingdom. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959.
Walvoord, John F. The Rapture Question. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1957.
Wood, Leon J. The Bible and Future Events. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973.
These notes, prepared by J. Vernon McGee, are for the purpose of giving
assistance to the listeners of the THRU THE BIBLE RADIO program.
They are to be used with the Bible and will be more meaningful
as you look up all the Scripture references. Due to the necessary
brevity of both notes and broadcasts, a list of recommended books is
included for those wanting a more detailed study. These books may
be obtained from a Christian library or bookstore or ordered from the
publishers.
SAMPLE SUMMARY FOR EACH CHAPTER
(for your personal study)
1. Theme of chapter�
2. Most important verse�
3. Most prominent word�
4. Teaching about Christ�
5. Command to obey�
6. Promise to claim�
7. New truth learned�
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