lesson 12

Prophet of Hope

INTERMEDIATE

AIM:

To briefly look at the work of one of the major prophets, Isaiah, and its effect on the people of his day and its relevance for us.

KEY CONCEPT:

The prophecies of Isaiah give comfort and hope to all those who trust in God.

READING: Isaiah 53:1-12

REFERENCES: Isaiah 9, 11, and 53

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Are you ready?

Setting the Scene

There are five books in the Major Prophet Division of the Old Testament. The four major prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

We have already learnt why they were called major prophets. WHY? If you can’t remember, look back to Lesson 8, page 57.

One of the four major prophets is said to have been the writer of another book that is not called by his name. Who was it, and what is the name of the book?

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Answer: Jeremiah wrote Lamentations.

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Questions

• Can you find the beginning and the end of the Major Prophet Division in your Bible?
• (This question prompts the student to locate the start and end of the Major Prophets in their Bible, typically Isaiah to Daniel.)
• Colour the four Major Prophets all in one colour in the Kings and Prophets diagram below.
• (This is an activity instruction for students, asking them to highlight the Major Prophets in the provided timeline.)

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Kings & Prophets Diagram Summary

The diagram provides a timeline showing key prophets and kings in Israel’s history, covering events like the Kingdom of Judah, the Kingdom of Israel, and significant figures like Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, which helps place Isaiah’s ministry in context.

Memory Links

Isaiah - Willing to Work for God

Profile of Isaiah

• Name: Isaiah (meaning “Yahweh is salvation”)
• When Prophesying?: Circa 740–685 BC
• Life Details: Son of Amoz, a well-educated man, with close relationships with the kings of Judah.
• Message: The safety of Judah was assured if they served God. Isaiah tells of God’s Servant.
• How He Put God First: When the Lord said, “Whom shall I send?” Isaiah said, “Here am I, send me!” Isaiah was willing to do all God’s way and to receive any rebuke needed to turn Judah back to God.

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Isaiah’s Message and Prophecies

Isaiah prophesied for over sixty years, and for most of that time, he condemned the evil practices of the people of Judah. Isaiah 3:16–26 is an example of the type of message Isaiah had to deliver to the people so often, condemning their evil ways and warning them of disaster to come if they continued in such ways. He tried hard to persuade both the northern and southern kingdoms to trust the Lord. He foreshadowed the destruction of the northern kingdom at the hands of the Assyrians and also foresaw the rise and fall of Babylon which conquered Judah. However, Isaiah’s message wasn’t just one of doom and gloom. Isaiah also foretold the birth and destiny of our Lord Jesus Christ.

No prophet says so much about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, or Messiah, as Isaiah. It is very interesting to note that the Book of Isaiah has a remarkable likeness to the Bible as a whole.

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The Bible and the Book of Isaiah

The Bible:

• Old Testament: 39 books
• New Testament: 27 books
• Total books: 66 books

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Book of Isaiah:

• Judgement: 39 chapters
• Comfort: 27 chapters
• Total chapters: 66 chapters

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The Bible: Old Testament: 39 books

New Testament: 27 books

Total books: 66 books

Book of Isaiah: Judgement: 39 chapters Comfort: 27 chapters

Total chapters: 66 chapters

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saiah's Message

Repent! God is preparing a Saviour for the world. His Servant will bring a time of peace and hope.

The Kingship of Jesus

Let’s briefly look at one of Isaiah’s prophecies that clearly speaks of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ who was to be born 700 years later.

Find Isaiah 9 verses 6 and 7 and read it carefully.

Note: It might be a little surprising to see Jesus referred to as the Mighty God and the Everlasting Father since we know that Jesus is not God but the Son of God. The term “God” means “mighty ruler” and the “mighty angel” referred to Jesus as “Emmanuel,” which means “God with us.” Jesus reflected God’s character in all that he did—the words he spoke were truly God’s words and thus, in this sense, we can say “God was with us.”

Jesus - The Lamb

Let’s consider the Bible Reading set down for our lesson today from Isaiah 53, which is one of the most remarkable prophecies concerning Christ.

• v 1-2: Speak of Jesus who would grow up “out of dry ground” (spiritual Israel).
• v 4-6: Stress that Jesus would suffer for us so that we might have a chance to be saved. “He was bruised for our transgressions... and with his wounds (stripes) we are healed.”
• v 7-9: Describes Jesus: “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter…he did not open his mouth” (Jesus was silent at his trial and did not complain or try to stop their mistreatment of him); and the crucifixion of Jesus: “he was cut off from the land of the living.” Notice verse 9 refers to the fact that Jesus “made his grave with the wicked” and remember that Jesus was crucified between two criminals.

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v 10-12: Are more happy verses for these speak of the triumphant resurrected Jesus who will come to save the world. God has given Jesus eternal life and so has prolonged his days so Isaiah said he would in verse 10. Finally, the promise in verse 12 that Jesus will be a glorious ruler because he obeyed God in everything—even unto death.

Although in parts Isaiah’s prophecy in chapter 53 is one of hope, the Jews of Jesus’ time ignored the part of the prophecy which spoke of the death of Messiah and only wanted to see the last part come to pass. Because of this, they fulfilled the part they ignored—by crucifying Jesus.

Although Isaiah warned of the captivity of Judah by Assyria, he spoke of a glorious time to come when God would save those who served Him by sending His Son as the perfect sacrifice so that they might have the hope of eternal life. Let us see the importance of Isaiah’s message to all in the wonderful prophecies of Isaiah. Isaiah’s prophecy is certainly relevant to us today.

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet he did not open his mouth;

he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

Memory Verse

Isaiah 48:17

This is what the Lord says—

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

Lesson For Us

Isaiah’s message of salvation to us is easy to follow.

Isaiah’s message was straightforward at that time in Judah when the people were constantly influenced by the idolatry of the nations around them. Although they were close to God by nature, Isaiah brought an important message of the need for salvation, but Judah refused to listen.

EXTRA ACTIVITY

See you next time!