Isaiah 1–6 Extended Notes

Gary Campbell Jr.
Aug 28, 2017 · 13 min read

— Gary Campbell Jr.

Chapter 1

Key verses- 3b & 18 “…but Israel does not know [Me], my people do not understand. ‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord.’Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.’”

Isaiah begins his prophetic pronouncement by comparing and contrasting the rebellion of Judah and Jerusalem with the created order, hinging on the idea that Judah does not “know” Him. It is a stark place to begin as the inferred issue is not strict obedience, (as we will see later in the chapter), but it is in knowledge of the Holy One- a relational issue, and therefore an unregenerate heart that is at issue.

Isaiah moves then to categorically lay out the symptoms of the rebellion of God’s people. He likens them to Sodom and Gomorrah, and this provokes a response from them as to their religious life. They likely heard Isaiah’s words and said-

“Wait, we observe all the festivals, sacrifices, religious rites, and prayers that we are required to; in fact we do more than we are required!”.

To which, Isaiah responds by taking them apart in verses 10–17, and in coming to vs.18, he, speaking for the LORD, pleads that they might consider deeply their spiritual state before God. Here he makes his case that they might respond to the LORD to avoid inevitable judgement.

Isaiah ends the chapter with a lament about the city of God’s people, Jerusalem, and predicts the purging judgment of the LORD, while leaving room, and hinting at, the remnant and restoration of His people at the same time.

In all, Isaiah’s opening chapter is one, that like Romans 1–3, levels the readers- God’s people, and quickly pushes through behavior, to challenge the heart of His people, and compel a re-evaluation of motives, behavior, and ultimately, relationship with their covenant God.

Thematically, in the overall aims of this great book of the Bible, Isaiah has, in this one chapter, laid out what is at issue, and what he will develop, and even plead for, the next 65 chapters. Namely, that Judah has rebelled against her God, that she doesn’t get it- (She, fails to see what He has done for her, and what He wants from her), and that because of this, judgment is coming and God will purge the sin from her. Yet, He will preserve a remnant from among her who will be devoted and obedient to Him. Isaiah’s cry is a cry to check our hearts and our lives, and to weigh whether they are in balance- devotion, love, and worship for all that God has done, and who He is, lived out in faithfulness and obedience to His commands and His Word.

Culturally, there is much here to contrast with false religiosity, and there is also the answer of the cry of every heart, namely that fulfillment comes neither in rebelliousness and indulgence of sin, nor in religion and ritualistic obedience to any supposed deity, but rather, fulfillment comes in relating to a Holy, yet loving, covenant God who pleads with us, desires us, and ultimately gives all of Himself for us!

Theme: “Worship Life- Why we do the things we do as Christians?”For us the theme and lesson of this great chapter surrounds the idea of our religious expression. Why do we do what we do? Where is our heart in both our worship life (Sundays) and our everyday life (work, school, neighborhood, etc)


Chapter 2

Note: Isaiah’s name means- the Salvation of Jehovah and is really the theme of this great book.

Chapters 1–4 serve as the case to be made regarding Judah and Jerusalem’s state of rebellion and contempt for her God, and the looming judgment because of that. Chapter 5, “the song of the vineyard”, has been noted to be a “soft”, yet concise delivery of God’s judgement. The following chapter, chapter 6 is a narrative relating Isaiah’s commissioning, and also begins a new subdivision of the book extending to chapter 12.

Key verse(s)-11 & 17 “The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day,”

A nearly carbon copy of Micah 4:1–3 (see also Psalm 2 & 46), the first six verses are a parenthetical picture of the Messianic Kingdom, declaring that in the just rule of the law going out from Zion, the nations will seek obedience and will disarm. While clearly not the circumstances of either Isaiah’s time or ours, the prophet anticipates and describes a future reality, and then as if to say, “in lieu of this coming reality”, (vs.5) “Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

An exhortation that we can certainly enjoin ourselves to as well as we await the return and rule of King Jesus!

In verse 6 through the end of the chapter Isaiah returns to his present environs, so to speak, and describes the spiritual state of a nation with wealth, comfort, and material prosperity. This passage in particular serves as a stark parallel to our own country, and would do well to be used in an evaluative way.

The rest of the chapter is devoted to revealing the intent of the day of the LORD, that the arrogant man might be brought low and the LORD alone exalted. From verses 16–22 there are two noted repetitions of the same warnings and descriptions (vs.16,19,21; vs. 11 & 17) and one contrast of imagery- (vs.7–8 & vs.12–16)-

Their nation is prosperous and proud in the described various ways, and is contrasted with the LORD humbling them throughout the imagery of several proud personifications (trees, mountains, towers, and ships) These may also be literal, in that on the day of God’s wrath, these very things will be leveled as well.

The lessons of this second chapter have everything to do with the exaltation of the LORD and the proper place of men, from the beginning section looking forward to the anticipation of Christ’s Kingdom, where all nations seek to know about the LORD and disarm themselves under His rule, to the coming Day of the Lord, where the “lowering” of man is intentionally contrasted multiple times with the exaltation of God, it is clear that God is to be, and will be, exalted, and that man finds his greatest situation in submitting to this order willingly. Note the final verse…

(I love the KJV here)

“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

Theme- “Your Way or My Way?”- A stark contrast relating to when we get what we think we want. There are great points to be drawn from this text about God’s sovereignty, our volitional option to submitting to the LORD, and the inevitability of God’s making all things right even when it looks as if the wicked are prospering.


Chapter 3

Key verse(s) 8&9-

Jerusalem staggers, Judah is falling; their words and deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.The look on their faces testifies against them; they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.

God’s judgement (passive) leads to further judgement (1–7)

The reason this judgment has come (8–12)

God’s judgment (active) (13–15)

A rebuke to idolatrous women (16–4:1)

Chapter 3 contains all of the elements that make Isaiah one of the most stunning pieces of literature in the entire Bible. The imagery, the consistent gracious reminder, hint even, of the remnant amidst God’s impending judgment, and the ostentatious language, seen especially in the section of rebuke for idolatrous women make this chapter a great read.

Aside from that, there are great teaching and application points herein.

The chapter first deals with the circumstances of God’s passive judgement on his rebellious people in removing “supply and support” of every kind, leaving a leaderless people in open rebellion to their God and their circumstances. (vs.4&5)

We are quickly reminded that this situation is the making of Judah’s own rebellion in vs.8&9, but we need also remember that this is the continuing pronouncement of judgement by Isaiah of his people that began in chapter 1. As a matter of fact, this chapter deals with the first part of the “meat” of God’s judgment against Judah and Jerusalem in the first two of eight “woes”, the final six coming in chapter five. The woes are- vs.9 “Woe to them! They have brought disaster upon themselves.” and vs.11, “Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.”

In the middle of the chapter we see God Almighty elevated as the judge of His people, and it is telling that He is dealing not only with “the people” (vs.13), but primarily is calling to account the “elders and leaders of His people” (vs.14). Indeed, this entire chapter really is about the leadership of God’s people who have been removed for their leading God’s people into rebellion against Him.

Isaiah 3 is a stern warning to those in spiritual leadership to lead folks into the presence of a Holy God through Christ, and not away from Him to seek after other gods, “which are no gods at all” as the prophet says elsewhere. Judah’s leaders are judged for “ruining my vineyard”, and “crushing my people”. Not light accusations at all.

The final section of this chapter is a curious interlude of 12 verses dealing specifically with the rebellion of the women of Judah. While this section might initially seem like a strange departure from the theme of leadership, it really is not as Isaiah is challenging certainly the vanity of the women here, but also the model that they are living out.

Theme- “Leaders Beware!- A call for Christian leaders to lead well. I find this chapter to be immensely practical and insightful for the church and for leadership in general and in specific. In this chapter we get a glimpse into the very heart of the LORD as well and we see what is important to Him in how we live out the roles of leadership He has placed us in.


Chapter 4

Key verse- 2.

In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.

While certainly a brief chapter, Isaiah 4 packs a punch! Beginning with a messianic prophecy about the “Branch” of the LORD, the beauty and glory of the Branch is contrasted with the finery of the women’s, which will be stripped away spoken of earlier in chapter 3 and chapter 4:1.

This prophecy of the Messiah, akin to chapter 2:2–5, also allows us to begin to see that Isaiah writes with a particular style or pattern. Namely, as he is pronouncing rather intense and often long prophecies of judgment, he pauses to remind the faithful, or perhaps even those inclined to become faithful, of God’s faithfulness to His promises, His mercy, and of course His plan- that God has a plan, that this exile, this discipline, hasn’t derailed all of that. God has not forgotten.

One of the ways in which Isaiah helps the Israelites to understand this is right in verses 5 and 6 where he speaks of God’s presence restored to His people using Exodus imagery. This, without a doubt, would have galvanized Israel’s hope for the future, by reminding them of God’s faithfulness and deliverance in the past.

Theme- “Remember to Remember”- The application is obvious- the “Branch” is the Glory of God- He is the only thing truly beautiful, and His sheltering presence is best understood in our lives by brining to mind in song, and in retelling of His past faithfulnesses to us. So what’s your history? Where has God been faithful? What was your first love for Christ anchored in?


Chapter 5

Key verse- 4

What more could have been done for my vineyard

than I have done for it?

When I looked for good grapes,

why did it yield only bad?

Chapter 5 has a couple of functions in Isaiah. First, it finishes the initial pronouncement of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem that preceded Isaiah’s commissioning in chapter 6. Second it is the latter three fourths of the 8 woes of these judgments, the first two of which are contained in chapter 3.

In the song of the vineyard Isaiah paints this tender interlude of God’s heart and unrealized desire for his people’s faithfulness, and some scholars feel, it also softens the blow of the meat of the six woes to come in the latter two thirds of the chapter.

The first two woes from chapter 3 are:

Woe to those who are rebels in words and actions, who parade their sin. This broad woe confronts the idolatry of unrestrained proud rebellion against God.

Woe to the wicked (or evil) leaders who lead God’s people astray. These are those who ought to know better. This woe confronts the idolatry of power.

The six remaining woes are topically as follows:

Woe to those who accumulate wealth and possessions with unending appetite. This woe confronts the idolatry of materialism.

Woe to those whose entire life is consumed in partying. They wake up craving their next drink and planning their next bash. This woe confronts the idolatry of hedonism.

Woe to those who work manipulatively and maliciously to see the judgement of God on others. They long to see “them” judged, not realizing their own sin and guilt. This woe confronts the idolatry of self-righteousness.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil and so on. They are those of Romans 1 who have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and this very much describes a core issue of our time. This woe confronts the idolatry of indifference.

Woe to this who are wise in their own eyes. They have no need for God, His Word, or His people. This woe confronts the idolatry of pride.

Woe to those who are heroes at drinking and who deny justice to the innocent. These folks are known for their boisterousness, and are not bashful about their bullying of the less fortunate. This woe confronts the idolatry of injustice and alcohol abuse.

In these 8 woes we see a categorical confrontation with the evil of Judah and certainly find much application for ourselves as already noted. It might be helpful to remember that these words are written to God’s chosen, to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, (remember the song of the vineyard in the first 7 verses), and as such these things are said (primarily) to those of us who know the LORD and ought to know better.

The chapter of course ends with the warning that God’s harsh judgement is coming in the brutal and swift judgment of a warrior nation that is a tip-top, organized, and state-of-the-art machine. In using Babylon, God’s people elsewhere lament that He would use an even more wicked people to punish His own people, and we are reminded again of His Sovereignty and His Power, and His Prerogative.

This ends this section and moves us to Isaiah’s commissioning in chapter 6 and the highlight of the first half of Isaiah, the prophecies regarding the Messiah and the hope of God’s Glory, in chapters 7–12.

Theme- “Woe not Whoah!”- In the six woes we have rebukes and warnings that are truly timeless, and I find personally a little disheartening. I mean really, sinful man has not changed in this much time? The answer of course is no, only the Gospel, to which Isaiah will refer in the most beautiful and eloquent way, will change the heart and subsequently the behavior of man.


Chapter 6

Key verses 7&8-

With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

There is much discussion among biblical scholars as to the chronology of chapter 6 relative to the first five chapters. When it comes right down to it it doesn’t matter, but it is a curious thing to speculate whether Isaiah first recorded the message he felt so impassioned with in the first five chapters, and then took a breath, as it were, to record the experience of HIs call, and his vision of the Presence of the Almighty, or if, rather, he was a prophet for a season, (presumably during the end of the reign of Uzziah) and then was called.

I prefer the latter, I think that Isaiah probably embarked on a personal mission to reform his people, moved by what he was seeing, and was disturbed by, and then after some limited experience (and rejection), the LORD called him and made him aware of how hard this task he’s embarked on would indeed be.

Anyhow- again somewhat irrelevant, but interesting.

One commentator cleverly noted that the pillars of the altar were moved by the presence of God (vs.4), while the hearts of men remained unaffected- indeed. Much has not changed in the millennia that have passed since Isaiah’s call when it comes to the moving of men’s hearts toward the preaching of God’s message. Certainly there have been seasons of response, awakenings and the like, but overall man is as obstinate and rebellious as Isaiah’s people were in his time.

It is important to note that the thrust of verses 7&8, and then 9–12 is that the sent messenger of the LORD is to faithfully proclaim the message, not to sway the response of the people, but he is to proclaim no matter, or in spite of, the response of the people. This puts the onus for the big picture on the LORD, and forces the messenger to put his trust in God, to know that his efforts are not about responses he can see or measure.

How contrasting is this view and this teaching to our time and our ways of thinking with church growth charts and seminars and so on- not that those things are wrong in and of themselves, but that we are ultimately dependent on the LORD to move among His people and compel heart change and growth, both spiritually and numerically. Note that this message and this messenger is to God’s own people, those who ought to know better. This is worth comprehending as well!

Finally, as is consistent with Isaiah, even in the chapter on his divine, and have we yet said amazing call, that there is at the end, that subtle encouraging reminder that there is always a remnant, a hope.

But as the terebinth and oak

leave stumps when they are cut down,

so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”

Let us stay faithful to the exhorting message of the LORD to His people, and the call to those not yet His people, to follow Him no matter the response, or the cost!

Theme- “Isaiah’s Call”- The mandate to proclaim the LORD’s message no matter its reception is a reminder to us that we are not in the popularity business, but in the warning and rescuing business. We ought be reminded of our own call to follow Christ, as well as be able to articulate where we are called to take the message of the Gospel.

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Gary Campbell Jr.

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Writing for Groton Bible Chapel & the larger Body of Christ on cultural issues, parenting, marriage, theology & other light-weight topics.

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