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Greetings listeners. Today we're unpacking one of the most powerful and most quoted books in the Bible the book of Isaiah. This book is filled with tension and beauty, judgment and hope, poetry and prophecy, deep warnings and soaring promises. It's also one of the most frequently quoted Old Testament books in the New Testament and the book Jesus himself read from when he announced his ministry. Isaiah is often called the fifth gospel because of how clearly it points to Jesus Christ, and we'll see why. But this book is so big 66 chapters long so instead of trying to cover it all in one episode, we're going to break it up into parts. Today we'll begin with the background who was Isaiah, what was going on in his world and what was God's message? Well, welcome everyone. I'm your host, Jacqui Adewole, and this is the Bible Basics Podcast, where weekly, we break down the Bible into understandable, bite-sized chunks. Whether you're just beginning your Bible journey or you're returning to Isaiah for a deeper look, you're in the right place. So let's set the scene To understand God's message through the prophet Isaiah. We first need to understand his moments in history.

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Isaiah lived in the 8th century BC, a time marked by spiritual decline, Ahaz and Hezekiah, covering at least 40 years. During this time, Assyria was rising as a dominant empire. The northern kingdom of Israel would fall to them in 722 BC, and Judah, the southern kingdom, was not far behind, slowly heading toward judgment at the hands of the nation of Babylon. Hourly, the people were still showing up at the temple, but spiritually they were drifting. Their worship had become hollow, their leaders were corrupt, justice was ignored, the poor were neglected and idolatry was everywhere. And in the middle of this, God called Isaiah.

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Isaiah was more than a prophet. He was likely a well-educated man. He seems to have come from a family of some rank because he had direct access to Judas Kings. Some scholars believe he had noble blood or an official court role. He was certainly familiar with palace politics and that shows throughout his writings. Isaiah was married to a prophetess and together they had two sons with symbolic names. Shir Jashub was the oldest, meaning a remnant shall return. We see that in chapter 7, verse 3 of Isaiah and Maher Shalah Hashbaz. The next child, meaning quick to the spoil. That's found in chapter 8, verse 3. Even Isaiah's name, which means the Lord is salvation, reflects the heart of his message. It shares a root with other names like Joshua, hosea, elisha and Jesus.

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Isaiah is quoted directly in the New Testament over 65 times, far more than any other prophet. He's mentioned by name over 20 times. His writing is brilliant. His vocabulary is the most expansive of any biblical author, Though his book is only the sixth or seventh longest in terms of word count. It includes 2,186 unique Hebrew words, more than Psalms or even Jeremiah, the longest book.

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His imagery is vivid. Through Isaiah, the Lord calls Judah and her kings by the names of sinful cities, like rulers of Sodom, people of Gomorrah we see that in chapter 1, verse 10, and compares the nation to a vineyard which God cultivated but did not bear fruit. We see that in chapter 5. Now let's talk about his calling, and we see that in chapter 6.

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Isaiah's ministry began around 740 BC, the year King Uzziah died. That's in chapter 6, verse 1. That's when Isaiah saw a vision that changed everything. He saw God seated on his throne, high and exalted Angels identified as seraphim, a name found only here in scripture. They called out to each other. They called out to each other. That's chapter 6, verse 3. Isaiah was undone. This vision of God's holiness vividly reminded the prophet of his own unworthiness. He confessed his sin and the sin of his people. And God forgave him, purified his lips and then asked Whom shall I send and who will go for us? And Isaiah replies here I am, send me. That's chapter 6, verse 8. But Isaiah's mission wouldn't be easy. God told him the people would be hardened. They would hear but not understand. That's chapter 6, verses 9 and 10. Still, isaiah had to speak.

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So what makes the book of Isaiah special? Well, to start with, the book of Isaiah is massive 1,292 verses. Because of its length and depth it's been called quote all in one sweeping, spirit-inspired book. When we piece together Isaiah's visions and messages, we see the fall of the human race to sin, the continuing rebellion and injustice of people, god's righteous judgment, but also his mercy, the promise of a Savior who would bear our sin and, finally, a vision of a new heaven and a new earth where sin is gone and God's people are made whole. In addition, the book's influence stretches far beyond its time.

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Isaiah appears at three key moments in the New Testament. First, in a synagogue where Jesus reads Isaiah 61 and says Today this is fulfilled. That's Luke 4, 16 through 21. And then in the desert by an Ethiopian eunuch who reads Isaiah 53 and is led to faith. That's Acts, chapter 8, verses 27 to 35. To 35. And in a prison, when Paul quotes Isaiah, chapter 6, to explain why some reject the gospel, we see that in Acts, chapter 28, verses 24 to 27.

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Before we move into some final highlights, we can't miss one of the most beautiful features of this book God's bold and tender invitations to salvation. The book of Isaiah includes some of the clearest and most heartfelt appeals from God to his people. Chapter 1, verse 18 says come now and let us reason together. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. And then there's chapter 45, verse 22. Look to me and be saved all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is no other. And then there's chapter 55, verse 1, which reads come, all you who are thirsty, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without cost. These are not just poetic lines, they are timeless appeals spoken straight from the heart of God to a rebellious people still loved by God. Loved by God. Okay, but we're not done yet.

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The book of Isaiah also gives us some of the Bible's most prophetic previews. It predicts both the virgin birth and Jesus's divine nature fully God and fully man. We see that in chapter 7, verse verse 14, and chapter 9, verse 6. It describes Satan's fall in chapter 14, verses 12 through 15, as does the book of Ezekiel. We see that in Ezekiel 28, 12 through 17. It foretells the ministry of John the Baptist in chapter 40, verses 3 through 5, and it gives us a clear statement of the Trinity God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in chapter 48, verse 16. And it names King Cyrus, 150 years before he was born. We see that in chapter 44, verse 28, through chapter 45, verse 1.

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And Isaiah wasn't the only voice in his day. He ministered during the same period as Hosea and Micah, who also warned God's people. But the Lord's message through Isaiah carries with it a weight and power that's unmatched, especially in how he clearly points to the coming Messiah. Links to episodes on other prophets are in the show notes. So, in closing, the book of Isaiah isn't just long, it's deep. It speaks of judgment, yes, but it also overflows with hope. Isaiah shows us a holy God who is grieved by sin but gracious to the sinner, a God who warns and invites, a God who warns and invites, a God who promised a Savior who came, died and rose for us that we too, might hear his call and come. It's not just a story for ancient Judah, it's a message for every generation, including ours.

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Do you feel far from God? Do you long for a clean slate? Do you wonder if God's mercy is still calling? The invitation to forgiveness and restoration through Jesus is real and it's personal. If you're curious about what it means to follow Jesus or you're ready to respond to God's invitation today, I encourage you to reach out. You can email me at info at bible-basicsorg. You can talk to a trusted Christian that you know, or you can visit a Bible-believing church near you near you.

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In our next episode we'll step into that promise even more clearly as we explore the Easter story. Through the Old Testament prophecies, we'll see how Isaiah, Jonah and the Psalms all pointed centuries in advance to the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. So if you've ever wondered how Easter, also referred to as Resurrection Sunday, fits into the whole Bible, not just the New Testament, you won't want to miss it, and we'll follow up the episode by getting back to the book of Isaiah. Until then, keep reading, keep seeking and keep growing in your faith so that we spread God's word further. Please share, like, follow, comment and subscribe.