In order to understand the Book of Isaiah, you must understand certain things.
The Book of Isaiah is the first of the Major Prophets in the Old Testament. The book begins by establishing the themes of judgment and consequent renewal for the righteous. Isaiah was held in such a high regard that the book was sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Gospel" because the prophet wrote more precisely about Christ than any others. Keep in mind though that Isaiah lived about 700 years before Jesus was born.
Jesus quoted from four Old Testament books:
Exodus - 7 times, Isaiah - 8 times, Deuteronomy - 10 times and Psalms - 11 times
Isaiah is the longest book of prophecy in the Bible. God gave Isaiah a clearer vision of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ than any other of the Old Testament prophets.
The Book of Isaiah is called a miniature Bible because it has 66 chapters just as the Bible has 66 books. Besides, it seems to shift after Chapter 39 which represent the end of the Old Testament. Some scholars believe Chapters 40-66 was written by a second person. There does seem to be a shift representing the New Testament. Also, the Book of Isaiah covers two time periods.
Keep in mind that Isaiah's work was not only foretelling the future. A prophet of God was not primarily a future teller, but one who spoke God's word to the people of his own day. Therefore a prophet was a spokesman for God; not so much a "foreteller" as a "forth teller."
Isaiah was God's spokesman to Judah and Jerusalem at time when the nation was immersed in sin. He spoke God's indictment against their sins, urging them to repent. He then foretold destruction upon them if they did not return to God.
In the midst of these dire warnings, Isaiah also foretold of a bright future with the coming Messiah. God would not forget His covenant made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. He would spare a remnant of the nation of Israel out of which would come the Messiah and His new kingdom.
Two major themes in the Book of Isaiah:
1. Exhortation to "Trust in the Holy One of Israel. Eight times the people are urged to "wait upon the Lord."
2. "The Messiah to come and the glory of His age" is another dominate message. Isaiah spoke frequently of the events to come, foretelling the fall of heathen nations and the establishment of the kingdom of the Messiah who would rule in justice and righteousness.
Purpose of the Book of Isaiah
1. Isaiah warns the people of Israel about their corruption, and warns them to turn back to God.
2. Isaiah speaks about the moral corruption of the kings of Judah, who seek alliances with other nations rather than relying on God.
3. Isaiah describes God’s plan for the whole world, and speaks of the coming Messiah who would obey God and restore peace and God’s blessing to the land.
4. Isaiah prophesied during the exile in Babylon. He gave the people hope of imminent deliverance from bondage. Times were hard, paganism was making a comeback, but Isaiah promised further deliverance from God but punishment for those who turned to other gods.
Two distinct periods in the Book of Isaiah:
1. The Assyrian Period (Chapters 1-39) - The first period Isaiah wrote about was the time Judah was under the reigns of Kings Ahaz and his son Hezekiah and was being threatened by the Assyrians. King Ahaz tried to please the Assyrians, but his son resisted them.
2. The Babylonians Period (Chapters 40-66) - The second period Isaiah wrote about the period was when Judah escaped from the Assyrians but was conquered by the Babylonians. They later were freed and returned to their lands.
Eight Major Sections in Isaiah
There appears to be eight major sections in the Book of Isaiah. Some sections are longer than others. Play close attention to what is highlighted in all of the sections.
1. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 1–12
Poetic prophesies and historical narratives about the earlier time period during the Assyrian crisis when Ahaz and his son Hezekiah reigned.
2. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 13–23
Poetic prophesies addressed to surrounding nations at various time periods. These oracles cover both time periods. The first oracle, against Babylon, speaks to the situation that comes last. But this placement pull the themes developed later in the book forward into the beginning of the book.
3. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 24–27
A short collection of prophesies with a worldwide perspective. The judgment prophesied is cosmic. These oracles are spoken from the vantage point of the later time period.
4. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 28–33
Six long prophesies, spoken in the earlier time period. Each pronounces a “woe” on the leaders of Judah for their reliance on Egypt for protection against Assyria.
5. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 34–35
A second brief collection of prophesies in which the later historical situation is once again addressed. Cosmic judgments are described and the restoration of God’s people is promised.
6. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 36–39
Historical narratives of Jerusalem’s deliverance from the Assyrian invasion, and of King Hezekiah’s recovery from a deadly illness, in the earlier period. The second narrative includes a description of how some Babylonian emissaries visited Hezekiah. This narrative is out of sequence chronologically within this section. It should really come first. But because it’s been placed last, it creates continuity with the section that immediately follows, by a common reference to Babylon.
7. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 40–55
Lyric promises to the exiles in Babylon of their imminent return to Judaea, the southern part of Israel. God’s suffering servant plays a crucial part in this return. This is the later period.
8. ISAIAH CHAPTERS 56–66
The final section also set in this later period, challenges the returned exiles to maintain justice. The section promises that from the rebuilt Jerusalem God’s glory will spread throughout the world.
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