Theological Themes in Isaiah (3)

1
Theological Themes in Isaiah (3)

• The Servant of the Lord - Isaiah 40-66 contain
  servant songs which are related to the remnant
  theme.
• Israels servant points beyond the nation, the
  leader of the remnant (495-6). The servant is
  born of a woman, comes as one distinct from the
  nation, who will restore the tribes of Jacob and
  bring back Israel (4424 463 491)

2
Theological Themes (4)

• The servant passages predict the coming Messiah.
• Jesus of Nazareth is the remnant of one.
• Jesus is the embodiment of faithful Israel, the
  truly righteous and suffering servant.
• Unlike the remnant (returned exiles), he
  committed no sin. (539 1 Peter 222)
• The New Testament writers followed the meaning of
  Isaiah himself Jesus would be the Messiah!

3
Theological Themes (5)

• The suffering servant would
• Undergo divine judgment for sin (on the cross)
• Endure an exile (3 days forsaken by God in the
  grave)
• Experience a restoration (resurrection to life as
  the foundation of a new Israel, renewing the
  covenant promises with God.
• Become the hope for the continued existence for
  the people of God.
• Only a righteous servant could atone for the sins
  of the people.

4
Theological Themes (6)

• God Rules Over History -
• God alone is God. Idols are no gods. (438-11).
  God radically contrasts to the gods of
  Mesopotamia where the exiles lived. These gods
  lied, schemed, and were contingent upon the
  uncertainties of human life.
• God sovereignly rules over the course of history
  (4121-24 438-13 446-8 4520-21 468-10).

5
Gospel and Kingdom

• Isaiah critical for understanding Jesus as the
  Christ.
• NT writers appeal to Isaiah repeatedly to explain
  events.
• John the Baptist - the voice crying in the
  wilderness (403)
• The virgin birth (714)
• The stubbornness of Isaiahs generation explains
  why Jesus message is not heard in his generation
  (69-10 Matt. 1313-15 167-9 John 1239-40
  Acts 2824-27)
• Jesus is rejected and suffers as the servant
  (531 Jn 1238 Acts 827-33)
• Paul uses Isaiah to explain the incorporation of
  the Gentiles into Israel. (1110 in Rom. 1512
  651 in Rom. 1020

6
Jeremiah

• Largest book of the prophets
• Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous years
  during the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the
  rise of the Babylonian empire
• During this time, Judah is subjugated first by
  Egypt, then by Babylon
• Judahs independence ended, and Jeremiah
  witnessed the destruction of the city of
  Jerusalem and the temple.

7
Historical Background

• The Babylonians, with the Medo-Persians, besieged
  Ninevah, the Assyrian capital, until in fell in
  612.
• The rise of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after
  defeat of Carchemish in 605.
• The Judean downgrade
• Josiah (fought Pharaoh Neco and died at Meggido)
• Jehoahaz replaced by Neco with Jehoiakim.
• Jehoiakim crosses Babylon and Jerusalem is
  besieged.
• Jehoiakims son, Jehoiachin, taken captive with
  other royals, craftsmen, leading citizens to
  Babylon.
• Final destruction of Jerusalem, temple, and exile
  in 586 B. C.