Isaiah could be the most important, but least studied, book in the Bible for Christians.

Isaiah is the source of nearly a quarter of the Old Testament quotations and allusions in the New Testament, more than any other book (although The Psalms might argue its case!)

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, and Jesus quoted from Isaiah’s prophecies more than all the other prophets put together.

More than half of the chapters of Isaiah are represented in NT writings.

What’s more, fully 90% of the New Testament’s 260 chapters quote from Isaiah’s writings.

It’s that important!

The reason why so much attention is paid in the New Testament to Isaiah becomes clear pretty quickly:

because in Isaiah you have a vision of the person & work of the Messiah, who we know to be Jesus.

In Isaiah you have the prediction of Messiah’s birth, in the much-quoted-at-Christmas chapters 7&9:

“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (Isa 7:14)

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” (Isa 9:6)

Then you have the prediction of Messiah’s suffering and death, in the much-quoted-at-Easter chapters 52&53:

“But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed” (Isa 53:5)

And of course you also have the many pictures of Messiah’s return, and resulting Kingdom of God on earth, like Isa 25&65:

“On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine…
He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces” (Isa 25:6-8)

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth…” (Isa 65:17)

It’s no wonder the New Testament relies so much on Isaiah!

As we get to know this majestic prophecy, we will be getting to know Jesus the Messiah better, and ultimately learning to trust God.

Urgent warnings, breathless encouragements.
A vision of a Sovereign Holy God, and a Suffering Saving Messiah.
Total trust in God, rugged faith amidst crisis.

This is the Message of Isaiah.

additional resources

For an excellent resource to enable you to devotionally study Isaiah personally, we recommend ‘Isaiah by the Day’ by Alec Motyer.

For a free online commentary, see Ray Ortlund’s commentary on The Gospel Coalition’s website.

Teachings from isaiah

A (very!) simplified outline of Isaiah 2-11

A: (2:1-5) God’s kingdom will be established

B: (2:6-22) Condemnation of pride

B’: (3:1-4:1) Condemnation of pride

A’: (4:2-6) God’s kingdom will be established

C: (5:1-30) An enemy will destroy Judah

D: (6:1-13) Isaiah’s vision of a Sovereign, Holy King

C’: (7:1-8:22) Assyria will destroy Judah

E: (9:1-7) The reign of a righteous King

F: (9:8-10:4) Condemnation of the pride of Israel

F’: (10:5-33) Condemnation of the pride of Assyria

E’: (11:1-16) The reign of a righteous King

SERIES TEACHINGS (CH 1-11)

Part 1: Introducing Isaiah

The series begins with an introduction to Isaiah as a person and as a book, this is swiftly followed by Isaiah's dramatic revelation of the extent of the brokeness of the world as he reveals what the Lord has said and adds his own commentary.

Part 2: Empty Worship

Isaiah gets into the heart of chapter 1 with a series of scathing rebukes to the Israelites over their rituals, practices and religiousity that has grown rampant within those times. Richard delves further in to understand how this applies to our worship and seeking a pure heart and true worship that is sweet to the Lord.

Part 3: Societal Ruin, Sovereign Redemption

Zwai launches deeper into Isaiah as we question how the Lord would react to the state of our nation and our world in the midst of crime, injustice and oppression. Zwai goes on to further analyse the damage sin does to us and how we are decayed by sin and doomed by our stubborness, but we find hope in the restoration offered through salvation.

Part 4: Walking in the Light of the Lord

Richard covers the entirety of chapter 2 in his sermon as he looks at the call to walk in the light of the Lord and the impact that doing so will have on the world, a world that will lay weapons aside for farming implements in a global peace looking to the heights of the throne of God.

Part 5: True Honour, True Beauty

As Richard delves into Isaiah 3 as well as 4, Isaiah shows us just how broken humanity has become throughout chapter 3. But hope, chapter 4 illustrates the plans of God to restore the brokeness of humanity through Jesus.

Part 6: Stink Fruit & Its Consequences

Justin leads us in contemplation over how God perceives our sinful ways and detests of them. He calls on us to judge ourselves and tell what more could be done by God to grow good fruits in us and yet we still produce bitter fruits.

Part 7: I Have Seen the King

Richard takes a deep look at the interactions as Isaiah is presented before God in His throneroom and how Isaiah realises how unclean he is, as well as how we might be similarly affected.

Part 8: Cleansed, Called, Commissioned

Richard continues to look at the interaction between God and Isaiah in the former's throneroom as Isaiah is called and sent once he has been cleansed. The calling laid before him is a harsh duty and yet he goes willingly as God calls us to do in response to our own cleansing.

Part 9: Stand Firm in Your Faith

Brett leads us through the opening half of chapter 7 in which king Ahaz is confronted by the oncoming forces of the Assyrians as well as Judah, however, when Isaiah calls on him to trust God, Ahaz refuses. Brett challenges us to re-examine how we respond to God in tough times, do we think He is capable and willing of rescuing us or do we try to fix it all by ourselves?

Part 10: Features of the Faithful

As the majority of Israel appears to have lost their faith in God, a remnant rallies to the Lord in a display of resounding and resilient faithfulness that stands as an example to us as we are called to hold our faith high in a modern context.

Part 11: The Coming King & Kingdom

In this classic Christmas passage, Richard explores the promise of hope through a coming King and Kingdom. Additionally, we are challenged to look at how this affects us as Easter approaches.

Part 12: What Will You Do On Judgement Day?

Richard shows the wrath of God and how present as well as nexessary it is. Yet at the same time the equally present and necessary love and grace being extended by God to rescue us from the situations that we have created for ourselves.

Part 13: Finding Assurance in God's Judgement

Zwai speaks on how in spite of the impending judgement of the Lord we are not frightened by it but rather as believers we can find assurance and comfort through the realities of Christ.

Part 14: The King Ruling His Kingdom

The stump metaphor is continued as the line of Jesse is prophesied to give rise to a character that gives hope to all of Israel. In this hopeful passage we see Christ prophesied and a time of peace and prosperity under his reign.

Part 15 - God Is My Salvation

In the closer for season 1 of the Isaiah series, Richard speaks about the end, as Christ gathers the faithful remnant and believers of all nations to Him. A time when God's adherence to His promises is a comfort to those that believe and damning for those that stand opposed.

SERIES TEACHINGS (CH 12-25)

Part 1: The Day of the Lord - For Babylon & For Us

God’s justice is sure, His power unmatched, and His care for His people unfailing. We can trust Him to bring down the proud and lift up the humble in His perfect timing.

Part 2: Sovereignty, Supremacy & Submission

The proud are brought low, but the Lord gives His people rest and a future. True security is not in earthly power, but in the God who rules over all nations.

Part 3: Christ Our Refuge

Pride leads to ruin, but God offers mercy to those who take refuge in Him. Our safety and future are not in our own strength, but in trusting the Lord’s reign.

Part 4: Stretch Out Your Hands to God

Earthly power cannot secure us, but turning back to God does. Nations rise and fall, but the Lord remains sovereign over all.

Part 5: He Will Listen To Their Pleas For Mercy

Trusting in human power leads to shame, but God’s plan brings down pride and opens the way for redemption and peace through Him alone.

Part 6: A Strategy for Survival

God’s word never fails—nations rise and fall, but the Lord’s purposes stand firm. Our security is not in human power, but in trusting the God who rules history.

Part 7: A Renewed Vision For Life

In times of crisis, God calls us to repentance and trust in Him. Pride and self-reliance lead to downfall, but those who humble themselves under God’s authority will stand firm.

Part 8: The Lord Defiles Our Pompuous Pride

Earthly riches and power are fleeting, but God’s rule is eternal. True prosperity is found when we use what we have to honor and serve the Lord.

Part 9: Far as the Curse is Found

God’s judgment is real and universal, but His glory and salvation endure. When everything else falls, those who trust in the Lord will stand firm and rejoice in His unshakable kingdom.

Part 10: The Fragrance of the Feast

God turns mourning into celebration—He destroys death and brings everlasting joy. Our hope and praise belong to the Lord, who is our refuge, Redeemer, and eternal King.