Highlights From the Book of Isaiah—II
Jehovah’s Word Is Alive
Highlights From the Book of Isaiah
1 ISAIAH is faithfully carrying out his commission as a prophet. The pronouncements he has uttered against the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel have already come true. Now he has further word about the future of Jerusalem.
2 The city of Jerusalem will be destroyed, and its inhabitants will be taken captive. The desolation, though, will not be permanent. After a time, true worship will be restored. This is the basic message of Isaiah 36:1–66:24. * We stand to benefit from considering what is stated in these chapters because many of the prophecies in this section are having their major, or final, fulfillment in our day or will be fulfilled in the near future. This part of the book of Isaiah also contains exciting prophecies concerning the Messiah.
“LOOK! DAYS ARE COMING”
4 In the 14th year of King Hezekiah’s reign (732 B.C.E.), the Assyrians invade Judah. Jehovah promises to defend Jerusalem. The threat of invasion ends when Jehovah’s angel single-handedly kills 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
5 Hezekiah falls sick. Jehovah answers his prayer and heals him, adding 15 years to his life. When the king of Babylon sends emissaries to congratulate him, Hezekiah unwisely shows them all his treasures. Isaiah delivers Jehovah’s message to Hezekiah, saying: “Look! Days are coming, and all that is in your own house and that your forefathers have stored up down to this day will actually be carried to Babylon.” (Isaiah 39:5, 6) A little over 100 years later, the prophecy comes true.
Scriptural Questions Answered:
6 38:8
Lessons for Us:
7 36:2, 3, 22. Though dismissed from serving as a steward, Shebna was allowed to continue in the king’s service as a secretary to his replacement. (Isaiah 22:15, 19) If we are removed from a position of responsibility in Jehovah’s organization for some reason, should we not continue to serve God in whatever capacity he permits?
8 37:1, 14, 15; 38:1, 2. In times of distress, we are wise to turn to Jehovah in prayer and place our full trust in him.
9 37:15-20; 38:2, 3. When Jerusalem was under the Assyrian threat, Hezekiah’s prime concern was that her overthrow would bring reproach on Jehovah’s name. Upon learning that his sickness would prove fatal, Hezekiah had concerns that went beyond himself. What weighed more heavily on his mind was what his dying heirless would mean for the Davidic line of kings. He was also concerned about who would lead the fight against the Assyrians. Like Hezekiah, we consider the sanctification of Jehovah’s name and the outworking of his purpose more important than our own salvation.
10 38:9-20. This song of Hezekiah teaches us that nothing is more important in life than to be able to praise Jehovah.
“SHE WILL BE REBUILT”
11 Immediately after foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem and the resulting captivity in Babylon, Isaiah prophesies about restoration. (Isaiah 40:1, 2) “She [Jerusalem] will be rebuilt,” states Isaiah 44:28. Idols of Babylonian gods will be carried away like “pieces of luggage.” (Isaiah 46:1) Babylon will be destroyed. All of this comes true two centuries later.
12 Jehovah will give his servant as “a light of the nations.” (Isaiah 49:6) The Babylonian “heavens,” or ruling class, will be “dispersed in fragments just like smoke,” and her subjects “will die like a mere gnat”; but the ‘captive daughter of Zion will loosen for herself the bands on her neck.’ (Isaiah 51:6; 52:2) To those who come to him and listen, Jehovah says: “I shall readily conclude with you people an indefinitely lasting covenant respecting the loving-kindnesses to David.” (Isaiah 55:3) Living in harmony with God’s righteous requirements leads to finding “exquisite delight in Jehovah.” (Isaiah 58:14) The errors of the people, on the other hand, ‘cause division between them and their God.’
Scriptural Questions Answered:
13 40:27, 28
14 43:18-21
15 49:6
16 53:10
17 53:11
18 56:6
Lessons for Us:
19 40:10-14, 26, 28. Jehovah is strong and gentle, all-powerful and all-wise, and far greater in understanding than we can comprehend.
20 40:17, 23; 41:29; 44:9; 59:4. Political alliances and idols are ‘unrealities.’ Trusting in them has no value at all.
21 42:18, 19; 43:8. To close our eyes to God’s written Word and to shut our ears to his instruction through “the faithful and discreet slave” is to become spiritually blind and deaf.
22 43:25. Jehovah wipes out transgressions for his own sake. Our being freed from bondage to sin and death and gaining life is secondary to the sanctification of Jehovah’s name.
23 44:8. We have the backing of Jehovah, who is as stable and firm as a rock. We should never be afraid to bear witness about his Godship!
24 44:18-20. Idolatry is a sign of corruption of the heart. Nothing should occupy the place of Jehovah in our heart.
25 46:10, 11. The ability to make ‘his own counsel stand,’ that is, to fulfill his purpose, is unmistakable proof of Jehovah’s Godship.
26 48:17, 18; 57:19-21. If we look to Jehovah for salvation, draw close to him, and pay attention to his commandments, our peace will be as plentiful as the waters of a flowing river and our righteous deeds as abundant as the waves of the sea. Those who pay no heed to God’s Word are like “the sea that is being tossed.” They have no peace.
27 52:5, 6. The Babylonians wrongly concluded that the true God was weak. They did not recognize Jehovah’s displeasure with his people as the reason for Israel’s enslavement. When calamity strikes others, we are wise not to jump to conclusions as to its cause.
28 52:7-9; 55:12, 13. We have at least three reasons to share joyfully in the Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work. Our feet are comely to humble ones who hunger spiritually. We see Jehovah “eye into eye,” or have a close relationship with him. We also enjoy spiritual prosperity.
29 52:11, 12. To be qualified to carry “the utensils of Jehovah”
30 58:1-14. Hypocritical displays of devotion and righteousness are in vain. True worshippers should abound in genuine expressions of godly devotion and acts of brotherly love.
31 59:15b-19. Jehovah observes human affairs and intervenes in his own due time.
SHE “MUST BECOME A CROWN OF BEAUTY”
32 Pointing to the restoration of true worship in ancient times as well as in our day, Isaiah 60:1 states: “Arise, O woman, shed forth light, for your light has come and upon you the very glory of Jehovah has shone forth.” Zion “must become a crown of beauty in the hand of Jehovah.”
33 Isaiah prays to Jehovah in behalf of his countrymen who will be repentant during their exile in Babylon. (Isaiah 63:15–64:12) After contrasting true servants with false, the prophet declares how Jehovah will bless those serving Him.
Scriptural Questions Answered:
34 61:8, 9
35 63:5
Lessons for Us:
36 64:6. Imperfect humans cannot save themselves. When it comes to making atonement for sins, their righteous acts amount to nothing more than soiled garments.
37 65:13, 14. Jehovah blesses his faithful servants, abundantly satisfying their spiritual need.
38 66:3-5. Jehovah hates hypocrisy.
“Exult, You People”
39 How comforting the restoration prophecies must have been to the faithful Jews living as exiles in Babylon! “Exult, you people,” said Jehovah, “and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation.”
40 We too live at a time when darkness envelops the earth and the nations are in thick gloom. (Isaiah 60:2) “Critical times hard to deal with” are here. (2 Timothy 3:1) Therefore, Jehovah’s message of salvation provided in the Bible book of Isaiah is of great encouragement to us.
[Footnote]
^ par. 2 3 For a discussion of Isaiah 1:1–35:10, see “Jehovah’s Word Is Alive
[Picture on page 8]
Do you know the primary reason why Hezekiah prayed to be saved from the Assyrians?
[Picture on page 11]
“How comely upon the mountains are the feet of the one bringing good news!”
THE WATCHTOWER—STUDY EDITION