Thematically, Isaiah is a very complex book. There are many different ways to take it apart in order to obtain theological understanding. However, when studying Isaiah using canonical criticism, based on fluid understanding of the New Testament and the Law, there are four major themes. The first is the call to trust in God. The second is God’s faithfulness, the reason that Israel should trust in Him. The third is the biggest method of delivery of faithfulness and the salvation promised to Israel, the messiah and servant of all nations including Israel, Jesus Christ. It is this salvation that brings about the fourth theme of Zion, the City of God. The latter, being the most important theme is understood best by analysis of God’s faithfulness and His desire for mans trust and righteousness.
Man is called to trust in God. Simply put, not trusting in God is a clear sign of unrighteousness due to mans ways being in clear contrast of God’s ways. God calls man to trust in Him and His strength over worldly “strength” and worldly ways. Isaiah teaches to trust in the servant, who is Jesus Christ and therefore God (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 50:10). This passage is a clear call to fear and obey Jesus Christ, as well as to place trust in Him. The punishment for refusal to commit is the promise of eternal death, “This you will have from My hand: You will lie down in torment” (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 50:11).
The way to trust and obedience is through God’s faithfulness. In fact, clear instruction is given at the beginning of the book. In spite of the circumstance, God always remains faithful to Israel, providing a way out that they might escape. First, the faithful became unfaithful. In becoming unfaithful, Israel committed harlotry against God. Israel’s unfaithfulness is because of their harlotry against God (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 1:21). Israel will receive discipline (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 1:24,25) with intent of a return to faithfulness (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 1:26-31). This is discipline rather than punishment as God desires restoration of Israel, not destruction, a clear depiction of His faithfulness toward His people.
There is a promise that God will be faithful in His plan toward Israel. “For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (Men’s Devotional Bible, Is. 14:27). Simply put, His will cannot be avoided. His desire for restoration of Israel will come. The real question is what is His will for Israel?
The will for Israel is Jesus Christ, the Servant of all nations. That is, salvation for all mankind. So, fulfillment of faithfulness to Israel will come not only in a physical salvation for the nation of Israel, but in an eternal salvation for all Mankind, including Israel. That is “plans formed long ago with perfect faithfulness” (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 25:1). The servant will bring deliverance from persecution (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 25:2-4). He will bring blessing on His people because of their perfect righteousness (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 25:6,7). He will bring compassion upon them (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 25:8). And most importantly, he will bring eternal life (The MacArthur Study Bible, Is. 25:8).
This eternal life will be in Zion. Zion is the place that those who are obedient to Christ and trust in Him will reside for eternity. It is the “Holy City, the new Jerusalem” as foreseen by the Disciple John (The MacArthur Study Bible, Rev. 21:2). This is a place of complete faithfulness and righteousness, where God has true and complete fellowship with His people.
The eternal goal of Isaiah in its current context is to lay out God’s plan, not just for Israel, but for those who place their trust in Jesus Christ. The plan for God’s chosen Israel is not necessarily eternal salvation; rather they are the instrument for the fruition of the plan. They, like anyone else, receive salvation only when they trust in God because of His faithfulness and are obedient to His word. God’s faithfulness to Israel and to mankind is the gift of Jesus Christ who brings man into Zion.
Works Cited
Men’s Devotional Bible: New International Version. Zondervan, 1993.
The MacArthur Study Bible: Updated New American Standard Translation. MacArthur: Thomas Nelson
Inc., 2006.
Themes of the Book of Isaiah – From Discipline to Zion
