Making Sense Of Isaiah

This simple volume makes Isaiah understandable, applicable, and teachable, providing a brief overview of each chapter to help readers understand the context and content of the writings, then presenting an example of one latter- day application or fulfillment for each chapter.

The Latter Rain explores the symbols and types of the Book of Isaiah,creating a framework that can then be applied to other books of the Bible,helping the reader perceive meaning that was once obscured in symbolism.One such symbolic type is that of rain. While this type is not exclusive to Isaiah, it is used by Isaiah to symbolize the communication from God to man.

Recipient of a Christianity Today 1994 Critics Choice Award Among Old Testament prophetic books no other equals Isaiah's brilliance of style and metaphor, its arresting vision of the Holy One of Israel and its kaleidoscopic vision of God's future restoration of Israel and the world. Now, after over three decades of studying and teaching Isaiah, Alec Motyer presents a wealth of commentary and perspective on this book. His emphasis is on the grammatical, historical, structural, literary and theological dimensions of the text. Though based on the Hebrew text, his exposition easily accomodates readers without a working knowledge of biblical Hebrew. And he writes with an interest in Isaiah's meaning for Christians today. Along the historical timeline on which the Isaianic prophecies are strung, Motyer finds three central and recurring themes: the messianic hope, the motif of the city and the theology of the Holy One of Israel. Moreover, he argues, the Isaianic literature is organized around three messianic portraits: the King (Isaiah 1-37), the Servant (Isaiah 38-55) and the Anointed Conqueror (Isaiah 56-66). Preachers, teachers and serious Bible students of all types will find this commentary a wise, winsome and welcome guide to the prophecy of Isaiah. It may easily be the best one-volume evangelical commentary on Isaiah available today.

The book of Isaiah is outstanding in its brilliance of style, poetic power, and foretaste of the hope of the gospel. It tells how God himself has provided the highway to holiness for those who have been redeemed. These are images that evoke the exodus from Egypt and foreshadow Christ's achievement at the cross. There is joy even in Isaiah's portrayal of judgment—rebuilding within the demolition, the new replacing the old—as world events reveal God's hand. In the visionary world of Isaiah, the varied themes and imagery of the Old Testament converge and blend as they project an extraordinary climax of the story of Israel and of the world. Barry Webb calls Isaiah the Romans of the Old Testament, where all the threads come together and the big picture of God's purposes are most clearly set forth. Attuned to the magnificent literary architecture of Isaiah, Webb escorts us through this prophecy and trains our ears and hearts to resonate with its great biblical-theological themes. Part of the beloved Bible Speaks Today series, The Message of Isaiah offers an insightful, readable exposition of the biblical text and thought-provoking discussion of how its meaning relates to contemporary life. Used by students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for those studying or preaching the Bible and anyone who wants to delve deeper into the text. This revised edition of a classic volume features lightly updated language and a new interior design.

Most people probably have a copy of the Bible in their homes, some hold one in their hands each week at church-and perhaps even attend a Bible study- but not everyone sees or appreciates the great beauty and intricate composition of the Bible," writes author Drake Williams. "The Bible, as a great work of art, deserves to be considered in unity." Combining first-rate scholarship with easy-to-understand language, Making Sense of the Bible examines the Bible as a literary work of art and reveals ten key threads that form the thematic tapestry spanning Old and New Testaments. With this book, the Bible will no longer be a jumble of unrelated books, promises, and exhortations, but a collective, cohesive, and more meaningful masterpiece to any reader who wishes to explore its full breadth and depth.

Of Isaiah' prophetic writings, the resurrected Lord taught, "Search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah" (3 Nephi 32:1). Yet no chapters in the Book of Mormon are more difficult to understand than the Isaiah passages quoted by Nephi, Jacob, Abinadi, and Christ himself. The 17 essays in Isaiah in the Book of Mormon take a variety of approaches in seeking to help readers make the most of Isaiah's teachings. The contributing scholars draw on the Book of Mormon prophets as knowledgeable guides, examining how and why those ancient writers used and interpreted Isaiah's prophetic teachings. They explain Nephi's keys for understanding the great prophet, use historical and linguistic information to clarify his meanings, examine recurring themes, and reflect on the influence of these texts on ancient and modern saints.

This clear and readable introduction provides guidance on the history and theology of the book of Isaiah.