King James Bible - Old Testament Isaiah

Isaiah marks the beginning of the prophetic books of the Old Testament. These books all roughly tell the same story: Israel has sinned against God; the people are to be punished terribly; after the punishment, we shall return to paradise.

The prophet Isaiah had a series of visions about the retribution coming for the sins of Israel opening with:

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. A sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward." Isaiah, 1:3-4

Isaiah announced that God wanted the people to change their ways; if they did this their sorrow would be undone. He predicted that the house of God would be rebuilt on a mountain and God would come down to judge the sins of the people. When God came, He would take the goods and jewels from the women and the men would fail in war. Anyone remaining in Jerusalem would be made holy.

Isaiah spoke of a vineyard. God was the keeper and Israel the vines. On judgement day, the sinners would be humbled. A Seraphim told Isaiah to speak to the people. God told him that He would send the people a sign from the house of David; a virgin would bear a son called Immanuel who would choose God. This child would choose righteousness over sin. Isaiah warned the people to be involved only with good people. The child would cleanse the dimness and sinfulness of the land. Isaiah lamented the fall of the righteous and the worship of idols. He begged God for mercy on the house of Jacob. He promised the people that they would prevail against Babylon. God would destroy Moab because of its pride. Damascus was to suffer and Africa would be plagued by famine. The Egyptians would serve Assyrians.

Isaiah predicted more. The city of David would be plagued by war. Tyre would fall and be forgotten. Isaiah reminded them that God was all-powerful. A city in Judah was to survive the destruction. The righteous would prevail. God would destroy the serpents and cleanse the sins of Jacob. He called for the people to hearken to his words and not make a covenant with death. David's home was to fall to siege. Isaiah promised to seal the words of his vision in a book.

Isaiah promised that Israel would be redeemed. Her rebellious children in other parts of the world would be called back or punished. When that day came, "the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun...." Isaiah, 30:26. The people would worship God. Kings would reign justly. People would forget evil altogether. Anyone who read the book of God would survive. The wilderness would become paradise.

The king of Assyria attacked Judah and King Hezekiah. He asked him why He rebelled against the laws. Hezekiah sent some men to question Isaiah. The prophet told them to turn to God. Hezekiah praised God and was victorious over his enemies. A prince of Babylon sent Hezekiah golden gifts and Isaiah became enraged. He told him that all these things would perish and nations themselves are meaningless. The people must remember God even thought they would suffer for their father's sins.

Cyrus, according to Isaiah, was a shepherd of God who would rebuild Jerusalem. Daughters of unholy nations would be spoiled. Evil would come to the other cities of the world. Isaiah told them to flee from foreign nations because God would redeem the house of Jacob and be their foundation for peace. Isaiah told them that his mouth is God's sword. He implored them to wake from their stupor and realize that God would destroy those who were unclean and uncircumcised. He told them that they should not waste their money on unnecessary things because if they acted holy their reward would be heaven. Those who were wicked would never have peace. God could save those who had sinned if they would only turn to Him. All gentiles who turned to God wouldn't perish.

Isaiah told the people that they did not need elaborate garments or expensive goods. He asked why God made them able to sin. He pleaded and announced that all the cities of the earth had gone astray. When God redeemed the world, the lion and the lamb would feed together, He said. Then He added that heaven is God's throne and earth is His footstool. Israel would bear a male child and be loved by God. Peace would extend from Israel to the gentiles. God would reforge the world and all evil would perish. After the Day of Judgement there was to be peace and people would multiply. God would make His loyal people glorious.

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