Isaiah means “The Lord is Salvation” and rightly so, he writes in chapter 12, verse 2 as

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my
strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” –

Isaiah 12:2

The book of Isaiah is believed to be written between 740 BC – 680 BC. It was a time when Judah’s Kings were doing things right in the eyes of the Lord; barring one King. The People were following the King, but wicked practices were prevalent. People were in rebellion with the Lord. In His Grant plan, God had destined Judah to go in to Exile (580 BC) to Babylon and later brought them back to Jerusalem.

The Nation of Israel was going through decay both internally and externally. Internally, the people of Judah were sinful, practicing idolatry, in obedience to God, God wasn’t sought, nor His word was listened to. Externally, the neighboring nations were a threat to Judah. The Assyrian empire was a threat.

This context applies to us as well. The Christian fraternity today is no different from Judah. We are immersed in sinfulness and we are not seeking God nor His word is studied and meditated. Externally, atheism is questioning our faith, In India we face religious intolerance from a majoritarian Hindutva government.

In this context, Isaiah presents Word’s God in 5 significant topics

1) Rebellion against God

Isaiah makes the rebellion of the People of Judah against the Almighty God in the very second verse. He brings out Israel’s state of non-understanding, doing evil & forsaking God.

“I reared children and brought them up,
    but they have rebelled against me.

Isaiah 1:2

This theme repeats itself in Isaiah where the Lord exposes Judah’s Israel, their sinfulness & wickedness.

2) Repentant Heart

    In verses 16, 17, Isaiah calls for Repentance. He calls Judah to wash and be clean. He urges them to seek justice & defend the oppressed.

    In Chapter 6, when Isaiah illustrates the vision of the Lord seated in the throne, he writes about his own experience of Repentance. The Holiness of God, exposes Isaiah’s unholiness, with a repentant heart he confesses saying

    “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty

    Isaiah 6:5

    Isaiah’s repentance was followed by the touch of God which brought atonement for his sins. Isaiah had a divine experience in Isaiah 6, my better half has brought it out in a picture. What we see here is – Seeing God exposes our uncleanliness, humbles us, convicts us and we repent & confess. God’s righteousness is bestowed to us by His touch. God’s call to His Mission comes only after this.

    3) Retribution from God

    When we don’t repent and turn to God; Retribution from God cannot be avoided. We have to face His judgement. The first 39 chapters of Isaiah deals with warning & judgement when we fail to repent and turn to Him.

    4) Redeemer is Promised

    The famous verse Isaiah 9:6 promises the Messiah, a Redeemer from Human sinfulness & wickedness from the root of David (Isaiah 11)

    For to us a child is born,
        to us a son is given,
        and the government will be on his shoulders.
    And he will be called
        Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    Isaiah 9:6

    5) Restoration of God’s People

    Isaiah also prophesies the restoration & redemption of God’s people in the second part of his book.

    But now, this is what the Lord says—
        he who created you, Jacob,
        he who formed you, Israel:
    “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
        I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
     When you pass through the waters,
        I will be with you;
    and when you pass through the rivers,
        they will not sweep over you.
    When you walk through the fire,
        you will not be burned;
        the flames will not set you ablaze.

    Isaiah 43:1-2

    The lesson the book of Isaiah leaves us with is – We the Rebellious People, have to turn to God with a Repentant heart to escape His Retribution to be Restored by the Redeemer.