Today let us make a quick review of the early chapters in the book of Isaiah that we have not mentioned so far. I think this is a good thing to do because there are important verses that we do not want to overlook at this time. I have a note in one of my Bibles that tells me to "LOOK FOR THE MESSIAH IN EVERY VERSE." This must be the"secret" in understanding the sixty-six chapters in this book.

Let us not forget that the PROPHET ISAIAH ministered from c .740 B.C. to c.700 B.C. or later. He was one of the first prophets to warn Israel of impending danger-- unless there was repentance. Let us be encouraged with Isaiah 1:9. We see that there will be A REMNANT of Jews who will believe and take heed to the prophecy. The REMNANT is like a holy seed (or a spiritual kernel) planted and growing to produce a believing people. What an encouragement for us today! In Isaiah 2:8,18, 20, we observe that the LORD’S PEOPLE were idolaters. The LORD’S HOUSE, THE TEMPLE, will be re-established in Zion during the reign of the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the MILLENNIUM. There will be no more wars! Their swords will be made into plows and their spears into pruning tools. Everyone will "walk in the light of the LORD!" It is then that the "haughtiness" of men will be made low! There will be great fright. Everyone will try to flee from God; but it will not be possible.

Now look at Isaiah, CHAPTER THREE. Besides hunger, there will be disrespect for elders. The younger people will rule over the seniors. They could care less if their elders live or die. Anyone who has clothes and food is looked to for leadership. Jerusalem is ruined. The LORD is provoked! Open Sodomy is accepted. No shame! Haughty women become rulers! They walk provocatively, are unrestrained, and are sexually loose. The LORD will destroy with scabs their coiffeur and beauty. They will give forth an awful stench. Most men will die in war. Women will grab the same man just to have an association with one. (4:1). Good news! Some will remain in Zion! They will be called HOLY!

God will remove His protective hedge from His people (Chapter 5). He calls them His"vineyard." He pronounces six woes on His people.

1-Woe to them that join one to another with no privacy.

2-Woe to them that drink strong drink early in the morning.

3-Woe to those that practice iniquity like it is nothing.

4-Woe to them that call evil good and good evil.

5-Woe to them that think they can do no wrong.

6-Woe to them that give their strength to strong drink,

and to those that justify the wicked for a reward.

NOW WE COME TO ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN AND LOVED CHAPTERS IN ISAIAH, chapter six. The narrative began in the year that KING UZZIAH died. This king was one of the most successful kings of Judah, a runner-up to Solomon. At sixteen, he became co-regent with his father. He was good in battle--gaining victories with many of his father’s enemies. Jerusalem’s walls were reinforced by him. He was a patron of agriculture and always worshipped the TRUE GOD! But pride overtook him. Taking a incense censor, he was determined to burn it on God’s altar. It was then, God smote him with dreaded leprosy, and was a leper to the day of his death.

It was after UZZIAH’s death, that ISAIAH received his "call " to the ministry. He saw the LORD sitting on a high throne with ministering Seraphim about Him. In utter fear for his life, Isaiah cried out, "WOE IS ME!" With such holiness surrounding him, he felt dirty and unworthy. God touched the lips of an ordinary man, and at the same time gave him the pen of a ready writer. When the call sounded forth, "WHOM SHALL I SEND?" Isaiah’s heart responded, "HERE AM I SEND ME!" With those words of acceptance, God received Isaiah’s dedication, sending him out to warn Judah of impending danger and gave him prophetic utterances that are sung to magnificent music today. (ysw)