Isaiah

This book appears to fall into three sections. The first section (chapters 1-39) contains a large number of messages describing the judgement that will fall on the people of Judah unless they change their ways. This judgement is shot through with some beautiful passages of hope and promised salvation. This first section also contains some narrative sections, especially chapters 36-39 which are an exact copy of 1 Kings 18.13-20.19. The second section (40-55) is based almost entirely on the comfort that will come to God’s people. It feels as though it is set after the judgement, promised in the first section, has happened and pledges a new future for God’s people. The third section (56-66) also appears to be set at a different time, probably after God’s people have returned to the land. It contains a mix of warnings about how they should behave alongside comfort and hope for the future.