The book of Isaiah is challenging and complex in its design. It can be divided into three general sections, though there are many scholarly disagreements as to how the sections relate to one another. Because of its specificity to periods of time after Isaiah’s death, some believe that the book was written by multiple authors, while others believe it to be the work of a single author. The book seems to randomly jump back and forth without rhyme or reason between passages of mercy and judgment, of suffering and salvation, and of joy and sorrow. It is rich in Hebrew poetic imagery and uses many different literary devices to make its points. No matter who you are, the complexity of this book can make it difficult to understand and piece together as a cohesive whole.

In this teaching, Dr. John Oswalt walks us through the book of Isaiah in a thorough and meaningful way. He begins by laying out the historical and political context of the book and pointing out several of its key themes. After summarizing the book as a whole in the context of the “servanthood” theme, Dr. Oswalt analyzes several passages that powerfully emphasize the themes and purposes of Isaiah’s book. Each session also includes several relevant applications for the contemporary church and its people.

Overall, Dr. Oswalt’s instruction provides a greater understanding of the meaning and purposes of the book of Isaiah. This series breaks down the complexity of the book, making further study more fruitful, rewarding, and beneficial to Bible students at any level.