Bible Reading Plan

Chapter sixty is a prophesy of the return of the glory of Israel. God’s mercy and blessings will be upon Israel through the work of Christ. Nations will see His work and be in awe. Chapter sixty-one gives an account of Christ and the church. Christ speaks to His position and work. The church is presented as prosperous in the work of the Lord. God’s people will not be forsaken. Christ will redeem His people, the Lord will provide for them, and they will give Him praise.

Israel turned to idolatry and offered their children to false gods. They performed evil deeds and refused to seek forgiveness from the Lord. The Lord dwells with the one who is contrite and humble before Him, but the wicked will receive no peace. Those who fast but are not humbled before the Lord will not be blessed by Him. The one who is humble and obeys the commands of the Lord will be blessed in the Lord. The Lord is able to save those who seek forgiveness. Many people of Israel chose to sin against the Lord and against their people. The Redeemer (the Messiah) was promised. The Lord said His Spirit would be upon the righteous.

God made a covenant with his people that was compared to the covenant He made with Noah. He promised He would not turn from His people again but would love them and have compassion on them. They would not be oppressed by His hand. The Lord’s thoughts and ways are higher than man’s. His Word will be nourishment to those who hear. He will gather people from other nations to serve and worship Him. The irresponsible leaders of Israel were condemned. They drank strong drink and turned from God, but the Lord will redeem them.

God’s people turned to man for comfort, but it could only be found in the Lord, the creator of all things. He will comfort His people and save them from His wrath. They will be saved through the Messiah, and the gospel will come to pass. The Lord has shown Himself to His people through His deeds. Salvation is certain for His people. He called His people to be obedient and He would go before them and watch over them. Chapter fifty-three is a prophesy of the Messiah, the suffering servant. He will walk among the people He comes to save, but they will not recognize Him. He will allow Himself to endure the punishment for the sins of man.

Chapter forty-nine is prophesy concerning the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. He will be the means of salvation for Jews and Gentiles. Those who believe in Him will be saved. His position is defined, and the circumstances through which He will minister are described. The church is characterized as complaining, saying the Lord has forsaken them. This claim was refuted, and the church was reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord. Chapter fifty is prophesy concerning the rejection of Christ by the Jews. Multiple illustrations are used to describe their sin and denial of Christ. His role as Savior and priest are confirmed. His plan will not be changed. He will stand firm and will be the sacrifice for the sins of man.

Israel is God’s chosen people. Man makes idols in his own image, and they are of no worth and will not save but will bring those who worship them to shame. The Lord called Israel to return to Him and be forgiven from their sin. God chose to use Cyrus, King of Persia to end the Babylonian captivity. God is the creator of all things, and He has chosen how to fulfill His plan. He is the only Savior. Every knee will bow to Him and only through Him will Israel be saved.

The creation and worship of idols is condemned. Idols are made by human hands and have no ability to save or answer those who worship them. No god or idol could be compared with the Lord. God’s people were delivered from captivity in Babylon. Babylon will receive judgement for their deeds against God’s people and for refusing to worship God. God prepared His people through affliction and revealed His power and knowledge to them. He declared His acts before they occurred. He was the One who worked through Cyrus to rescue His people. God called Israel out of Babylon and exhorted them to go with joy to their land and obey His commands.

Isaiah forty-two begins with a prophesy of the Messiah who will save God’s people. His people are called to sing a new song of praise to the Lord because of His greatness. He is the God of power and justice. The people of God had not listened, and their eyes were blind to the truth of the Lord. They chose to worship idols and turn from God, but He would open their eyes and ears to the gospel of Christ. The Lord is God alone. No other gods are before Him, and none will follow. He is the One who saves. Israel will be punished because of their sin. They will turn to God, He will save them, and remember their sins no more.

The Lord gives hope to His people. Chapter forty tells of the coming of the forerunner, John, then the Messiah Himself. The world will fade away, but the Word of the Lord stands forever. The Lord is mighty and above all things. He cares for His people as a shepherd and will strengthen those who wait upon Him. The people of God are successful only through Him and His power. Their enemies are unsuccessful against them because of the power of God. He will not forsake His people. He will provide for their every need.

Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. He prayed to the Lord and the Lord promised Him fifteen more years. The Lord gave him a sign by turning the sun back on the dial of Ahaz ten degrees. The Lord protected Jerusalem from the Assyrians. Hezekiah wrote of the terrible conditions he experienced and the work of the Lord in healing him. The son of the king of Babylon sent messengers to Hezekiah. They were shown all the wealth Hezekiah stored. Isaiah prophesied concerning the future Babylonian captivity, when all that Hezekiah and his family stored would be taken to Babylon and his sons would become servants to the king of Babylon.