A miniature Bible
Some Bible scholars regard the book of Isaiah as a miniature Bible for the following reasons:
- There are 66 chapters in the book of Isaiah and 66 books that make up the Bible.
- The content of each chapter in Isaiah closely parallels the content of the corresponding book in the Bible. Example: Genesis (1st book in the Bible) corresponds with Isaiah chapter 1, Exodus with Isaiah 2 etc…
- Just as the Bible is split into the Old testament (39 books) and the New Testament (27 books), the Book of Isaiah is split into 2 parts. Chapters 1-39 are seen as the “Book of Judgement,” and (like the Old Testament) are filled with messages of judgement upon sinners. The last 27 chapters of this book (chapters 40-66) are known as the “Book of Comfort.” These 27 chapters (like the New Testament) preach a message of hope of the gospel.
Upon reading the book of Isaiah in this light, many parallels between each chapter of Isaiah and the corresponding book of the Bible are clearly seen. Let us look at just a few of these connections in this inspired book.
Genesis, the first book of the Bible, begins with the story of creation and man’s rebellion (Genesis 1-3). The first chapter of Isaiah begins with a reminder of creation and the rebellion of God’s people (Isaiah 1:2). The book of Genesis goes on to tell the stories of God’s relationship with His people, such as that of Abraham as well as the judgement of sinners, such as Sodom and Gamorah. An interesting connection between these two is the same promise of good land made between God and Abraham is mentioned (Isaiah 1:19; Genesis 15:7) as well as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Isaiah 1:9-10; Genesis 19:15,24).
In the book of Exodus, God’s people are brought out of captivity in Egypt and led to a mountain where they are given the law (Exodus 19:20, 20:1-17). In Isaiah 2 we see God’s people being called out of a land of idols to a mountain and pointed to the law. “And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3, see also verses 5-8). Exodus also tells of the destruction of the proud Pharaoh who said “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice…” (Exodus 5:2 ). This corresponds with the clear message in Isaiah 2 , ”For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low” (verse 12).
Isaiah presents the word “Gospel” in chapter 40 corresponding to the 40th book of the Bible, Matthew. Matthew is the first book of the New Testament as well as the first of the four Gospel books. In chapter 40, Isaiah uses the same words spoken by John the Baptist – the announcer of the Gospel. “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3).
In addition, Isaiah 66 and Revelation demonstrate clear parallels, as they both: tell God’s people to study His Word (Isaiah 66:2,5, Revelation 1:3), speaks of God’s people being priests (Isaiah 66: 21, Revelation 1:6), give the promise of a new heaven and earth (Isaiah 66:22-23, Revelation 21:2, 22-23) and warn the wicked of judgement (Isaiah 66:4-6, 16, 24; Revelation 16:5-21; 20:15; 21:8, 22:18). The promise of a new earth is a blessing to those who put their trust in God. “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain” (Isaiah 66:22). “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea….He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:1, 7).
While these are interesting connections, what is even more interesting is how God inspired Isaiah to write this book 770 years before the gospel was heralded. It is yet another reason why we can trust the Bible as an inspired book.
“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning…”.
Isaiah 46:9-10
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
