Isaiah 14 begins with a continuation of God’s oracle against the Babylonian empire, specifically the Babylonian king. The chapter concludes with 2 shorter oracles, one against the Assyrians and the other against the nation of Philistia.

Isaiah 13 is God’s prophetic message to the future nation of Babylon. Babylon was going to rise to power, but then they were going to become arrogant and wicked. God prophesied through Isaiah that He would punish Babylon harshly for their pride, and He would use a up-and-coming nation known as the Medes to do it.

In Isaiah 11, Isaiah prophesied about the arrival of the Branch from the stump of Jesse, the Messiah King, who would save the Jewish people some time in the future. Isaiah 12 prophesies the response of God’s people when the prophesied events came to pass. The people of Israel and Judah would turn back to God, praise Him, and promote His holy name throughout the nations.

Though the nation of Judah would be humbled by foreign oppressors, the shoot of a branch would grow from the remains of the nation. This branch would grow to become a savior and king over the people of Israel and the whole world. In Isaiah 11, Isaiah describes the character and accomplishments of the future hope of God’s people.

Isaiah prophesied that God would use Assyria as a tool to punish wicked Israel. After using them, He would ruin them and punish them for their pride and blasphemy. Though the threat from Assyria was great and the destruction promised to be devastating, God swore to preserve a remnant of His people through whom He would work in future days.

The first half of Isaiah 9 is positive. Isaiah prophesied that God would send a child to bless the land of Israel in the future. This child would be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The second half of the chapter is negative. God was going to bring judgement on the present evil of Israel. He was going to scorch their land with a wildfire of punishment and humble His proud people for refusing to repent of their sins.

God provided another sign that Syria and Israel will not concur Judah. Isaiah prophesied that the power of Syria and Israel would be extinguished before a son, who was not yet born to Isaiah, came of age. God reassured Judah but also warned them not to seek further signs from sorcerers and mediums.

During the reign of Ahaz, Syria and Israel attacked Judah. Isaiah was sent to reassure Ahaz. God promised to give Ahaz a sign that in a few years Syria and Israel would be desolate and no threat to Judah. Isaiah prophesied, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Judah would be spared from Syria and Israel, but God would use the Assyrians and Egyptians to punish them for their wickedness.

In the year King Uzziah died, Isaiah had a vision of God sitting on His throne. Isaiah’s sins were atoned for when an angel touched his lips with a burning coal, and he accepted God’s commission to be a prophet to Judah. God told him to preach to the people even though He knew they were too stubborn to listen.

God compared Judah to a vineyard that produced bad fruit. God was going to tear the vineyard down. God would summon foreign nations to punish His people because Judah had disrespected His holy name.

Isaiah described a day of refreshing that would follow God’s judgement. God would wash away the filth and a holy remnant would be left. Isaiah wrote, “In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land shall be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.”

Because of Judah’s depravity, God was going to strip the nation of everything. Its wealth, food, and leaders would be taken, and it would be left in a sorry state. God pronounced woes on the wicked, warning them that hardship awaited them. Jerusalem’s immoral women would trade their bracelets for a slave’s brand, and Judah’s mighty men would fall in battle. 

Isaiah prophesied that in the “latter days” the mountain of the house of the Lord would be elevated, and the word of the Lord would go out from Jerusalem. Isaiah described the day of God’s judgement, the day when God would punish the proud nations, including Judah if they continued in their idolatry.

Judah’s wickedness and God’s displeasure with their vain worship. Jerusalem was once a city of righteousness, but it became a city that welcomed evildoers. God called on them to put away their evil and cleanse themselves.

This is a short introduction to the Book of Isaiah, covering the author, dates, and scope of Isaiah’s ministry. Free downloadable notes.

The final chapter of Song of Solomon is yet another celebration of the love between Solomon and his bride. Her virtue and virginity are celebrated, and the anticipation of intimacy at the beginning of the book gives way to the satisfaction of married pleasure at the end of the book.

Solomon continues complimenting his bride in Song of Solomon 7, beginning with her feet and going all the way up to her head. He described his intimate desire for her, and she responded by inviting him to her vineyard to taste the delicious fruits that would satisfy him.

The anxious dream of missing her lover now over, the young bride is reunited with her husband in the poetic garden of love and intimacy. As they enjoy one another’s company, the young man launches into another description of his lover’s beauty.

The first half of Song of Solomon 5 is a recounting of a dream the young woman had in which she lost her lover. He came to her door, but then vanished, leaving her lovesick. In the second section, the young woman describes the physical attractiveness of her beloved to the Daughters of Jerusalem.

Solomon opens the chapter admiring the beauty of his new bride and anxiously anticipating their wedding night. He compared her virginity to a locked garden, one that was now ripe, untouched, and ready to be enjoyed.