Isaiah is the most quoted Old Covenant prophet, predicting the coming of our Lord Jesus and his messianic ministry some 800 years before Christ’s birth. Let me give you a sampling.
Isaiah told us that Jesus would be born from a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14) He also let us inow that this child would be God himself, upon whom God’s government would rest. (Lord and King)
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NASB)
When Jesus began his itinerant ministry, he quoted Isaiah 61.
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, Luke 4:18 (NASB)
He went about in the power of the Spirit setting people free as God’s representative King. Matthew explained Jesus’ healing ministry by quoting Isaiah 53.
When Jesus came into Peter's home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her; and she got up and waited on Him. 16 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES." Matthew 8:14-17 (NASB)
His governmental Lordship was also prophesied, along with his princely ministry of bringing peace to those who put their faith and allegiance in him. This Messiah King would be God’s New Covenant man. Whereas the Old Covenant was a pact between God and men, the New Covenant was between the Father and the Son. The Son would keep its provisions so that we could be saved by faith in him and what he did.
I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations, Isaiah 42:6 (NASB)
Later when the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders conspired to kill him. Matthew quoted Isaiah to give context to what was happening.
But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. 15 But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 and warned them not to tell who He was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 18 "BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. 19 "HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. 20 "A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT, UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. 21 "AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE." Matthew 12:14-21 (NASB)
When his disciples asked him why he spoke in parables, Jesus quoted Isaiah.
Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 "In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; 15 FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.' Matthew 13:11-15 (NASB)
Jesus again quoted the prophet to castigate the rebellious Jewish leaders who would not accept him.
"You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 9 'BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.'" Matthew 15:7-9 (NASB)
Jesus would become the Savior and Lord of the all the earth, a light to the nations. He would accomplish this in a most unexpected way, by dying on a cross as God’s Lamb. This was laid out in Isaiah 53.
As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:11-12 (NASB)
Here we have a beautiful exposition of forgiveness and justification. His resurrection is also foreshadowed by the statement, “I will allot him a portion with the great, he will divide the booty with the strong.”
Paul quoted Isaiah as the justification for his own apostolic ministry.
How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7 (NASB)
The ultimate reconciliation of a remnant of Abraham’s descendants to our Lord is also prophesied.
Thus says the LORD, "As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, 'Do not destroy it, for there is benefit in it,' So I will act on behalf of My servants In order not to destroy all of them. 9 "I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, And an heir of My mountains from Judah; Even My chosen ones shall inherit it, And My servants will dwell there. Isaiah 65:8-9 (NASB)
The restoration of the nation of Israel was also foreseen.
Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a nation be brought forth all at once? As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. 9 "Shall I bring to the point of birth and not give delivery?" says the LORD. "Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?" says your God. Isaiah 66:8-9 (NASB)
Jesus’ second coming as God’s appointed judge is also foretold.
For behold, the LORD will come in fire And His chariots like the whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For the LORD will execute judgment by fire And by His sword on all flesh, And those slain by the LORD will be many. Isaiah 66:15-16 (NASB)
Also, the new heavens and new earth are prophesied.
For just as the new heavens and the new earth Which I make will endure before Me," declares the LORD, "So your offspring and your name will endure. Isaiah 66:22 (NASB)
I encourage you to read Isaiah through gospel lenses. You will be blessed. Take note that Isaiah’s 66 chapters match the number of books in the entire Bible. Also note that the first 39 chapters are very different from 40-66. There are 39 chapters in the Old Testament, just like the first section of Isaiah. The 27 books of the New Testament are mirrored by Isaiah 40-66, in which the New Covenant is clearly prophesied. It is an amazing book that will greatly encourage your heart.
