This lesson provides an outline of Isaiah chapters 28 to 31 for your reference.

Synopsis

In chapters twenty-eight to thirty-nine of Isaiah, Jerusalem is issued with a series of warnings,especially that their trust in Egypt as an ally is misplaced, and they should be trusting in God. These warnings are followed by encouragement, in the form of poems about the Messiah, "the King in his beauty." Next Isaiah warns all nations that they are accountable to God. Isaiah then tells the story of how God helped king Hezekiah in Jerusalem to save the city from destruction by Sennacherib king of Assyria. He then records how God extended Hezekiah’s life, and promised him that Jerusalem would not be destroyed until after his death.

Warnings to Jerusalem

• Ephraim a warning by example. Ephraim in drunk decline and soon to be destroyed, is an example from which Judah should learn (Isa 28:1-8).
• Two crowns compared. Ephraim’s and the Lord’s (Isa 28:1,3,5).
• Hear God’s word. A warning to receive the word attentively, "line upon line, precept upon precept" (Isa 28:9-14)
• A corner stone in Zion. God will lay a new foundation with a strict measuring line. In view of this, injustice, deceit, and scoffing, will be swept away by a storm of destruction (Isa 28:15-22).
• Parable of the farmer to illustrate God’s wondrous purpose and counsel. He will plow and thresh Jerusalem, but not forever, only to the extent necessary to a harvest (Isa 28:23-29).
• Woe to Ariel (Lion of God, referring to Jerusalem) but with a note of hope that the destruction will be like a dream to Jerusalem’s enemies (Isa 29:1-8).
• The sealed book, imagery expressing Judah's lack of discernment and heart toward God’s word (Isa 29:9-14).
• Potter and the clay. Warning those who think they can manipulate God (Isa 29:15-16).
• An end to the ruthless. Encouragement for the opressed and afflicted (Isa 29:17-21).
• They will sanctify. God’s optimism (Isa 29:22-24).