Isaiah 40–66 Introduction: Comfort, Redemption, and Hope

Introduction

Scholars commonly accept the two main divisions of Isaiah, chapters 1–39 and 40–66, due to their distinct themes and literary styles. Isaiah interestingly divides into two sections of 39 and 27 chapters, just as the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are formed of 39 and 27 books, 66 books in all. The chapter and verse divisions were added later rather than being divinely established, but the match is still a helpful way to memorize Isaiah’s framework.

The final section, chapters 40–66, divides neatly into three sections of nine chapters each, deliberately set off by their conclusions rather than their beginnings: Isaiah 40–48 ends at 48:22, Isaiah 49–57 at 57:21, and Isaiah 58–66 at 66:24. These sudden reminders of the destruction of the wicked bring readers back to the reality of mankind’s sinfulness even amid the grand themes of salvation, hope, and restoration.

In the first 39 chapters, Isaiah painted a compelling portrait of adulterous Israel seeking alliances with Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia. God kept calling them, but they resisted. God could not use Israel as a light, but instead showed that He would, despite their resistance, find an Israelite, a Servant, who would do all of God’s will. The glimpses of hope sown in the first half spring to life in the second half with more description, detail, and joy.

Isaiah 40–48 — God’s Gracious Dealings with Mankind

This first section of nine chapters begins a series of comforting, challenging, and humbling messages, wholly different and majestic in contrast to the first half of Isaiah’s judgmental tone. Here, the redemptive message rings out with forgiveness, grace, and hope. God, the Sovereign Ruler, has brought hope to the people who had lost all hope.

God’s people needed comfort (40:1–5), so God graciously introduces “My Servant,” the first of four Servant Songs, in Isaiah 42. God, their Creator and Redeemer, also calls Israel His servant, yet the contrast prepares them for the true Israelite, Jesus the Messiah, who would do all of Yahweh’s will.

Isaiah 49–57 — God’s Gracious Provision of Redemption

Chapters 49–57 continue to convey a strong message of hope, urging the wicked to quickly put away their sin so they may discover the hope beautifully expressed in later passages. Chapters 49, 50, and 53 expand Israel’s expectation of hope in the Messiah, the Servant. God certainly brings salvation to Israel, but in ways not readily expected.

The Israelites desperately needed redemption. God acted on His own and appointed His Servant, described in three of the four Servant Songs (49, 50, 53), to redeem His people. That chosen Servant would greatly suffer for His people.

The Servant is the focus of hope in these chapters. Because of this Servant, Israel can be assured that God has not forsaken them. His suffering culminates in death in Isaiah 53; what was to be our suffering became His suffering, and through His faithful service He leads those who are made righteous.

God patiently taught the Jews His plan was to incorporate people all around the world. “The many” was to include people from all around the world. The “everyone” of chapter 55:1 is inclusive. Chapter 56 purposely assures these “foreigners” not to feel inferior or unimportant.

Man was looking for political freedom in their own homeland.
God provided spiritual freedom in the kingdom of God.

Man was thinking only of his own race.
God was intent on helping people from every tongue and race.

How great and immeasurable is God’s grace! Chapter 57, though, brings us right back to the operating table. God spreads our evil right before our eyes, ever intent on bringing us to the first stage from which we will seek His healing. This too is the work of His marvelous grace.

IX. God’s Gracious Provision of Redemption (Isaiah 49–57)

49:1-50:3	  A.	Confirming His Concern Through His Servant   	• Bringing  Hope
50:4-11	   B.	Affirming His Concern Through His Servant  	• Bringing Comfort
51:1-23	   C.	Arousing Our Sense Of Need  	• Instilling Awareness Of God
52:1-12	   D.	Declaring Our Freedom From Sin  	• Instilling Anticipation Of Release
52:13-53   E. 	Providing Redemption For The Lost  	• Securing Salvation For The Many
54:1-17	   F.	Expanding God’s Magnificent Kingdom	• Describing Salvation 
55:1-13	   G.	Calling Us To Himself 	• Responding To Our Lord
56:1-8	    H.	Opening Wide The Kingdom's Doors  	• Overcoming Exclusiveness
56:9-57:21	I.	Encouraging The Contrite; Condemning Wicked 	• His Selectivity

Isaiah 58–66 — God’s Gracious Promises of Hope

58:1-14 A. Bringing Life Back Into Our Religious Experience
     1) The Grand Opportunity (58:1)
     2) The Believers’ Confusion (58:2-3a)
     3) The Lord's Evaluation (58:3b-7)
     4) The Lord’s Renewal Work (58:8-12)
     5) The Example of the Sabbath (58:13-14)
59:1-21 B. God's Extraordinary Mercy
     1) Clarifying Our Misunderstandings (59:1-2)
     2) Identifying Our Desperate Problems (59:3-15a)
     3) Redeeming Our Lost Lives (59:15b-21)
60:1-22 C. The Glorious New Community Of God's People
     1) Promise Of Zion’s Light & Salvation (60:1-3)
     2) Creation Of Zion’s Reunion & Wealth (60:4-9)
     3) Exemplification Of Zion’s Service & Splendor (60:10-14)
     4) Continuation Of Zion’s Growth & Stability (60:15-22)
61:1-11 D. The Foundation Of Hope
     1) The Servant’s Ministry [Healing & Comfort]   (61:1-3)
     2) The Church’s Participation [Faithfulness & Evangelism]   (61:4-9)
     3) The Lord’s Purpose [Splendor of Righteousness]   (61:10-11)
62:1-12 E. The Persistence of God's Plan
     1) Enthusing us with vision (62:1-5)
     2) Charging us to pray (62:6-9)
     3) Clarifying our call (62:10-12)
63:1-6 F. The High Cost Of Redemption
     1) His Majestic Crimson Garments ... A Threat Or Help? (63:1)
     2) His Red-Stained Garments ... A Lover Or Hater Of People? (63:2-6)
63:7-64 G. The Confession God Likes To Hear
     1) I Remember God’s Kindness (63:7-9)
     2) I Cannot Forget God’s Grace (63:10-14)
     3) I Long For A Renewed Expression of His Kindness (63:15-64:12)
65:1-25 H. Discovering God's Amazing Grace
     1) God cares for those who don't care about Him   (65:1)
     2) God chooses sinful people (65:2-12)
     3) God blesses His servants (65:13-16)
     4) God gives eternal life to those not deserving it   (65:17-25)
66:1-24 I. A Final Explanation and Promise
     1) What is man’s Status With God? (66:1-6)
     2) Joy Will Replace Zion’s Pain (66:7-14)
     3) The Signs of the End (66:15-24)

Summary and Application

The latter half of Isaiah celebrates a grand design: God redeems His people through His Servant’s faithful work. The three sections of Isaiah 40–66 each contain nine chapters, and at the center of these redemptive hopes stands Isaiah 53, where the Servant’s suffering, sacrifice, rejection, death, accomplishment, and reward are described in striking detail.

Isaiah’s strong message of redemptive hope grows brighter as the book progresses without forgetting the deserved judgment of the wicked. God demands contrite hearts, reformed lives, and personal faith in Him from those seeking His salvation.

Isaiah assures God’s people of extraordinary blessing and also points beyond Israel to the nations. God’s promises move toward a worldwide redemptive plan and finally to the new heavens and new earth.

Do you pray and regularly support overseas missions? How important is it to you that the gospel message is spread abroad?