These introductions may help to put the context in place for your day's assigned reading. Enjoy!!
The Call of Cyrus (Isaiah 44:23-45:19)Cyrus, the Persian ruler, has been chosen by God to free the people. Cyrus is God's "shepherd," even God's "anointed," sent to do God's saving work.
Idols Cannot Save; Babylon Cannot Stand (Isaiah 45:20-48:22)The judgment of the idols and of Babylon is now in progress. Israel is called to turn from its own obstinacy and embrace God's offer of salvation.
Sunday, Isaiah 45-47
A Light to the Nations (Isaiah 49:1-55:13)God calls the servant to be a light to the nations and calls Israel to listen to God's teachings and to prepare for the return to Jerusalem.
A. The Call of the Servant (Isaiah 49:1-50:3)The servant reports being called by God in language similar to the call of a prophet. The servant is commissioned as a light to the nations that God's salvation might reach to the ends of the earth. God promises to bring home exiles from all directions.
B. To Listen and to Teach (Isaiah 50:4-51:8)The servant is confidant of God's vindication despite being struck and insulted for his fidelity to God's call. The people are called to listen to God and not to fear the reproach of others.
A Light to the Nations (Isaiah 49:1-55:13)God calls the servant to be a light to the nations and calls Israel to listen to God's teachings and to prepare for the return to Jerusalem.
A. The Call of the Servant (Isaiah 49:1-50:3)The servant reports being called by God in language similar to the call of a prophet. The servant is commissioned as a light to the nations that God's salvation might reach to the ends of the earth. God promises to bring home exiles from all directions.
Monday, Isaiah 48-50
B. To Listen and to Teach (Isaiah 50:4-51:8)The servant is confidant of God's vindication despite being struck and insulted for his fidelity to God's call. The people are called to listen to God and not to fear the reproach of others.
C. Awake, Awake (Isaiah 51:9-52:12)Israel calls upon God to "awake" and to help them, but God calls Israel to awake and put on strength for the journey out of Babylon.
D. The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)The servant is introduced as "a man of suffering"; surprisingly, he suffers not for his own iniquity but for the sake of others. He will be honored by God because he "bore the sin of many."
Tuesday, Isaiah 51-53
Life Made New (Isaiah 54:1-55:13)God calls Israel to sing for joy and to enjoy God's own feast, eating at last "what is good." God's word will do its work as surely as the rain and snow water the earth.
IV. Book 3 (Isaiah 56:1-66:24)The third portion of Isaiah contains messages of hope and warning to the people of God back in Jerusalem following the release from captivity in Babylon (538 B.C.E.).
1. Maintain Justice (Isaiah 56:1-59:21)Through the prophet, God invites all to enter into God's salvation, while calling on Israel to turn from idolatry and inauthentic worship, to share their food with the hungry, and to repent of their oppression of others and their revolt against God.
Wednesday, Isaiah 54-57
Your Light Has Come (Isaiah 60:1-62:12)These central chapters of the third part of Isaiah are very similar to Book 2 (Second Isaiah). God promises renewal and restoration of Israel, liberty to the captives, and comfort for those who mourn.
Thursday, Isaiah 58-60
Announcing Vindication (Isaiah 63:1-66:24)The people hear God's accusation and appeal for divine mercy. God promises again to make things new and to nourish Israel like a nursing mother.
Friday, Isaiah 61-64
Saturday, Isaiah 65-66
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