One has to see it all, not just parts. Verses 16 and 17 talk about an everlasting righteousness that will come at the end of this series of events. That immediately places the prophecy in the end times. At the beginning end of things, though, is the abandoning of all prosperity in Jerusalem, a warning to complacent women, and even a time set for troubles to begin (a little over a year from this prophecy, verse 10.)

How put those two ideas together? Immediate trouble in Isaiah’s day, coupled with eternal righteousness? Verse 15 may be the clue. Trouble will continue until the Spirit of God is poured out.

Again being as literal as we can be, what outpouring of God’s Spirit comes to mind when you hear these words? Pentecost? Me, too. Trouble, trouble, trouble. Assyria, Babylonia, medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, give Israel trouble.

Then comes Jesus in a time of darkness for the people of God. He does His work, then leavers, then sends His Spirit upon the Jews. Things begin to turn around as He calls out a people for His Name.

Then (not “in that day”) will come that everlasting righteousness at Jesus’ second coming and the establishment of the promised Kingdom.

What think ye? Have I covered it properly? Do you see something else? Keep searching if my explanation does not satisfy the text.

23. Isaiah 34:10-15. Though many can see barren lands of our day as a fulfillment of this prophecy, what clues as to the future nature of it?

Once again the reminder to read everything in a text. Chapter 34 is clearly about the end times, yet again. It follows a section of chapter 33 that should also be included with it. 34 talks of the host of heaven wearing away, the sky rolling up like a scroll, utter judgmental destruction, the ultimate day of vengeance, an everlasting rising of smoke. Nothing like these clues are with us today.

Not everything in Isaiah is still future. I hope I did not give that impression. The first part of chapter 33, for example, is about the punishment of the punisher, Assyria. Other local judgments are forecast. But more often than not, Isaiah sees the coming Messiah, in His lowly first coming and His glorious second coming.

24. Isaiah 35. When shall (or did) this happen?

Look only at verses 1-2, and you will hear from “scholars” that the Israeli desert indeed has fulfilled this word from the prophet. Look at verse 5-6, and you will say immediately, oh! the first coming of Jesus, to be sure! But read the whole chapter in the light of the last verse, and you will see you have just entered the Millennium, as Isaiah delights to do quite often. Yes, we can see bits and pieces of our future glory in the here and now, but rob not the prophet of his full vision, your wonderful future.

25. Isaiah 36-39. Do these chapters sound familiar?

Indeed. In some places they are word for word the same as II Kings 18-20. See also II Chronicles 32. Helps us to get an idea as to some of the authorship of the history books. In fact, almost all of the Old Testament books were written by prophets. Even David is so styled.

26. Isaiah 40:10, 11, 28, 29; 41:14. What do all these verses have in common?

They verify the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ Who used the same words when He was here to refer to Himself.

Verse 10: The coming One who brings a reward with Him, so spoken in Revelation about Jesus.

Verse 11: The Great Shepherd, Jesus, echoes the apostle John’s Gospel.

Verse 28: The Creator. Jesus, as in John 1:1

Verse 29: Gives strength to the weary. Matthew 11: Come to Me, all you who are weary, I will give you rest…

Verse 14: The Redeemer. Ephesians 1 talks of redemption through the blood of Jesus.