I’d like to share something with you today that I think will bless your heart.
The book of Isaiah is a wonderful Old Testament book. This book of prophecy was written during the years 700-650 B.C. (before Christ). Isaiah wrote in classic Hebrew. One message rings clear from his heart; God will never compromise with sin. Max Lucado says, “He spoke with a grit in his gut and a fire in his eyes like one who had stood in hell and seen heaven, for that is exactly what happened. Isaiah saw God.”
It is comprised of 66 chapters. Its contents are:
I. Local Prophesies 1:1 – 35:10
II. Hezekiah’s Reign 36:1 – 39:8
III. The Coming Messiah 40:1 – 56:12
IV. The Messiah for All People 57:1 – 66:24
Now watch this. I found this quite interesting. You should follow along with your own Bible so you can see it.
The book of Isaiah has 66 chapters. The Bible has 66 books.
There are two distinct divisions in Isaiah. The Bible has two divisions also. The Old and the New Testaments.
The first division of Isaiah is chapters 1-39. The first division of the Bible has 39 books. (The Old Testament)
The second division of Isaiah is chapters 40-66 (27 chapters). The second division of the Bible also has 27 books. (The New Testament)
The last 27 chapters of Isaiah are often referred to as the ‘Gospel of the Old Testament’. The New Testament contains the Gospel.
Now divide those 27 chapters into three equal parts. They are: 40-48 49-57 58-66 (3 sets of 9 chapters)
The center section is 49-57
The center chapter of that center section is chapter 53
In chapter 53, there are actually 15 verses not 12 (in the original Hebrew). The three extra verses are at the end of chapter 52. The reason is because 52:13-15 is an introduction to chapter 53. Read it and you will see.
So, now take those 15 verses and divide them equally into 5 sets with 3 verses in each set. They are: 52:13-15 53:1-3 53:4-6 53:7-9 53:10-12
Now notice that the center set of verses is 4-6.
Let’s read them:
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
I have bolded the center verse (vs 5) because that is not only the central verse of these 27 chapters; It is also the very center of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! Everything hinges on this very verse! Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities! He carried all of our sins to His cross!
These three verses (vs 4-6) hold the key to our Salvation.
Isn’t that neat! The Bible is so amazing! Now go show that to someone today!!
Have a blessed day!
Steve Roach
The book of Isaiah is a wonderful Old Testament book. This book of prophecy was written during the years 700-650 B.C. (before Christ). Isaiah wrote in classic Hebrew. One message rings clear from his heart; God will never compromise with sin. Max Lucado says, “He spoke with a grit in his gut and a fire in his eyes like one who had stood in hell and seen heaven, for that is exactly what happened. Isaiah saw God.”
It is comprised of 66 chapters. Its contents are:
I. Local Prophesies 1:1 – 35:10
II. Hezekiah’s Reign 36:1 – 39:8
III. The Coming Messiah 40:1 – 56:12
IV. The Messiah for All People 57:1 – 66:24
Now watch this. I found this quite interesting. You should follow along with your own Bible so you can see it.
The book of Isaiah has 66 chapters. The Bible has 66 books.
There are two distinct divisions in Isaiah. The Bible has two divisions also. The Old and the New Testaments.
The first division of Isaiah is chapters 1-39. The first division of the Bible has 39 books. (The Old Testament)
The second division of Isaiah is chapters 40-66 (27 chapters). The second division of the Bible also has 27 books. (The New Testament)
The last 27 chapters of Isaiah are often referred to as the ‘Gospel of the Old Testament’. The New Testament contains the Gospel.
Now divide those 27 chapters into three equal parts. They are: 40-48 49-57 58-66 (3 sets of 9 chapters)
The center section is 49-57
The center chapter of that center section is chapter 53
In chapter 53, there are actually 15 verses not 12 (in the original Hebrew). The three extra verses are at the end of chapter 52. The reason is because 52:13-15 is an introduction to chapter 53. Read it and you will see.
So, now take those 15 verses and divide them equally into 5 sets with 3 verses in each set. They are: 52:13-15 53:1-3 53:4-6 53:7-9 53:10-12
Now notice that the center set of verses is 4-6.
Let’s read them:
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
I have bolded the center verse (vs 5) because that is not only the central verse of these 27 chapters; It is also the very center of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! Everything hinges on this very verse! Jesus was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities! He carried all of our sins to His cross!
These three verses (vs 4-6) hold the key to our Salvation.
Isn’t that neat! The Bible is so amazing! Now go show that to someone today!!
Have a blessed day!
Steve Roach
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