90 Day Bible update on Isaiah- Better late than never?

I’ve really loved the 90 day Bible challenge because it’s helped me to gain a greater context in my readings. Reading Isaiah just a matter of weeks after reading through the Kings and Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah has shed the book in a whole new light for me. I see how much of Isaiah has already been fulfilled, at least in a partial sense, and this just reaffirms the trustworthiness of God to keep His promises.

I noticed many themes in Isaiah such as that of justice/judgement, salvation of the remnant, God’s sovereignty, but above all else shines the theme of the glory of God. I think Isaiah 42:8 sums up this dominant theme nicely. “I am the Lord; that is My Name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.”

Here are some of the ways God has/is or will be glorified as outlined in the book of Isaiah.

1. Through His chosen people- “Everyone who is called by My Name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.” (43:7) “It is too small a thing for you to be My servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring My salvation to the ends of the earth…. Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.” (49:6-7)

2. By strengthening His people- “You have enlarged the nation, O Lord; you have enlarged the nation. You have gained glory for Yourself.” (26:15) “I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged Me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.” (45:5-6)

3. By delivering His people from their enemies- “Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” (37:20)

4. By exacting justice- “But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy by His righteousness.” (5:16)

5. Through His creation- “So that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (41:20)

6. Through His mighty works- “When they see among them their children, the work of My hands, they will keep My Name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.” (29:23) “Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” (29:14)

7. Through accomplishing His purposes- “The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring low the pride of all glory and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.” (23:9) “O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your Name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” (25:1) “For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?” (14:27)

8. Through the praises of seraphim- “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.” (6:3)

9. By pouring out His wrath on wickedness and evil- “I have commanded My holy ones; I have summoned My warriors to carry out My wrath.” (13:3) “The Lord is angry with all nations; His wrath is upon all their armies. He will totally destroy them, He will give them over to slaughter.” (34:2)

10. By punishing His rebellious people- “The Lord takes His place in court; He rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of His people.” (3:13-14) “Therefore the Lord’s anger burns against His people; His hand is raised and He strikes them down.” (5:25)

11. Through forgiving the sins of His people- “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (1:18) “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (43:25) “Although You were angry with me, Your anger has turned away and You have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.” (12:1-2)

12. By sending the Messiah- “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.” (28:16) “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (9:6-7)

13. When the Lord lays waste the earth and its rulers then assumes the throne over the new heavens and earth- “They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord; exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: ‘Glory to the Righteous One.’” (24:14-16) “For the Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously.” (24:23)