Strategic Insights from Isaiah

Isaiah (son of Amoz) was a prophet of God in the days of King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Some estimate that he prophesied to the people of Judah for over 60 years, starting in the 8th century BC.

Isaiah’s prophesies can be found in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and obviously Isaiah, and they are repeated throughout the New Testament. Jesus Christ even read from the book of Isaiah when attending the synagogue in Nazareth, fulfilling the passage that very day (see Luke 4:16-30).

Isaiah’s words were studied way back then and should continue to be explored by today’s Bible students. For in them, we find strategic insights for daily living, as well as keys to future events of the End Times.

Seven Strategic Insights from Isaiah

Adonai alone will be exalted.
The book of Isaiah tells us that the people of Judah repeatedly provoked Adonai with their worship of idols, something they learned from neighboring pagan countries. Even in today’s age, humans can serve idols—like money, security, fame, and man-made religion. However, Christ-followers are only allowed to serve the One True God.
- “Remember the former things of old: For I am God—there is no other. I am God, and there is none like Me—declaring the end from the beginning, from ancient time, what is yet to come, saying, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please.’ ” Isaiah 46:9-10
- “The pride of man will be humbled, the arrogance of men abased, for Adonai alone will be exalted in that day. The idols will completely pass away.” Isaiah 2:17-18
- “But Adonai-Tzva’ot will be exalted through justice, and the Holy God consecrated through righteousness.” Isaiah 5:16
- “Thus says Adonai, Israel’s King and his Redeemer, Adonai-Tzva’ot: ‘I am the first, and the last, and there is no God beside Me.’ ” Isaiah 44:6
Fear God, not man.
There are many passages in Isaiah that speak of End Times events that can cause fear in the hearts of readers. But those who have placed their faith in the Messiah—Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ), have nothing to fear. Our Savior has already conquered the enemy of this world, by His shed blood on the cross! When we encounter times of trials, both now and in the days to come, Christians will find perfect peace by fearing God alone and letting Him fight for us.
- “You must not fear or tremble at what they fear. Adonai-Tzva’ot, Him will you sanctify, and let Him be your fear, trembling at Him.” Isaiah 8:12b-13
- “Then you will know that I am Adonai—those hoping in Me will not be ashamed.” Isaiah 49:23b
- “You keep in perfect peace one whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
- “No weapon formed against you will prosper and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Adonai’s servants—their vindication is from Me.” Isaiah 54:17
Return, be healed, and be saved.
Isaiah proclaimed many things to the Jewish people about their coming Messiah—Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Isaiah 53 is probably one of the most well-known messianic chapters in the entire book of Isaiah. Again and again, Adonai calls for His children to return to Him, turn from their sins, and be healed by the blood of Yeshua/Jesus. Only then will we be wiped clean and wrapped in righteousness.
- “Rather let them rely on My strength. Let them make peace with Me—make peace with Me.” Isaiah 27:5
- “Wash and make yourselves clean. Put away the evil of your deeds from before My eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us reason together, says Adonai. Though your sins be like scarlet, they will be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they will become like wool. If you are willing and obey, you will eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured with the sword. For the mouth of Adonai has spoken.” Isaiah 1:16-20
- “Have we not sinned against Him? In His ways they were unwilling to walk and His Torah they did not obey.” Isaiah 42:24b
- “So Adonai will strike Egypt—striking yet healing—so they will return to Adonai, and He will respond to them and heal them.” Isaiah 19:22
- “Rather you burdened Me with your sins, wearied Me with your iniquities. I, I am the One who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:24b-25
- “The Ruach of Adonai Elohim is on me, because Adonai has anointed me to proclaim Good News to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of Adonai’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of Adonai, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:1-3
- “But He was pierced because of our transgressions, crushed because of our iniquities. The chastisement for our shalom was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5
Seek understanding, knowledge, and wisdom.
By the power of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), God gives wisdom, insight, knowledge, and understanding. These are necessary tools to discern God’s hand at work. We don’t want to rely on our flesh or human senses to follow where God is leading.
- “They do not notice Adonai’s activity nor see the works of His hands. ‘Therefore My people are in captivity for lack of knowledge…’ ” Isaiah 5:12b-13a
- “The Ruach of Adonai will rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and insight, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Adonai. His delight will be in the fear of Adonai. He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor decide by what His ears hear.” Isaiah 11:2-3
- “…so they may see and know, consider and understand together, that the hand of Adonai has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.” Isaiah 41:20
Watch for Adonai’s activity.
Especially as the days get darker, as the End Times approaches, God’s people must follow hard after God and stay in His will. As we study His Word, we can stay in tune with how He is at work.
- “They do not notice Adonai’s activity nor see the works of His hands. ‘Therefore My people are in captivity for lack of knowledge…’ ” Isaiah 5:12b-13a
- “Do not remember former things, nor consider things of the past. Here I am, doing a new thing; now it is springing up—do you not know about it? I will surely make a way in the desert, rivers in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
- “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. It is a declaration of Adonai. For as the heavens are higher than earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without having watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to sow and bread to eat, so My word will be that goes out from My mouth. It will not return to Me in vain, but will accomplish what I intend, and will succeed in what I sent it for.” Isaiah 55:8-11
Wait for Adonai and renew your strength.
The prophet Isaiah provides God’s children with so much encouragement for tough times. Isaiah reminds us that only God will satisfy our souls and only through Adonai can we truly renew our strength.
- “Have you not known? Have you not heard? Adonai is the eternal God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow tired or weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives strength to the weary, and to one without vigor He adds might. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but they who wait for Adonai will renew their strength. They will soar up with wings as eagles. They will run, and not grow weary. They will walk, and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
- “Then Adonai will guide you continually, satisfy your soul in drought and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:11
- “Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Be strong, have no fear!’ Behold, your God! Vengeance is coming! God’s recompense—it is coming! Then He will save you.” Isaiah 35:4
- “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
- “Even to your old age I will be the same, until you are gray I will carry you. I have done it; I will bear you; I will carry you; I will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4
All prophecy will come to pass.
Isaiah contains numerous prophetic passages, both for ancient times and events yet to come. Adonai strategically declares the prophetic to His children so we will be His witnesses and know the works of His hands. Only the Lord can declare the end from the beginning!
- “I foretold the former things long ago. They went forth from My mouth, and I caused them to be heard. Suddenly I acted, so they came about.” Isaiah 48:3
- “Do not dread or be afraid. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? So you are My witnesses! Is there any God beside Me? Is there any other Rock? I know of none.” Isaiah 44:8
- “Remember the former things of old: For I am God—there is no other. I am God, and there is none like Me—declaring the end from the beginning, from ancient time, what is yet to come, saying, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will accomplish all that I please.’ ” Isaiah 46:9-10

The Example to Follow

“But on this one will I look, one humble and of a contrite spirit, who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2, TLV

Isaiah was a man of obedience to God Almighty, faithfully declaring the word of the Lord to his generation. When trials came his way, Isaiah would cry out to the Lord (2 Chron. 32:20). He lived his life fully devoted to Adonai, and God used Isaiah to proclaim some of the most well-known passages in the Bible about the Savior of the World.

God can use us, too, for His divine purposes. But we must be careful to live as godly men and women, following Isaiah’s example. Today, let’s all apply these strategic insights from the book of Isaiah to our lives and see how God uses it.