The Book of Isaiah and God's Kingdom: A Thematic-Theological Approach (Volume 40) (New Studies in Biblical Theology) Paperback – October 19, 2016

very good book on the theology of the book of Isaiah in an excellent series

good book! worth the read

If you are preaching from Isaiah you need this book

What should we expect when the Kingdom of God comes on earth? How does the Old Testament promises of a Davidic King and a theocracy relate to the New Testament?The Book of Isaiah and God's Kingdom by Andrew Abernathy is the fifth book I've read in the New Studies in Biblical Theology series. This is a great intellectual book dealing with the subject, but I found it a stimulating challenge to keep up with the flow. One major issue in looking at Isaiah as a whole is the debate on how many Isaiahs wrote the book of Isaiah. As is usual in this series, Abernathy acknowledges the difference of opinion without alienating any of the options. The main point of the book is that God is the King of the earth, presented with different emphases in three sections of Isaiah (1-39, 40-55, and 56-66). While the focus is on Isaiah, Abernathy also deals with how the text fits with the rest of the Canon.If you're ready to wrestle with deep waters of theological thinking, this book is what you're looking for.

Here’s a book that digs deeply into the meaning of the book of Isaiah. Andrew Abernethy believes that seeing the kingdom in the book of Isaiah is the key to discovering its meaning. I believe that you, as I, will come to believe that he made an outstanding case for what he believes to be true about the concept of the kingdom in Isaiah. This volume makes a great addition to the New Studies in Biblical Theology series published by IVP and edited by D. A. Carson.In the Introduction, he points out how words about the king in the kingdom are found all through the book of Isaiah–far more actually than most of us realize. He states that he wants to frame the entire study on: God the King, the lead agents of the King, the realm of the kingdom, and the people of the King.Throughout the book, he approaches how Isaiah covers the concept of kingdom in its three main sections (1 – 39, 40 – 55, 56 – 66). He begins in the incredible vision of God in Isaiah 6, and though that is a familiar passage to most Bible students he points out examples of the concept of kingdom where we might have missed them.Though he makes interesting, conservative observations throughout the book, there are places where I would not be able to agree with him. His handling of Isaiah 7:14, for example, is not something I could fully agree with.The ultimate praise that I can draw from this book in this review is that I will never again read the book of Isaiah without thinking of the concept of God’s kingdom. When the author accomplishes what he sets out to do with the reader, as he has done with me, he obviously has succeeded. Therefore, I highly recommend this volume to students doing an in-depth study of the book of Isaiah.I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Every Christmas and Easter Handel's Messiah treats us to the greatest hits in the book of Isaiah. We can hardly help but sing along when we read such texts as:For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Is 9:6)Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry moutain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain. (Is 40:4)All 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. (Is 53:6)There are other familiar passages that also resonate in our hearts and minds such as:Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Is 40:31)But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Is 53:5)Because the book of Isaiah is such a huge, sprawling text, we tend to concentrate on passages like these that we have come to know and love. But how can we get a handle on the book as whole, a book that had such a significant influence on the New Testament? Andrew Abernathy comes to our rescue. Rather than taking us chapter-by-chapter through the book, he highlights the great themes that dominate this longest of prophetic books.By focusing on how God is portrayed as king, we can see more easily how the book holds together. God is king now and the king to come. He is king in salvation but also in judgment over the nations. He is the warrior king and also the compassionate king.Abernathy also unpacks the lead agents of the king highlighted in each of the three main sections of the book: the Davidic ruler (Is 1-39), the servant of the Lord (Is 40-55) and God's messenger (Is 56-66). While evangelicals have a history of seeing these as the same figure, Abernathy makes the case that in the book of Isaiah, they are distinct. Nonetheless, from a New Testament perspective it is legitimate to see all three being fulfilled in Jesus.The book closes with options for teaching or preaching through Isaiah. But it's purpose is to drive all off us back into reading this major Old Testament book again. That was certainly the case for me. In days of turmoil and uncertainty, meditating on God as the sovereign king over all the nations offers the assurance and perspective we need.

This is a wonderful resource for teachers and preachers of Isaiah. It's clear in its prose and organization, judicious in its judgments, attentive to the details of the text of Isaiah, and richly theological. Get it!