The Book of Isaiah and God's Kingdom: A Thematic-Theological Approach (Volume 40)

New Studies in Biblical Theology #40

by Andrew T. Abernethy, D.A. Carson (Series Editor)

The book of Isaiah has nourished the church throughout the centuries. However, its massive size can be intimidating; its historical setting can seem distant, opaque, varied; its organization and composition can seem disjointed and fragmented; its abundance of terse, poetic language can make its message seem veiled―and where are those explicit prophecies about Christ? These are typical experiences for many who try to read, let alone teach or preach, through Isaiah. Andrew Abernethy's conviction is that thematic points of reference can be of great help in encountering Isaiah and its rich theological message. In view of what the structure of the book of Isaiah aims to emphasize, this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume employs the concept of "kingdom" as an entry point for organizing the book's major themes. In many respects, Isaiah provides a people living amidst imperial contexts with a theological interpretation of them in the light of YHWH's past, present and future sovereign reign. Four features of "kingdom" frame Abernethy's study: God, the King; the lead agents of the King; the realm of the kingdom and the people of the King. While his primary aim is to show how "kingdom" is fundamental to Isaiah when understood within its Old Testament context, interspersed canonical reflections assist those who are wrestling with how to read Isaiah as Christian Scripture in and for the church. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Old Testament, Scripture, Christian

250 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2016

Reviews

[Peter Krol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A marvelous analysis of an incredible book of the Bible. Abernethy’s writing is both lucid and concise. He gives us a great look at a glorious king, ruling his glorious kingdom. As a result, I’ve been well equipped to preach this book to my congregation.

[Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. A few areas of disagreement, but over all I found his overview of the kingdom theme in Isaiah to be compelling. Also really appreciated how every section includes a "canonical reflection" that shows the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecies in Christ.

[Gwilym Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it's fair to say that this book gets better as it goes on. There's nothing wrong with the central thesis - that God the King is at the heart of the book of Isaiah. But I thought the early chapters were uninspiring. Partly, that was because I thought they were slightly cumbersome. I didn't think it took as much proving as the author that 1-39, 40-55 and 56-66 centre on God's kingdom. I'd have preferred more by way of an attempt to outline the content of these chapters. Partly, it's because I didn't like his equivocation on authorship and date. In an early discussion, Abernethy is keen to downplay the issue, and attempts to sidestep it. But as the book goes on it becomes increasingly clear that he is running with the critical consensus of a late final date and multiple hands (I'd gravitate towards the naive position of an early date and a single hand). This in turn meant that he massively overplayed (in my opinion) the importance of understanding Babylonian idolatry and the cult of Marduk to interpreting Isaiah 40-55. For my money, Deuteronomy 32 has much more explanatory power for the message of Isaiah 40-55 than any putative compare and contrast with Babylonian religion. And in my opinion, the equivocation about date and authorship meant that the author stopped short of reading Isaiah as a single book with a single coherent message to a people at a point in time. Yes, his book has a single organising theme, and yes, he found coherence in his 'canonical reflections', but Abernethy's Isaiah still felt like a book with multiple audiences, messages and emphases.

There were other quirks too - a slightly trendy tip of the hat to James KA Smith and Kevin Vanhoozer that didn't seem to have much to do with the argument of the book, an application of Isaiah's material on social justice that could have done with a bit more canonical reflection on how the new testament actually takes up these themes, and a discussion of 'righteousness' terminology that, whilst sensible in itself (I think Abernethy is surely right that 'righteousness and justice' are intimately related to good government) was not entirely helpful in how it landed righteousness in Romans. All of which is to say that for stretches of this book I was quite frustrated.

But it did get better as it went on. The final two chapters were much the best - the agents of the King has a really very helpful section on the argument of Isaiah 40-55 (much better than the earlier Marduk bit!), and makes some very useful observations about the relationship between the Assyrian crisis and the kingly material in 1-39. The final chapter does a good job of bringing the book's material on people and place together. If these two chapters had been 50 pages longer, the first 3 chapters 50 pages shorter, and he'd settled on a single author (let's call him 'Isaiah'), or at least a single redactor (we can call him Deut), this would have been a good book. As it was, it was alright.

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Neil Kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 reads: #09
Rating: 4 Stars

A helpful contribution to theme of 'Kingdom' in the Bible. By focusing on Isaiah, Abernethy succeeds in demonstrating the importance of God as King. As God reigns He purifies a remnant, executes judgment, brings salvation to His people, sets everything right and uses agents to accomplish His purposes.

Chapters 1-3 are especially helpful as the various ways in which God's kingship in Isaiah is emphasized is traced out. Although sensitive to treat the Old Testament text in its time and context, sections on canonical reflection are beneficial as we think of how God's plan is fulfilled through the agency of Christ. Abernethy also demonstrates how God's rule can be both universal and particular which makes a significant contribution in thinking through issues related to the Kingdom and God's promises to Israel.

[Corey Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to my course on Isaiah. Although this was used as a textbook and was pretty dense, I was shocked with how applicable and accessible a lot of the discussion Abernethy sets forth in this work. This feels like a text that any layperson curious about a deeper dive into the Kingdom of God as portrayed in Isaiah would be able to pick up and glean a lot from.

My favorite chapter was the final one centered around the “realm” and the “people” of God’s Kingdom. Abernethy provides a worthwhile assessment of what being the people of God should truly look like when he outlines that Isaiah’s proposed image of God’s people are those that “must get involved when they see injustice; they are to be advocates for the poor… setting captives free… sharing with those in need” (pg 189-190). The voice of Isaiah carries a deeper weight with Abernethy’s analysis and is a worthwhile one if you’re looking for some theological reading!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A thematic approach to understanding Isaiah organized around the idea of 'kingdom' exploring the nature of the king, the agents of the king, and the realm and people of the king as elaborated throughout the book.

If you have ever attempted to study, teach, or preach the book of Isaiah, you understand what a challenge it is to wrap your mind around the 66 chapters of this book. Andrew T. Abernethy thinks that a thematic approach to the book can help with our overall understanding. The theme he develops throughout Isaiah is that of God's kingdom.

For those looking for a discussion of the authorship of Isaiah (single or multiple), this is not your book. What Abernethy does is take a synchronic approach which looks at the finished product of the book as a whole, while still noting the distinctive character of chapters 1-39, 40-55, and 56-66. Likewise, while organizing his biblical theology of Isaiah around kingdom, he avoids flattening out the contours of the book. He takes a canonical approach to Isaiah without reading the book through an exclusively Christological lens.

He begins with Isaiah 1-39, observing God as both present and future king, reigning in holiness, seen in all his future beauty as judging and ruling on Zion, and in the present delivering from Sennacherib. Isaiah 40-55, speaking to exiles proclaims the good news of God as the only saving king. Isaiah 56-66 then presents God as the warrior king, showing compassion on faithful outsiders, and ruling over the nations as cosmic king.

Chapter 4 particular reflects Abernethy's willingness to understand Isaiah on its own terms as he considers the "agents" of the kingdom. Rather than simply reduce them to a single kingly or messianic figure (Jesus!), he takes the text on its own terms and discusses three distinct agents, the Davidic ruler, the servant of the Lord, and the Spirit empowered anointed messenger. While a canonical approach sees the fulfillment of all of these in Christ, by allowing for the distinctive character of these three agents not to be merged into one in Isaiah, one sees all the more the splendor and greatness of Christ, who encompasses all three agents in his person.

Chapter 5 then considers the kingdom realm, noting both the focal point of Zion, to which all the nations come and yet the international, indeed cosmic extent of this realm. He then concludes the book by raising the idea that the theme of the kingdom and its many faceted elaboration is meant to encourage the readers of Isaiah, then and now to a richer and fuller imagination of what this kingdom rule is like. For Christians we see its fulfillment, now and yet to come, in Christ, the church as God's living temple, looking forward to the Zion of the New Jerusalem. Following this conclusion, Abernethy provides two different teaching outlines for how one might teach Isaiah along the lines this book has developed.

Abernethy's book makes a good complement to John Goldingay's The Theology of the Book of Isaiah (reviewed here). Both authors take a synchronic approach to Isaiah, but Goldingay only considers the book from the horizon of Isaiah's first readers, and not through a canonical lens. They reach different conclusions about the servant in Isaiah, but also recognize many of the same themes in the book--particularly the holy King of Israel amid the nations, and the ways this king will come as warrior, and judge, and savior. What Abernethy's book most helpfully models is the process of both reading Isaiah in its own setting, and as part of the biblical canon, without slighting either of these. This makes the book a wonderful resource for the pastor-theologian, or anyone else who would make the attempt to scale the challenging and wonderful mountain that is the book of Isaiah. Abernethy helps us see that it is indeed Zion that we are ascending, to encounter the great King.

[J. Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have spent a lot of time in Isaiah recently for several projects and was directed to Andrew Abernethy’s The Book of Isaiah and God’s KingdomM to consider more deeply some of the issues I raised with Abernethy and Goswell’s recent book, God’s Messiah in the Old Testament. (I read the kindle edition of The Book of Isaiah, to which the locs below refer.) In this monograph, part of IVP’s “New Studies in Biblical Theology” series, Abernethy argues that God’s kingdom provides a matrix for seeing the unity of Isaiah’s prophecies and the big picture of the book. He considers the books three sections, 1-39, 40-55, 56-66, showing how key texts concerning God as Kingdom provide interpretive keys to these sections. In Chapters 1 – 3, Abernethy considers these key texts in each section, respectively. In Chapter 4, he then considers the three agents presented in each section of Isaiah (the Davidic king in 1-39, the Servant, in 40-55, and the messenger in 56-66) as the agents through which God’s kingdom purpose is achieved. He maintains that these agents are not identified with one another in the book of Isaiah. They are “unexpectedly” (loc 2617, 3023) seen to be fulfilled by the one man, Jesus Christ. Chapter 5 concludes the book by considering the “realm” or place of God’s kingdom, both the world and Zion, and the people of God, primarily Israel but with the inclusion of the Gentiles indicated throughout the book.

Summary

Much is good about this book; I commend it as a resource for getting a big picture view of Isaiah’s message and the kingdom theme that runs through it. As with many books in this series, it attempts to strike a balance between scholarly diligence and accessibility. The lay theologian may find it difficult, but it should be suitable for pastors or students. Abernethy hopes to give the reader a map for navigating the book’s difficult terrain (e.g. loc. 3818); I believe he does so. Some of the methodological problems I usually raise in my Old Testament Studies reviews emerge here, such as reading Isaiah 40-55 against the background of the Enuma Elish (locs 1445-1637; cf. my reviews of The God of the Old Testament and Chaos and Cosmos) and attempting to integrate a reading of the Old Testament with the New instead of reading the two in dialogue (cf. my review of God’s Messiah and The God of the Old Testament). I do not believe these issues significantly affect Abernethy’s argument in the book, except in Chapter 4, where he maintains the distinction of the three “lead agents.”

Evaluation

In Chapter 4, he dismisses the argument of several writers that there are thematic links connecting the Davidic king of Isaiah 1-39 with the Suffering Servant of 40-55, and perhaps with the messenger of 56-66. I am not convinced that he shows them to be distinct, nor that reading them as fulfilled in the same person would force them “into one mould” (loc 2299). On the contrary, we can recognize three separate portraits and acknowledge their difference while maintaining that they are three distinct perspectives on one individual’s work, as the New Testament fulfilment shows. Against the thematic links between these agents, he argues that these links can be explained by the fact that all three figures are agents in “God’s ‘divine rule’” (e.g. loc 3005). However, I do not think he gives any persuasive reason not to identify the figures. For example, he argues that the agent in 61:1-3 does not suffer to fulfil God’s purpose (loc. 3077). However, this is hardly a reason to deny his identity with the Servant: if we had other reasons to believe they were the same, then we can allow that each set of passages portrays the same Servant from a different perspective, as the New Testament fulfilment indicates. If we accept that each section may describe the same person and his work in different ways, the question then becomes, do we have reason to identify the three? In response, we have several. All three are related to the eschatological establishment of God’s kingdom, so parsimony would suggest that if all three are coordinated; perhaps they are identical. This is strengthened by thematic similarities, such as the explicit anointing with the Spirit (11:1-2; 42:1; 61:1-3). Stepping back, we see that all three are fulfilled in the same person, Jesus Christ, so we should be inclined to find them identified if there are literary reasons to do so, which there appears to be. In addition to this evidence, it is also arguable that both the Servant and the Davidic king are identified with Yahweh, which connects them even more closely. Depending on how one reads the flow of Chapter 61, we may include the messenger here as well (61:8-11).
However, Abernethy assumes a priori that “it seems unlikely that Isaiah would conceptualize a Davidic ruler as being divine” (loc 2415); this begs the question. Isaiah 9:1-7 certainly seems to do so, and I think the simplest reading of Isaiah 53:1 identifies a man with Yahweh (cf. Motyer’s commentary and my own Prevenient Grace). If a case can be made that Isaiah 7:14ff refers to the future, miraculous birth of a child in David’s line (as I argue in a paper I am working on getting published), then the case for 9:1-7 would be strengthened. That is, the child who is named “the Mighty God” is most likely Immanuel, “God with us.” The point is, we have little reason to think that Isaiah could not have believed that the future Davidic king would be Yahweh himself. If we permit this as a possibility, this provides further evidence for identifying the Davidic king in Isaiah 1-39 with the Servant in Isaiah 40-55, for 7:14-9:6 and 53:1-2 arguably identify both agents with Yahweh. Therefore, if we allow the New Testament to dialogue with the Old Testament in our interpretation and we are open to surprising conclusions in our Old Testament exegesis, such that Isaiah may have prophesied about the incarnation (God coming as a Davidic king, suffering Servant, and anointed messenger), we can construct a good argument that Isaiah not only identifies the three lead agents with one another but also with Yahweh. However, the manner of this identity is opaque in the book.

This disagreement aside, I think The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom does the reader a great service. It fulfils its purpose, to give the reader a map for navigating this complex but beautiful book. For this reason, I commend it to the reader.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great concise academic work. I was impressed at Abernethy's ability to tackle weighty theological subjects without spilling too much ink. I bought it while I taught through a Wednesday night class on Isaiah and found it very helpful. One of my favorite parts was his suggestions for a teaching/preaching outline through Isaiah. It was helpful to see what key chapters, or sections should be covered in a shorter time. Pastors may find this work helpful or not. That is going to be dependent on your stomach for more academic work.

Do Read: If you want an academic work looking at the theology of the Kingdom in Isaiah.

Don't read: If you are a lay person not used to reading academic theology.

[Ben Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a book, it was a very helpful introduction into Isaiah, and formulated the structure of the book around a centralised theme which was helpful.
Only slight issue was some of the work seemed a little off kilter with a particular focus on Assyrian cultism which I wasn't sure was particularly helpful.
The stuff on the servants of God were very helpful, and the chapter on Isaiah 56-66 was particularly insightful.

[Hayden Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work of biblical theology in Isaiah. He thoroughly convinced me that "YHWH as King" is a major theme in the book. I really appreciated his commitment to a Christocentric hermeneutic (what he calls a canonical approach), yet at the same time his refusal to reduce or flatten the discrete witness of the Old Testament. One example is his refusal to merge the distinct attributes of the servant, the Davidic King, and the Messenger. He spends time explaining the eschatological hope that each will bring into fruition, yet Christ is the fulfillment of each "agent." Importantly, these "agents" fulfill distinct roles in God's Kingdom, yet when the Messiah came, all hopes and roles were fulfilled in his person and work.

At times, Abernethy seems hesitant to affirm a fully messianic reading of some passages, yet I appreciated his commitment to stick to the text. I believe a theological reading of Scripture could help resolve some of his hesitancies. In my opinion, one of the weaknesses of the "NSBT" series is that, in an effort to remain in the biblical theology discipline, other areas of theology are sometimes not appealed to.

That being said, I was constantly "wowed" by this book. The word "Amen" fills the margins of my copy. Abernethy loves Christ, and this is evident in his writing. I would highly recommend.

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

 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.

[Pat Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful book on the kingdom aspect of Isaiah. Our church is currently working through a Bible study on Isaiah, so the kingdom motto was extremely helpful in developing the thought of the book.

One additional feature of this book was a conclusion and summary at the end of each chapter. That was helpful as you build through each section of scripture.

“Dr. Andrew Abernathy takes us through the book by unfolding the way God and His kingdom are presented in each of the three major sections of the prophecy, and then by outlining the way this reigning God uses agents to accomplish his purpose.” - D. A. Carson

Book Chapters:

1. God, the king now and to come in Isaiah 1-39
2. God, the only saving king in Isaiah 40-55
3. God, the warrior, international and compassionate king in Isaiah 56-66
4. The lead agents of the king
5. The realm and the people of God’s kingdom

Would recommend this as a help to any study of Isaiah. The author does define his target audience as pastors and seminary students, so that may help make a decision on this offering.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book overall. The author's thematic and literary survey of the themes of Isaiah is exceedingly helpful for interpreting the parts of Isaiah in light of the whole. I was frustrated at points in chapter 4, however, by his insistence that the figures of the Davidic king, the suffering servant, and the anointed messenger of Isaiah 61 are not the same figure. He means that Isaiah does not portray them as identical. Well and good. But in light of the progress of redemptive history, of course they are the same person! The New Testament says all of these prophesy of Jesus. Abernathy of course affirms this whole-heartedly, but he does so in sections tacked on at the end of the exegetical treatment labeled "canonical reflections". This has the effect of implying that we analyze Isaiah is though it is not part of God's completed revelation, and then only later apply the lens of what we believe the whole Scriptures teach.

[Caleb Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abernethy is the go-to authority on Isaiah in evangelical circles. This book is a helpful thematic/theological study of God's kingdom in Isaiah (the title tells it all). By focusing on four main themes of kingdom in Isaiah (God as king, the lead agents of the king, the realm of the kingdom, and the people of the kingdom), Abernethy engages in a synchronic study of the whole book to unpack how important God's kingdom is to Isaiah. The greatest strength of the book is the canonical sensitivity to the whole of Scripture. Abernethy engages with other parts of the OT and places where the NT use Isaiah explicitly, or where similar themes reappear. He offers helpful interpretations of key passages in Isaiah, while also offering unique views for contented passages (such as Isa 7, of which I was particularly impressed by his exegesis). This volume in the NSBT series is an invaluable source for deeper engagement with the book of Isaiah.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine study of the themes arising from the kingdom of God in Isaiah. The author takes a synchronic literary view of the three major sections of the book (ch. 1-39, 40-55, and 56-66) by centering on the vision of God uniquely portrayed in each of them, as well as God's lead agents in those sections (Davidic King, Servant, Prophetic Messenger). There is also a section about God's redeemed and purified international people in the Kingdom of God. When the author zoomed in on famous passages like the call in Is. 6, the Immanuel text of 7:14, the Servant texts (42-55), etc. my understanding of that familiar territory was greatly enriched by his broader context and thematic data.

[Steven Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is lovely. Beautifully written. Concise while synthesizing a lot. I praised God while reading this theology book. I mean put the book down and brag on how great God is to my wife and friends praised God. Left me in awe.

The gospel is that God has come to reign. Throughout Isaiah this is reinforced over and over. Abernathy will help you see God as king throughout the book in what is a unifying theme. He remains faithful the witness while also allowing the rest of the scripture canon to speak.

Really great book.

[Christina Patches · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well-written book, but I disagreed with some of his interpretations of prophecies about the Messiah.

[Wade Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t mean to read this in advent but it aligned perfectly. Sometimes hard to work through but really good on making sense of a large book

[Pat Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly solid—kind of drags at points. Abernethy is persuasive on the pervasiveness of King Yahweh motif.

[Kyle Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful overview of Isaiah! I would heartily recommend for preachers, teachers, and any laymen interested in a deeper dive of the book.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 in The Book of Isaiah and God's Kingdom. 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.

[Spencer R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Th full review can be read at Spoiled Milks.

As the fifth longest book in the OT, and having been written by an Israelite almost 3,000 years ago, it might be redundant to say that Isaiah is a difficult book to read. The way a book is organized is just as important as what a book says, but for most of us—Isaiah is just too long, and it’s difficult to get a grasp on the entire story and on each section.

Layout

Andrew Abernethy, while not refraining from the historical details of Isaiah, but focusing on the final literary form, wants to show the reader what the book of Isaiah teaches us today. In doing so, he examines Isaiah’s varied portraits of God as King in each of the three sections of Isaiah (ch's 1-3), with each of those sections incorporating different aspects of God (1-39; 40-55; 56-66).

In Chapter 4, Abernethy points us to the “lead agents” in each of the three sections, though he is not certain that these agents (of Yahweh) are understood to be the same individual. “Instead of forcing all of these lead agents into one mould, it is better to allow the uniqueness of each figure to emerge” (120). That is not to say Jesus does not fulfill what these three figures are to accomplish. "Instead, it displays the grandeur of Jesus and the surprise of recognizing how one person, Jesus Christ, can take on the role of all three figures, while also being the very God of these agent figures” (169).

Chapter 5 seeks to answer to questions, “Where is God’s kingdom? And, who are the people of God’s kingdom? . . . God’s kingdom is ‘placed,’ if you will, with people in the midst of it” (171). In this reality, God rules the entire cosmos, but he will also rule from Zion. God’s people are a purified, redeemed, obedient, just, national and international community which trusts God.

After each section in each chapter, Abernethy gives a summary and some canonical reflections of the content. The canonical reflections always look forward to Jesus, which is especially helpful when it comes to preaching and teaching through the book of Isaiah. Abernethy draws our eyes from the King who sits above the heavens in Isaiah to Yahweh in the flesh, who preached the kingdom of God, lived the kingdom of God, and was the Davidic king who suffered and died for the people of God. He created the world, commands destinies, and builds his temple brick by brick, person by person. He is the servant king whose glory Isaiah saw (Jn 12.41; Isa 6).

Recommended?

There is so much more that could be said about these five chapters, and even more to be said about God’s kingship in Isaiah. He is the ruling, judging, warrior, loving, compassionate, caring, shepherd King who is watching out for his people, who will return and care for them, and will dine with them on his great mountain (Is 25.6–8; Rev 21.1–5). Abernethy’s book is recommended for all sorts, especially pastors and teachers. Be warned, this is not light reading. Abernethy’s work is mighty detailed and is best read with your Bible open and a pen in your hand (unless you don't want to remember pivotal details). Abernethy has written an excellent resource on grasping on of the main themes of Isaiah (if not the main theme), and even provides two preaching outlines in an appendix at the end. You would be well-served in reading this book. Highly recommended.