Description

In this new addition to the Encountering Biblical Studies series, Bryan Beyer offers a comprehensive introduction to the book of Isaiah that surveys the book’s content, its meaning in its original context, and its application for people today. Beyer presents the prophet’s recurring themes of remnant, the sovereignty of God, the Day of the Lord, covenant obligations, Messiah, and God and the nations. He gives special attention to Isaiah’s use of geographical issues to illustrate his message, Isaiah’s place in the canon of Scripture, and the implications of the book for mission.

Beyer has provided a clear and readable text based on his experience of teaching the Old Testament for over twenty years. As with other volumes in the series, Encountering the Book of Isaiah is specifically designed with students in mind. Chapters begin with outlines and objectives that allow easy entry into the discussion and end with conclusions and study questions that aid comprehension and recall. Informative sidebars delve further into the language, theological connections, and controversies of Isaiah. This helpful survey will be valued by any serious student of the Bible.

Fall ’23
Required FLBC textbook for Major Prophets course, taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall ’22
Required FLBC textbook for Major Prophets course, taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall ’21
Required FLBC textbook for Major Prophets course, taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall ’20
Required FLBC textbook for Major Prophets course, taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall ’19
Required FLBC textbook for Major Prophets course, taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

This textbook was highly recommended to me by one of the leading Lutheran Isaiah scholars of our time, Reed Lessing, the author of Concordia’s Isaiah 40-55 and Isaiah 56-66. Since I started teaching at AFLBS, I have assigned this book every year, and I frequently get comments from students telling me how much they like it. Not only does the book serve as a very helpful guide as you wade through the beautiful complexities of one of the most important books in the Bible (I’d say number 1 or 2 in the OT), it also has all kinds of interesting sidebars to help you apply Isaiah to your own life. And then there are helpful pictures of archaeological finds and places in Israel which are highlighted by Isaiah. It’s good to have at least a book or two on your shelf, I think, to help you navigate each book of the Bible. Bryan Beyer’s book would be one of those I’d have on mine. I like what Beyer wrote in one of those sidebars called “Following God When It Hurts.” “Sometimes following Jesus means facing difficult circumstances. A woman loses her job for sharing her faith, missionaries’ financial support dries up and they must return home, or a couple’s neighbors shun them for ‘being too righteous.’ In such circumstances, believers must come back to the fundamental question: ‘What has God called me to do?’. . . For the servant in Isaiah 50, God’s calling was the key issue. God called him, and God gave him the strength to respond to that call. He remembered God’s faithfulness in the past and consequently trusted him in the present.” (Sidebar 16.2 on p.198)
—Dr. Brent Olson