
Rembrandt’s Isaiah (Louvre)
The 101 Bible Study in Astoria is beginning a study of the Book of Isaiah.
“Isaiah brings us face to face with Him who sits upon the throne, high and lifted up, who controls the destinies of nations, and who sends to us a Child, even our Lord and Redeemer. The late Dr. J. Gresham Machen once spoke of the Old Testament prophesies as ‘full of the grace of God.’ And as we read of that grace may our deepest gratitude be to Him who is the true Author of this prophecy, and who in the fullness of time sent to this earth Him whose name is Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (E. J. Young, The Book of Isaiah, pp. viii-ix).
“In the first chapter we also find a reference to ‘a few survivors,’ that is, a remnant. This, too, is a recurring theme in the book. Isaiah already raises it in connection with his calling (6:13). He named one of his sons Shear-jashub, which means a remnant shall return or repent (7:3). Isaiah’s prophetic mission may have seemed a thankless task, but it was not, for there remained a remnant chose by God in His sovereign grace.” (C. Vanderwaal, Search the Scriptures, Vol. 5, pp. 14–15).