Crimson Sins & Coming Glory: A Prophetic Call to Return
- Be God's Glory
- Jul 20
- 10 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Welcome to Day 201 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Isaiah. Isaiah 1–4 opens the prophetic book with a dramatic unveiling of Judah’s spiritual condition and God’s righteous judgment. Through the prophet Isaiah, God rebukes His people for their rebellion, hypocrisy in worship, injustice, and moral decay. These chapters oscillate between divine judgment and the promise of restoration, illustrating God’s heart for justice, holiness, and redemption. Isaiah exposes the deep-rooted corruption in leadership and society while holding out a vision of hope—a purified remnant, a coming reign of peace, and the glorious presence of God dwelling among His people. The tone shifts from confrontation to consolation, revealing that while sin brings judgment, repentance invites restoration. This section lays the theological and moral foundation for the rest of the book.
Isaiah 1 opens like a courtroom scene, with God calling heaven and earth as witnesses against His rebellious children—Judah and Jerusalem. The people have turned away from God, despite His faithfulness and care. Their religious rituals have become meaningless because their hearts are corrupt, and justice is neglected—widows and orphans are oppressed. God pleads with them to "reason together" and return, promising that though their sins are as scarlet, they can be made white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). However, if they refuse to repent, destruction is inevitable. The chapter ends with a prophetic vision of purification: Zion will be redeemed with justice, but the unrepentant will be consumed. This chapter sets the stage for the themes of judgment and redemption woven throughout the book.
Isaiah 2 contrasts the glory of the future with the pride of the present. It opens with a hopeful prophecy: in the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be exalted, and nations will flock to it, seeking God's instruction and peace. Swords will be beaten into plowshares—symbolizing the end of war and the reign of God's justice. But then the tone shifts dramatically. God indicts Judah for trusting in wealth, idols, and human pride. The "day of the Lord" is described as a time when God alone will be exalted and human arrogance will be humbled. People will flee to caves, hiding from the terror of God’s majesty. This chapter reveals both the irresistible hope of God’s kingdom and the terrifying reality of His holiness confronting human pride.
Isaiah 3 announces judgment on Jerusalem and Judah by declaring the removal of all forms of stability—food, water, leadership, and wisdom. God says He will take away the capable and replace them with immature and oppressive rulers, which will result in societal collapse. The people’s pride and their defiance against God will cause disorder, with children and women symbolically ruling over them. The moral decay of the nation is highlighted through the vanity and haughtiness of the women of Zion, who are adorned with luxury but lack humility and righteousness. Because of this, the Lord will strip them of their finery, leaving them in shame and grief. This chapter powerfully illustrates how sin leads to social and spiritual disintegration when God removes His sustaining presence.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Isaiah comes from the Hebrew name Yeshayahu, which means “The Lord is salvation” or “Yahweh saves.” This name encapsulates the central message of the book: that salvation, judgment, and restoration come from God alone.
Purpose of the Book:
The Book of Isaiah was written to call God’s people to repentance, reveal the consequences of rebellion, and proclaim both God’s coming judgment and the hope of restoration. It addresses both the immediate political and spiritual crisis facing Judah and the future hope of a Messianic King and a new heavens and earth. Isaiah proclaims God’s sovereignty over all nations and points to a coming Savior who will redeem not only Israel but the entire world. The book serves as both a prophetic warning and a theological vision of God’s redemptive plan.
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book is traditionally attributed to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz, who ministered during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1), placing his ministry in the 8th century BC (around 740–700 BC).
Biblical Support for Isaiah’s Authorship:
Isaiah 1:1 clearly identifies him as the author.
2 Chronicles 26:22 and 2 Chronicles 32:32 mention Isaiah’s writings and his involvement in documenting the reign of King Uzziah and King Hezekiah.
New Testament Confirmation: Jesus and the apostles frequently quote from Isaiah and attribute the words to him (e.g., Matthew 3:3; Luke 4:17; John 12:38-41), confirming early Jewish and Christian belief in Isaiah's authorship.
Some scholars propose that the book was written by multiple authors over time (often called Deutero-Isaiah or Trito-Isaiah theories), due to shifts in tone and historical context in later chapters (especially 40–66). However, the consistent literary style, theological themes, and the unified message suggest that the book can credibly be viewed as originating from Isaiah and his prophetic school or disciples (see Isaiah 8:16).
Key People:
Isaiah – The primary prophet and narrator of the book.
Kings of Judah:
Uzziah – A prosperous king who became prideful (Isaiah 6:1).
Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah – Rulers during Isaiah’s ministry, with Hezekiah receiving direct counsel and miraculous deliverance through Isaiah’s prayers (Isaiah 36–39).
Messianic Figure – Often referred to as the Servant of the Lord, the Branch, Immanuel, or the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 11:1-5; 53).
Assyrian and Babylonian kings – Representing God’s instruments of judgment (e.g., Sennacherib in Isaiah 36–37).
Cyrus the Great – A Persian king prophetically named in Isaiah 44–45 as the one God would use to restore Israel.
Conclusion
Isaiah masterfully blends themes of judgment, mercy, justice, and redemption, portraying God as holy and righteous, yet also gracious and compassionate. The first half of the book (chapters 1–39) focuses on judgment against Judah and the nations, while the latter half (chapters 40–66) offers messages of comfort, restoration, and the coming Messianic hope. Isaiah paints a sweeping vision of history, from Judah’s failures to God’s final plan of universal salvation through the Suffering Servant and the creation of a new heavens and new earth (Isaiah 65–66). The book ends with a powerful call to worship and remain faithful, highlighting the eternal triumph of God's justice and glory. Isaiah remains a cornerstone of both Jewish and Christian theology, rich with prophecy, poetry, and profound revelation of God's heart for His people and the world.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
In Isaiah 1, God is portrayed as a loving Father who is deeply grieved by His children’s rebellion. He is holy and just, unwilling to ignore sin, yet merciful and eager to forgive those who repent. He desires genuine relationship over empty ritual and calls His people to return to Him with sincerity. God’s character is both righteous and compassionate, offering cleansing even to those whose sins are scarlet red.
The name “YHWH”, the LORD, is used repeatedly throughout Isaiah 1. This covenantal name emphasizes God's faithfulness and authority as Israel’s Redeemer and Judge. The lesson God is teaching is clear: ritual without righteousness is meaningless. He wants His people to live justly, defend the oppressed, and seek purity of heart. Through repentance, He offers complete restoration—"though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18).
In Isaiah 2, God is exalted as the sovereign ruler of all nations and the source of true wisdom and peace. He is majestic and holy, above all idols and human pride. While He offers a vision of global harmony and worship, He is also the righteous Judge who will humble the arrogant and purify the earth from idolatry and self-exaltation. His character here is both glorious in promise and terrifying in judgment.
While no specific Hebrew names like El Shaddai or Jehovah-Jireh appear in this chapter, the use of “YHWH” (the LORD) continues, affirming God's covenantal presence. The lesson in Isaiah 2 is a dual message: a prophetic hope of unity under God's reign and a warning against human pride. God calls His people to walk in His light, abandon idols, and recognize His supreme authority. Pride leads to downfall, but humility before the LORD brings peace.
Isaiah 3 reveals God as the Righteous Judge who removes His sustaining hand when people persist in wickedness. He is just and does not overlook injustice or arrogance, especially when leaders oppress and exploit the vulnerable. God's judgment is not out of cruelty but a response to moral and spiritual corruption. He exposes sin to bring about correction and ultimately redemption.
There are no new Hebrew names of God introduced in this chapter beyond the recurring YHWH, emphasizing His consistent presence and authority. The lesson of Isaiah 3 teaches that when a nation rejects God’s guidance, it will experience disorder and downfall. God holds both leaders and people accountable for injustice and pride. This reminds us that our character and treatment of others matter deeply to God, and society flourishes only when rooted in His righteousness.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How is God's role as a loving Father portrayed in His confrontation with Judah’s sin in Isaiah 1?
What does God’s willingness to cleanse scarlet sins "white as snow" reveal about His mercy and grace?
How does God's justice manifest in His response to the corruption and oppression found in Judah?
In Isaiah 2, how does God's holiness challenge the pride and idolatry of people and nations?
How is God's sovereignty shown through His control over both the future glory and current judgment?
What does Isaiah 3 teach us about God's concern for leadership and the treatment of the vulnerable in society?
How do these chapters show that God values inward righteousness more than outward religious rituals?
Questions About Themes:
What does Isaiah 1 reveal about the dangers of religious hypocrisy and ritual without repentance?
How does the vision of global peace in Isaiah 2 contrast with the judgment pronounced in chapters 1 and 3?
What theme is repeated throughout these chapters about the consequences of pride and self-reliance?
How is social injustice addressed, and why does God link it to spiritual unfaithfulness?
What is the significance of God removing leaders and stability in Isaiah 3 as a form of judgment?
How does the theme of purification and restoration emerge in the midst of judgment?
What role does the “remnant” play in the overall message of hope woven through the warnings?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what areas of your life are you tempted to go through the motions spiritually while neglecting true obedience?
How can you actively seek justice and defend the oppressed in your community as God commands in Isaiah 1:17?
Are there any idols—people, status, or things—you rely on more than God? How can Isaiah 2 help you redirect your focus?
How does pride manifest in your life, and what steps can you take to humble yourself before God?
When God removes comfort or leadership in your life, how do you respond? How does Isaiah 3 challenge or comfort you?
What does God's offer of cleansing and restoration mean to you personally, and have you fully embraced it?
In what ways can you walk in the “light of the Lord” more intentionally in your daily life?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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