Justin Houtz

Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

DateVersionReading Plan
July 1, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Isaiah 1-3

Observation & Interpretation

The Book of Isaiah opens with description of Isaiah as son of Amoz and the vision he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem (Is. 1:1). Isaiah beckons the hearing of the heavens, for the LORD has spoken (Is. 1:2). He speaks of how God’s people have forsaken the LORD (Is. 1:4). Isaiah describes Israel’s manifold rebelliousness and the calamity that has resulted (Is. 1:5-9). He tells of how the LORD has had enough of their burnt offerings and the fat of well-fed beasts (Is. 1:11). Their offerings and incense are an abomination to the LORD along with their new moons and appointed feasts (Is. 1:14). Isaiah exhorts them to make themselves clean, to cease to do evil and learn to do good; to seek justice, bring justice to the fatherless and plead the widow’s cause (Is. 1:17). Isaiah speaks on behalf of the LORD, a calling to come and reason together (Is. 1:18). If they are willing and obedient, they shall eat the the good of the land, but refusal will result in being eaten by the sword (Is. 1:20).

Isaiah next speaks of how the faithful city had become like a whore, the one who was full of justice, but now corruption has manifested in many forms (Is. 1:21-23). The LORD declared through Isaiah that He would turn His hand against them and smelt away their dross as with lye (Is. 1:25). Zion shall be redeemed by justice and those who repent by righteousness (Is. 1:27). However, rebels and sinners will be broken together, the strong shall become tinder to burn and none to quench them (Is. 1:31).

Chapter 2 begins with a word that Isaiah saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem (Is. 2:1). Isaiah speaks of how the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, it shall be lifted up and the nations shall flow to it (Is. 2:2). “While Isaiah’s message was directed at Judah, he looks ahead to a day when God’s salvation will be for all the nations, not just Israel.” (FSB). The LORD will judge between nations and shall decide disputes for many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plow shares and their spears into pruning hooks and there will be peace (Is. 2:4). “Judah has been under threat of war for years; one day, God’s righteous reign on earth will be accompanied by international peace (Is. 2:4). Weapons of war will be refashioned into agricultural implements.” (FSB). The people have rejected God because they are full of things from the east and of fortune tellers like the Philistines (Is. 2:6). Their land is filled with silver and gold, with idols and they bow down to the work of their hands (Is. 2:7-8). Thus man is humbled and each one is brought low and Isaiah says to not forgive them (Is. 2:9). “Isaiah interjects with a very human response: Those who reject God should get what they deserve. The interjection to withhold forgiveness indicates the prophet’s recognition that God may or may not show mercy.” (FSB)

Isaiah speaks that the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is lofty and lifted up, that it shall be brought low (Is. 2:12). The word “against” is repeated in describing what would face the LORD’s judgment (Is. 2:12-16). The idols shall utterly pass away and the people will seek to hide from the terror of the LORD (2:18-21). Isaiah calls to stop regarding man, asking what account is he (Is. 2:22).

Chapter 3 opens with Isaiah speaking on how the LORD God of hosts is taking away support and supply from Judah (Is. 3:1). Boys will be made princes and infants shall rule, the people will oppress one another, every one his neighbor and the honorable will be despised (Is. 3:5). In that day, the LORD will speak out and say that He will not be a healer because Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen (Is. 3:8). Isaiah declares a woe against them because they have brought evil on themselves (Is. 3:9). The LORD has taken His place to contend and stands to judge peoples (Is. 3:13). The LORD speaks through Isaiah that He will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion because they are haughty and walk with outstretched necks (Is. 3:16-17). In that day, the LORD will take away their valuable possessions, their men will fall by the sword and their gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground (Is. 3:18-26).

Application

God’s people had succumb to wickedness and brought upon themselves the swift hand of the LORD’s justice. How quick we are to reject the LORD and His ways, to place our faith in something else and seek our own path apart from Him. These chapters offer a stark reminder for the saints of what is to come of such sinful rebellion. May we repent of our evil ways, to be crushed by the gospel and of His great love poured out for us, to see His worthiness of our complete surrender in obedience.

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