The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary

Description

The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction & Commentary by J. Alec Motyer is a comprehensive, single-volume evangelical commentary on the book of Isaiah, recognized for its depth and accessibility. Below is an overview of its key features:

Overview
Author’s Approach: Motyer draws on decades of study and teaching to explore Isaiah’s text through grammatical, historical, structural, literary, and theological lenses. He emphasizes themes relevant to both scholarly study and Christian application.

Central Themes:

Messianic Hope: The commentary identifies three messianic portraits—King (Isaiah 1–37), Servant (Isaiah 38–55), and Anointed Conqueror (Isaiah 56–66)—which together depict God’s plan for redemption and restoration.

Theology of the Holy One of Israel: Isaiah’s vision of God’s holiness is central, portraying His transcendence and His relationship with His people.

Motif of the City: Jerusalem serves as a focal point for understanding God’s kingdom and its future restoration.

Structure: The book divides Isaiah into three sections:

The Book of the King (Isaiah 1–37): Focuses on the reign of God in Zion and His dealings with unfaithful people.

The Book of the Servant (Isaiah 38–55): Highlights God’s redemptive work through suffering and grace.

The Book of the Anointed Conqueror (Isaiah 56–66): Envisions ultimate victory and eternal holiness.

Accessibility
Motyer’s commentary accommodates readers without knowledge of biblical Hebrew while maintaining scholarly rigor. It is praised for balancing technical detail with meaningful application for Christians today.

Audience
This work is ideal for preachers, teachers, serious Bible students, and anyone seeking a detailed yet approachable guide to Isaiah. Critics have lauded it as potentially the best one-volume evangelical commentary on Isaiah available.