Isaiah’s Oratorio: An Appreciation of Isaiah chapters 24-27
Book Description
Chapters 24–27 of Isaiah have been described as his ‘Tale of Two Cities.’ Like Charles Dickens’ well-known novel, they speak of a terrifying urban convulsion which has widespread reverberations. But the difference between them is of course far greater than any similarity.
Dickens recorded the ‘Terror’ of the French Revolution that sent shock waves from Paris to London (and across Europe to the New World) to which he could only append the desirable possibility of a ‘resurrection-like’ renewal. Isaiah’s ‘two cities’ are an anticipation of ‘Babylon’ and the ‘New Jerusalem’ in John’s Apocalypse, and what he says about each is certain and everlasting.
The events of which Isaiah speaks take place ‘in [or] on that day.’ This is a recurring expression in chapters 24–27 of his prophecy. They refer to ‘the Day of the Lord’ and introduce acts of the Lord’s judgment and salvation. Following the text, these will be considered in seven sections or ‘movements’ with 24:1-20 providing a kind of ‘overture’ to the whole since it deals with both those realities.
Isaiah 24–27 is a magnificent display of ‘the Day of the Lord’ in judgment and salvation, and also of godly rejoicing and waiting for it in dark days. It comports with ‘the already and not yet’ of Christian living, and so Christians should find strength and comfort in these chapters as they look forward and upward to the Lord’s return and ‘the new world’ that God has promised.
Table of Contents
Foreword
1. Dividing the Book of Isaiah
2. Describing Isaiah 24–27
3. Expounding Isaiah’s Oratorio: Chapter 24–27
Appendices
1. A Detailed Outline of Isaiah 26:1–21, J. Alec Motyer
2. ‘The Destruction of Sennacherib’ by Lord Byron
3. Herman Witsius, ‘The Benefits of the New Testament’ in The Economy of the Covenants between God and Man (Book 4, Chapter XV, Points XX–XXXVII.)
Bibliography
Author
Dr. Hywel R. Jones is Emeritus Professor of Practical Theology at Westminster Seminary, Escondido, California. He has a B.A. from the University of Wales, an MA from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. from Greenwich University School of Theology.
Hywel Jones was ordained in the Presbyterian Church of Wales in 1963 and ministered in several pastorates in England and Wales over 25 years, including Grove Chapel, Camberwell, London, and Borras Park in Wrexham. During those years, he was a member of the executive committee of the British Evangelical Council of Churches, editor of its theological journal and chairman of its study conference. In addition he was co-chairman of the Westminster Fellowship of Ministers, succeeding Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
The London Theological Seminary commenced in 1977 and Dr. Jones became its first principal in 1985, lecturing in Hebrew and Biblical Studies, Hermeneutics, and Homiletics. During that time he also taught in Romania, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Italy. In 1995, he was scholar-in-residence at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS, and since 1998 has been a member of the adjunct faculty at Puritan and Reformed Theological Seminary in Michigan. Before taking up his position at Westminster Seminary, California in 2000, he served for four years as editorial director of the Banner of Truth Trust. He is the author of—amongst other books—the Trust’s title Let’s Study Hebrews and Transfiguration and Transformation.
Additional Information
Cover: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 182
Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust
Publication Date: 2025