As a linear holistic structure—one that follows a timeline from beginning to end—Trouble at Home, Exile Abroad, and Happy Homecoming reveals God’s end game for his people and for the world. A national Israel, living in its homeland, rebels against God and is dispersed among the nations of the world. A universal Israel is reconstituted as a new, end-time people of God made up of righteous individuals—his elect—who are gathered to Zion.
Israel in its homeland rebels against God (Isaiah 1–39)
God disperses Israel among the world’s nations (Isaiah 40–54)
Israel’s elect remnant returns from exile (Isaiah 55–66)
Drawing on ancient Egyptian narrative patterns such as the Story of Sinuhe, the hero of the story finds himself in trouble in his homeland on account of some intrigue. Forced to flee for his life, he dwells among a foreign people where he grows and matures from his experience. Ultimately awakening to his true identity, he feels a desire to return home. Instead of being unwanted, however, this time he is welcomed back with much fanfare and called to a high position.
Trouble at Home—rebelling against God
Isaiah 1:2Hear, O heavens! Give heed, O earth! Jehovah has spoken: I have reared sons, brought them up, but they have revolted against me.
Isaiah 30:1–3Woe to you, rebellious sons, says Jehovah, for drawing up plans, but not by me, for making alliances without my approval, only adding sin to sin! They are bent on going down to Egypt — but have not inquired at my mouth — on seeking protection in Pharaoh’s forces, on taking shelter in Egypt’s shadow. But Pharaoh’s protection shall turn to your shame, shelter in Egypt’s shadow to embarrassment.
Isaiah 29:9–10Procrastinate, and become bewildered; preoccupy yourselves, until you cry for help. Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not from strong drink. Jehovah has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep: he has shut your eyes, the prophets; he has covered your heads, the seers.
Isaiah 17:4–6In that day Jacob’s glory shall wane, and his fatness of body become leanness. After being like a harvest of ripe grain, whose ears are reaped by the armful, he will become like ears plucked in the Valley of Rephaim when only the gleanings are left.
Exile Abroad—living among the nations
Isaiah 51:4–5Listen to me, my people; give heed to me, O my nation: The law shall go forth from me; my precepts shall be a light to the peoples. Then, suddenly, I will act: My righteousness shall be at hand and my salvation proceed; my arms shall judge the peoples — the isles anticipate me, awaiting my arm.
Isaiah 45:20–22Gather yourselves and come; draw near, all you fugitives of the nations. They who carried about their wooden idols and prayed to gods that could not save them were caught unawares. Speak up and present your case; go ahead and consult one another.
Who foretold these things of old, predicted them long ago? Did not I, Jehovah, apart from whom there is no God? [Did not I,] the God of righteousness, except for whom there is no Savior? Turn to me and save yourselves, all you ends of the earth; I am God, there is none other.
Isaiah 52:10Jehovah has bared his holy arm in the eyes of all nations, that all ends of the earth may see our God’s salvation.
Happy Homecoming—returning to Zion
Isaiah 55:3–5, 11Give ear and come unto me; pay heed, that your souls may live! And I will make with you an everlasting covenant: [my] loving fidelity toward David. See, I have appointed him as a witness to the nations, a prince and lawgiver of the peoples. You will summon a nation that you did not know; a nation that did not know you will hasten to you — because of Jehovah your God, the Holy One of Israel, who gloriously endows you…You shall depart in joy and be led back in peace; the mountains and hills shall sing at your presence and the trees of the meadows all clap their hands.
Isaiah 56:8Thus says my Lord Jehovah, who gathers up the outcasts of Israel: I will gather others to those already gathered.
Isaiah 60:3–4, 11Nations will come to your light, their kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you! They have all assembled to come to you: your sons shall arrive from afar; your daughters shall return to your side…Your gates shall always remain open; they shall not be shut day or night, that a host of nations may be brought to you and their kings escorted in.