I've been studying Isaiah these past several months -- using a Tanakh version (Jewish Publication Society, based on the Hebrew) as well a translation from the LXX (Septuagint, the version Jesus and the early church probably read). I've come to realize that this Old Testament prophet's work was truly, as many scholars call it, the "fifth gospel." (See John Sawyer's book by the same name.) I prefer to tell my students Isaiah is actually the Prequel to the gospels. Remember -- the NT gospels weren't written for at least two decades and maybe 5 or 6. So the earliest believers dug deep into the ancient words to learn Who Jesus was.

What a storehouse of worship lyrics! What a treasure chest of images to enlighten our minds via music and the other arts. Dig into Isaiah! Mine the prophets' words and phrases. See Christ anew.