Isaiah’s Parallel Chapters

The Book of Isaiah, which gives us such a clear overview of the Bible, has yet another surprise for students of the Word. There are 66 chapters in Isaiah, and there are 66 books in the Bible. Some students believe that the 66 chapters of Isaiah parallel the 66 books of the Bible. The nine chapters that correspond to the New Testament books written to Gentiles and Gentile Churches confirm this fascinating pattern.

Some chapter/book parallels are not as evident as others. I would not be surprised if this parallel applied to all chapters of Isaiah, but I have focused on the nine books of the New Testament that were written to Gentiles or Gentile Churches.

There are yet other “markers” for this set of nine chapters in Isaiah. The 48th book is Galatians which is the concluding book of the first nine New Testament books written to Jews or about Jewish subjects. There is a cryptic statement from the Lord in the concluding verse of this chapter; “[There is] no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked.” (Isaiah 48:22) Likewise, the very same statement is found at the end of chapter 57, paralleling Philemon, concluding the nine books written to Gentiles or Gentile Churches; “[There is] no peace," Says my God, "for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:21)

These two markers are a strong indicator that there is something unique about these nine chapters. They confirm the pattern of nine “Jewish” books, nine “Gentile” books, and nine “Jewish” books, and show how Gentiles are inserted into the Lord’s Plan.

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