The Book of Isaiah is generally recognized as the greatest of the written prophecies, a magnificent and grand portrayal of God’s work in and through His people. Beautiful in its style, sweeping in its comprehensiveness, convicting in judgment, comforting in mercy and grace, the prophecies of Isaiah are some of the most moving writings in the entire Scripture.
So, who is this guy? Who is this man through whom the Lord has spoken so powerfully to His people through the years? What background, what experiences, what passions drove his writings? To whom has God revealed so much of His goodness and care?
Unfortunately, we do not get much biographical information on Isaiah through his writings. We do learn a few things: Isaiah was the son of Amoz, and he lived some 700 years before the birth of Jesus. A married man, Isaiah had at least two sons (see verses 7:3 and 8:3). He began his prophetic ministry around 740 BC, the year that King Uzziah died (verse 6:1), and served under the following four kings. A close confidant and counselor to King Hezekiah, the prophet exerted his greatest influence in and around Jerusalem, advising the king in international, domestic and religious issues. Isaiah was a contemporary of the prophets Amos, Hosea and Micah, where you can identify some prophetic overlap. Jewish tradition holds that Isaiah was sawn in half by the wicked king Manasseh (see Hebrews 11:37) in the mid-seventh century BC.
Part of the appeal of Isaiah’s prophecies through the centuries is that he lived in turbulent times, which many can appreciate. During Isaiah’s lifetime, the nation of Judah had begun to decline, other nations grew in power and influence, and the temptations of wealth, comfort and prosperity were prominent. The people of God were surrounded by peoples and cultures that challenged the very notion of godliness. The barbaric nation of Assyria, the romantic splendor of Egypt, and the mystical Babylon were all beginning to exert great influence upon the Israelites; indeed, perhaps the key historical event in Isaiah’s lifetime was the miraculous destruction of the Assyrian army outside the gates of Jerusalem (chapters 36-37).
Isaiah’s name means “the Lord Saves,” and this captures well the core of his message. Confronted with the overwhelming power of Assyria, the Lord of Heaven calls on Isaiah to remind the people that it is God alone who saves. The temptations of Egypt’s material bounty, the international intrigue of Babylon, the prevalence of idolatry and its promises, all are confronted and conquered, by the message—“the Lord Saves!” the same message that resonates in our challenging times today.
Please join us on Sunday as we continue our exploration of the prophecies of Isaiah. In preparation, please read Isaiah 40.
- You probably recognize the opening verses of chapter 40—“comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” Having read the entire chapter, how do these words shape and summarize the entire message?
- The proclamation of verse 9, “Behold your God!” echoes throughout the chapter. What picture of God is being held up in these verses? What qualities of God are on display?
- Which verses speak of the majesty of our God? Which address His compassion and care? Are there characteristics of our God which are not addressed here in these verses?
- How does verse 27 fit into the storyline? Why does Isaiah wonder why the Israelites would say that they are hidden from God? How does the preceding verses speak to this idea?
- The imagery of verses 30-31 are often held forth as a wonderful promise of God—His protection and care for His people. But, how does the chapter as a whole influence the way these verses should be read? Yes, they are intended to comfort, but based on what quality/characteristic of our God?