Isaiah

ISAIAH

Scripture references:
2 Kings 19–20; 2 Chronicles 26:22;
32:30–32; Isaiah 20:2–3; 38:21

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ISAIAH’S ROLE IN SCRIPTURE

Isaiah was a prophet of Judah, who ministered to the people of the southern kingdom. During his time Assyria’s expansionist policies seriously threatened Judah. This threat, combined with the preaching of Isaiah and Micah and the leadership of godly king Hezekiah, led to a religious revival in Judah. God intervened to turn back the Assyrian forces after Judah was invaded and severely battered. Many of Isaiah’s messages recorded in his book focus on Judah’s sin and injustice and show how greatly the spiritual renewal was needed in Isaiah’s time.

Isaiah’s messages however looked beyond the immediate situation, and portrayed a future in which God, after punishing His people’s sins, would restore and bless the redeemed. Because so many of Isaiah’s images of the future feature the coming Messiah, Isaiah has rightly been called the evangelist of the Old Testament. His significance can be seen in the fact that Isaiah’s words are quoted or referred to some 13 times in the Gospels, three times in Acts, and five times by the apostle Paul in Romans.

ISAIAH’S LIFE AND TIMES

Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Handbook comments on how little we know of Isaiah the man.

He is often mentioned in Kings and Chronicles, and his name occurs several times in his own book. But his family background and social status remains a mystery. The fact that his great personal vision of God took place in the temple (Isa. 6) suggests he may have been a priest, as only priests were to enter the holy place. Isaiah was an intimate of King Hezekiah—probably a sort of court preacher. His mastery of Hebrew is as rich and great as Shakespeare’s grasp of English, and shows he was a highly educated man (p. 282).

While Isaiah at times writes of events in which he played a significant part, Isaiah, unlike Jeremiah, does not go into detail about his emotions. For instance, Isaiah describes the following experience, but makes no comment on his emotions:

“Go, and remove the sackcloth from your body, and take your sandals off your feet.” And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. Then the Lord said, “… My servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia.” (Isa. 20:2, 3)

As Isaiah remained silent about his own feelings, he revealed little about his personal life. We know that Isaiah was married to an unnamed prophetess and that he had children (Isa. 7; 8), but we know nothing about them. Isaiah is the proverbial silent man, who although a very public figure, is at the same time a very private man.

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Today Bedouins still live in tents much like those that housed Jacob and his family 4,000 years ago.

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ISAIAH: AN EXAMPLE FOR TODAY

Isaiah’s prominence in his own time and in Scripture contrasts sharply with his reticence. He was a great man but one who felt no need to put himself forward. He had no need for public accolades or to be the center of attention. To serve God faithfully and selflessly was enough for him. We have much to learn from Isaiah.

•     Isaiah reminds us that modesty is a virtue. Serving God is reward enough, without seeking or demanding public acclaim.

•     Isaiah reminds us that while some freely share emotions, others are private individuals. Each personality style is valid and acceptable, and we are not to force others into a way of relating that may be uncomfortable for them.

•     Isaiah encourages us to keep Christ in focus. We should seek to impress others with Him—not with ourselves.

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