Bio – Isaiah

8^th–7^th century BC

Early in his ministry, Isaiah saw an amazing vision. When he heard the voice of the Lord asking who he should send as his messenger, Isaiah willingly cried out, “Here am I! Send me,” and so his role as God’s mouthpiece truly began. God chose Isaiah to convey his messages to the people of Judah, at one stage even asking him to travel among the people barefoot and naked for three whole years. Isaiah did as he was asked—it was a way of warning the people of Judah that if they continued to turn away from God, their country would be defeated and they would be taken away as exiles to Assyria.

Isaiah urged the people of Judah and the city of Jerusalem to repent their sins and return to God. He did not mince his words, and spoke of God’s anger and judgment, and of forthcoming punishment if they continued to break the Covenant that they had made with him. The people ignored his warnings, and in his lifetime, Assyria, undergoing a period of expansion—and used as an instrument of God’s wrath—conquered Samaria, the capital city of the northern kingdom of Israel, and besieged the city of Jerusalem.

Isaiah served under the reigns of four kings, showing courage in the face of adversity, growing increasingly unpopular and unwelcome among the people of Judah, who did not like the message he brought them. He saw the beginning of his own nation crumbling and falling, as his warnings were ignored and rejected, yet his faith was unswerving.

In spite of this, the Book of Isaiah is not all about despair and bad tidings, for much of it speaks of mercy, grace, and compassion. Along with warnings of judgment and punishment, Isaiah confirmed God’s promise that his people would not be completely destroyed. Most importantly, Isaiah spoke of the promise of a Messiah—over 700 years before the birth of Christ—and of salvation. It is interesting to note that the name Isaiah means “the salvation of the Lord” or “the Lord is salvation.”

Isaiah’s words are inspiring. Though he spoke firmly of the anger of God, he also offered beautiful and uplifting messages of hope and comfort to a people embroiled in turmoil, war and misery. He spoke of the coming savior, and of a future when peace would come, and God would once again embrace them, of when the scarlet of their sins would become as white as snow. His words were often lyrical and emotive, and always powerful.

While it is not certain that Isaiah wrote the entirety of the Book of Isaiah, there can be little doubt that he was a writer of great talent and eloquence. The Book of Isaiah is quoted by New Testament writers more times than any other Old Testament book.

Copyright ©2020 International Publishing Services (IPS) Sydney Australia