Northside Church
One of the most well-known prophets in the Bible, Isaiah prophesied the arrival of the Messiah, who would atone for the sins of His people. Isaiah is a book of sharp contrasts, contrasting horrifying prophecies of judgment and devastation with inspiring promises of prosperity and hope.
Who was Isaiah?
Isaiah, whose name means “Yahweh is salvation,”
He is best known for writing the book that bears his name in the Old Testament.
His writings are especially significant for the prophecies he made about the coming Messiah, hundreds of years before Jesus was born.
(Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7, 11:2-4; 53:4-7, 9, 12)
Matthew quotes Isaiah when describing John, the Baptist’s ministry.
(Matthew 3:3; Isaiah 40:3)
Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus moved to Galilee to start His ministry;
(Matthew 4:13-16; Isaiah 9:1-2)
Jesus quotes Isaiah’s prophecy when speaking in parables.
(Isaiah 6:9; Matthew 13:14-15)
Apostle Paul also refers to the same prophecy when he is in Rome.
(Acts 28:26-27)
Jesus reads from Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth.
(Isaiah 61:1-2)
He amazes many of the Jews by claiming the prophecy is fulfilled in Him.
(Luke 4:16-21)
Gospels quote more from Isaiah’s writings than from any other of the Old Testament prophets.
Little is written about Isaiah the man.
We know that he was the son of Amoz.
He was married and had sons of his own.
(Isaiah 1:1; 7:3; 8:3)
Though Isaiah’s recognition as a great prophet is indicated in the books of the Kings and Chronicles, it is also probable that he was a priest, as his calling from God took place in the temple, an area reserved only for priests.
(Isaiah 6:4)
Isaiah 6:4 ESV
The anointing he receives at his calling is similar to that of the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:9; Isaiah 6:7).
Jeremiah 1:9 ESV
Isaiah 6:7 ESV
Along with his contemporary, the prophet Micah, Isaiah served the southern kingdom of Judah under the reigns of four kings.
At the time of Isaiah’s ministry, Judah was a sinful and unjust nation. Nevertheless, Isaiah believed that Judah was God’s chosen nation, and they would be vindicated by God.
With support from Micah and the godly King Hezekiah, their enemies were held at bay and a revival swept through the nation of Judah.
(2 Kings 19:32-36; 2 Chronicles 32:20-23).
Many commentators describe Isaiah as Judah’s evangelist because he worked tirelessly to turn the people back to God.
His faithfulness to God was rewarded with some amazing miracles.
In answer to Isaiah’s prayer, God moved the sun back ten steps as a sign to King Hezekiah that God would add a further 15 years to Hezekiah’s life.
(2 Kings 20:8-11; 2 Chronicles 32:24).
Yet Isaiah spent three years stripped naked and barefoot, in obedience to God, as a “sign and wonder” against the Egyptians
(Isaiah 20:2-4).
His contemporary, Micah, did likewise, though we are not told for how long.
(Micah 1:8)
It is from Isaiah’s writings that we learn of his unswerving faithfulness and his complete humility before God.
- It is in examining a man’s heart that we can learn what kind of a man he is
- Jesus said it is from the overflow of a man’s heart that he speaks
(Matthew 12:34)
Matthew 12:34 ESV
He also had great respect from King Hezekiah’s court and his peers
Isaiah His grasp of the Hebrew language has been likened to that of Shakespeare’s English, as we read in Isaiah some of the most beautiful writings in the Bible.
Though the book of Isaiah was written over 2,500 years ago, it is well worth reading through the entire book, because in it we see much wisdom that still applies to our Christian lives today.
Isaiah was a very private man.
- His ministry is all about pointing people to God, not to himself.
- In spite of his reserve, Isaiah is renowned for the impact his ministry made on the general public.
- In these last days, we need to make every word we speak count for the kingdom.
- And from Isaiah’s lifestyle we learn that, when God accomplishes a part of His plan through us, we must ensure that all the glory goes to Him.
In addition, it appears Isaiah’s ministry was characterized by closeness with other godly men, like Micah and King Hezekiah.
The Book of Isaiah Breakdown
Chapters 1 - 39 (Prophetic, with the theme of condemnation)
Chapters 40 - 55 (historic, and the theme is confiscation)
Chapters 56 - 66 (messianic, and the theme is consolation)
Isaiah 3:24-26 ESV
Isaiah 6:1, 5 ESV
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
Isaiah 11:1-5 ESV
Isaiah 25:8-9 ESV
Isaiah 23:6, 12 ESV