Isaiah: Prophet from 676-617 BC
So
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I
will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
READ: Isaiah 36-37
The kingdom of Judah, the
southern kingdom, experienced prosperity under the reign of king Uzziah. It was the year that Uzziah died that Isaiah
the prophet received his call into ministry.
His ministry continued through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah,
having the length of over 60 years.
These were turbulent times in Judah’s history as they were heavily attacked
while at the same time the northern kingdom was under siege and eventually was
taken captive by the Assyrians. Isaiah
warned Judah that her sin would bring captivity at the hands of Babylon. Although captivity was years away, Isaiah
assumes the demise of Judah and predicts the restoration of the people from
captivity. He names Cyrus the Persian as
the one would ultimately allow the Jews to return home decades before he even
reigned. Throughout his ministry Isaiah
revealed God’s judgement and salvation as the “Holy One of Israel” who must
punish his rebellious people but will afterward redeem them. God will ultimately have compassion on his
people and rescue them from both political and spiritual oppression. Isaiah had the status to take an active part
in the events of his land and in some cases, to guide them. His relationship with the kings gave him
access to the palace but also did not prevent him from speaking for the common
people who were being victimized by the corruption of the ruling class. He often spoke of justice and upholding the
rights of the orphan and widow. Isaiah
was probably one of the most political of the prophets in the face of the
Assyrian threats as he counseled the leadership to make moral changes. He knew that the mighty Assyria was a tool in
God’s hands which God used to punish the sins of Jerusalem. Isaiah worked closely with king Hezekiah to
make many religious reforms and Isaiah supported him during the difficult
moments of the Assyrian siege (Isaiah 36-37).
Isaiah was a highly educated man as seen by his writings which have had
great influence over the centuries. The
New Testament alludes to his writings over 250 times and quotes it at least 50
times. He wrote many prophecies of the
birth of Christ and his second coming.
Many of his writings in the book of Isaiah are used in studying the End
Times.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Where do you feel weak in your faith?
2. Ask God how He wants to grow your faith this summer. What does He want to do in your heart?
3. Thank God for what He has shown you, and pray that it would become a reality in your life.
