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Isaiah’s Profile
Trees and prophets share at least one important
characteristic-both are planted for the future. Yet seedlings are often
overlooked and prophets often ignored. Isaiah is one of the best examples of
this. The people of his time could have been rescued by his words. Instead, they
refused to believe him. With the passing of centuries, however, Isaiah’s words
have cast a shadow on all of history.
Isaiah was active as a prophet during the reigns of five
kings, but he did not set out to be a prophet. By the time King Uzziah died,
Isaiah may have been established as a scribe in the royal palace in Jerusalem.
It was a respectable career, but God had other plans for his servant. Isaiah’s
account of God’s call leaves little doubt about what motivated the prophet for
the next half century. His vision of God was unforgettable.
The encounter with God permanently affected Isaiah’s
character. He reflected the God he represented. Isaiah’s messages-some
comforting, some confronting-are so distinct that some have guessed they came
from different authors. Isaiah’s testimony is that the message came from the One
capable of being perfect in justice as well as in mercy-God Himself.
When He called Isaiah as a prophet, God did not encourage him
with predictions of great success. God told Isaiah that the people would not
listen. But he was to speak and write His messages anyway because eventually
some would listen. God compared His people to a tree that would have to
be cut down so that a new tree could grow from the old stump (Isaiah 6:13).
We who are part of that future can see that many of the
promises God gave through Isaiah have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We also
gained the hope of knowing that God is active in all of history, including our
own.
Isaiah’s Strengths and Accomplishments
1. Considered the greatest Old Testament prophet
2. Quoted at least 50 times in the New Testament
3. Had powerful messages of both judgment and hope
4. Carried out a consistent ministry even though there was little positive
response from his listeners
5. His ministry spanned over the reigns of five kings of Judah
Lessons from Isaiah’s Life
1. God’s help is needed in order to effectively confront sin while comforting
people
2. One result of experiencing forgiveness is the desire to share that
forgiveness with others
3. God is purely and perfectly holy, just, and loving
Isaiah’s Vital Statistics
1. Where: Jerusalem
2. Occupations: Scribe, prophet
3. Relatives: Father, Amoz; Sons, Shear-Jashub, Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz
4. Contemporaries: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Micah
Key Verse
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will
go for us? And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ " (Isaiah 6:8).
Isaiah’s story is told in 2nd Kings 19:2-20:19. He is also
mentioned in 2nd Chronicles 26:22; 2nd Chronicles
32:20,32; Matthew 3:3; Matthew 8:17; Matthew 12:17-21; John 12:38-41; Romans
10:16,20,21.
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