Prophet Isaiah was brought up in
the court and had high standing with the people of Jerusalem. He not only was a
prophet, but he also married a prophetess (Isaiah
8:3,118). Isaiah was the prophet during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz
and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1). He
received his real commission in the year King Uzziah died. He preached God was
about to abandon Judah, showing that God wants his people to be holy more than
prosperity.
God called Isaiah just as he
called Moses, Joshua, Gideon or Paul. Isaiah’s commission came at the tragic
death of the grand old King Uzziah (Isaiah 6 :!). For years he preached and
told of doom and deliverance. Hardship and tough times awaited him, but God
gave him a victorious strength. He was the man of the hour.
The secret of all Isaiah’s power
lay in a vision in the Temple. This vision should be every disciple’s
experience.
·
Conviction – a sense of sinfulness before God’s
holiness (Isaiah 6:5)
·
Confession – a broken heart and a contrite heard
is precious to the Lord (Isaiah 6:5)
·
Cleansing – guilt is taken away and your sin
atoned for (Isaiah 6:7)
·
Consecration – here I am, send me attitude (Isaiah 6:8)
·
Commission – Gods command to Go (Isaiah 6:9)
From Isaiah 7 to 24 we see the days of King Ahaz. He was utterly bad and
an idolater. For this reason, God gave the kingdom to other kings. Isaiah was
silent, but this invasion brings him to the front in his ministry (Isaiah 7:3). God sent him to encourage
Ahaz. Besides predicting the Assyrian invasion in Isaiah 8, the prophet saw an
end to all of Israel’s troubles through the birth of Jesus Christ who shall
rule over the kingdom of David in righteousness forever and forever. He gave
Ahaz a sign that Judah was not to perish – the prophecy of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 7:14). But Ahaz pursued his own
idea with Assyria, and that nation on which they now leaned was to become the
means of their punishment (Isaiah
7:17-20).
In Isaiah 13, we see prophecy about Babylon’s destruction. God often
allows nations to punish Israel for her national sins, but retribution is
inevitable. In Isaiah 14, we see the
death of king Ahaz. But Isaiah warns the people that his death must not be
hailed as the end of their burdens. Even worse oppressors than Ahaz were yet to
come (Isaiah 14:28-32).
From Isiah 15 to 39, it talks about the period under Hezekiah, which was
an important period in all of Israel’s history. He was a godly king. The
critical year in Hezekiah’s reign was the 14th year (Isaiah 36:1). It was then we have the
Assyrian invasion, the king’s mortal sickness and his recovery, and the
withdrawal of Assyrians from the land.
Chapters 40 to 66 are called the Book of Consolation because Isaiah
tells in glowing terms not only of the restoration of Judah, but also of the
coming of Jehovah’s servant to be the Messiah king. Isaiah 53 gives us a perfect picture of our suffering redeemer. Isaiah 60 to 66 tells of the coming
kingdom – the future glory of Israel. God’s goodness to redeemed Israel is seen
in chapter 61 and 62. He promises an
era of prosperity in chapters 63 to 65.
Isaiah spent his life trying to get Judah to become acquainted with God and his word. He wanted them to trust wholly in God’s guidance. This book not only speaks of Israel, but of Jesus Christ who came to take away the sins of whole world. It shows us how Christ suffered for the sins which we have done.
When you pray and read this book, you will
understand the real grace which God showed upon the humanity to get saved. I
pray that everyone understand this grace of Christ that he died for our sins to
make us free, and accordingly live a life pleasing and testifying Jesus Christ.
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