God reveals the Messiah.
Spoken during the days of Israel and Judah’s divided monarchy, Isaiah’s prophecies lay out God’s intentions far into the future and across the globe. The prophet begins in the here-and-now with an evaluation of God’s people, who are found far from the ideals set forth in the Law. Isaiah warns the Israelites that God will send judgment to purify His people until they are purged of sin. The Lord warns Isaiah, however, that the people will reject the prophet’s words (Is. 6:10). Isaiah anticipates long years of the Lord disciplining His people, but one day His promises would revive the nation. The latter portions of the Book of Isaiah gaze ahead to a time when God will send a Messiah. This Servant will suffer for Israel—and for the whole world—and will one day usher in a reign of peace and righteousness.
The Book of Isaiah has been called the “fifth Gospel” because of its emphasis on the person and work of this Messiah, identified in the New Testament as Jesus Christ. Isaiah has also been likened to a miniature version of the Bible because the book seems to divide naturally into two major sections, chapters 1–39 and chapters 40–66, corresponding to the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. Isaiah 1–39 dwell on humanity’s failures, while Isaiah 40–66 emphasize the hope of the coming Messiah.
The literary style of Isaiah alternates between prophecy expressed in poetic verse and historical narrative. The content can be challenging; the language is lofty, and the book’s images are sometimes difficult to understand. Nevertheless, Isaiah is quoted more often in the New Testament than any other Old Testament writer, and his work has inspired countless artists and musicians throughout history.
From earliest times, tradition has held that the prophet Isaiah wrote the book that bears his name. Some now suggest that chapters 40–66 were produced by a second author writing in the tradition of Isaiah. Yet it is revealing that the oldest manuscripts we possess contain all sixty-six chapters of the text in a complete, unbroken progression.
Isaiah was probably born during the reign of King Uzziah (or Azariah, 767–740 B.C.) to a family related to the royal house. He received his call as a prophet in the year of Uzziah’s death (6:1), and his work probably continued into the reign of Manasseh (686–642 B.C.). Isaiah’s ministry extended for some forty years. To learn more about the prophet Isaiah, see his profile and “The Life and Times of Isaiah” at Isaiah 1:1.
Isaiah probably lived in Jerusalem, but his prophecies addressed lands throughout the Middle East and, in looking forward to the Messiah, indeed address all the earth.
Key Verses in Isaiah
• “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Is. 1:18).
• “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Is. 2:4).
• “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me’ ” (Is. 6:8).
• “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Is. 9:6).
• “The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces” (Is. 25:8).
• “Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Is. 40:31).
• “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Is. 41:10).
• “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6).
• “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Is. 55:8).
The Places of the Prophets
1. Jonah was born at Gath Hepher.
2. Hosea was born in Israel.
3. Samuel ministered at Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah.
4. Samuel was born at Ramah.
5. Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Joel, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi were born at Jerusalem.
6. Micah was born at Moresheth Gath.
7. Elisha was born at Abel Meholah.
8. Elijah was born at Tishbe.
9. Samuel was dedicated and brought up at Shiloh.
10. Nahum was born at Elkosh.
11. Jeremiah was born at Anathoth.
12. Amos was born at Tekoa.