God's Prophet Isaiah
Old Testament Prophet Hears God, Speaks to Judah and Israel
Key events and slightly different writing styles have led some theological historians to conclude that Isaiah was written by more than one man. Nevertheless, the book is the basis for many of the words in Handel’s Messiah. Many of Isaiah's prophecies point to the coming of the Messiah, 700 years later.
Chapter 53, which gives specific details of the final hours of Jesus' life, is often read during Easter. Poetic in nature, Isaiah’s prophecies are quoted in the New Testament more than any other prophet.
Was Isaiah Royalty or a Member of the Aristocracy?
Some scholars believe that Isaiah prophesied for more than 60 years–from approximately 750 - 690 BC–while more conservative estimates start at forty. Regardless of the timing, God used Isaiah to speak to the people of Israel and Judah during the reigns of four Judean kings: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Rabbinic tradition traces Isaiah’s lineage from King David to Amoz, his father, who was brother of King Amaziah. This connection places him within the royal family and a cousin of King Uzziah.
Even if not of royal blood, it is likely that Isaiah was from the aristocracy because his writing shows that he was well educated and had access to inside information. He knew about the inner workings of the royal palace and seemed privy to many court proceedings.
Isaiah’s Private Life
The name Isaiah means Salvation of Jehovah in Hebrew. Although very little is known about Isaiah, some historians believe that he began his prophetic work at the age of 20. What little we do know of his private life comes from the man himself, written in the Book of Isaiah.
He was married to a woman he calls “the prophetess” although it is unclear if she actually prophesied or the name was bestowed on her because she was the wife of a prophet. Isaiah and his wife had two sons and both were given prophetical names: Shearjashub, meaning “a remnant shall return", and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, "the spoil speeds, the prey hastens". (Isaiah 7:3 and 8:1, respectively) Before his second child was even conceived, God told Isaiah to write the boy’s name on a signboard as a warning to the people of Judah.
Often God used Isaiah to act out prophesies and Isaiah was faithful to do as God instructed. Isaiah did as God told him, even when it meant going naked and barefoot for more than three years as a warning to the people of the coming war and destruction.
The Death of Isaiah, the Prophet
How did the life of such a great man end? Although the Bible does not mention it, Talmudic writings do, and both Jewish and Christian scholars agree that Isaiah was sawn in half with a wood saw. The traditional belief is that Judah’s pagan King Manasseh, looking for an excuse to rid himself of the troublesome holy man, gave the order to kill Isaiah after convicting him of blasphemy because in describing a vision, he had dared to say, "I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne."
More than 2,500 years ago, God used Isaiah to speak to the people of Israel and Judah. Although unpopular for proclaiming bad news, he was a faithful prophet, foretelling wars and the coming of Christ, using words, actions and even family names in an effort to make God’s message crystal clear.
Isaiah, Major Prophet in the Bible
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