Isaiah is a giant in the legacy of the Jews. He’s been called the Shakespeare of Jewish literature, and the New Testament quotes him more often than any other prophet. His prophetic career spanned the reign of four kings in Judah. The third king, Hezekiah, made Isaiah a trusted advisor and lead Judah in a spiritual reformation. But the last king, wicked King Manasseh, eventually had Isaiah—who kept being a buzz-kill and pestering him about what God would want—sawn in half between two planks of wood!
The first five chapters of this book tell us about the people to whom Isaiah was sent as a prophet. These people are the recipients of the great promises of God but did not appear to believe in him. Not living out their birthright as God’s chosen people they were setting themselves up for his judgement and living in darkness. It was a time of moral decline: men were drunk and wom- en were vain and took unfair advantage of the widows and fatherless. But judgement is not the only message given to Isaiah. God also promised the dawning of a marvelous great light—the Messiah! At the beginning of chapter 6, God is looking for a prophet to bring this message of judgement and the promise of new grace. Who will that be? Where can the Lord nd someone he can use among these fallen people? How will the Lord prepare this person to be his servant?
Additional Resources
- Leaders’ Guide: Isaiah 6:1-8
- Podcast: The Gospel & Yourself, Tim Keller
- Book: The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis
- Book: The Celtic Way of Evangelism, George Hunter III
Image pictured: “The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey” by Thomas Cole, 1846-1848