Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind -A Righteous Man in Turbulent Times

A Righteous Man in Turbulent Times

In the first verse of his book, Isaiah introduces himself as "the son of Amoz,"  and he tells us that he served as God's prophet.  "In the days of  Uzziah,  Jotham,  Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah."  (Isaiah 1:1)  This would mean that Isaiah continued as God's  prophet to the nation of Judah for no less than 46 years, likely beginning at the end of Uzziah's reign -about the year 778 B.C.E.

Compared with what we know about some other prophets, we know little about the personal life of Isaiah.  We do know that he was a  married man and that he referred to his wife as "the prophetess."  (Isaiah 8:3) According to Mc Clintock and Strong's  Cyclopedia of Biblical Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, this designation indicates that Isaiah's married life "was not only consistent with his vocation, but that   it was intimately interwoven with it." It may well be that, similar to other godly women of ancient Israel, Isaiah's wife had her own prophetic assignment. -Judges 4:4; 2 Kings 22:14.

Isaiah and his wife  had at least two sons, each given a name with prophetic significance. The firstborn, Shearjashub, accompanied Isaiah when he delivered God's message to wicked King Ahaz.  (Isaiah 7:3) It is evident that Isaiah and his wife made worship of God a family matter-a fine example for married couples today! 

Isaiah and his family lived during a turbulent period in Judah's history.  Political unrest was common, bribery, tainted the courts, and hypocrisy tore the religious fabric of society.  The hilltops were covered with altars to false gods. Even some of the kings promoted pagan worship.  Ahaz, for instance, not only tolerated idolatry among his subjects but personally engaged in it, making his own offspring "pass through the fire" in a ritual sacrifice to the Canaanite god Molech.  (2 Kings 16:3, 4; 2 Chronicles 28:3, 4) And all of this took place among a  people who were in a covenant relationship with Jehovah! -Exodus 19:5-8.

Commendably, some of Isaiah's contemporaries-including a few rulers-tried to promote true worship.  Among them was King Uzziah, who did "what was upright in Jehovah's eyes."  Still, during his reign the people were "sacrificing and making sacrificial smoke on the high places."  (2 Kings 15:3, 4) King Jotham too "kept doing what was right in Jehovah's eyes."  However, "the people were yet acting ruinously."  (2 Chronicles 27:2)  Yes, throughout much of  Isaiah's  prophetic ministry, the kingdom of Judah was in a deplorable spiritual and moral state.  By and large, the people ignored any positive influence that came from their kings.  Understandably, delivering God's messages to this stubborn people would not be an easy assignment.  Nevertheless, when Jehovah posed the question, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?"  Isaiah did not hesitate.  He exclaimed:  "Here I am! Send me." -Isaiah 6:8.

Next time:  A Message of Salvation

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind