Introduction to Isaiah (3)

Pray Psalm 73.25-28.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth thatI desire besides You.
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.

Read 2 Kings 19.1-5, 20-34.

Reflect.
1. How would you describe Isaiah’s role as you see it in these verses? 

2. Did Isaiah only speak about “spiritual” matters? Or only to the people of God? Explain.

Meditate.
The verses for today provide an overview of the work of a prophet. That work consisted of four distinct functions.

First, the prophet was set aside by God to hear and receive His Word (recall Is. 6.1-13). Let’s remember that, in Isaiah’s day, they didn’t have all the Scripture we have today. They would have had the Law of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy), perhaps some of the early historical writings (Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel), and most of what we know as the Writings (Psalms, Proverbs, etc.). Even then, not everybody had copies of these. But since God was still giving verbal revelation to His people, He appointed certain ones, like Ezra (Ez. 7.10), to devote themselves to studying the existing Word of God and being alert and receptive to additional revelation, as God chose to give it.

Second, prophets communicated God’s revelation to the people of God by preaching and writing, and sometimes by other means. What God made known to them, the prophets relayed to the people. They would preach, give advice, write psalms (like Asaph) or sermons, and even whole books.

Third, because they were recognized as being in communication with God, prophets, served as counselors and advisors to kings and other rulers. When Hezekiah was threatened by an overwhelming enemy force, he turned to Isaiah to intercede with the Lord and give him the Lord’s counsel and advice.

Finally, prophets spoke the Word of God to the nations, as we see Isaiah doing here in pronouncing the judgment of God against the Assyrians.

Each of us shares in this prophetic work today. God calls us to receive His Word daily, to share His Word for encouragement and advice with our fellow believers, to be available to counsel and advise those who turn to us for some Word from the Lord, and to bear witness to the world of what God requires. Certainly we have much to learn about this calling from a faithful prophet like Isaiah.

Prepare.
1. Should the work of a prophet be part of your walk with and work for the Lord? In what ways?

2. How would you rate yourself in each of the four functions of a prophet?

3. What can a local church do to fulfill more of the functions of a prophet in its community? 

Does not the prophet say the same most aptly and concisely in the words, “It is good for me to cling to God”? Does not this one word cling express all that the apostle says at length about love? And do not the words “it is good” point to the apostle’s statement, “All things issue in good to them that love God”? Thus in one clause and in two words the prophet sets forth the power and the fruit of love. Augustine (354-430 AD), The Catholic and Manichaean Ways of Life 16.26

It is good for me to cling to You and to Your Word, O Lord, and also to…

Pray Psalm 73.
Asaph the prophet shows us how to resist temptation and cling to the Lord. Let his psalm guide you to contemplate your calling as a prophet of the Lord.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 73 (Ellacombe: Hosanna, Loud Hosanna)
To us our God is only good, to all the pure in heart!
But as for me, I nearly stood in sin from Him apart.
I nearly stumbled, nearly slipped as I the proud observed,
How they with ease and riches dripped while I, impoverished, served.

The wicked know in death no pain; with fat their bodies surge.
The plagues and trials of other men their ease do not disturb.
In fury, wrath, and pride they dwell; their minds run where they will.
Their tongues of sin and mocking tell; with earth their mouths they fill.

They never change but fill their soul with earth’s abundant charms,
And laugh to think that God might know or do them any harm.
For thus do they themselves appease with riches and good health;
The wicked ever dwell in ease, in pleasure and in wealth.

“Surely in vain have I kept pure my heart, or cleansed my hands!
What troubles daily I endure while thus with God I stand!”
But had I spoken thus I would Your children have betrayed.
When this at last I understood, my troubled soul obeyed.

Into Your presence, Lord, I come and see the sinner’s end:
In slippery places they must run; to judgment them You send.
Destruction all at once must fall when You Your anger raise;
And terror will beset them all both now and all their days.

When my poor sad, embittered heart was pierced within by grace,
I saw how beastly was the part I chose before Your face.
But I am ever with You, Lord, You hold me by the hand,
And guide me daily by Your Word; in glory I e’er shall stand.

Then what have I in heav’n above but You, my God and Lord?
And on this earth what shall I love besides You and Your Word?
My flesh and heart shall surely fail, and death my soul release;
Your strength for me will e’er avail and grant eternal peace.

Then let them perish who depart from You and from Your Word.
All those unfaithful in their heart You shall destroy, O Lord!
But as for me, Your presence, Lord, is where I e’er will dwell!
I hide myself within Your Word, Your wondrous works to tell.

T. M. Moore

Where do the prophets fit with the rest of Scripture? How can I be a better student of God’s Word? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you gain a better approach to and understanding of the Scriptures. Watch this brief preview video, then register at The Ailbe Seminary and enroll in this free online course.

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).