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The Scriptorium

Isaiah among the Prophets

Isaiah is the first of the major prophets.

Introduction to Isaiah (6)

Pray Psalm 115.1.
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.

Read Isaiah 1.1; 6.1-13; 2 Kings 15.1-6; 2 Chronicles 26.16-22.

Reflect.
1. Azariah the king and Uzziah are the same person. They are referred to by different names to avoid confusion with the priest who was also named Azariah (2 Chron. 26.20). In the year of Uzziah’s death, God called Isaiah to his ministry (Is. 6.1-13). What seems to have been the state of the nation of Judah at this time?

2. How would you summarize the charge God gave to Isaiah?

Meditate.
Isaiah is the first of the major prophets. Other writing prophets preceded his work – such as Jonah and Hosea – and he may well have been aware of their ministries. But he is the first of the four major prophets, so called because of the large amount of material in their books.

By the time Isaiah was called to his ministry, the nation of Israel to the north, had turned away from God irrecoverably. Soon they would be carried away captive by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17), who began a resettlement program in the northern kingdom that would see the intermarriage of Israelites and Assyrians, leading to the Samaritans, who were despised by Jews in the New Testament.

Isaiah would have been a witness to the carrying away of Israel to Assyria. Indeed, that event seems to have been the signal for him to step forward with the Word of the Lord. As we shall see, he will have much to say about this situation, and he will use it to warn the nation of Judah against following the same path to the same end.

But as the Lord explained in his call to Isaiah, even with the powerful example of Israel’s tragedy, the people of Judah would not listen.

Isaiah spoke urgently and often to call the people from their erring ways and unto repentance. But it was not God’s pleasure for his words to be heeded. Nevertheless, the unfolding of events would confirm that Isaiah was a true prophet. So when he prophesied concerning coming days of restoration and a new Kingdom and King for God’s people, and beyond that, of a day of glorious peace for all the nations, faithful Israelites would have taken hope, and would have fixed their desires on the Lord and His promises.

We live in those days of restoration and Kingdom concerning which Isaiah prophesied so powerfully. We know that the Servant he wrote about is our Lord Jesus Christ, Who bore our sins and brought near the Kingdom of God. We should therefore take heart from the words of Isaiah. What he spoke and wrote about for his day came to pass as he said. What he has written for our day – an eternal Kingdom of peace, increasing without end, unto a new world to come – is just as sure, and should encourage us in seeking that Kingdom and the glory of its King.

Prepare.
1. Can you see any parallels between the situation in Israel (the northern kingdom) in Isaiah’s day and the state of the Church in our own day?

2. Would you say that Isaiah’s ministry overall was successful? In what way?

3. How do you hope our study of Isaiah will help you in your walk with and work for the Lord? What goals will you set for this study?

[Isaiah] should be called an evangelist rather than a prophet, because he describes all the mysteries of Christ and the church so clearly that one would think he is composing a history of what has already happened rather than prophesying what is to come.  Jerome (347-420 AD), Preface to Isaiah

Thank You, Lord, for the book of Isaiah. As we begin this study, help me to…

Pray Psalm 115.1-18.

Isaiah saw the glory of the Lord, and he sought it throughout all his life and ministry. As you pray, ask the Lord to show you His glory throughout the day, and resolve to live for His glory in every aspect of your life.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 115 (Plainfield: Nothing But the Blood of Jesus)
Not to us, O God, not us, but unto Your Name give glory!
For Your love and faithfulness, ever to Your Name be glory!
Why should the nations cry, “Where is their God on high?”
You rule us, Lord, on high: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Idols made by men’s own hand – ever to Your Name be glory –
see nor hear nor understand – ever to Your Name be glory!
They neither feel nor walk, nor can they speak or talk;
All those who serve them fall, but unto Your Name be glory!

All who trust in Jesus yield – ever to His Name be glory –
find in Him their help and shield: Ever to Your Name be glory!
O Israel, trust the Lord!  He helps us evermore!
Fear Him obey His Word: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Blessings from our gracious Lord – ever to Your Name be glory –
will attend us evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless all who fear You, Lord, all who obey Your Word,
All who Your Name adore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

Grant us, Savior, great increase: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Bless us with eternal peace: Ever to Your Name be glory!
Heaven and earth are Yours; let every soul adore
And bless You evermore: Ever to Your Name be glory!

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).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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