Day 251

Isaiah 1:1–2:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 22:26-27

TODAY WE BEGAN the book of Isaiah —a prophetic book classified among the Old Testament Major Prophets (which also include Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel). This distinction has nothing to do with Isaiah’s importance —or that of any of the other Major Prophets. Rather, major refers to the amount of material contained in these works. Isaiah contains sixty-six chapters, making it one of the longer books of the Bible.

Isaiah (whose name means “the Lord saves”*) was a very passionate Old Testament prophet, and his writings are referred to and quoted throughout the New Testament. In fact, Jesus quoted from Isaiah eight times in the Gospels. It was such an important text to Jesus that He recited from Isaiah 61 at the launch of His ministry to declare His purpose:

The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the LORD’s favor has come.

Isaiah lived in the second half of the eighth century BC, and it appears that he was a part of the upper class or the aristocracy because he had access to royalty. Although he lived in a tumultuous time, he was able to deliver messages to kings over a long period —so he wasn’t just some crazed peasant coming in from the countryside.

Isaiah prophesied during the reigns of five kings —Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, and Manasseh. According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Isaiah was then martyred by being sawn in half at the order of King Manasseh. Although there is no explicit reference to this event in the Bible, the writer of Hebrews described the faith of the saints of old by telling us, “Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword” (Hebrews 11:37).

The book of Isaiah is divided almost evenly in its content. The first 39 chapters discuss God’s judgment —which is very sobering. Chapters 40 through 66 discuss God’s comfort and restoration —which is very hopeful. Throughout Isaiah, God’s sovereignty and lordship, as well as the fact that His heavenly Kingdom is to be established on this earth, are major themes. Social justice is also very important to Isaiah —although he had access to kings, his heart was for the downtrodden.

The prophetic books are full of metaphor and symbolism, as well as allegorical language. Isaiah is no different. We can consider these words through different lenses, just as we did with the Song of Solomon. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead you toward what you need to see.

MEDITATION:

Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.