The Prophet Isaiah

Isaiah, son of Amoz, lived in Jerusalem during the 8th century B.C. and his prophecies [that flourished around c/740] threatened judgment upon the corrupt and debased Israelites from both kingdoms (Judah and Israel); he predicted the captivity of Assyria and Babylon. Later, he foretold of the exiles and the coming of the Messiah. These predictions included a magnificent future for Israel. His prophecies were made 500 years before the birth of Jesus. The ancient prophet prophesied during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah. Isaiah was the most noted of all the Hebrew prophets.

Judgment of the Israelites

It was during the period where Assyria ruled the land that Isaiah proclaimed the Creator's indictment against Judah and Israel, and forewarned of a coming judgment against them. 

According to the Book of Isaiah, the prophet predicted that God would use Assyria, Babylon and the Medes to execute this promise if the nation of the divided kingdoms [Judah and Israel] did not repent from their sinful ways. 

In chapters 1-12, Isaiah pronounced those prophecies tirelessly and endlessly, yet the Israelites did not take notice of his warnings. The northern kingdom of Israel was the first to be carried away into bondage by the Assyrian king, Tiglath-Pileser III and remained captive for at least 20 years. The kingdom of Israel was scattered throughout the ancient world after being released from bondage. These particular Jewish tribes later became known as the "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel".

Captivity of Babylon

St. George's Anglican Cathedral stained glass art-
Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel

The Babylonian captivity is an ancient period in Jewish history during which a large number of Israelites [from the kingdom of Judah] were taken captive into Babylonia over a 16 year period. Just as Isaiah had predicted. 

The battle for the Holy Land began when King Jehoiakim refused to pay tribute to King Nebuchadnezzar (of Babylon). Jehoiakim was eventually killed by the Babylonian army and Jeconiah was instated as king of Judah. It was during Jeconiah's reign that the ancient Jews were taken into bondage around 597 B.C. The Jewish king and his court, along with many others, were the first to be taken into captivity. The prophet Daniel was among those who were captured. 

A decade later, in 587 B.C., King Zedekiah and others were deported to Babylon; the prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah were among those taken in the second bondage. A third deportation occurred in 582 B.C. The great Creator had warned this was to happen for the transgressions of a sinful Hebrew nation known as Judah. In chapters 13-27, the prophet Isaiah prophesied that the surrounding nations would also eventually be destroyed in the Creator's bid for cleansing the land of sinful people.   

Exiles of Babylon

Depiction of Judaic Exile

As Isaiah had foretold, the nation of Judah was eventually exiled. Not long after the fall of Babylon, which was conquered by Cyrus the Great in 539 B.C., the Jews began returning to the land of Judah. Although, many scholars will agree that it [the exiles] was a gradual process which spanned many years. The last king of Babylon was Belshazzar. 

The Book of Ezra states that it was during this same time period construction of the Second Temple (aka: Herod's Temple) in Jerusalem commenced. It is interesting to note that not all of the population of Judah was deported into bondage. 

According to archaeological studies, it reveals that Jerusalem was totally destroyed; yet, there were a few places in the ancient Jewish kingdom that continued to be inhabited during the exile period. Then there were other ancient Jews, as well as their descendants, that did not return to their homeland. The source of the ancient deportees true deliverance can be found in chapters 28-35.

Coming of the Messiah

Depiction of Isaiah
predicting the coming of the Messiah

There are many verses scattered throughout various chapters in the Book of Isaiah that makes an inference to the 'coming of the Messiah'. 

In the Tanakh/Christian Bible the scriptures inform mankind what will be done during the reign of the Messiah; yet the views vary from among the theologians of ancient Israel and the rabbinical scholars.

When comparing Jesus Christ with the prophetic coming of the Messiah, the New Testament of the Christian Bible correlates with many scriptures of Isaiah. For a complete list, please click here. The Qur'an states that Isa (Jesus), son of Mariam (Mary), is the Messiah and Prophet sent to the Children of Israel, but the Muslims does not agree that Jesus was an omnipotent incarnation of God, but a powerful prophet of Allah who will return during the "last days" to defeat the Dajjal (Armilus/Anti-Christ). 

Magnificent Future for Israel

In chapters 40-66, Isaiah focuses on the coming of the Messiah and the comfort of a magnificent future that was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

It was during the Babylonian period of captivity that Isaiah inspired hope during troubled times, promising a bright future for those descended from the ancient Hebrew nation. 

In chapters 40-48, the prophet reiterated there was only one true God; in chapters 49-53, he promised the kingdom of Israel (including Judah) would experience salvation through a suffering servant (Christians correlate this with Jesus Christ); and, in chapters 54-66, Isaiah said there would be a glorious future for the Children of Israel and the promise made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob would finally be bestowed upon them. While Isaiah did not go into extreme detail about Israel's glorious future, he indicated and expressed assurance [through the promise of God] that it would transpire.

Book of Isaiah & Points of Interest

It is interesting to note the various points of interest when it comes to the Book of Isaiah... 

• The Book of Isaiah incorporates many skillful literary forms into his [Isaiah] writings, such as prose and poetry.
• The Book of Isaiah is divided into 66 chapters, which parallels the entire Christian Bible's 66 books (39 Old Testament books/ 27 New Testament books).
• The first 39 chapters of Isaiah contain strong themes of the Creator's judgment, resembling the 39 Old Testament books; the last 27 chapters of Isaiah focus on comfort and the coming of the Messiah, bearing a similar likeness to the themes of the 27 New Testament books.
• The New Testament quotes Isaiah 66 times, which is surpassed only by the Psalms.

Isaiah, who is also called the Prince of Prophets, shines above all the other prophets of Scripture. He was most noted for his committed obedience over his long 50+ year ministry as a prophet of God. He was a true patriot who loved his country and his kinsmen. Tradition suggests that Isaiah died a martyr's death under the reign of King Manasseh.

Today, in our modern world, we can see that many of Isaiah's prophecies have been fulfilled with the worldwide dispersion of the Jews , the worldwide persecution of the Jews, the re-establishment and restoration of Israel in 1948 and, the worldwide migration of Jews back to Israel [during the past century]. 

For more information, please visit: Biblical people profile of the prophet Isaiah