Isaiah of Jerusalem

Kristin Bolch Religion Project

Isaiah of Jerusalem

Isaiah of Jerusalem was the most significant prophet during the reigns of the Southern Kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The major themes that appear in Isaiah’s prophecy consist of the holiness of Yahweh, the faithfulness of Yahweh, the justice of Yahweh, and that God’s justice extends to all nations. Isaiah preached strongly against injustice. Even though all of the prophets criticized the lack of justice within Judah and Israel, Isaiah was the first to announce that Yahweh’s justice extends to all nations and that the covenant applies to all people. His prophetic work stretched far beyond his advice to the kings of Judah.

Isaiah 6 is the account of Isaiah's calling. In this passage Isaiah hears God's angels utter, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.”(Isaiah 6:3) Isaiah also has a vision of Yahweh seated on a high and lofty throne. In his vision, Isaiah saw Seraphim, Yahweh’s heavenly servants, stationed around him. When Isaiah hears his call, his world is changing. King Uzziah, a king that brought stability and prosperity, died, and the political situation was now unclear. The people of Judah had strayed from God. Times were getting bad and they were only going to get worse. At this point, God ...

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King Ahaz, who succeeded King Uzziah, was worried about a political alliance between Aram and Israel which threatened to attack Judah and replace him

as king. God sent the prophet Isaiah to King Ahaz to deliver a message to relieve his fear. The message was, "Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid." (Isaiah 7:4) God was in control of the situation and knew the plan to keep a descendant of David on the throne was going to remain. God offered more than words of hope to King Ahaz. God also offered a sign of hope. In verse 10, Isaiah once again delivers a message to the King. The King is told to ask God for a sign. Even though the King refused, God was determined to offer the sign anyway. That sign was a child.

Isaiah said to King Ahaz, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) As Christians, we read this prophesy as a message about the ultimate child of promise, the Messiah. However, that prophecy may have had a more immediate message for King Ahaz. This prophecy could have predicted the birth of Hezekiah, who would succeed him as king. Even though this new king did not appear in Judah before the exile, Isaiah’s prophecy kept faith for a king who would guide the people back to God.

Work Cited

1. McNamara, M. The Book Of Isaiah Chapters 1-39 Washington, Dc:

Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. 1961

2. Internet Site: Http:// Jeru.Huji.ac

3. Encyclopedia Britannica