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 calls Isaiah for a purpose.
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