Isaiah

One of my favorite books of the Old Testament is Isaiah. He was born in the 8th century B.C. and died in the 7th century B.C. There is a legend that he was sawn in half by Manasseh, but there is no proof of this. 

There is a richness of messianic prophecy, including the four songs of the suffering servant. St. Jerome said that he was more of an evangelist than a prophet, so detailed was his prophecy of the coming of the messiah, as though it were history instead of prophecy.

Verse 9:2 says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Later in the verse are lines that probably most Christians churches relate at Christmas (9:6): “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’.” Kind of makes you want to break out into song, doesn’t it? (Handel used Isaiah for several sections of Messiah.)

Isaiah is called by God (6:8): “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, “Here am I! Send me’.” And he did as the Lord bid and he prophesied for probably over 60 years. His mission was often difficult and those he was sent to did not always listen to him. But they didn’t always listen to Jesus when he was among us either. 

In addition to reading the Acts of the Apostles in this Easter season, Isaiah is another good focus to see how his prophesies came true in the person of Christ. 

And that picture at the left? Isaiah from Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel.