Isaiah

Also known as: Isaiah the prophet · Family: Judah · Role: prophet · First appears: Isaiah 1

Isaiah, son of Amoz and a prophet of Judah, saw visions concerning Judah and Jerusalem during the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. In Isaiah 6, in the year Uzziah died, he saw God enthroned in the temple; his iniquity was taken away, and when God asked who would go, Isaiah answered, “Here am I; send me.” He was then commanded to proclaim a message of spiritual blindness to the people.

In Isaiah 7, God sent Isaiah with his son Shearjashub to meet Ahaz at the upper pool, where Isaiah delivered a judgment concerning Ahaz and his people. In Isaiah 8, Isaiah took Uriah and Zechariah as faithful witnesses, and God instructed him not to follow the people’s way, to bind the testimony, and to seal the law; Isaiah also became the parent of Mahershalalhashbaz. He later received messages concerning Babylon, was commanded to remove his sackcloth and shoes, walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign, set a watchman, and was sent to Shebna.

In Isaiah 37, after Hezekiah sent Eliakim and Shebna to seek his help, Isaiah sent Hezekiah God’s response to his prayer against Sennacherib. In Isaiah 38, he announced that Hezekiah would die and told him to set his house in order, then prescribed a fig poultice after God answered Hezekiah’s prayer and fifteen years were added to his life. In Isaiah 39, Isaiah judged Hezekiah with God’s declaration that his wealth would be carried to Babylon and his sons taken away. In Isaiah 61, God anointed and sent Isaiah to proclaim good tidings, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to captives.