When we think about those Prophetic texts in the Bible, Isaiah is often the first one to pop into your mind. The very first of the “Major Prophets” (a designation that refers to the length, not importance), Isaiah recounts the history and the teachings that the Prophet Isaiah is living in the Kingdom of Judah in the eighth century BCE. Isaiah is a well-known text in the Tanakh, also known as the Hebrew Bible, designated as the first of the Tanakh’s Latter Prophets and one of the most important religious texts of the Second Temple period. The Old Testament book also has an immense impact on Christian theology. The book is often mentioned across all of the New Testament, and its Christological significance has led some experts to use Isaiah to be “the Fifth Gospel.”
Let’s examine some historical context surrounding the creation of the Book of Isaiah and pay particular attention to the time and date the text was written. We hope this summary will inspire you to study Isaiah with fresh insight.
What is it that makes Isaiah so significant?
The Book of Isaiah gives us the most extensive prophetic vision of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. It is a complete account of His life, including His declaration of the coming (Isaiah 40:3-5) and the baby’s virgin birth (7:14) as well as His announcement of His good news (61:1) as well as His sacrificed death (52:13-53:12) as well as Jesus’ return to take His place (60:2-3). Due to these and many other Christological passages in Isaiah, the book can be seen as a testimony to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the One who protects His people from being destroyed by themselves.
What are the distinctive characteristics that distinguish this particular book?
“Isaiah is among the best frequently quoted among all prophets. He is the most frequently mentioned in the Revelation of Jesus, Paul, Peter, along John (in the book of Revelation) more than the other Old Testament prophet. Also, The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants draw inspiration from Isaiah more than any other prophet” (Bible Dictionary “Isaiah”).
The prophecies of Isaiah often have multiple meanings and meanings. About Isaiah’s prophecies, the Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared: “The book of Isaiah has a variety of prophecies that appear to have many possibilities for fulfillment. The first one seems to be involving the people who lived in Isaiah’s time or the situation of the coming generation. Another interpretation, which is often symbolic, could refer to the events in the meridian when Jerusalem fell. Its people were scattered following the death of the Son of God. Another meaning that fulfills the prophecy appears to be related to the events surrounding The Second Coming of the Savior. The possibility that many prophecies be interpreted in multiple ways underscores the necessity of seeking the guidance of Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, to assist us in our efforts to discern their meanings. Nephi declares the prophecies of Isaiah “are clear to everyone who is in prophetic spirit’ (2 Ne. 25:4)” (“Scripture Reading and Revelation,” Ensign, January. 1995, 8). In Isaiah 29, the Bible contains a prediction concerning the Restoration that outlines the release in the Book of Mormon, including an exchange between Martin Harris and Professor Charles Anthon (see Isaiah 29:11-12; Joseph Smith, History 1:63-65).
Who did the writing?
Like most of the works from “the prophets,” the book of Isaiah is named after the author. Isaiah had a wife, a prophetess, and two children at the very minimum (Isaiah 7:3 8:3). He prophesied during the rule of four Judean Kings–Uzziah Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1)–and the likelihood is that he was executed his demise under a fifth, the wicked King Manasseh. As early as the second century, Christian traditions recognize Isaiah among the prophets whose demise is mentioned in Hebrews 11:37 specifically, precisely one prophet that was “sawn into two.”1 Isaiah likely lived in Jerusalem in the context of the book’s concern with Jerusalem’s City of Jerusalem (Isaiah 1:1) and his proximity to two important kings during the time that he prophesied (7:3 and 38:1).
A large portion of the scholarship over the last two centuries has been attributed to a variety of writers Isaiah, which has resulted in the division of the text into three parts 1-40, 40-55, and 56-66. But, these divisions arise from a scholarly rejection of prophecy that is predictive. This position does not just restrict the ability of God in His communication with the people of God. Still, it overlooks the many varieties of particular, predictive claims regarding Jesus Christ scattered throughout the book.
Prophecies from First Isaiah
First, Isaiah includes the prophecies and words of Isaiah, who was an influential 8th century BCE prophet from Judah which he wrote, or his contemporary supporters in Jerusalem (from approximately. 740 until 700 BCE) and several later additions, including chapters 24-27 as well as 33-39. The first edition is likely to have been written by a follower or Isaiah around 500 BCE. The second one is split into two parts: chapters 33-35, which were written either during or after the exile from Babylon at the time of 586 BCE, and chapters 36-39, which draw from the sources utilized to write The Deuteronomic historians in II Kings, chapters 18-19.
Final Thoughts
The text of Isaiah exposes the full scope of God’s judgment as well as his salvation. The horrific judgment prophesied for Israel as well as all nations who do not obey God is known as “the day of the Lord.” Isaiah speaks of”the judgment “fire” and says God will be merciful to his people.
The text of Isaiah calls out corrupt leaders and the poor, a subject of contemporary importance during the writing of the text. It’s a call to return to God and believe in Him and set an example for the arrival of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the coming Messiah, which Isaiah predicted.
To find out more regarding the story that is Isaiah along with the wisdom of God’s Word that is found in the Bible, Take a look at the entire collection of stunning Bibles made by Alabaster.
For more information and assistance, visit the following websites.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/biblical-literature/Isaiah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaiah
https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/who-wrote-isaiah
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Isaiah.html
https://www.quora.com/When-was-the-book-of-Isaiah-written
https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/who-really-wrote-the-book-of-isaiah-1.5431430
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-seminary-teacher-manual/introduction-to-the-book-of-isaiah?lang=eng
https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-major-prophets/isaiah
https://www.alabasterco.com/blogs/education/when-was-the-book-of-isaiah-written
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Isaiah