Today we started looking at the book of Isaiah. Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet, a prophet being a spokesperson for God (see Deut 18:21-22, 1 Sam 3:19). The New Testament speaks of the gift of prophecy today in the church (1 Cor 14:1, 1 Cor 12:1-3). What a prophet says must align with the Bible; studying Isaiah is important because it is part of the Bible, is quoted in the New Testament and because he spoke about Christ.
Isaiah lived between 740 and 680 BC approximately. He lived in turbulent times, when Assyria as a rising world super power intent on ruling the world. Israel had split into two kingdoms, and in Isaiah’s lifetime, the northern kingdom (Israel) was overcome and many people were deported from there. In the south (Judah), many were no longer following God, with many of the kings not following a godly path. Isaiah lived through the reign of several kings and spoke faithfully for many years.
Isaiah prophesied about John the Baptist (Is 40:3) and Jesus Himself (speaking about the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14, His ministry in Is 61:1, His death in Is 53 and the redemption He brought (Is 1:18). He spoke of the future (Is ii:6-9). There is much in this book to learn and be challenged by!