04/12/2025
Isaiah – his life and work as a prophet – listening and passing it on!
Background/history – lived circa 739-681BC so lived nearly 800 years before Jesus was born. He wrote approximately 35000 words in 66 chapters of the book in the Bible: so he played a significant part in passing on information.
Illustration: When I did three years of distance learning at Bristol Baptist College 2014-2017, I wrote approximately 36000 words, in 24 essays and approximately 1500 words per essay.
So, I get it; he was diligent in writing but not like me on subjects set by lecturers: but by intently listening to God.
He served during the reigns of several kings of Judah a region in Israel including Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah for you history boffins. He spoke both to Judah, Jerusalem and surrounding nations at the time, but his words have an enduring quality that goes beyond his era. They were both given to bring correction, comfort and hope. The various chapters have themes that include correction, comfort and hope for us today too.
Isaiah was a man who listened to God – he credits God with giving him the ability to listen in such away that he is being given instructions, for me like the old days taking dictation – specifically Teeline shorthand; listening and scribing in order to superimpose the thoughts of the one who is speaking being subsequently typed on to the page, e.g. a letter to a customer or a memo to a colleague, so that those who read it are clear as to the thoughts of the one who spoke in the first place. (Isaiah 50:4-5). He had spiritual insight not conjured by natural intelligence.
Not to be confused with a fortune teller or clairvoyant. But inspired by God; not there to deceive or give false hope but to bring genuine messages of hope and insight into God’s plans. He was willing to put himself out there; his words were resisted because they often challenged rebellion and dysfunction; lives and systems that were out of order, so not an easy job to do. He had a different perspective – he provided godly wisdom and spiritual understanding, not bending to cultural mindsets. God used him to write what needed to happen and what was going to happen, to bring things back into right order. The overarching theme of the entire Bible can be referenced in the book of Isaiah.
Like books in general Isaiah’s transcript, the exact words that he heard were the words that he wrote.
Illustration: When I worked for North Somerset Council, I was tasked with creating both accurate and detailed records of all the words spoken during a couple of disciplinaries, much like a court transcriber or stenographer (the difference being they use a machine). I found this stressful because you had to listen intently to every word, whilst typing extremely fast! Thankfully for Isaiah he didn’t write it all in one sitting!
The Book of Isaiah is the combination of his writings and do include themes that as well as bringing correction, comfort and hope, point also to Jesus’ life. God’s promise to bring restoration to our fallen world. Like the Bible that has 66 books, Isaiah has 66 chapters 1-39 focus on judgement and a call for a change of heart towards God; the warnings because there are consequences to rebellion; sadly, they didn’t always listen and therefore they brought judgement on themselves; in contrast, 40-66 offer messages of comfort and hope for restoration both now and in future events.
In chapter 6:9-10 God commissions Isaiah to go and speak on his behalf – but he tells him up front that there will be those he speaks to who don’t bother to listen and therefore wouldn’t get what he is saying, or change their ways, but thankfully there will be those that would hear with their ears and also understand what he is saying in their hearts and would turn to God and find healing, peace and promise for the future.
The significant words in Isaiah’s transcriptions are words pointing to the coming of Jesus who ultimately has come to redeem the world; the act of coming to the rescue to bring the world back into right order but more than that to come back into relationship with God as he first intended back in the garden of Eden and before the fall.
You may hear or already have heard in this season of Advent, Isaiah 7:14 I will give you a sign: the virgin/young woman will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (meaning God with us). He will know enough to reject the wrong and choose the right even as he is being weaned… Chapter 9:6 a more familiar verse: For unto us a child is born, and to us a son given, and the government will be upon his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end…
Isaiah is both accurate in speaking about Jesus’ birth but later his crucifixion in chapter 53:4 he bore our pain and our suffering… he was pierced for our transgressions (where we have broken God’s laws that were given for us to live well together); crushed for our iniquities (immoral or unfair behaviours that cause us and others harm), the punishment that brought us peace was on him and by his wounds we are healed… these have both happened already; and our chronology; our history pivots on the birth of Jesus does it not.
Isaiah’s writing despite giving warnings also convey messages of hope; assuring the people that God will restore them after they have gone through a process of correction or discipline to bring them back in to right order, so they are not out of order (40-66). The last few chapters provide a vision of a new heaven and new earth where God’s justice and peace will override the injustice and destruction caused by sin and separation from God and ultimately, we’ll be restored to the manufacturer’s intention or factory settings!
Isaiah 65:17 See, I will create new heavens and a new earth… the sound of weeping and crying will be heard in it no more, never again will there be an infant who lives but a few days or an old man who doesn’t live out his years, they will build houses, plant vineyards they will not labour in vain, they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. Before they call, I will answer; while they are speaking, I will hear – so a switch from listening to God and Isaiah writing what he said; to us speaking and God coming to our aid like the loving parent that he is.
We do need to be corrected when we stray or rebel against his good plans for us, because it is never his intention for us to suffer; it pained the Father of the Prodigal to stand and wait for him to come to his senses and return home, but too there was rejoicing when this happened. God like the Father is faithful in waiting for us too and he is pleased when we come to our senses and come to him. Again, Isaiah concludes with a chapter 66 that focuses on God’s promise of comfort and also God’s faithfulness, to fulfil the promises yet to be realised.
Conclusion:
The Book of Isaiah is a rich tapestry of words from God that Isaiah transcribed that does combine themes of judgment, hope, and the promise of a coming Messiah.
It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, the seriousness of sin, and the hope of redemption for those who turn back to Him. Through its powerful messages, Isaiah calls for faithfulness and trust in God's ultimate plan for His people and the world.
We have the advantage that we can read what God spoke to Isaiah and that Isaiah has written down what he heard so that we too can benefit from his words.
If we can read about people messing up in the Bible and God still committed to things coming good for them, then if he can do it for them, he will do it for us; that gives us hope for our future and knowing the best is still to come!
So maybe this Christmas for the first time – you won’t just hear a lovely little story about baby Jesus but know there has always been a golden thread running through our history that can extend to our destiny if we will also listen to these instructions.
