The MAJOR & MINOR Prophets - The 16 Writing Prophets Of The Hebrew Canon

The last section (chapter 40-66) is overwhelmingly filled with comfort, consolation and hope for the people of God. The mysterious, yet thrilling, theme of the Coming One, the Servant of the LORD, the Messiah, runs throughout.

The Prophet Himself

Isaiah had an impressive vocabulary and style, indicating education and perhaps that he came from a wealthy family. +H KDV EHHQ FDOOHG ´7KH 0HVVLDQLF 3URSKHWµ DQG ´7KH (YDQJHOLFDO 3URSKHW µ ZLWK VRPH VD\LQJ WKDW KH VRXQGV PRUH OLNH D 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW ZULWHU WKDQ DQ 2OG Testament prophet. He is ´ considered by many the greatest of the literary SURSKHWV µ 4 He maintained a close contact with the Judean court, even, at times, having intimate access to the royal court of both Ahaz and Hezekiah (cf. 7:3ff.; 37:21 ff; 37:21 ff.; 38:1 ff; 39:3-8); but, undoubtedly, his exhortations and prophecies about ungodly alliances and foreign powers were not very popular. Apparently he also acted as a historian during the reigns of Uzziah and Hezekiah (2 Ch 26:21-22; 32:32). Incidentally, Isaiah is quoted more by the New Testament writers than any other prophet and by WRGD\·V SUHDFKHUV DV ZHOO His wife was a prophetess, and undoubtedly a great source of spiritual encouragement and strength to Isaiah. The couple produced two sons who were promptly given names of prophetic significance--dictated by the LORD Himself. Modern people do not always appreciate the creative power that is released in the naming of a child, a significant part of raising and inspiring a child dedicated to God. The names of these two sons, however, were also to be a reminder to the whole nation RI *RG·V prophetic intent for the nation ·V IXWXUH . The Call Every commentary on Isaiah is complimentary of the man and his ministry, but perhaps not enough attention LV JLYHQ WR WKH SURSKHW· s call in Isaiah chapter 6. Significantly, it happened in the year that king Uzziah died--a good king that forgot (or neglected) where His power had come from. 8]]LDK ´ was marvelously helped till he became strong µ &KURQ ; then, the next verse says: ´%XW ZKHQ KH ZDV VWURQJ KLV KHDUW ZDV OLIWHG XS WR KLV GHVWUXFWLRQ IRU KH WUDQVJ ressed DJDLQVW WKH /25' KLV *RG µ His pride and ambition overrode his spiritual sense . . . and as a result he died a regrettable death. It is worth recounting the story (2 Chron 26:16-23), because undoubtedly this happening had a great impact on the thinking of Isaiah, influencing him to a life of humility and dependence on God. 'HI\LQJ WKH SULHVWKRRG DQG WKH ODZV RI *RG 8]]LDK ´WUDQVJUHVVHG against the LORD his *RG E\ HQWHULQJ WKH WHPSOH RI WKH /25' WR EXUQ LQFHQVH RQ WKH DOWDU RI LQFHQVH µ 7KLV ZDV

4 Hobart Freeman, An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, p. 195.

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