Who was this Isaiah? He lived in Judah in the 8th Century BC. His father's name was Amoz. He was called to be a prophet the year King Uzziah of Judah died. He was called to be a prophet in a grand temple theophany. Some have wondered if he were actually in the temple, in which case, he would have had to be the high priest and I don't think there is any indication elsewhere that he was. My personal guess is that it was like John the Revelator's temple theophany.
Some Biblical scholars believe that Isaiah may have prophesied for as long as 64 years. He is regarded as one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, recognized as a prophet in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Baha'i. Nephi loved Isaiah and quoted his writings to the Nephites. The Savior Himself loved Isaiah and commanded the Nephites to study his writings with diligence for "great at the words of Isaiah." (3 Nephi 23:1) During His lifetime, Jesus quoted Isaiah more than any other prophet. Isaiah is also the most-quoted prophet in the writings of Peter, John, and Paul.
My favorite Isaiah passages are his messianic prophecies such as "For unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given;" (Isaiah 9: 6) and his millennial prophecies such as "The wolf shall dwell down with the lamb . . . and a little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11: 6) He is not easy to understand if you try to come at his writings with your head, but he can be understood if you prayerfully allow the symbols and the poetry speak to your heart and your spirits.
Yes, great at the words of Isaiah.
Text copyright October 2013, Gebara Education
Picture from www.christianimagesource.com
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