Who Is Isaiah?
Isaiah is a prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible. He is called a major prophet, along with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. This classification doesn’t mean they’re more important than the twelve minor prophets. This designation is because their books are much longer than those of the minor prophets. In fact, at sixty-six chapters, the book of Isaiah is the second-longest book in the Bible, trailing only Psalms with its 150 chapters.
Isaiah’s dad is Amoz. The Bible tells us nothing about Amoz other than he is Isaiah’s father, which it does often.
Isaiah’s public career as a prophet spans several decades, during the reigns of four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Isaiah is a contemporary of the prophets Amos, Hosea, and Micah.
During Isaiah’s ministry, Assyria conquered Israel (sometimes called the Northern Kingdom) and relocated the people. Judah (sometimes referred to as the Southern Kingdom) is all that remains of God’s people. Babylon will later conquer them. Isaiah warns the people about this, but the conquest doesn’t happen during his ministry.
Many of Isaiah’s prophecies consider God’s people in the near term, but other prophecies look forward several centuries to the coming of Jesus, as well as John the Baptist, who precedes Jesus. The New Testament quotes many of Isaiah’s words, making him a favorite prophet of many people.
There are two notable occurrences. First, when Jesus reads Scripture in the synagogue, he reads a passage from Isaiah, which prophetically looks forward to the coming Savior. Then Jesus proclaims himself as the fulfillment of that passage. How bold and unexpected—and fully appropriate.
Another notable New Testament story is the Ethiopian eunuch. As he reads from the book of Isaiah, Philip approaches him and explains the meaning of Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus. The Ethiopian man believes in Jesus, and Philip baptizes him.
Even centuries after Isaiah died, his words still influenced others, just as they can influence us today.
While we may not have the influence of Isaiah, what can we do to influence people during our lifetime and even after we’re gone?
[Discover more about Isaiah in 2 Kings 19–20, John 1:23, Luke 3:4, Matthew 8:17, Luke 4:16–21, and Acts 8:26–39.]
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Day 1: Wrong Worship
Isaiah 1–2
Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Isaiah 1:13
In addition to giving the people a bunch of rules—things they should and shouldn’t do—the Old Testament teaches two primary ways to worship God. One is through sacrifices, and the other is by a series of annual celebrations and festivals. Both forms of worship stand at the center of Jewish religion, and the Hebrew society revolves around these practices.
Yet God is not pleased with their worship. The book of Isaiah starts by recording God’s words of criticism for his people’s religious practices, calling their offerings meaningless. He takes no pleasure in what they give.
Why? Because the people offer their sacrifices with bad attitudes and wrong perspectives. Their approach to God is off. Their sacrifices don’t honor him. Instead, they dishonor him.
What God intended as a way to connect his people with him has the opposite effect. It drives a wedge between him and them. And they don’t realize it. They’re going through the motions, but as far as God is concerned, it’s meaningless activity.
Then God launches into criticism of their various celebrations. He goes as far as to say that he hates their practices. The way his people approach these festivals burdens God and wearies him. Because of their wrong approach, he has even stopped considering their prayers. He closes his eyes when they lift their hands in prayer and doesn’t listen to their words. All of this is because their worship is off base.
What does God want instead?
He doesn’t ask for sacrifices or seek a better observance of the religious holidays he mandated. Instead, he wants practical action. He tells them to wash up and get spiritually clean. They must stop wronging other people and pursuing evil that disgraces God. Rather, he wants them to do right. This includes to seek justice, defend the oppressed, and help widows and orphans.
God’s criticism of his people’s worship comes out as a harsh rebuke.
I wonder how he views our worship today. Does he regard our offerings as meaningless and our assemblies—our church services and religious holidays—as worthless? I want to say no, but I fear the answer is yes. God forgive us. May we do better.
Do we approach God with the right attitude? Is he pleased with our worship or irritated by it?
[Discover more about worshiping God in Matthew 4:10, Mark 7:7, John 4:23–24, and Romans 12:1.]
