Introduction to Isaiah

Introduction to Isaiah

Isaiah [NIV Study Bible] son of Amoz is often thought of as the greatest of the writing prophets. His name means “The LORD saves.” He was a contemporary of Amos, Hosea and Micah, beginning his ministry in 740 B.C., the year Uzziah died. According to an unsubstantiated Jewish tradition (The Ascension of Isaiah), he was sawed in half during the reign of Manasseh (cf. Hebrews 11:37). Isaiah was married and had at least two sons, Shear-Jashub (Isaiah 7:3) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (Isaiah 8:3). Isaiah probably spent most of his life in jerusalem, enjoying his greatest influence under King Hezekiah (Isaiah 37:1, 2). Isaiah is also credited with writing a history of the reign of King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:22).

The Bible itself claims Isaiah wrote Isaiah and that’s enough for me. I usually do not waste my time reading material that casts doubt on Scripture. It is different people but the same devil. “Yea, hath God said?”

1. In Matthew 3:1-3 Matthew says Isaiah wrote Isaiah 40:3.

2. In Matthew 4:14-16 Matthew says Isaiah wrote Isaiah 9:1, 2.

3. In Matthew 8:17 Matthew says Isaiah wrote Isaiah 53:4.

4. In Matthew 12:17-21 Matthew says that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 42:1-4.

5. In Matthew 13:14, 15 Matthew says that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 6:9.

6. In Matthew 15:7, 8 Matthew says that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 29:13.

7. In Luke 4:17 Luke writes that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 61:1, 2.

8. In John 12:37-41 John writes that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 53:1 and Isaiah 6:9, 10.

9. In Acts 8:27-33 Luke writes that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 53:7, 8.

10. In Romans 9:29 Paul writes that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 1:9.

11. In Romans 10:20, 21 Paul writes that Isaiah wrote Isaiah 65:1, 2.

12. In Romans 15:12 Paul writes that Isaiah  wrote Isaiah 11:10.

In all the previous New Testament examples there are nine different chapters from the book of Isaiah quoted. This Scriptural evidence is enough for me to believe the whole book of Isaiah was written by Isaiah. Isaiah’s own exhortation fits in here.  Isaiah 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.”