This book begins the collection of scrolls of the Major Prophets. The events of the book of Isaiah take place during the periods mentioned in II Kings and II Chronicles. Isaiah is a prophet that preaches in Judah, the southern Kingdom, during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah; 740-690 B.C.E. During this time period Assyria was the dominant civilization, with Babylon making rapid progress as well. It was also within this time period that the Northern Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians; around 729 B.C.E. The origin of this book of the Tanakh is interesting and I will be able to get into it as we get deeper into the story of Isaiah. For now, though, lets soak up the atmosphere of the time and place of ancient Judah. We don’t learn anything about the prophet until Chapter Six, but the story opens right up with a harsh critique of the people of Judah in the year following the reign of King Uzziah, who ruled Judah from around 791-739 B.C.E.
Under King Uzziah the nation of Judah was rich and powerful. Since Uzziah was a boy of sixteen when he became king (II Kings 15:2) his reign lasted fifty-two years. He was one of the most prosperous kings since King Solomon. He also did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to scripture. The events in II Kings and II Chronicles indicate an event late in his life where Uzziah’s pride got the best of him and he sinned against God (II Chronicles 26:19-21). He was struck with leprosy and died (2 Kings 15:5, 27; 2 Chronicles 26:3) leaving the kingdom to his son Jotham (II Kings 15:5) in roughly 739 B.C.E.
It is under the rule of King Jotham that the Book of Isaiah opens upon. Jotham is a good king. He rebuilds many towns and fortresses as well as the walls of the Temple in Jerusalem. Over his sixteen year reign as king he does well to stay within God’s favor. Unfortunately, the people grow lazy and proud with his success and his piety does not rub off on them. That’s where Isaiah comes in.
The first five chapters are an admonition to the people of Judah warning them of their proud ways and teaching that the descendants of Abraham and Jacob have a unique relationship with the God of gods, but they are failing to live up to their end of the covenant. Isaiah warns the people that their refusal to honor the Lord by taking care of the less fortunate people (widows, orphans, the poor, etc), as well as their love of things other than Yahweh, would cause them to lose the favor of Yahweh. They had entered into an agreement with the Creator and were not living up to their end of the bargain. Isaiah then explains exactly what the consequences for their behavior will be.
Finally, in chapter five Isaiah explains that because Israel has failed, generation after generation, to fulfill its covenant with Yahweh they will be uprooted and scattered to the four winds. This does not mean that God’s plan of bringing the nations of the world back into his grace, explained to Abraham in the book of Genesis, has failed and ends here with the Jews. It just means that the next phase is about to begin.
Under King Uzziah the nation of Judah was rich and powerful. Since Uzziah was a boy of sixteen when he became king (II Kings 15:2) his reign lasted fifty-two years. He was one of the most prosperous kings since King Solomon. He also did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to scripture. The events in II Kings and II Chronicles indicate an event late in his life where Uzziah’s pride got the best of him and he sinned against God (II Chronicles 26:19-21). He was struck with leprosy and died (2 Kings 15:5, 27; 2 Chronicles 26:3) leaving the kingdom to his son Jotham (II Kings 15:5) in roughly 739 B.C.E.
It is under the rule of King Jotham that the Book of Isaiah opens upon. Jotham is a good king. He rebuilds many towns and fortresses as well as the walls of the Temple in Jerusalem. Over his sixteen year reign as king he does well to stay within God’s favor. Unfortunately, the people grow lazy and proud with his success and his piety does not rub off on them. That’s where Isaiah comes in.
The first five chapters are an admonition to the people of Judah warning them of their proud ways and teaching that the descendants of Abraham and Jacob have a unique relationship with the God of gods, but they are failing to live up to their end of the covenant. Isaiah warns the people that their refusal to honor the Lord by taking care of the less fortunate people (widows, orphans, the poor, etc), as well as their love of things other than Yahweh, would cause them to lose the favor of Yahweh. They had entered into an agreement with the Creator and were not living up to their end of the bargain. Isaiah then explains exactly what the consequences for their behavior will be.
Finally, in chapter five Isaiah explains that because Israel has failed, generation after generation, to fulfill its covenant with Yahweh they will be uprooted and scattered to the four winds. This does not mean that God’s plan of bringing the nations of the world back into his grace, explained to Abraham in the book of Genesis, has failed and ends here with the Jews. It just means that the next phase is about to begin.
