The reign of King Uzziah lasted 52 years and was one of wealth and affluence, bringing Judah to a time of economic and political prosperity. But, as history so often proves, the outward splendour of the kingdom contained within itself the fatal germ of decay. Avarice, oppression, and corruption in business and politics abounded, while the worship of Jehovah became mere formality and pretence. For its part, the northern kingdom of Israel was saturated with idolatry when Isaiah came on the scene. Isaiah was a man of unusual cultivation and culture, a native of Jerusalem. He was an aristocrat and his social standing made him at home in the highest circles of government. As a statesman he spoke and acted in public affairs and enjoyed ready access to the king. He was conversant with life among the upper classes, moving among nobles and leaders alike with grace and understanding.
The prophet married a prophetess, who bore him two sons whose names would later illustrate and enforce the predictions of the prophet, 7. 3; 8. 3, 4.
Isaiah was a great man of the writing prophets. He was poet and orator, and proved himself courageous, and fearless. He had an intimate knowledge of the priesthood and his reverence for God, seen in the way he described Jehovah as the ‘Holy One’, made him face the sins of the people and the wickedness of the ruling monarch with stormy indignation. He never once courted popular favour and under no circumstance would he water down his message. Unsparingly he denounced the sins of kings, priests, and people. His knowledge of Jehovah’s holiness and righteousness made him stern and uncompromising on sin, yet the prophet was not unsympathetic toward the people of God. His book reveals that his message was not all ‘doom and gloom’. He had comforting words, too, that he spoke with tenderness and sympathy. He could distinguish between God’s love for the people and His hatred of their sins. Men like Isaiah have always been needed in days of departure from God; the present time cries out for men of like character and force. It is the discerning Christian that appreciates the urgency of that need!
