Isaiah served as a prophet for about 40 years, from approximately 740 to 701 BC, during the reigns of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah. He lived and prophesied primarily in Jerusalem. Isaiah was married and had at least two sons, Shear-jashub and Maher-shalal-hash-baz, whose names were symbolic and related to his prophecies.

NOTE: Imagine trying to fill out a formal form of blank blocks with a name like Isaiah’s second son.

The Northern Kingdom of Israel existed for approximately 208 years, from about 931 BCE to 722 BCE, before being conquered by the brutal Neo-Assyrian Empire. Isaiah prophesied mostly to the southern Kingdom of Judah. The capital of the Northern Kingdom was initially Tirzah, but later shifted to Samaria under King Omri. King Omri is historically known as the northern kingdom’s greatest king. Was he honorable? Not in God’s eyes!

The setting is approximately between 740 B.C. and 680 B.C. The Northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. Isaiah prophesied in both the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel and Judah. After the fall and dispersing of the northern Kingdom by Assyria, Isaiah continued to prophecy in Judah. What many do not connect is that Micah and Hosea were contemporary to Isaiah. Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon were the super power nations during this time.

Reverand David Guzik writes: in his commentary on Isaiah that “The New Testament quotes Isaiah by name more than all the other writing prophets combined.” Isaiah was the primary book for the original New Testament Christian Churches. Dr Ross of Beeson Divinity School writes: “The first chapter of the book serves as a general introduction to all the writings in the collection, including it in most of the themes of the book. The chapter falls into four sections: the indictment of Israel’s sin, the rejection of their hypocritical attempt at reconciliation, the gracious invitation of Yahweh, and a lament over the state of the nation.”

The book begins as Isaiah accuses the city’s leaders …

Isaiah 1:2… Here we find the words “heavens” and “earth”. Then Isaiah mentions Israel in verse 3. This narrows it down to both the northern and southern kingdoms. It means God’s chosen people whether it was the breakaway tribes of the nation of Israel or the remaining people of Judah. God focus on His chosen but does not exclude to world He created.

Isaiah 1:4… God identifies the world as a sinful people; a nation. Isaiah uses the Hebrew word go’-ee (a foreign people). This means the messages of Isaiah extend well beyond the twelve Tribes of Israel. This suggests that one can take God’s blessings and judgements of His chosen People (Israelites) to be applicable to the Church which Christ is the head.

Isaiah 1:10… Isaiah calls the leaders of the people of Israel “rulers of [Sodom and] Gomorrah. This is a huge condemnation. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah during the time of Abraham’s rescue of his nephew Lot, it is often used as a cautionary consequence of sin and the importance of righteousness. Isaiah refers to around 2,300 B.C, in the history of His chosen people. This is during the time of Abraham.

Isaiah 1:11 is a fascinating verse. God tells His people through the voice of Isaiah that he is “fed up” with the meaningless burnt offering sacrifices. This parallels Gods attitude of the sacrifice of attending church that changes nothing in the attendee’s life. It is little more than appearance in many cases. It is not true discipleship (Bible study) or worship. It also underscores the New Testament church and why they used Isaiah as their initial primary text.

Isaiah 1:12 – 15 [click on] is a true indictment of the whole of Israelites, AND the world of nations. There are a few true followers, followers for the sole purpose of identity by association, rejectors of God (Jesus/Holy Spirit), and false worshippers (see verse 15a).

Isaiah 1:16-20 could fit into the New Testament without contest. (click here to read this passage

Isaiah 1:21-28 is a reference/inference to Israel, Judah, and End Times.

Rev. Dr. Jstark – 2025