Day 148 – Isaiah: Character sketch
“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT
Trees and prophets share at least one important characteristic – both are planted for the future. Yet seedlings are often ignored, and prophets are often saved by his words; instead, they refuse to believe him. Over the centuries, however, Isaiah’s words have cast a shadow over all of history.
Isaiah was active as a prophet during the reigns of five kings, but he did not set out to be a prophet. By the time King Izziah died, Isaiah may have been established as a scribe in the royal palace of Jerusalem. It was a respectable career, but God had other plans for His loyal servant. Isaiah’s account of God’s call leaves little doubt about what motivated the prophet for the next half century. His vision of God was compelling and unforgettable.
Isaiah’s encounter with God permanently affected his character. He reflected the God he represented, and his messages – some comforting, some confronting – are so dissimilar that some have guessed they came from different authors. His testimony is that the messages came from the only One capable of being perfect in both justice and mercy – God Himself.
Strengths and accomplishments
Isaiah brought powerful messages of both judgment and hope. He carried out a consistent ministry even though he saw little positive response from his listeners.
Lessons from Isaiah’s life
God’s help is needed in order to comfort people while effectively confronting sin, resulting in an experience of forgiveness and the desire to share that forgiveness with others.
Prayer: Father, thank You for showing us through Isaiah how Your truth not only changes circumstances, but also our character as we desire more of You. While his messages were written and spoken for his time period, we still read and see the echo of his fulfilled prophecies and the hope for those still to be fulfilled when Jesus Christ returns. Amen.
