In the book of Isaiah, the prophet comments on the politics of his day and the relations with the warring nations around Israel. Isaiah is mentioned in II Kings 19-20. Isaiah son of Amoz lived and prophesied in Judah, the southern kingdom. He has been called the prophet-statesman. Isaiah was a great preacher who interpreted the will of G-d to the people. He began his mission during the reign of Uzziah king of Judah. This was a time of great political success for the kingdom of Judah. They had victories over the nations around them. He continued until after the fall of Jerusalem around 687 BC. If he began near the beginning of the reign of King Uzziah that would mean that his mission lasted more than 100 years. This long tenure has lead many modern scholars to suppose that the last part of Isaiah was written by another "Isaiah." While Isaiah may start out in good times, the power of the Assyrian and Babylonian empires are growing and he sees disaster on the horizon.
Isaiah was a native of Jerusalem, he often refers to his home as "fair Zion." He was grieved when he saw it filled with the sort of corruption that would bring about it's eventual ruin. Jewish tradition holds that he was a member of the royal family. He clearly has access to and influence with the rulers.
Isaiah was married to a woman he refers to as the prophetess. In the course of his book he has two sons who are named according to the message he is preaching. One Maher-Shalal-hash-baz, which means "Pillage hastens, looting spreads," is so named as Isaiah sees the fall of Damascus and Syria in chapter 7. Isaiah will see the end of the Northern Kingdom and the signs of the end of the Southern Kingdom. He lives through pillage hastening and looting spreading. His second son is Shear-yashuv, "The Remnant shall return." This name shows that Isaiah has faith that although judgment is coming all of Judah would not be lost and this remnant will return.
During the rise of power of the Assyrians and the battles of regional control by Egypt and Assyria, the kings of Judah used the usual diplomatic methods of the day. Sometimes they made treaties with Egypt against Assyria; at times they were vassal to Assyria paying great amounts of tribute. Still other times they would make alliances with other smaller nations around them. Always this would involve importing other g-ds; the g-ds of the allied nation. Isaiah stood firmly in the idea that Judah needed to be true to the L-ord and have faith in his deliverance.
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- Last Updated: 15 February 2019