Isaiah's Call to Prophetic Ministry in the Book of Isaiah
Isaiah, whose name means "the salvation of Jehovah," was a prophet active during the Divided Monarchy, serving during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah [3, 4]. His prophetic ministry, which is recorded in the book bearing his name, began with a profound call experience detailed in Isaiah chapter 6. This call is widely understood as the moment Isaiah was commissioned by God for his prophetic office [7].
The narrative of Isaiah's call begins in the year King Uzziah died (Isaiah 6:1). Isaiah describes seeing the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, with the train of his robe filling the temple. Seraphim attended Him, each with six wings, using two to cover their faces, two to cover their feet, and two for flying. They called out to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory" (Isaiah 6:2-3). This vision caused the doorposts and thresholds to shake, and the temple filled with smoke (Isaiah 6:4).
Overwhelmed by this divine encounter, Isaiah cried out, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 6:5). This confession highlights Isaiah's awareness of his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of his people in the presence of God's holiness. In response, one of the seraphim flew to him with a live coal taken from the altar with tongs. The seraph touched Isaiah's mouth with the coal, declaring, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for" (Isaiah 6:6-7). This act of purification was essential for Isaiah to be able to speak on behalf of God [6]. Abraham Ibn Ezra interprets this purification as making Isaiah fit to be God's messenger, implying he was previously unfit [6].
Following this purification, Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8). Without hesitation, Isaiah responded, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). This immediate and willing response marks his acceptance of the prophetic commission. Calvin notes that this calling is special, likening it to Paul's, and emphasizes that a prophet's duty includes not only delivering God's word but also praying for the people [7].
The Lord then gave Isaiah his prophetic message, which was largely one of judgment and hardening of hearts: "Go and tell this people: 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.' Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed" (Isaiah 6:9-10). This difficult commission meant that Isaiah's ministry would often be met with resistance and lack of comprehension from the very people he was sent to serve.
Isaiah's ministry spanned a significant period, potentially over sixty years, from the reign of Uzziah to Hezekiah, and possibly beyond [5, 4]. His prophecies are frequently referenced in the New Testament, with passages like Isaiah 40:3 being quoted in the Gospels to describe John the Baptist's role in preparing the way for the Lord [2]. Mark's Gospel also references Isaiah concerning the preparation of the way [1]. The book of Isaiah itself is structured into distinct parts, reflecting the different phases of his prophetic activity [5]. Throughout his book, Isaiah often speaks of the "word of God proclaimed by the prophet" [10], indicating his role as a divine messenger. Other passages, such as Isaiah 42:6, are understood by commentators like Abraham Ibn Ezra as the Lord directly addressing the prophet concerning his mission [8]. The prophet's spirit is often equated with the "spirit of prophecy" [9].
Sources
- Mark “Mark 1:2 (BBE) — Even as it is said in the book of Isaiah the prophet, See, I send my servant before your face, who will make ready your way;”
- Luke “Luke 3:4 (BSB) — as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=H3470A — Prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy (refs: #A prophet living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Ki.19.2; <br>referred to as <)”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Isaiah — (Heb. Yesh'yahu, i.e., "the salvation of Jehovah"). (1.) The son of Amoz (Isa. 1:1; 2:1), who was apparently a man of humble rank. His wife was called "the prophetess" (8:3), either because she was endowed with the prophetic gift, like Deborah (Judg. 4:4) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14-20), or simply because she was the wife of "the prophet" (Isa. 38:1). He had two sons, who bore symbolical names. He exercised the functions of his office during the reigns of Uzziah (or Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1). Uzziah reigned fifty-two years (B.C. 810-759), and ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Isaiah, The Book of — Consists of prophecies delivered (Isa. 1) in the reign of Uzziah (1-5), (2) of Jotham (6), (3) Ahaz (7-14:28), (4) the first half of Hezekiah's reign (14:28-35), (5) the second half of Hezekiah's reign (36-66). Thus, counting from the fourth year before Uzziah's death (B.C. 762) to the last year of Hezekiah (B.C. 698), Isaiah's ministry extended over a period of sixty-four years. He may, however, have survived Hezekiah, and may have perished in the way indicated above. The book, as a whole, has been divided into three main parts: (1.) The first ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 6:8: Here am I, send me . Since my lips are pure, I am fit to be the messenger, but I was not before. From these words I infer that this chapter contains Isaiah’s first prophecy. 14 He declares that he was before unfit for bearing the message of the Most Holy.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 5.11: reckoned in a peculiar manner to be the God of Isaiah and Paul, because they have a special calling. In a word, these words expressly contain praise and commendation of Isaiah’s calling. Thou wilt therefore lift up a prayer. This is the second reason why Hezekiah sent messengers to Isaiah; namely, that he also would pray along with others. Hence we learn that it is the duty of a prophet, not only to comfort the afflicted by the word of the Lord, but also to offer his prayers for their salvation. Let not pastors and ministers of the word, ther”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 42:6: I, the Lord, have called thee, etc. The Lord in these words addresses the prophet upon his own concerns.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 42:1: My spirit of prophecy.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 51:4: A law . The word of God proclaimed by the prophet. 4 Comp. I. E. on 8:16 and 20.”