Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.

1.    Isaiah, a married man with a child, lived in Jerusalem, was called to be a prophet to Israel and whose ministry spanned from about 745 BCE to 680 BCE. Tradition has it he was “sawn in two” by the Assyrians. (see Hebrews 11)

2.    His name means, “Salvation is of the Lord.” His father, named Amoz, tradition says was the uncle of King Uzziah.

3.    His prophecies looked forward all the way to the time of the Babylonians and King Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, who defeated the Babylonians, and then released the Jews to return to their homeland. Isaiah named Cyrus two hundred years before he was born.

4.    Isaiah’s prophecies were likely written down, this in fact was an era when many people could read and write, by a school of disciples. This was a common practice in the era of the prophets and which is reflected in the school of disciples that formed around Jesus.

5.    Some commentators have thought there were at minimum of two distinct sections of Isaiah, one from chapter 1 to 39, and then a second from chapter 40 to 66. It is noted there are differences as well as similarities.

6.    As a prophet however, these anointed by the Spirit of God, had revealed to them events that looked far into the future. We have the Book of Revelation and other forward looking material in each of the four Gospels.

7.    All that is to be revealed in the ministry of Jesus is previewed in Isaiah, from His virgin birth to minute details as to His death. A must read for all Christians.