Isaiah the Prophet

Artwork: Willis Hunter/Sheila Hamil

Isaiah lived through the reign of several kings, before and after the exile, and he is often looked upon as the greatest of all the prophets, for the following reasons.

His book of prophecies is the longest

Of all the prophets his prophecies are the ones most often read today

His messages bring great hope to people who have no hope

His warnings bring people back to God

He tells us of God’s power to rescue us

He tells us about the kind of Saviour God was planning to send to earth one day, not a fierce warrior, but a humble servant, willing to suffer for us.

Draw a picture of Isaiah described in the book of Isaiah 6.1-8, where he Isaiah sees a vision of God in the holy temple, and where he realises how much he needs to repent. Look up the word ‘repent’.

What exactly does it mean?

Have you ever sensed the presence of God before in some holy, beautiful or quiet place? Discuss

36 Isaiah the Prophet: Isaiah 6.1-8

(to the tune ‘The Blaydon Races’)

Isaiah’s name’s a strange one, he got it from his mum,

and not because one eye was higher than, the other one.

And once the lad became a man, he’d many gifts and graces,

saw a vision of the Lord, in the temple of all places!

Might I add, two angels flew above him,

crying “Holy, Holy Lord!”

They sang aloud God’s praises.

Isaiah felt inadequate,

so frightened at the scene.

He shouted out, “I am a wretch,

I’m lost, and I’m unclean!”

An angel took a live coal from the altar with some tongs.

And as he touched his mouth, he said, “Your many sins have gone!”

God said, “I need a messenger, who will my servant be?”

Isaiah answered in a flash, said, “Here I am send me!”

Might I add, Isaiah, he was faithful

told sinful folk the word of God,

and spoke it to their faces.

And even though they stopped their ears,

were deaf unto the truth;

he wrote down all his prophecies,

they’re in God’s holy book.

They tell us of a virgin birth, a son ‘Immanuel’,

whose rule and reign will never end, that on the earth he’d dwell.

They tell us of his message, his life, the pain he’d bear,

and how this King would suffer, for all people everywhere.

Might I add, this isn’t just a story,

all we like sheep have gone astray,

and we are far from glory.

The Word of God will stand for ever,

firm and strong and true.

Whether or not you live it,

is completely up to you !