Isaiah Week One: Context

In Isaiah 1:1 we find this statement, “The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” I love books that start out by giving us such clear explanations of when they were written so that we can better understand the cultural and historical context of the writing. When I decided this year’s blog posts were going to come from Isaiah, I knew this verse had to be the starting point. Not many prophets in the southern kingdom of Judah lasted through so many kings and had such a lengthy ministry. So, what is this verse telling us before we ever get started on the prophecies that Isaiah received? We’re going to do a quick crash course on these kings because I believe there is so much to be learned from their lives and because it adds an understanding of the culture in which and to whom Isaiah was speaking.

Amaziah: Yes, I know he isn’t listed but I want to bookend these four kings since the predecessor and descendent were both also incredibly important. Amaziah was Uzziah’s father. The commentary on his life is that “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart” (2 Chron. 25:2). Eventually, he began worshipping false gods and was overthrown. A divided heart will always have room for idolatry even if we have the best of intentions. A murdered father with unstable loyalties was the background against which Uzziah ascended the throne.

Uzziah: He sought God, but only “In the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God” (2 Chron. 26:5). His worship and desire to know God were motivated by a respected person, not primarily a loving relationship with God himself. When Uzziah became strong, he also became proud and decided to exceed the limits of his office. He attempted to burn incense before the Lord (the job of the priests alone) and was struck down with leprosy. He lived for a number of years after this but Jotham, his son took his place as the de facto ruler since Uzziah had to live separately from the court.

Jotham: He did what was right before God, but the high places were not removed, and Scripture tells us he did not enter the Temple (2 Chron. 27:2). He chose to worship God privately and did nothing to curb the false worship of those around him even though he had that influence. This lack of worship in the way that God designed and an unwillingness (seemingly) to let go of the bitterness over what happened to his father was the setting for one of the most ungodly kings of Jerusalem to ascend the throne.

Ahaz: He didn’t remotely do what was right in the eyes of God. He actually shut the doors of the Temple (2 Chron. 28:24), sacrificed on the high-places, formed alliances with wicked nations, and sacrificed his sons to Molech. Jotham had not valued the Temple and Ahaz took that so much farther. We are told that he built altars in every corner of Jerusalem. He couldn’t find what he was looking for outside of God, but he was not willing to admit his need or seek the one who could have delivered him.

Hezekiah: He did what was right, not just after the pattern of Uzziah or Jotham but we are told he was like David (2 Chron. 29:2). This wholehearted devotion was reflected in him removing the high places, reinstating the Passover, cleansing the Temple, ultimately refusing to capitulate to Assyria, and possibly being one of the only kings to only marry one woman. He also struggled with pride at the end of his life and one wonders if Babylon would have been so successful in their campaigns against Israel ~100 years later if Hezekiah had not given them such extensive tours of his glorious possessions and fortifications. However, for today, I want us to see one particular truth. In 2 Chron. 32:1, we read, “After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah.”

Hezekiah’s reward for faithfulness, was the invasion of his nation. Can you imagine? He has been more faithful than any other king since David. For those who know the story, God worked tremendously during this time. He showed his power and might. However, I imagine Hezekiah would have preferred a calmer and more enjoyable reward for his obedience. There are many lessons from Hezekiah’s life, but I hope you are encouraged to know that faithfulness doesn’t necessarily equal ease. Rather, it equals intimacy with God and a front row to see his provision in ways that could not have been imagined.

Manasseh: For all of Hezekiah’s faithfulness, his son was arguably the most ungodly king in Judah. He built altars to false gods in the Temple. He sacrificed his own children to Molech and sought necromancers. Rabbinical and even some church tradition says he was responsible for Isaiah’s death. Eventually, he was taken to Babylon as a captive (2 Chron. 33:11). Yet after all of this ungodliness, when he was willing to humble himself, he found the grace to repent. Unlike his grandfather, Manasseh recognized his need and acknowledged that God was the only true God. No matter how far we wander, we can always seek God’s face and receive mercy. There are consequences but there is also hope, love, and so much grace. 

The times in which Isaiah prophesied were not for the faint of heart. War, heartbreak, uncertainty, overthrown kings, and a revolving door of religious beliefs are all the background current or filter through which his audience would have been hearing the truth he was sharing. Yet Isaiah still spoke truth. He was obedient when seemingly no one else was. He saw a glimpse of God in his majesty (Isaiah 6) and nothing else mattered after that. Once he had seen the glory of God, the fleeting grandeur of earthly kings was diminished. As we head into this new year, be challenged to think about the cost of disobedience, self-effort, and the way our actions influence those in our spheres. I also hope you are encouraged to know that God is at work in the midst of the chaos and trials. He hasn’t abandoned us to our circumstances and genuine repentance will always be met with the grace to change – regardless of how far from home we have wandered.