In a given book of prophecy, the book should be read carefully and all the different subjects treated, noted.  This should be followed by a careful study to find what is said about the several topics already found.  To illustrate, the prophet may mention himself, Jerusalem, Israel, Judah, Babylon or Egypt, etc.  One should learn what is said of each.  This will make necessary the student’s learning all he can of the history of the different subjects mentioned that he may understand the prophecy about it.

The Prophet Isaiah.  Several things are known of him. (1) He was called to his work the last year of the reign of Uzziah. (2) He lived at Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, and most of his life seems to have been spent as a sort of court preacher or chaplain to the king. (3) He is the most renowned of all the Old Testament prophets, his visions not being restricted to his own country and times.  He spoke for all nations and for all times, being restricted to his own country and times.  “He was a man of powerful intellect, great integrity and remarkable force of character.” (4) He is quoted more in the New Testament than any of the other prophets and, because of the relation of his teaching to New Testament times and teachings, his prophesies have been called the “Bridge between the old and new covenants.” (5) He married and had two sons.

The Nature of His Teachings.  In his inaugural vision recorded in the sixth chapter Isaiah has impressed upon him some truths that shaped his whole career.  He saw:  (1) The holiness and majesty of God; (2) The corruption of those about him; (3) The certainty of awful judgment upon the wicked; (4) The blessing of those whose lives are approved of God; and (5) The salvation of a remnant that was to be the seed of a new Israel.  With these truths burning in his soul he pressed the battle of righteousness into every sphere of life.  He strove to regenerate the entire national life.  He tried to make not only religious worship, but commerce and politics so pure that it could all become a service acceptable to God.  He, therefore, became a religious teacher, preacher, social reformer, statesman and seer.

Conditions of Israel (The Northern Kingdom).  Isaiah began to prophecy when it was outwardly rich and prosperous under the rule of Jereboam IL Inwardly it was very corrupt.  It soon went to pieces, however (621 B. C.), being conquered and carried into captivity by the Assyrians.

Conditions of Judah (The Southern Kingdom).  During the reigns of Ahaz, Jotham and Uzziah, oppression, wickedness and idolatry existed everywhere.  Ahaz made an alliance with Assyria, which finally brought destruction to Israel, but Hezekiah listened to Isaiah and made reforms, and God destroyed the Assyrian army before Jerusalem was destroyed.