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Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (6 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 38.1-3

How could one think, study, speak, or write about Isaiah without considering his extraordinary courage? His courage is implied by the length of time he persevered in delivering God’s word to his countrymen as well as in specific deeds during his ministry. Today’s message will look at the courage of Isaiah as it related to a specific act done during his ministry.

In our western culture, we find it hard to recognize the ruthless power that the kings of old wielded. Their ungodly and cold-blooded deeds literally fill the history books. Many times the senseless outbursts of rage exhibited by such leaders had no eye for justice; rather, they frequently lashed out in retaliation, or to get even, or just because they were angry. From these actions that were somewhat typical of ruling monarchs, we came to possess and use the expression, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” Many of the kings of the Bible were no exception; many a messenger found out that it could be dangerous business to deliver unpleasant messages to the king! Some even paid with their life!

Isaiah delivered just such an unpleasant message to king Hezekiah on one occasion; he did so with no apparent hesitancy and with not a hint of fear. Isaiah recorded the event this way: “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.”’ Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, and said, ‘Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” (Isaiah 38.1-3).

One could hardly imagine delivering a more dramatic or emotional message than the one Isaiah was called upon to deliver. His task basically was to go the ruling monarch and say, “You are a dead man!” Regardless of the nature of the king, such a task would be utterly unpleasant and in the worst of cases, just flat out dangerous. Isaiah’s performance of God’s bidding in this matter was without flaw! He delivered this word just the same way he had delivered God’s words of condemnation to Israel as well as to the external heathen powers that threatened her existence; Isaiah spoke always without fear or favor in delivering the truth!

Perhaps it was this characteristic that has led others to style Isaiah as the Paul of the Old Testament. The fearless faith of the great apostle Paul certainly mirrored that of his Old Testament predecessor in many, many details. Perhaps another New Testament character, John the immerser, should also be thrown into the mix, the mix of prophets who appeared to be almost immune to fear. Paul would later counsel the young evangelist Timothy, “ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1.7).

Speaking for God, Isaiah wrote, “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults.” (Isaiah 51.7).

Questions:

1. Who was Hezekiah and what was his character?

2. Even so, why might Isaiah’s mission to Hezekiah have been an extremely difficult one?

3. List as many positive traits as you can that were common to Isaiah and Paul?

4. As a passing point, where was the Law of God contained in those who knew righteousness (see Isaiah 51.7)?

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Moralism