Journeying with Isaiah

Over the coming 66 days I will post, on a daily basis, a very short reflection based on a reading of the Book of Isaiah. Each day’s reflection will correspond to a chapter of this 66-Book  arranged into three main parts:

Chapters 1-39 ‘Despair, warning and confrontation’

Chapters 40-55 ‘Suffering, consolation and hope’

Chapters 56-66 ‘Liberation’

This Book of the ‘Old Testament’ contains many beautiful poems and passage familiar throughout the liturgical year but especially around Advent and Christmas. The Book of Isaiah inspired much of the Messiah composed by George Friedrick Handel in 1741. Addressed to a people struggling on a journey the Book can speak to our hearts and minds where we are in life’s journey searching for a new direction, healing, protection and liberation. Isaiah challenges us to come out of our self-imposed prison to see the needs of a broken world where injustice reigns and where we are called to join with those who are oppressed to bring about a better world.

It is accepted by scripture scholars that the Book of Isaiah, which was written in the 8th century BCE, is the work of at least two authors, and possibly three. The prophet Isaiah behind the first 39 chapters was a married man and father of at least two children.

The Book opens as follows:

‘The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth!’