The proclamation of the Messiah is the inexhaustible source of consolation among the prophets. In Isaiah this consolation is so clear that some fathci-s of the Church were inclined to style him rather evangelist than prophet. The following are the outlines of iNIossianic prophecies in the book of Isaiah: A scion of David, springing from his family, after it has fallen into a very low estate, but being also of divine nature, shall, at first in lowliness, but as a prophet filled with the spirit of God, proclaim tlie divine doctrine, develop the law in
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tnith, and render it the animating principle of national Ufe : he shall, as high-priest, by his vicarious suffering and his death, remove the guilt of his nation, and that of other nations, and finally rule as a mighty king, not only over the covenant-people, but over all nations of the" eartli who will subject themselves to his peaceful sceptre, not by violent compulsion, but induced by love and gratitude. He will make both the moral and the physical consequences of sin to cease ; the whole earth sliall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, and all enmity, hatred, and destruction shall be removed evei\ from the brute creation. This is the survey of the jNIes- sianic preaching by Isaiah, of whicli he constantly ren- ders prominent those portions which were most calcu- lated to impress the people under tlie then existing cir- cumstances. The first part of Isaiah is directed to the >vliole people, consequently the glory of the IVIessiah is here dwelt upon. The fear lest the kingdom of God sliould be overwhelmed by the power of heathen na- tions is removed by pointing out the glorious king to come, who would elevate the now despised and appar- ently mean kingdom of God above all the kingdoms of this"world. In the second part, which is more particu- larly addressed to the kXoy//, the elect, than to the whole nation, the prophet exhibits the INIessiah more as a di- vine teacher and high-priest. The prophet here preach- es righteousness tiirough the blood of the sers-ant of God, who will support the weakness of simiers, and take upon himself their sorrows.
Isaiah stands pre-eminent above all other prophets, as well in the contents and spirit of his predictions, as also in their form and style. Simplicity, clearness, sub- limity, and freshness, are the never-failing characters of his prophecies. Even Eichhorn mentions, among the first merits of Isaiah, the concinnity of his expressions, the beautiful outline of his images, and the fine execu- tion of his specclies. In reference to richness of im- agery he stands between Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Sym- bolic actions, whiv.li frequently occur in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, seldom occur in Isaiah. The same is the case with visions, strictly so called, of which there is only one, namely, that in chap, vi, and even it is distinguish- ed by its simjilicity and clearness above that of the later pro]ihets. But one characteristic of Isaiah is, that he likes to give signs — that is, a fact then present, or near at liand — as a pledge for the more distant futurity, and tliat he thus supports the feebleness of man (comp. vii, 20; xxxvii.SO; xxxviii,7 sq.). The instances in chaps. vii and xxxviii show how much lie was convinced of his vocation, and in what intimacy he lived with the Lord, by whose assistance alone he could effect what lie offers to do in the one passage, and what he grants in the other. The spiritual riches of the prophet are seen in the varietj' of his style, which always befits the subject. When he rebukes and threatens it is like a storm, and when he comforts his language is as tender and mild as (to use his own words) that of a mother tM>mforting her son. With regard to style, Isaiah is comprehensive, and the other prophets divide his riches.
Isaiah enjoyed an authority proportionate to his gifts. We learn from history how great this authority was during his life, especially under the reign of Hezekiah. Several of his most definite ]irophecies were fulfilled while he was yet alive ; for instance, the overthrow of the kingdoms of Syria and Israel; the invasion of the Assyrians, and tlie divine deliverance from it ; the pro- longation of life granted to Hezekiah ; and several pre- dictions against foreign nations. Isaiah is honorably mentioned in the historical books. The later iiroph- ets, especially Nahum, Habakknk,Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and iMalachi, clearly iiiove tliat his book was diligently read, and that his imiplucics were attentively studied. The authority of the iiroiilici great- ly increased after the fulfilment ot' his iiroplucics i)y the Babylonian exile, the victories oft 'yrus. and tlKMldiver- ance of the tovcnant-peoi)le. Even Cyrus (according to the account in Joseplius, Ant, xl, 1, 1 and 2) was induced
to set the Jews at liberty by the prophecies of Isaiah concerning himself. Jesus Sirach (xlviii, 22-25) bestows splendid praise upon Isaiah, and both Philo and Josephus speak of him with great veneration. He attained the highest degree of authority after the times of the New Testament had proved the most important part of his prophecies, namely, the Messianic, to be divine. Christ and the apostles quote no prophecies so frequently as those of Isaiah, in order to prove that he who had ap- peared was one and the same with him who had been promised. The fathers of the Church abound in praises of Isaiah. — Kitto ; Smith. See Messiah.