Isaiah had an extensive ministry as a prophet to the people of Judah, proclaiming God’s Word under the reigns of four kings. He was called into the heavenly throne room of the Holy One of Israel. There, the LORD absolved Isaiah of his sin and sent him as a proclaimer of His Word. Isaiah’s preaching spanned key historical events, as he proclaimed God’s Word in the midst of Assyrian dominance of his own day and in the midst of Babylonian oppression that would come a hundred years after his martyrdom. Beginning in chapter 40 of his book, Isaiah preaches to residents from Judah exiled in Babylon. He writes to comfort them that the LORD does indeed reign as the only true God, and the LORD will fulfill His promise to deliver His people by sending the Suffering Servant, who is our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing serves at Concordia University in St. Paul, MN as the Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies, the Director of the Center for Biblical Studies, and the Director of the Pre-Seminary Program. He also serves as associate pastor at Cross View Lutheran Church in Edina, MN. He joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to introduce the prophet Isaiah and his ministry, particularly Isaiah 40-66.

"The Fifth Evangelist” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Isaiah 40-66. Though Isaiah lived one hundred years beforehand, he writes to the people of God in exile in Babylon to assure them that their God reigns and will rescue them through the work of His servant. These promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose work Isaiah proclaims vividly seven hundred years beforehand.