Advent prophets

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

Isaiah

	An Advent series on Catholic Social Teaching

When: Isaiah had a long career, spanning at least 60 years, starting around 740 B.C. While there is some suspicion that he was from an aristocratic family, he expressed concern for justice for all members of society.

Name means: Salvation is from the Lord.

Background: Isaiah is considered one of the greatest prophets, often ranked right after Moses (law-giver and prophet). His is the longest of the bible's prophetic books, covering 66 chapters and containing two main parts - the Book of Judgment (chapters 1-39) and the Book of Consolation (40-66). (This book is often called Deutero-Isaiah and is considered to have been written by an anonymous author, during the Babylonian Exile, in the style of Isaiah.) Not much is known of Isaiah's background, though he was married to a prophetess and had children (Chapter 8). He lived during the time of five kings and tradition says he was martyred by order of the fifth, King Mannaseh of Judah.

	A d v e n t
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Major themes: The Book of Isaiah covers many topics and decades of history. During Isaiah's time, the northern kingdom of Israel, including Samaria, fell to the Assyrians and was never restored. Judah, the southern kingdom, was threatened by many military powers, including the Assyrians, Philistines, Egyptians and Moabites. Isaiah's main themes deal with God's rule over the entire earth - including the Assyrians and the Babylonians, who destroyed Jerusalem - justice for the poor and the promise of a Messiah.

Christmas reading: Is 52:7-10. From Isaiah's Book of Comfort, this dates to the Babylonian exile and offers hope to sorrowing Israel. It immediately precedes the last of Isaiah's Suffering Servant songs, which Christians believe describe Jesus.