Commemoration of Isaiah, prophet

Today, July 6th, is set aside in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LC–MS) for the commemoration of Isaiah the prophet. This is what our LC–MS Commission on Worship says about him:

Isaiah son of Amoz is often considered to be the greatest of the writing prophets and is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament prophet. His name means "Yahweh [the Lord] saves." Isaiah prophesied to the people of Jerusalem and Judah from about 740 B.C. to 700 B.C. and was a contemporary of the prophets Amos, Hosea, and Micah.

Isaiah was a fierce preacher of God's Law, condemning the sin of idolatry. He was also a comforting proclaimer of the Gospel, repeatedly emphasizing God's grace and forgiveness. For this he is sometimes called the “Evangelist of the Old Testament.” No prophet more clearly prophesied about the coming Messiah and his saving kingdom. He foretold the Messiah's miraculous birth (Is 7:14; 9:6), his endless reign (Is 2:1–5; 11:1–16), and his public ministry (Is 61:1–3), but most notably his “Suffering Servant” role and atoning death (52:13—53:12). The apostle John's description of Isaiah, that Isaiah saw Jesus' glory and spoke of him (John 12:41), is an apt summary of Isaiah's prophetic ministry.

Consider this fine Martin Luther (A+D 1483-1546) hymn from our new hymnbook, Lutheran Service Book. "Isaiah, Mighty Seer," LSB 960:

Isaiah, mighty seer in days of old,

The Lord of all in spirit did behold

High on a lofty throne, in splendor bright,

With robes that filled the temple courts with light.

Above the throne were flaming seraphim;

Six wings had they, these messengers of Him.

With two they veiled their faces as was right,

With two they humbly hid their feet from sight,

And with the other two aloft they soared;

One to the other called and praised the Lord:

"Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!

Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!

Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!

His glory fills the heavens and the earth!"

The beams and lintels trembled at the cry,

And clouds of smoke enwrapped the throne on high. (for the tune, click here)

Let us pray: Lord God heavenly Father, in the earliest days after the Fall, you immediately proclaimed to our first parents the promise one day of a savior. Through the mouth of your servant Isaiah you reaffirmed that promise and foretold His virgin birth. O Father, we thank you for sending to us your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank you that sent Him to be our own suffering servant, that all our sins and sufferings were laid upon Him. Let the words and the example of Isaiah point ever and always to Your Son Jesus Christ, that we might be given faith to receive the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation that He won for us on the wood of the cross. In Jesus' name, Amen.