The book of Isaiah is named after its author, the prophet Isaiah. He lived in Jerusalem and carried on his prophetic ministry during the reigns of at least four kings of Judah: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The period his ministry covered is from about 745 to 685 B.C.

He seems to have spent a considerable amount of time at the royal court as a preacher and counselor. His education and culture are reflected in the unexcelled liter­ary beauty of his writing.

As we read the book of Isaiah, we find warnings of coming judgment upon those who had forsaken God. There are appeals for repentance and reformation. And we find predictions of the wonderful future God had planned for His faithful ones. This future included the coming of the Messiah, or Christ, and establishing an eternal kingdom in a new and beautiful world.

Because of this, Isaiah has come to be called the Messianic or gospel prophet.