The call of Isaiah to become a prophet of God is perhaps the best-known event in Isaiah's life. When Isaiah recorded this experience, he had already retired as a counselor to the court of King Ahaz. An alliance was made between Ahaz and the threatening army of the Assyrians against the strong warnings and advice of Isaiah. Sensing a shift away from God and toward political alliances, Isaiah left the court, never again to speak in the council of Ahaz. It was at this time that Isaiah set about to record how he came to be a prophet and, in a sense, to justify his lack of success in calling his people to repentance.

Not much is known about Isaiah's background. However, through his writings, pronouncements and experiences, certain insinuations emerge. For instance, it appears that Isaiah was a…