Isaiah & the Wilderness
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2026 8:36 pm
Prophets have a call that often leads to isolation, loneliness, and uncertain futures. They navigate the tumultuous times people are walking through, often delivering hard messages. God recognized the sinfulness and shortsightedness of His people, and He uses hard truth to speak to them. I have found myself in this place more than once. I come into a space, naively believing that I was called to build, to shepherd, to care, and what is revealed is the evil that is in the place, and God asks me to speak truth. Isaiah, a prophet, had a personal ministry that lasted for decades, but it is not his ministry that brings us to His words; instead, it is visions and prophetic words calling forth a Messiah that would come and be the ultimate Shepherd. Isaiah watched as God's people were scattered by foreign kings and nations. And that only a remnant would remain, and yet He gives us hope that new things and a new day are coming.
Isaiah reminds us that even among scattered people, leadership remains pivotal. The theology of kingship is foundational in this book as it points to the divine King. Isaiah gives hope to Israel by pointing to a new shoot from the stump of Jesse. That the reign of this new king will be penultimate. As NT people, we know that Jesus is the answer to this prophecy and truly is the penultimate king.
As I think about Isaiah's prophetic call, he outlasted several kings. Sometimes, God's call to leadership is revealed differently in different seasons. Prior to the prophets, there were kings. Prior to the kings, there were judges. Prior to the judges, there were patriarchal leaders.
Isaiah also speaks to the role of the shepherd, calling them to tend their flock. He gathers lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. YHWH's leadership is to tend, gather, carry, and gently lead his flock. This image is one for us as pastors, as parents, as leaders. There is a nurturing role in leadership that has been dismantled in previous generations. Typically, churches have sought leaders who exercise authority and control with an iron fist. Families often functioned in the same way. Here, Isiah is showing God, the all-powerful God, as a nurturer. And I also love that, for Isaiah, God is fundamental to his ability to be empowered. God empowers His people, and we, as leaders, empower them to go and do the good work of sharing the gospel. We empower best not by fistful control, but by equipping and nurturing the gifts God has given to His people, and we speak life to them.
Isaiah reminds us that even among scattered people, leadership remains pivotal. The theology of kingship is foundational in this book as it points to the divine King. Isaiah gives hope to Israel by pointing to a new shoot from the stump of Jesse. That the reign of this new king will be penultimate. As NT people, we know that Jesus is the answer to this prophecy and truly is the penultimate king.
As I think about Isaiah's prophetic call, he outlasted several kings. Sometimes, God's call to leadership is revealed differently in different seasons. Prior to the prophets, there were kings. Prior to the kings, there were judges. Prior to the judges, there were patriarchal leaders.
Isaiah also speaks to the role of the shepherd, calling them to tend their flock. He gathers lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. YHWH's leadership is to tend, gather, carry, and gently lead his flock. This image is one for us as pastors, as parents, as leaders. There is a nurturing role in leadership that has been dismantled in previous generations. Typically, churches have sought leaders who exercise authority and control with an iron fist. Families often functioned in the same way. Here, Isiah is showing God, the all-powerful God, as a nurturer. And I also love that, for Isaiah, God is fundamental to his ability to be empowered. God empowers His people, and we, as leaders, empower them to go and do the good work of sharing the gospel. We empower best not by fistful control, but by equipping and nurturing the gifts God has given to His people, and we speak life to them.