In previous articles in this series, reference has been made to the divisions in the book now appearing as a unit and known as Isaiah. It is to the third of these portions, Chapters 56 to 66, commonly called Third Isaiah or Trito-lsaiah, that we now turn our attention.
Written in poetry, as are many of the prophetic books, Third Isaiah makes no reference to Babylon but seems to indicate that some of the exiles, to whom he refers as "the outcasts of Israel" (Isa. 56:8), had already returned to Palestine. Not only so, but he makes mention of the temple in terms suggesting that it had already been rebuilt by the time that he recorded his message. Thus in Chapter 66:6 we read of "a voice from the temple"; while references to "mine altar" and "the house of my glory" (60:7) are most naturally understood of a temple and an altar already existing in the prophet's own day.
A series of brilliant and memorable statements and predictions concerning the approaching Messianic age have come down to us from this anonymous author or authors who, writing toward the close of the sixth century or in the first half of the fifth, warned the people of the ethical standards they must establish if they were to claim such promises as these. The opening challenge came in the words of the Lord, "Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed" (56: 1).
