It's easy to see the Bible as fable, a kind of religious fairy tale with a moralistic sting in its tail.

Passages like this one show that much of the book is rooted in actual historical events.

These chapters are a snapshot of the late eighth century BC Middle East.

The prophet Isaiah is begging the king of one of these nations (Ahaz of Judah) not to enter an alliance with two others (Israel and Aram) against the threat of an invasion from the Assyrian Empire.

Instead, Ahaz should rely on God.

In his prophecy which involves naming his own children as a sign to Judah and describing dead bodies lying like excrement on Jerusalem's streets, Isaiah appears to predict the arrival of Jesus, a divine rescuer who he refers to enigmatically as 'The Light of the World.'

Written and produced by Chas Bayfield

Music by Michael Auld and Jon Hawkins Music

Cover art by Lisa Goff

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