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Loving God and Loving People

Lesson 15: The Supremacy of God Over the Nations II (21:1-23:18)

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This week we are focusing on Isaiah 21:1-23:18. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started. Note: Again, it might be helpful to read these chapters in the NLT version . This version might be easier to understand. Check out the study notes in your Bible as well after doing your own study first.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 21:1-23:18.
  2. Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
    1. What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
    2. How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
    3. What should I do in response?

MORE TIME:

Isaiah 21-23 consists of a second set of 5 oracles of judgement which are more vague than the first set, and seem to focus on the remote future. As you read this week, here are some possible questions to get yourself started:

  1. What seems to be happening in each oracle?
  2. As human beings, we tend to rely on power, strength, money, material possessions, ourselves and others for our security rather than God. What are the nations relying on? What are they putting their trust in? What does our nation/culture put its trust in? How about yourself? (Check out Proverbs 3:5-6.)
  3. How is God reacting to misplaced trust (i.e. sin)? Do you think He is justified in His actions? Why or why not?
  4. According to Isaiah 22:11-13, what did God ask of His people? What did they do instead? (To add to your understanding, see Psalm 51:16-17.)
  5. Isaiah 23:15-18 speaks of Trye being renewed “in that day”. It might not be very clear, but what hope does Isaiah seem to offer us in these verses?

God is in control of history and does nothing without a purpose (Isaiah 23:8-9)! May we persevere, placing our trust in Him and not the things of this world!

GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:

  • Read chapter 15, “The Supremacy of God Over the Nations II (21:1-23:18)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
  • Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.

GraceWay Church - Loving God and Loving People