This week we are focusing on Isaiah 29:1-24. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.
LIMITED TIME:
- Read through Isaiah 29:1-24.
- Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
- What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
- How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
- What should I do in response?
MORE TIME:
We are all sinful, rebellious people trusting in ourselves for salvation. It is only by God’s power and mercy that He transforms our hearts and opens our eyes to faith in Him. In Isaiah 29, we will see a physical picture of a spiritual reality. The historical setting of this chapter can be found in 2 Chronicles 32. Jerusalem is under siege by the Assyrian army led by King Sennacherib. In the final hour, God has mercy on Jerusalem and saves His people (see 2 Chronicles 32:20-22). They could do NOTHING for themselves. Spiritually, we are no different. We are blind to God’s word unless He sees fit to open our eyes saving faith in Christ (vs.14, 18-19). Here are a few questions to get you started in your study:
- What do you observe in verses 1-8? Compare that with 2 Chronicles 32:1-22. Isaiah also speaks about this siege later in chapters 36-37, if you would like to take a peek ahead!
- What warning is God giving in verses 9-13?
- What is God’s response to the spiritual blindness of His people? (see vs.14 &18) What does this tell you about God and the work of spiritual transformation?
- Paul quotes Isaiah 29:10 in Romans 11:9. How does God use the spiritual blindness of Israel for the ultimate good of not only Israel, but the nations as well? (see Romans 11:1-11 for more context.)
- Read Ephesians 2:1-10. What do you observe? Knowing that it is only by God’s grace that any of us are saved should bring us to our knees in humble adoration of our Savior and Lord! Meditate on the work that God has done in your life this week, and give Him all the glory!
GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:
- Read chapter 18, “God’s Power on God’s Terms (29:1-24)” 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.
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9~