This week we are focusing on Isaiah 36:1-37:7. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.Note: Isaiah 36-39 is paralleled in 2 Kings 18:13-20:19.
LIMITED TIME:
- Read through Isaiah 36:1-37:7.
- 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:
- Read Isaiah 36. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, has conquered city after city and is now at Jerusalem’s door. He sends the Rabshakeh, one of his military officials, with a message for King Hezekiah.
- Why do you think that the words ‘trust’ and ‘deliver’ are repeated so often?
- What message does the Rabshakeh have for Hezekiah?
- How does he convey this message, and what effect does it have on the people in Jerusalem?
- Why does he think Hezekiah should surrender?
- Read Isaiah 37:1-7.
- How does Hezekiah respond to the Rabshakeh’s threats?
- What message from the Lord does Isaiah rely to Hezekiah?
- In Isaiah 36:5, the Rabshakeh asks Hezekiah, “In whom do you now trust?” How would you answer this question if it was posed to you? Why?
GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:
- Read chapter 23, “In Whom Do You Now Trust? (36:1-37:7)” 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.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” ~Jeremiah 17:7-8~