Lesson 30: A Delusion, a Servant, a New Song (41:21-42:17)

Last week, God called court into session. The nations were instructed to listen to God as He began laying out His case against the idols. God is sovereign over all and they are not! This week is a continuation of His arguments. This week we are focusing on Isaiah 41:21-42:17. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 41:21-42:17.
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:

1. Read Isaiah 41:21-29.
   1. What did God ask the idols to do, and were they able?
   2. What did God do, and was He able? (See vv. 25&27 and check out the notes in a study Bible to gain more insight as to what these verses are talking about.)
   3. How would you compare God with the pagan idols?
   4. Ray Ortlund defines an idol as ‘any heart-level substitute for God’ (p. 267) What substitutes are dwelling in your heart?
2. Read Isaiah 42:1-9 which contains the first of four songs regarding God’s servant (vv1-4).
   1. What does God say about His servant (vv. 1-4)? (see also Matthew 12:15-21)
   2. What does God say to His servant? (see also Acts 13:46-47 and Luke 4:16-21)
3. After God lays out His case that idols are nothing and commands us to behold His servant, Isaiah tells his audience to “sing to the Lord a new song” (42:10). Read Isaiah 42:10-17.
   1. There are two groups of people spoken of in these verses. How are each described? How are they different?
   2. What has God done for His people that calls for their praise?

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

• Read chapter 30, “A Delusion, a Servant, a New Song (41:21-42:17)” 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.

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;he will bring forth justice to the nations.”

~ Isaiah 42:1 ~