Lesson 31: God’s Way to Reformation (42:18-43:21)

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 42:18-43:21. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 42:18-43:21.
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 42:18-25 (see also Is. 41:8-9).
   1. What do you learn about this ‘servant’ of God mentioned in verse 19?
   2. What is the result of the ‘servant’s’ disobedience?
2. Read Isaiah 43:1-23. Notice, it opens with “But now…”!
   1. As you read, observe who God claims to be and what He thinks of His servant, Israel, despite her great sinfulness.
   2. What does God say He is going to do for His people (43:14-20)?
3. God redeemed His people from Egyptian slavery in about 1500 BC. In this section of scripture, He states that He will redeem them from Babylonian captivity, about 150 years in the future! How do you think this might have affected God’s people and how they saw their worldly circumstances?
4. Looking back on God’s redeeming work in Egypt, Babylon, and eventually at the cross, how will you respond to the situations and times you find yourself in in this 21^st century? Is God worthy of your trust? Why or why not?

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

• Read chapter 31, “God’s Way to Reformation (42:18-43:21)” 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.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

~ 1 Chronicles 16:34~