Lesson 36: Not with Swords’ Loud Clashing (49-50:3)

This week we are focusing on Isaiah 49-50:3. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

1. Read through Isaiah 49-50:3.
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:

In Isaiah 40-66, the theme of God’s servant is developed. God’s servant, identified as Israel (41:8; 44:1-2) is to serve as God’s witness and light to the gentiles (43:10). The nation of Israel fails in this mission. They are blind, deaf, and walking in darkness thus turning their backs against their God. BUT God has a greater Servant who will not fail in this mission. This Servant will live a life of total faith and obedience to God. This will lead to the redemption of not only God’s people, Israel, but the nations as well!

1. Read Isaiah 49:1-13, the second Servant song.
   1. What do you learn about this Servant?
   2. How does Christ fulfill the qualifications of God’s Servant? (Possible cross references to check out: Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-33; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16; John 1:14; 17:1-5; Phil. 2:5-11; Acts 13:46-48; 26:22-23; John 1:10-11; Heb. 7:22,25; Luke 4:18; John8:12; 12:35-36)
2. Read Isaiah 49:14-50:3. Picture what is happening.
   1. God will raise a “signal” (or “standard”) for the people (v.22). What or whom is this “signal”? (See Isa. 11:10,12; Num. 21:1-9 and John 12:20-36.)
   2. Who are considered God’s children? (See also Rev. 7:9-17.)
   3. Meditate on one new truth you have learned this week about God and yourself. Turn your thoughts into a prayer!

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

• Read chapter 36, “Not with Swords’ Loud Clashing (49-50:3”) 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.