By means of very quick review, God lays out His case against Israel and the nations in Isaiah 1-39. All of humanity deserves the wrath and judgement of God for their disobedience and lack of faith in Him. Despite our sinfulness and total inability to come to God on our own, He is a promise keeping God who provides the way of salvation. Isaiah 40-55 describes God’s plan of redemption through His Suffering Servant. This week we will be looking at the consequences of the Servant’s death. Divinely accomplished, salvation has been achieved! An invitation has gone out to two groups of people: Zion (ch.54) and the whole world (ch.55). Keep this in mind as you study this week.
LIMITED TIME:
- Read through Isaiah 54:1-55:13.
- 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:
- Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1 in Galatians 4:26-28. How do these verses aid your understanding of what is happening in Isaiah 54?
- As you read Isaiah 54-55 meditate on the heart of God and what Jesus has accomplished on the cross. What has He accomplished for repentant sinners? What has He accomplished for all of creation?
- Isaiah 54:11-17 is a picture of a renewed Jerusalem under the protective hand of God. Compare this with the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:10-27.
- How will you respond to what God has done for you in Christ?
GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:
- Read chapter 40, “When Grace Dances (54:1-55:13)” 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.
The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
~ Revelation 22:17 ~