This week we are focusing on Isaiah 65:1-25. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.
LIMITED TIME:
- Read through Isaiah 65:1-25.
- 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 65:1-16.
- Paul quotes vv.1-2 in his letter to the Romans. How does Romans 10:11-21 inform your understanding of Isaiah?
- Isaiah describes two kinds of people: those who rebel and forsake God, and those who are His servants. What do you observe about these two groups of people and their destinies?
- Matthew 13:24-30 contains the parable of the wheat and tares. How might this parable help you understand Isaiah 65:8? Don’t miss God’s grace!!!
- Read God promises to judge rebels and save a remnant. He also promises a complete transformation and re-creation of heaven and earth.
- How does Isaiah describe this New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem? Compare this description to Revelation 21.
- Check out Colossians 1:15-18 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. What else do you learn about the new creation that God has begun?
GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:
- Read chapter 47, “Revival and the Eagerness of God (65:1-25)” 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.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away;
behold, the new has come.”
~ 2 Corinthians 5:17~