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Loving God and Loving People

Category: Isaiah

Lesson 38: Wachet Auf (51:9-52:12)

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This week we are focusing on Isaiah 51:9-52:12. Israel calls on God to “Awake, awake” and rescue them from physical captivity (51:9-11). God in turn calls on Israel to awaken themselves, because He will soon rescue them spiritually (51:12-52:12). As you read this week, think about what God is saying to His people on both a physical and spiritual level. Many times He uses physical realities to point to spiritual truths. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 51:9-52:12.
  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. It might be helpful to jot down an outline or write a short summary of what is happening in these verses.
  2. How does God answer the question of ‘who will comfort you’? (v.19)
  3. Only the ‘clean’ will enter Zion according to 52:1. Who does God declare as clean and unclean? (see also Acts 10:1-11:18; 1 Cor. 6:11)
  4. Isaiah 52:7-12 poetically describes God’s promise to rescue His People from their sin. Paul quotes verse 7 in Romans 10:13-15. What light do these verses shed on the proclamation of God’s saving work?

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

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

Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD say, “His steadfast love endures forever.”

Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?  ~Psalm 118:1-6~

Lesson 37: Why Do We Have Ears on the Outside of Our Heads? (50:4-51:8)

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This week we are focusing on Isaiah 50:4-51:8. Words are extremely important! God spoke and all creation came into being. The longest chapter in the Bible speaks about His Word: Psalm 119. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, [i.e. Jesus]…full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Keep this in mind as you study Isaiah this week. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 50:4-51:8.
  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 50:4-11, the third Servant song.
    1. Jot down all of the things you learn about the Servant. In what ways do you see Christ in these verses? (Here are a few cross references to get you thinking- Matt. 27:26-31; Phil. 2:8-11; Luke 9:51; 2 Thes. 1:6-9; Romans 8:31-35)
    2. According to Verses 10-11, in what ways do people respond to Christ, the Servant, and His message? (Note: It would be worth looking up the meaning of the word “darkness” (v.10) in a commentary. It should give you encouragement during times in your life when the light (God) doesn’t seem to be present!)
  2. Read Isaiah 51:1-8.
    1. Three times God calls His people to “listen” or “give attention” to Him. In each case, whom is God speaking to, and what is His message to them?
    2. Reminder! Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-5,14), and Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6)! Take some time to listen to Him today. If time permits, write out a prayer of thanksgiving for the many promises that God has fulfilled in Christ on your behalf.

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

  • Read chapter 37, “Why Do We Have Ears on the Outside of Our Heads? (50:4-51:8) 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.

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

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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:

Lesson 35: God’s Commitment to God is His Assurance to Us (48:1-8)

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We now come to the last chapter in this section of Isaiah (chapters 40-48). This week we are focusing on Isaiah 48:1-8. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 48:1-8.
  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 48:1-8.
    1. How does God describe His people?
    2. Why does God predict the future and cause it to come to pass?
    3. Are His people listening to Him or ignoring Him?
  2. God now is predicting “new things” (v.6), mainly the coming of His servant, Cyrus, who will conquer Babylon and bring Israel out of physical bondage (v.14-15). Doesn’t this sound like Egypt?!
    1. Read Isaiah 48:9-11. Why does God restrain His anger and instead show compassion on His people by bringing them out of captivity? (See also Ezekiel 36:16-36 for more insight!)
    2. Read Isaiah 48:12-22. What does God call His people to do and what is their response?
  3. In the end of Isaiah 48, there is no difference between deliverance out of Egypt, and deliverance out of Babylon. In both cases, Israel rejects God and His plans. They have no change of heart. They remain wicked as a nation, yet God remains faithful to His promises. This sets the stage for The Servant who will save not only Israel, but all nations from their spiritual bondage to sin. More on this Servant next week! Meanwhile, rest in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness toward you!

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

  • Read chapter 35, “God’s Commitment to God is His Assurance to Us (48:1-8)” 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.

Lesson 34: God’s That Fail and the Collapse of Their Cultures (Isaiah 46:1-47:15)

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This week we are focusing on Isaiah 46:1-47:15. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 46:1-47:15.
  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:

If you need reminding of just who is in control over history and the nations, read Isaiah 47 and 47! Isaiah opens chapter 46 by calling out two Babylonian gods as idols. In short, Bel (Marduk) was Babylon’s chief god. According to the encyclopedia Britannica, “All nature, including humanity, owed its existence to him; the destiny of kingdoms and subjects was in his hands.” Nabo was the god of writing, learning, prophecies, and wisdom.

  1. Read Isaiah 46.
    1. What does God say about these Babylonian gods?
    2. What does God say about Himself?
  2. Isaiah 47 speaks of the future downfall of Babylon at the hands of Cyrus. As you read, think about the following:
    1. How did God use the kingdom of Babylon in the life of Israel (v.6)?
    2. For what purpose is God calling Cyrus (v. 3)? Why?
    3. How does Babylon view itself and how has Babylon treated God and Israel?
    4. Worship of anything other than God will lead to destruction for both nations as well as individuals. What idols does our culture worship? What are the effects?
    5. What idols do you worship? How is that affecting you? (Remember 1 John 1:9!)

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

  • Read chapter 34, “God’s That Fail and the Collapse of Their Cultures (Isaiah 46:1-47:15)” 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.

“…Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.”

~ Isaiah 43:10b-11 ~

Lesson 33: God’s Surprising Strategies (Isaiah 44:24-45:25)

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God is sovereign over creation and history, therefore, He has every right to do as He pleases for His purposes. In this week’s reading, God tells Israel that He is going to send Cyrus to deliver them from Babylonian captivity. God also plans on saving the nations and not just Israel, as they assumed. The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 44:24-45:25.
  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. As you read Isaiah 44:24-45:25, jot down all that you learn about God. Note what He repeats over and over about Himself.
  2. God foretells the coming of Cyrus, His anointed, over 150years before Cyrus was born.
    1. What do you learn about Cyrus and God’s purpose for Him? (See also Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:2-4)
    2. How does Israel react to God’s plans, and how does God respond (Is. 45:8-11)? How do you react to God’s plans for you and His world? Why?
  3. God reminds Israel that He alone will save them, and the nations as well (Galatians 3:7-8,29).
    1.  What does God call the people to do (Is. 45:22)?
    2. There are only 2 responses to God’s call noted in Is. 45:24-25. What are they? What are the consequences to each?
  4. Paul quotes Is. 45:23b within Philippians 2:5-11.
    1. What do you learn from these verses?
    2. What is your response to Jesus? Why?

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

  • Read chapter 33, “God’s Surprising Strategies (Isaiah 44:24-45:25)” 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.

“All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.”

~ Psalms 22:27-28~

Lesson 32: God’s Way to Revival (43:22-44:23)

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The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 43:22-44:23.
  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 43:22-44:5. Last week we saw that God reminded His people of who He is and what He has done to rescue them in the past. He can be trusted. He is “doing a new thing (43:19)” for His chosen people. Isaiah 43:19 begins with “Yet”.
    1. What do you learn about Israel in the opening verses of this section?
    2. What reason does God give for blotting out their transgressions (v.25)? (see also Ezekiel 36:16-27)
    3. In Isaiah 44:3, God says He will pour His Spirit on Israel’s offspring. What do you learn after reading these related passages (Ezekiel 36:16-27; Jeremiah 3:31-33; Acts 2:17-18)?
  2. As you read Isaiah 44:6-20, observe the character of God, idols and idol worshippers. What do you learn?
  3. Read Isaiah 44:21-23. God calls His people to “Remember” (v.1), “Return” (v.2), and “Sing” (v.3).
    1. What are they to remember? Check out Psalm 78 if you have time!
    2. Why is Israel to return to God?
  4. This section ends with all heavens and earth worshipping God for His amazing grace shown in redeeming His people. How will you show your gratitude to God for the things He has done for you despite your sin?

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

“I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist;

return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

~ Isaiah 44:22 ~

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

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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 21st 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:

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

~ 1 Chronicles 16:34~

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

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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:

“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 ~

Lesson 29: The Reality of God in an Unreal World (41:1-20)

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This week we are focusing on Isaiah 41:1-20. Again, the backdrop is the distant future Babylonian captivity which lasted 70 years. I’m sure Israel will question if their God has abandoned them. Does He care about their circumstances? Will He rescue them from their enemies? God reminds His people of who He is and what they mean to Him. He will send a rescuer one day. Fear not! They can trust Him! The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.

LIMITED TIME:

  1. Read through Isaiah 41:1-20.
  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. What do you observe in verses 1-3? What question does God ask and how does He answer? Who is sovereign over nations and history? (Note: The ‘one from the east’ (v.2) is the first illusion to Cyrus, King of Persia, who would conquer the Babylonians in 539 BC and allow the exiles  to return to their homeland.)
  2. What is happening in vv. 5-7? In what are the people of the coastlands putting their trust?
  3. How does God describe His people in vv. 8-16? Does God pursue His people, or do His people pursue Him? Think about the implications of your answer.
  4. Three times God tells His people to ‘fear not’. Why are they not to fear?
  5. God says ‘I am with you’ (v.10) and calls Himself Redeemer (v.14). Read Is. 7:14; Luke 2:38; 21:28; 1 Cor. 1:30; Gal. 4:4-5. What do these verses add to your understanding?
  6. What do you observe in verses 17-20? What does God do for the thirsty? (see also John 7:37-39)

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

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”

~ Galatians 4:4-5~

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