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lesson 21 ISAIAH I. BACKGROUND 1. Author - Isaiah, the prophet: 1:1; 2:1; 13:1 2. Date - The events took place from 740 - 690 B.C. 3. Setting - Isaiah was a native of Jerusalem who was in contact with the prophets Amos, Hosea, and Micah. He was a man of faith, optimism, insight and statesmanship. He was a poet, orator and historian who wrote during the Assyrian crisis. The people of God had forsaken God, were morally corrupt and were very cruel to their fellow man, so Isaiah was given the power to encourage the children of Israel to repent or suffer the outcome of their sins. II. PURPOSE OF THE BOOK 1. Key Verses: 2:2ff; 6:8; 11:1ff 2. Theme: Because the people of Jerusalem and Judah had adopted the attitudes, actions and gods of the surrounding nations, in addition to their worship of Jehovah God called them to repentance through illustration, explanation, reasoning, warning, and pleading. The nations were warned, as was Judah, of their coming judgment. With New Testament eyes it is clear that God was looking far beyond Judah's disobedience to a time of healing, blessing, and peace for all nations under the reign of Messiah when Jehovah would be recognized as the only God. 1) Israel had become: a. More foolish than an ox or an ass: 1:3 b. Completely unresponsive: 1:4-8 c. Just like Sodom and Gomorrah: 1:9-10 d. Unaware that their ceremonies were worse than useless: 1:11-15 e. In need of complete cleansing and change: 1:16-19; f. A harlot: 1:20-23 g. Ready for destruction inorder to restore her: 1:24-31 2) God's plan for punishment would: (2:5-22) a. Humble man b. Exalt God c. Remove idolatry 3) The remnant of Israel would: a. Lean only upon God - 10:20-22 b. Return to God from many nations: 11:10-16 c. Be fruitful through Jehovah's work: 37:31-32 4) The hope promised to Israel by God would include: a. Having sins pardoned: 40:1-2 b. Seeing the glory of God: 40:5 c. All flesh: 40:5; 42:1 d. "My servant...my chosen, in whom my soul delights" with "My Spirit upon him" - 42:1-4 e. Victory: 66:10-24 f. Constant worship of God: 66:22-23 III. ABOUT THE MESSIAH 1. Man child born of a virgin who would be "God with us" - 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25 2. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. THE GREAT REDEEMER - 9:1-7 3. Man of God, righteous ruler, wise, great counselor, fears Jehovah, great fair judge, great knowledge, slaver of wicked, faithful: - 11:1-5 4. Servant of justice - 42:1-4 5. Servant of glory and redemption: - 49:1-7 6. Servant who listens and is sinless: 50:4-9 7. Servant of victorious suffering: 52:13 - 53:12 8. Bearer of the gospel to the world - 61:1-3 IV. APPLICATION - LESSONS 1. The overruling providence of God 1) Judgment of God - chapters 1 - 39 2) Comfort of God - chapters 40 - 66 2. There is ultimate redemption only through Messiah 3. The righteous remnant is the hope of Judah 4. The Great Commission is a call to all the nations - 61:4 -62:12 ISAIAH QUESTIONS 1. Try to describe the Messiah as presented by Isaiah. 2. In what group of people is the hope of Judah found? 3. How is the great commission pictured in Isaiah? 4. Is the relationship between Israel and God good in the time of Isaiah? 5. What king prayed to God and changed God's mind? 6. What were some of the sins of the people of Israel and Judah? 7. What were some of the sins of the other nations? 8. What did Israel say about how God feels about idolatry? 9. Is God still involved in the rise and fall of nations today? If so, what type of sins would cause a nation to fall today? 10. Does God force His will on man? |