Search The Scriptures —Study 8 — Isaiah 11 and 12

Study 8 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 11 and 12

The Assyrian cedar would be irrevocably felled, but out of the stump of the pollarded Judaean tree will come forth a shoot-the Messiah, in whom Isaiah's hope for the future is centered. His glorious reign (11) is considered (a) in relation to human society (2-5); (b) in relation to the brute creation (6-90; and (c) in relation to world history (10-16). There follows (12:1-6) a song of thanksgiving to God for His forgiveness, together with a vision of a united Israel (cf. 11:13) enjoying the blessings of salvation, and engaging in missionary activity among the nations.

1. What are to be the characteristics of the coming Messiah (11:1-5)? Compare this picture of His reign with 9:1-7, and notice any new truths brought out.
2. Chapter 12 is the song of those who have discovered that God's anger is turned away from them. What results of salvation are mentioned here, and are you experiencing them all?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 7 — Isaiah 10:5-34

Study 7 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 10:5-34

A prophecy of the Assyrian invasion of Judah.

1. Contrast the invasion as seen in the mind of the Assyrian king (verses 7-10, 13, 14). and as seen in the purpose of God (verses 5, 6, 12, 16-19). How does this passage help us to understand how the holy God can use evil men or nation to carry out His purpose?
2. In the stress of the trial it might have seemed that God had cast off His people. But was it so (verses 20-23)? Cf. Rom. 9:27-29. What was the purpose of God's chastening?
3. How does today's portion make more clear the two predictions implied in the names of the prophet's two sons? See study 5, Note 1.

Notes

1. Verse 17. 'The light of Israel' and 'his Holy One' are names for God.
2. Verse 20. 'Him that smote them': i. e., the king of Assyria. The 'remnant' will have learned the lesson Ahaz had failed to learn.
3. Verses 28-32. A vivid picture of the approach of the enemy, checked only at the very walls of Jerusalem.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 6 — Isaiah 8:16 – 10:4

Study 6 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 8:16 – 10:4

The prophet will withdraw his disciples, and the elect remnant will thus take shape (8:16-18). The dark days (8:19-22) will end in the coming of a great light, the advent of the Messiah (9:1-7). The remainder of chapter 9 is a prophecy of judgment upon the northern kingdom of Israel. Let Judah then beware (10:1-4)

1. When disaster comes, and God seems to have hidden His face. What is man tempted to do(8:19)? Cf. Lv. 19:31; 1Sa. 28:6, 7. What must the child of God do in such a case? What test does Isaiah propose for spiritist teachings?
2. Contrast the condition of things under God's anger (8:21, 22; 9: 8-10:4) with Isaiah's picture of Messiah's reign (9:1-7). What do the names given to the coming King in 9:6 reveal of His nature?

Note. 9:1. The anguish of the northern kingdom 'in the former time' no doubt refers to Tiglath-Pileser's invasion mentioned in 2 Ki. 15:29. “The latter time”, though future to the prophet, is described with the past tense of prophetic certainty. For the fulfillment, in part, of the prophecy, see Mt. 4:15, 16.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 5 — Isaiah 7: 1 – 8:15

Study 5 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 7: 1 – 8:15

Isaiah now turns his attention from the internal condition of Judah to the realm of international politics. The historical background of chapters 7:1-10; 4 is the so called Syro-Ephraimitic confederacy, when King Rezin of Syria and King Pekah of Israel conspired against Judah (735 Bc). Ahaz of Judah, overcome with panic (7:2), rejected the counsel of Isaiah that he should trust in God (7:3, 4, and appealed to King Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria, an Act which Isaiah predicted would have disastrous consequences in the end, even though at first apparently successful (7:17-8:4).

1. What did Ahaz lose, both personally and politically, through his refusal to trust in the Lord?
2. How is the historical 'sign' to be given to Ahaz a foreshadowing of the future coming of the Messiah? Cf. Mt. 1:21-23. In daily experience do you know Christ as 'Immanuel'--'God with us'?
3. How could the Lord be both a sanctuary and a stumbling block (8:13-15), and how may He be to us the former and not the latter? Cf. 1 Pet. 2:7, 8).

Notes

1. The two names, Shear-Jashub ('A remnant shall return') and Mahershalal-hash-baz ('Speed, spoil, haste, prey'), sum up Isaiah's double message of doom and hope.
2. 7:3. Ahaz was probably making preparation for the siege when Isaiah met him.
3. 7:14-16. The primary meaning seems to be that before a certain child (as yet unborn) emerges from infancy, his diet will have to be limited to curds and honey, since the devastated land will yield no better food (7:21, 22). But the child's remarkable name, and the mention of the 'young woman' or 'virgin' (mg; cf. Mt. 1) who is to be his mother, provide a prophetic reference to the Messiah.
4. 8:6. 'The waters of Shiloah'; i.e, the water supplies of Jerusalem, dependent on subterranean springs and reservoirs under the Temple area, here used symbolically of God's providence. The phrase 'this people' must refer either to Israel or a pro-Syrian party in Juda, unless as some think, the verb Isaiah used was not the word 'rejoice' (AV, RV), but a word of similar letter meaning 'faint before' ('melt in fear before', RSV)
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Search The Scriptures —Study 4 — Isaiah 6

Study 4 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 6

1. What did Isaiah's vision of God in His glory teach him (a) about the character of God, and (b) about himself and his needs? What may this teach us concerning God's provision of cleansing for sinners who deserve judgment?
2. How was Isaiah prepared for his task of carrying God's message to his own people? Consider the message itself; what does it reveal of the inevitable outcome of rebellion against God? Cf. Acts 28: 23-28.

Note. Verses 9, 10. In seeking to understand these verses (with which cf. Mk. 4:10-12, where Jesus quotes them), remember these two facts: (a) Although the Word is preached in order to bring salvation to those who will hear, it inevitably brings condemnation to those who will not. Cf. Jn. 3:16-21. (b) The Old Testament, with its unshakable faith in God's sovereignty, often refuses to distinguish between intention and inevitable result, between God's permissive and directive will. Thus, to say 'Preach to them and they will not respond' could equally well be expressed, 'Preach to them in order that they may not respond.'

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Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Isaiah 5

Study 3 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 5

1. Compare Isaiah's song of the vineyard with Christ's parables of the wicked husbandmen (Mk. 12:1-9) and the barren fig tree (Lk. 13:6-9). Note the differences, and then work out the one great lesson taught in all three passages. How can it be applied to our lives today? Cf. Jn. 15:18
2. Make a list of the six 'Woes' in verses 8:24, finding twentieth century words to describe each sin denounced.

Note. Verse 14. 'Sheol' (Greek 'Hades') is the place where all the dead go. It is depicted as a dim and shadowy underworld.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Isaiah 2-4

Study 2 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 2-4

The prophet's lofty vision of future possibility in 2:2-5 gives way to a picture of coming judgment in 2:6-22, made inevitable by man's failure. From a description of the anarchy (3:1-8) which will result from the prevalent sins of the ruling, class, both men and women (3:9 -4:1), he turns to a more confident expectation of the glory which will follow the judgment (4:2-6).

1. Try to build a comprehensive picture of the hope for the future given in 2:2-5 and 4:2-6. What is said about the word of the Lord, the peace of the world, the holiness of God's people, and their blessedness under His protecting care?
2. Can you detect from these chapters what Isaiah regarded as teh greatest sin, and why it is so abominable?

Notes

1. 2:2-4. A prophecy almost identical with Mi. 4:1-3, and probably borrowed by Micah from Isaiah.
2. 2:6. The striking of hands may refer not only to friendship but to trade bargaining. Commercial greed is further condemned in verse 7a.
3. 3:12. A reference to the childishness and effeminacy of King Ahaz.

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