Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Isaiah 20:1 – 22:14

Study 12 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 20:1 – 22:14

The story of an acted prophecy on the futility of reliance upon Egypt (20) is followed by four oracles concerning Babylon (21:11, 12). Arabia (21:13-17), and Jerusalem (22:1-14).

1. In what ways did Isaiah's responsibility to convey God's message prove demanding and costly? Are you prepared to sacrifice your pride in your service for God (chapter 20)? Do you spare time to wait on God (21:8, 12)?
2. In what ways did Isaiah in 22:1-14 find fault with the people of Jerusalem? Do you find the same spirit prevalent today?
3. In what ways does this passage teach us that God is behind the events of History, knowing all beforehand, and carrying out His purposes?

Note 22:1-3. The prophet bewails the conducts of the people, thronging the house-tops, shouting and rejoicing when calamity was near. “Without the bow' (which had been cast aside) they were captured.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Isaiah 17-19

Study 11 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 17-19

oracles concerning Damascus (i.e Syria) and Ephraim, and Egypt, with a short oracle (17:12-14) Prophesying the overthrow of the Assyrian hosts.

1. How is Ephraim's sin described in 17:10, together with its inevitable issue? cf. Dt. 8:19, 20.
2. Gather out from these chapters what is said of the results of God's judgment in causing men to turn to Him. What encouragements for missionary work, especially in certain countries, may be derived from these chapters?
3. Contrast in chapter 18 man's scheming and planning with God's attitude of quiet watchfulness, knowing what He will do (verses 4-6). Cf. Ps. 2:1-5.

Note. 18:1, 2. A description of Ethiopia, whose ambassadors have come to consult with Judah about plans to resist Assyria. The 'whirring wings' is probably an allusion to the swarms of insects which infest the land. Isaiah gives the ambassadors a message to take back (verses 2b-7), that God is watching, and will shortly deal with the Assyrian menace.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Isaiah 14:24-16:14

Study 10 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 14:24-16:14

A series of denunciatory oracles directed against Assyria (14:24-27), Philistia (14:28-32) and Moab (15; 16).

1. 14:24-27. What two attributes of God are emphasized in these verses? How do they encourage us to trust in His Word?
2. In the prophecy against Moab consider ( a) the severity of the Judgment, (b) the sympathy of the prophet with Moab in her sufferings, and (c) the reason why her doom is inevitable. Are you moved by the thought of the judgment which awaits those who reject Christ?

Notes

1. 14:29. 'The rod which smote you is broken': a reference probably to the death of Tiglath-Pileser of Assyria who died just before Ahaz. However, it was no use rejoicing at this, for the power of Assyria would be revived in a form more deadly than ever.
2. 14:30-32. The meaning is that while even the poorest in Judah shall be secure (verses 30a and 32). Philistia shall be destroyed.
3. 15. The proper names are Moabite towns, known and unknown. On the signs of grief and mourning in verses 2 and 3. cf. 22:12; Mi. 1:16.
4. 16:1-5. The Moabites are advised to send tribute in the form of lambs (cf. 2Ki. 3:4) to the king of Judah. Verses 3-5 is the Moabites' plea for refuge.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 9 — Isaiah 13:1 – 14:23

Study 9 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 13:1 – 14:23

Here we leave the Book of Imannuel, and enter what has been called the 'Jungle of prophecy' (chapters 13-25). It contains the 'burdens of the Lord's, oracle concerning foreign nations, many parts of which are now obscure. The first oracle concerns Babylon, and is directed first against the city (13:1-14:2). and second, against the king (14:3 – 23). Its predictions have been literally fulfilled.

1. For what sins was Babylon condemned by God (14:5, 6, 12-14)? How did God administer judgment?
2. In what respects may Babylon be regarded as a picture of the world in opposition to God (as Jerusalem or Zion is a picture of God's people), and the king of Babylon a picture of Satan, the prince of this world? Cf. Gn. 11:1-9; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 18:2, 3.

Notes

1. 13:2-6. 'The day of the Lord' is the day of His manifestation and here denotes the day of His vengeance upon Babylon.
2. 13:12. The population will be so reduced, that men will be scarcer than gold.
3. 14:9-17. The departed spirits in Sheol assemble, surprised and scornful, to greet the arrival of the king whose pomp is now stripped from him.

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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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