Search The Scriptures —Study 19 — Isaiah 33-35

Study 19 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 33-35

The opening verses of chapter 33 reflect the excitement and panic which preceded Sennacherib's approach (verses 7-9) and the prophet's triumphant faith that the proud Assyrian would suffer defeat (verses 1-6, 10-12). The remainder of the chapter shows the profound effects of this deliverance, and paints a glowing picture of the coming kingdom. Chapters 34 and 35 present a striking contrast between the fearful doom of God's redeemed people (35).

1. In the picture of the Messiah's kingdom, given in 33:14-24, (a) what are the characteristics of His people, (b) what will the Lord be to them, and (c) what blessings will the enjoy?
2. Applied spiritually, what blessings are spoken of in chapter 35 which are available to believers now? In particular, can you discover in verses 8:10 four or five characteristics of the 'highway', i.e., the Christian life?

Notes

1. 33:18, 19. The things that terrified them before, such as Assyrian officials counting the tribute, will all belong to the past.
2. 34:6, 7. God's judgment of Edom pictured as a sacrifice in Bozrah, an Edomite city.
3. 34:16. 'The book of the Lord': this probably refers to a collection of Isaiah's previous prophecies. None of them shall fail. The Spirit of God will accomplish in history what the mouth of God's servant has declared in prophecy. Cf. 55: 11; Je. 1:9, 10.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 18 — Isaiah 30:18-32:20

Study 18 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 30:18 – 32:20

1. What blessings does God promise to His people after their trials? Cf. 30:18-29; 32:1-8, 15-20. How has the promise of a Teacher been fulfilled to us in Christ? Look up Jn. 14:26; 16:13, in this connection. Are we sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit (30:21)?
2. Many trusted in Egypt because she seemed strong (31:1). How does Isaiah here show the folly of this, as compared with trusting the Lord?

Notes

1. 30:25, 26. A poetic description of the blessings of the new age, to be interpreted symbolically as showing the abundance of God's provision. For the phrase 'when the towers fall', cf. 2:11-17.
2. 30:27-33. Notice the wealth of imaginative metaphor—the storm, the flood, the bridle. The meaning of verse 32 is not fully clear. Moffatt renders 'He clubs them down to peals of merry music'. 'Topheth' (verse 33, mg.) was the name given to the valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem, where the foul rites of human sacrifice were practiced in honour of the god Molech. Its original meaning seems to have been 'fire place', and Isaiah declares that God has prepared such a place for a great holocaust in honour of the king (of Assyria). There is a play upon words in the Hebrew, for the word for 'king' is melek (=Molech).

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Search The Scriptures —Study 17 — Isaiah 29:1 – 30:17

Study 17 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 29:1 – 30: 17

1. 29:9-16. What were the reasons for the people's spiritual blindness and lack of spiritual discernment, and in what ways did they show this? What causes the spiritual transformation of verses 17-22? see verses 18-24.
2. On what various grounds does Isaiah urge upon his hearers that they should rely upon God rather than upon Egypt? Trace out in 30:8-17 the respective issues of the two ways.
3. Observe the contrast between the extreme distress of Jerusalem in 29:2-4, and her complete triumph in 29:5-8. How may this encourage us in times of severe trial?

Note. 29:1-8. 'Arial' is a name for Jerusalem. It may mean 'lion of God' or, as is more probable here, 'hearth of God'. Jerusalem will become an altar hearth soaked with the blood of many victims.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Isaiah 28

Study 16 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 28

This is the first of four chapters of warning to Judah. Their main theme is the folly of seeking help from Egypt. Warnings of terrible judgment (observe the recurrence of the word 'woe' see 28:1; 29:1, 15; 30:1; 31:1) intermingle with assurances of God's intervention in mercy. The divisions of chapter 28 are as follows: verses 1-4. Judgment upon Samaria; verses 5, 6, after the judgment; verses 7-13, the drunken rulers of Judah rebuked; verses 14:23, the coming storm of God's judgment will sweep away all man-made policies; verses 23-29, if the farmer acts with wisdom, how much more God?

1. How many consequences of intemperance can you discern in verses 1-4, 7 and 8? What was God's message to His intemperate people, and why would they not listen (verses 9-15)?
2. What do verses 16-29 teach us about the inevitable triumph of God's will in human affairs, and the futility of unbelief and rebellion? How does the parable in verses 23-29 encourage us to see that God has foreseen and arranged all?
3. What foreshadowing of Christ is there in the final fulfillment of God's plans? Cf. Verse 16; 1 Pet. 2:6, 7; Acts 4:11; Mt. 21:42.

Note. Verses 15, 18. Isaiah calls the proposed alliance with Egypt 'a covenant with death'. The overflowing scourge' is Assyria.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — Isaiah 26 and 27

Study 15 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 26 and 27

1. Think over the attitudes of heart described in 26:3, 4, 8, 9, 13 and 19, and ask yourself if you share this trust and faith in God. What should be the response of God's people to His mercy and judgment?
2. How does chapter 27 express the principle underlying God's chastisement of His people and also His ultimate purpose?
   Notes
   1. 26:19. The prophet's answer to the people's plaint is the promise of resurrection. His words here and in 25:8 are among the clearest utterances of the Old Testament upon that subject.
   2. 27:1. The three monsters represent three world powers, probably Assyria, Babylon and Egypt.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Isaiah 24 and 25

Study 14 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 24 and 25

Chapter 24 begins the long apocalyptic vision of the Day of the Lord which continues until chapter 27. It seems impossible to give it any certain historical background, and it was probably intended to be an ideal description of the last great judgment which will engulf the whole world. The horizon is very black except for the bright gleam of light which appears in verse 23, and which leads on to the burst of praise in chapter 25, just as chapter 12 follows chapter 11. First in his own name (25), and than in the name of the redeemed community (26), the prophet gives thanks for their certain deliverance from the final judgment and for their everlasting bliss and security.

1. In Chapter 24 contrast the emotions of unbelievers when faced with the calamity of God's judgment with the reactions of the believers. Can you still praise God in the midst of seeming disaster? Cf. Hab. 3:16-19.
2. What does chapter 25 teach us about God's 'faithful and sure' plans for this world and for His people?
3. Compare this Old Testament picture of God's ultimate purpose for His people with the New Testament one in Rev. 7:15-17; 21:1-4.

Note. 25:2 In this verse, as in 24:10, 12 and 26:5, 6, 'the city' refers to no special town, but to any stronghold of opposition to God, in contrast to God's 'strong city'(26:1). The former will be 'made a heap', but the later fortified with impregnable bulwarks.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Isaiah 22:15 – 23:18

Study 13 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 22:15 – 23:18

1. Why did God depose Shebna and put Eliakim in his place? If God can say of you 'my servant', how are you filling your position? Cf. Mt.. 24:45-51.
2. Isaiah foresees a day when Tyre's riches will be no longer hoarded for her own selfish enjoyment, but will be lavished upon Jehovah and His people. If then he is not condemning wealth in itself an evil, what is he attaching in the earlier part of the chapter? What should be the Christian's attitude towards wealth and material prosperity? Cf. 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19.

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