Search The Scriptures —Study 39 — Isaiah 61:1 – 63:6

Study 39  From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 61:1 – 63:6

1.      How would you summarize the teaching of chapters 61 and 62 regarding the Lord’s purpose of good for Zion? What do we learn, for example, about (a) the relation to God into which God’s people will be brought (61: 6, 8, 9; 62:4-12), and (b) the response of God’s people to His promised salvation (61:10)? Is your experience of this kind?

2.     In chapter 61 the coming salvation is proclaimed, in 62 it is prayed for (verses 1, 6, 7). If the gospel is to prevail on earth, are not both the proclamation of it and prayer concerning it still necessary? Cf. Rom. 10:14, 15; 2 Thes. 3:1. What characteristic of prevailing prayer is emphasized here?

3.     In Lk. 4:17-21 our Lord says that the opening words of chapter 61 were spiritually fulfilled in His own ministry.  Why did He cut His reading in the Synagogue short in the middle of 61:2? Meditate on the scope of our Lord’s ministry as revealed in these verses.

Notes

1.       62:2. ‘A new name’:  the symbol both of a new character, and of a new relation to God.  Cf. Rev. 2:17; 3:12.

2.      63:4. The day of redemption is also a day of judgment. Cf. 61:2; Jn. 3: 17-19.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 38 — Isaiah 60

Study 38  From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 60

An inspired vision of Zion, when God shall have fulfilled toward her all His purposes, and clothed her with His glory.

1.      Try to build up the picture of the glorified Zion as given in this vision.  Gather out the references to God, and observe carefully the place He occupies in Zion. Has He this central place in your life, and in your Christina fellowship?

2.     Consider how many of the features of beauty and glory in the Zion of this chapter are to be found, in their spiritual counterpart, in a life dwelling in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. See especially verses 2, 5, 7 (last clause), 13 (last clause, 16b, and 17-21; and cf. 2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6; 6: 16; Eph. 3:14-21.

Notes.

1.      Verses 8, 9. The ships coming from the west, with their white sails, looking like a flock of doves.

2.     Verse 13. ‘The place of my sanctuary’: i.e., the Temple, called also ‘the place of my feet’.

3.     Verse 21.  ‘That I might be glorified’: compare ‘he has glorified you’ (verse 9) and ‘I will glorify my glorious house’ (verse 7; so also verse 13).  Where God is glorified, all else is glorified in Him. Cf. 2 Thes. 1:12.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 37 — Isaiah 59

Study 37 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 59

This chapter in its opening verses is an exposure of the sins that separate from God (verses 1-8). In verses 9:15a the people describe their sorrowful state, and make confession. But they feel that if action on God’s part is to be for ever restrained by their sinfulness the position seems hopeless indeed (see Note 2 on ‘justice below’. Then in the closing verses of the chapter comes the triumphant divine answer (verses 15b-21). God is not baffled, and when there is not human help He Himself comes to the rescue, in judgment upon evil-doers on the one hand, and in redemption for the penitent on the other.

1. Verses 1-15. What various sins are mentioned here, and what are the consequences in the personal, social and spiritual life of the people? With verses 1, 2 cf. 1:15-17; Mi. 3:4.
2. What is the motive of God’s intervention, as described in verses 15b – 27)? What is its twofold purpose, and what its world-wide issue? When does St. Paul look for this to be fulfilled to Israel (Rom. 11:25-27)? Yet, for us who believe on Jesus Christ, it is not in part fulfilled to us now, and not least verse 21? Cf. Jn. 14:16, 26.

Notes

1. Verse 5, 6. The plan and plots of evil doers working fresh evil, and giving no useful result.
2. Verse 9. The word ‘justice’ is used in these verses in two senses, (a) as right done by man (verse 8, 15b), and (b)b as divine judgment, exercised on behalf of Israel against her oppressors (verses 9, 11, 14). The people’s lament was that the latter was withheld, because the former was lacking.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 36 — Isaiah 58

Study 36 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 58

1. Has fasting itself any value in God's sight? What does He look for in His people, and why is such conduct called 'fasting'? In verses 8:12, what promises of spiritual blessing does God give to those who are right in spirit towards Himself and their fellowmen?
2. Examine your own attitude to Sunday in the light of verses 13:14.

Notes

1. Verse 4. 'You fast only to quarrel and to fight...' Fasting, if not done in the right spirit, is apt to make men irritable and contentious, quick to use their fist.
2. Verse 9. 'The pointing of the finger': probably a gesture of haughty contempt.
3. Verse 13. 'If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath': i.e, regard it as holy ground, not to be profaned by common business. Cf. 56:2; Ne. 13:15-21.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 35 — Isaiah 56 and 57

Study 35 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 56 and 57

The good tidings of Jehovah's purpose to bring back the exiles and to restore Jerusalem produced many repercussions among different classes of hearers. In the opening verses of today's portions the prophet replies to the questionings of two special group: (1) non-Jews, who had joined themselves to Israel (56:32, 6-8), and (2) eunuchs, who feared God (56:3b-5. Might they also participate in the promised deliverance? The Lord's answer is that if they fulfilled the condition of the covenant, they would be welcome to a full share in its blessings. In 56:9-57:14 the prophet rebukes tow other groups: the leaders of the community in Jerusalem (56: 9-12), and those who were openly practicing idolatry (57: 1-14). There follows a striking description of the kind of persons with whom God will dwell, and of His purposes of grace towards His people (57: 15-21).

1. What were the spiritual conditions on which the Lord would recognize a man, whether a Jew or not, as being one of His own people? See 56:1-8. How does this anticipate the News Testament offer of the gospel to all, and how does it fall short of it? With verse 7 cf. Mt. 21:13; and with verse 8 cf. 10:16.
2. What do these two chapters, and more particularly 57:15-21, teach us about God?
3. Consider the sad picture in 56:9 – 57:14 of a community whose leaders were unworthy, and whose members were forsaking the Lord for idols. What warnings for ourselves may be found in it?

Notes

1. 56:3b – 5. In the new community physical and racial disabilities would not longer be a ground of exclusion. Cf. Dt. 23: 1, 3-8.
2. 56:10. 'Watchmen': i.e., the leaders of the community, also called 'shepherds' (verse 11). They loved ease, gain and drunken carnivals.
3. 57:3. A reference to their idolatrous practices; so also in verses 7, 8.
4. 57:11. 'You went on fearlessly, in faithlessness, giving no thought to me, in your indifference. Is it not so? I said no word, I hid my face from you and on you went, fearing me not.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 34 — Isaiah 55

Study 34 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 55

1. Is the appeal in this chapter any less applicable or less urgent in our day than it was to the Jews living in Babylon? Are you then proclaiming it to those around you? Try to state its argument in present-day language.
2. In verses 8-13 what do we learn about (a) man's inability to comprehend God; (b) God's word of promise; (c) the future for God's people? How ought we to act in response to such truths?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 33 — Isaiah 54

Study 33 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 54

1. In verses 4:10 consider all the reasons given why god's reconciled people should not fear. In what ways will God be like a 'husband' to His people (verse 4-7)? How does God reveal in His treatment of His people that He is faithful to His covenants (verses 9, 10)?
2. 'This the heritage', says the prophet, 'of the servant of the Lord' (verse 17). What is this inheritance? List the blessings here promised. What guarantees that we can enjoy them?
3. William Carey applied verses 2 and 3 to the missionary enterprise, and summoned the church to reach out to the evangelized nations. What does this chapter mean for you? In what direction does it summon you to 'lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes' your stakes'? Have you grasped how great your God is, how far-reaching His purposes of blessing?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 32 — Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

Study 32 From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

This is the fourth of the 'Servant' passages, which portray with much marvelous accuracy the mission, character, and redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ. (see introduction). Today's portion falls into three parts:(1) an introductory summary, announcing the Servant's exaltation after extreme suffering, and the effect of this upon surrounding nations and kings (52:13-15); (2) the story of His life and suffering unto death, told by His now penitent fellow-countrymen (53:1-9) and (3) the glorious issue, both for Himself and others, of His sufferings, and redemptive work (53:10-12).

1. How is God's Servant the Lord Jesus Christ depicted in 52:13-15? Notice the depth of His suffering, His exaltation, and the effect of this upon the nations. Cf. 49:7; Jn 19:1-5; Eph. 1:20, 21.
2. Work out in detail the many close parallels between 53:1-9 and the actual life of the Lord Jesus, as for example, (a) the form of His manifestation to the world; (b) the reception accorded Him; (c) His sufferings and the meaning of them; (d) His behavior when arrested; (e) the manner of His death and of His burial.
3. Who are the 'offspring' spoken of in 53:10, and what benefits are shown in this whole passage to have been procured for them by the Servant's substitutionary death? Cf. Heb. 2:10. Do you belong to this number?

Notes

1. 53:1. The nation had not heard (52:15); but Israel, hearing, had not believed.

2. 53:8. 'Considered': or possibly 'complained', in the sense of making an appeal against the sentence.  All were indifferent and even scornful. Cf. Mt. 27:39-44.

3. 53:11. 'By his knowledge' may mean 'by means of His knowledge or 'by the knowledge of Him' (on the part of others). Cf. Jn. 17:3.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 31 — Isaiah 51: 17 – 52:12

Study 31 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 51: 17 - 52:12

1. Consider the seeming hopelessness of Zion'scondition in 51:17-20, 23.  How and why does God promise to act on her behalf (51:22; 52:3-6)? What must she herself do (52:1, 2)?  What  message has this for a backsliding Christian? Cf. 1 Jn. 1:9.
2. Let your imagination picture the joy of Zion, describe described in 52:7-12. What application does the apostle Paul make of this passage in Rom. 10:14, 15 and 2 Cor. 6:17?

Notes:

1. 51:23. An allusion to the practice of making captives lie face downard on the ground, and using their backs as a road to walk on.
2. 52:8. 'Eye to eye': i.e.,  face to face.  This is how they will see the Lord when He returns to Zion.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 30 — Isaiah 50: 4 – 51:16

Study 30 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 50: 4 - 51:16

1. What qualities are revealed in this picture of God's servant? Meditate on the fulfilment of these in Christ. Cf. Jn. 12:49;  Mt. 26:67.  Consider from His example and experience what you may count upon God to do for you, and on what conditions. 

2.What comfort and encouragement for your own faith do you find in 51:1-6? What divine reassurances are given to those who are frightened by the hostility of men. (verses 7, 8, 12-16)?

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