|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Online Study Through Isaiah
with online teacher, James Marconi
|
|
|
|
Isaiah - The Background:
Prophecies have been made throughout the Old Testament.
Moses spoke prophecies in the Pentateuch. Prophets were more than fore tellers; they were men raised up by God in a decadent day when neither a priest nor a king was worthy channel for God's message.
Prophecy books contain many forms of writing: poetry, prose, history, and law. The primary message is prophecy though. Man has divided prophets into two categories. Major prophets and minor
prophets based solely on the size of the prophets book . This is a designation by man; not by God. The size of the book or ministry, does not dictate the prophets size in God's economy.
Prophets
spoke of events in the distant future and also spoke of events in the immediate future to show that they qualify as a prophet based on God's law (Deut 18:20-22).
If local events didn't occur as predicted,
then the man was labeled as a false prophet."One of the greatest evidences that these men were speaking the Words of God is that hundreds of their prophecies have been fulfilled, literally fulfilled!" J.
Vernon McGee
There are over 300 fulfilled prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ. Christ coming was clear and pointed. Israel had no excuses to not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
The book of Isaiah is organized strikingly similar to the Bible:
BIBLE ISAIAH
66 books 66 chapters
39 books in Old Testament 39 chapters of law and government of God
27 books in New Testament 27 chapters of God's grace and salvation of God
There are 66 direct quotes in the New Testament from Isaiah.
20 of the 27 New Testament books quote Isaiah
Isaiah divisions:
Chapters 1 - 39 God's Character and Judgment
Chapters 1 - 35 Poetic style Judgment and God's righteousness
Chapters 1 - 12 Discourses Regarding Judah and Jerusalem
Chapters 13 - 23 Oracles Against various nations
Chapters 24 - 27 Discourses regarding "that day"
Chapters 28 - 33 Six Woes
Chapters 34 - 35 God's Recompense and ransom for Zion
Chapters 36 - 39 Historic interlude
Chapters 36 - 39 Historical Account from threat of Assyria to threat of Babylon
Chapters 40 - 66 God's Comfort and Redemption
Chapters 40 - 66 Poetic form Grace of God, suffering and glory to follow.
Chapters 40 - 48 Behold the Lord Your Redeemer
Chapters 49 - 57 Your Redeemer will save
Chapters 58 - 66 Your Redeemer will Come
|
|
|
Chapter 1 - 1st Lesson
ISAIAH STUDY GUIDE 1
Read Chapter 1: Spiritual, Moral, and Historical Setting of Isaiah
Background on the four kings
can be read: 2 Chr 26:1-23; 2 Chr 27:1-9; 2 Chr 28:1-27; 2 Chr 29:1-36; 2 Chr:1-27; 2 Chr 30: 1-27; 2Chr 31: 1-21; 2 Chr 32:1-33.
This information will help you to understand the times and current affairs
during the ministry of Isaiah.
Isaiah Chapters 1 - 12 Discourses Concerning Judah and Jerusalem
Words to mark: Remnant, Israel, Judah, Samaria, Assyria, woe, Holy One of Israel, Lord of Hosts, in
the last days and in that day (determine what day is spoken of).
Things to look for:
* To whom is God speaking?
* What God says about their behavior?
* Consequences of their behavior?
* Exhortation or plea - followed by a promise of how God will bless,
cleanse, move on their behalf?
Read Chapter 6: Record of Isaiah's Call and Commission from God
Chapter 1 God's Indictment of His People
In this chapter Isaiah establishes the time frame in which he is giving this
message. It is important to understand the background of the four kings mentioned and the spiritual condition of the nation Israel.
God calls the earth and heavens to act as witnesses of the charges
He is bringing against His Chosen people.
The first charge is rebellion
The second charge is false, insincere, unacceptable worship.
The third charge is wrongdoing, corruption, and injustice.
God disciplines in love - wanting His people to repent and return to righteousness and offers unmerited cleansing. In verse 5 Isaiah as two questions. Will you be stricken again by God's
judgment? Why will you force God to discipline you? This judgment had not occurred at this time.
God's people had an opportunity to repent. Much like we do today prior to God sending
judgment on us.
Referring to rebellion, God illustrates His point showing them that even dumb oxen and stubborn donkeys know their masters mangers yet His people don't know Him.
Isaiah gives illustration as to what the nation will look like after God's judgment falls.
Like a wretched victim that has been attacked and beaten;
Like cities burned, families
plundered and destroyed, Jerusalem besieged destroyed, and abandoned.
Suffer fate like Sodom and Gomorrah - utterly decimated.
God tells us unless He spared a remnant in verse 9.
Unless the Lord of hosts
Had left us a few survivors,
We would be like Sodom,
We would be like Gomorrah
This is one of the greatest promises of the Bible. We may think that the Christian
population is large because of where we live, however on the whole compared to all the peoples of the world we are but a remnant today.
God's second charge is insincere false worship. Note that the
people were attending worship services, the attended regularly, they sacrificed regularly, they sent incense (prayers) heavenward. Yet in their hearts, they were hypocrites in worship only going through
the motions and not letting God change their hearts and lives.
One critical lesson for us here is that obedience must come before worship can occur.
1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said,
"Has
the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Psalms 51:16-17
16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
As you study many of Isaiah's messages follow a similar
outline. The accusation, the threat of judgment, exhortation to repentance, and the promise of blessing.
|
|
