Challenge Group: Isaiah
Isaiah 40-48
1. Intro – Discussion: What aspects of God do you think about often? Which aspects about God bring you comfort in times of distress?
2. Intellectual Controversies
a. Second “Deutero” Isaiah
i. Some liberal Christians believe that this section of Isaiah had to be written by someone else at a later date.
ii. “The fact that the prophet lived in the 8th century B.C. makes it very difficult for some scholars to accept that he could have identified Cyrus the Persian by name, since Cyrus did not arrive on the scene of history until nearly 200 years later.” – Hill and Walton
iii. “The whole case for the sovereignty of God in Isaiah 40-48 is built around the Lord’s ability to say beforehand what He is going to do and then challenge the idols to do the same. The naming of Cyrus comes at a crucial climax” – Hill and Walton
iv. N.T. proof: Mt. 3:3, 12:17ff, Lk. 3:4, Acts 8:28, Rm. 10:16 (Isa. 53), and Jn. 12:38-41 (Isa. 53 + 7)
b. Who is the Servant?
i. Confusing language and switches make this an area of controversy. We will look at this some as we go through the verses.
ii. Controversy over the meaning of 1 Pet. 1:10-12 lit. what type or what time.
iii. Either way, we know which passages the N.T. claims to be fulfilled by Christ.
iv. “This is an ideal Servant, One who embodies all that Israel failed to be.” D.A. Carson
3. Outline
a. Isa. 40-66 – God’s Comfort and Redemption
b. Isa. 40-55 – Servant Songs
c. Isa. 40-48 – Trust in the Great and Only God
d. 40 – Trust in God, who is Greater than Everything
e. 41 – God will be a Needed Help
f. 42 – Servant will Make the Blind See
g. 43 – Unfaithful Israel Redeemed by the Only God
h. 44 – Worthless Idols vs. Only Redeeming God
i. 45 – Only One Creating and Saving God
j. 46 – Unequaled God Brings Righteousness to the Unrighteous
k. 47 – Babylon Judged
l. 48 – God won’t give His Glory to Another
4. Isaiah 40
a. 40:1 – See 39:6 for context.
b. 40:6-8 – “Men are transient and unreliable but the Lord’s word endures.” -Motyer
c. 40:9 – Zion=bringer of good news. Then Jesus did this in the ultimate sense, then He passes this mission onto us, His Body.
d. 40:10 – His ARM rules. This is a word – picture for Christ. (c.f. Isa. 59:16) It says that Christ had a special part to play and the language is repeated in this last section of Isaiah.
e. 40:11 – The ARM is used to bring closeness between leader and lambs. Some translations say “arms”, but it is singular.
f. 40:12-17 – God is sovereign. People can’t outsmart or overpower Him. Think of the situation that these people were facing – sometimes in the midst of suffering, it is hard to understand what God is doing.
g. 40:18-26 – Think of the small and sometimes stupid things we trust in when the all-powerful God is there. He is the ally we always have, and He’s also the ally we really need.
h. 40:27-28 – God notices and understands
i. 40:29-31 – Waiting for the Lord…
“Power (osma) is related to the word for ‘bone’ and, therefore, has the sense of ‘durability’ and ‘stability’.” “[Those who wait] are promised renewed strength (vhalap) (lit.) ‘keep putting on fresh strength’, and different strength, a strength that is not natural, as if people could grow wings…he finds inner resources that do not fail before life’s demands.” -Motyer
5. Isaiah 41
a. 41:4 – Alpha and Omega. God has always been there, and will always be there
b. 41:8-14 – Israel, the man and the nation, are God’s servants – then he brings up the Redeemer
6. Isaiah 42
a. 42:1-4 – Servant is self-effacing, merciful, compassionate, and just.
b. 42:5-7 – Servant is a Covenant and a Light to the nations. He will open blind eyes and free prisoners. (c.f. Lk. 7:21-22, Isa. 61:1, Acts 26:23, Jn. 8:12)
c. 42:17-20 – Back to Israel as God’s servant, blind and deaf. Jesus said that he spoke in parables for this reason.
d. 42:21 – Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. God gave us the whole Bible – every part – for a reason. It pleased Him, for His righteousness’ sake. It is great!
7. Isaiah 43
a. 43:1-7 – God really loves Israel; He wants to do a lot for them, and He does do a lot for them.
b. 43:10-13 – There is only one Savior and Redeemer. God says that He acts, He saves, and He helps people to understand Him.
c. 43:16-20 – “Israel is used to reflecting on [the Exodus], but now God will do a new thing. So do not dissolve into the past…Be courageous, for God will do a new thing, to effect a new cycle of spectacular delivery.” D.A. Carson
“The past can teach, but it must not bind. The gaze must be ever forward to what God will yet do.” -Motyer
d. 43:21 – Quoted in 1 Pet. 2:9
e. 43:25 – God wipes out sin for His own sake. It’s what He wants to do, and what He chooses to do. “for my own sake means for reasons that find their explanation within my own nature.” -Motyer
8. Isaiah 44
a. 44:6-8 – There is only one God and prophet
b. 44:20 – Description of an idol-worshipper
c. 44:22 – The sin cloud cleared
d. 44:28 – Introducing Cyrus. Cyrus came to power in 559 B.C.E. and is well-known for letting the Israelites return home and begin rebuilding after the exile. (c.f. Ezra 1:2-4)
9. Isaiah 45
a. 45:1-6 – Cyrus is chosen
b. 45:7-10 – We, the created, should know our place.
c. 45:18-19 – “Just as natural fruitfulness requires the fertilizing action of heaven on a responsive earth, so spiritually, only God can give increase by ‘raining down’ righteousness, i.e. His absolutely right purposes, those things which match His righteous nature. The earth is an attractive figure of responsive welcome to what God sends.” -Motyer
d. 45:22-24 – All knees will bow… (c.f. Php. 2:10-11)
10.Isaiah 46
e. 46:4 – Even later in life, God will still be there with us. This is a lifelong relationship and companion. This verse shows that while God is transcendent, He is also immanent.
f. 46:5 – God is completely unique and unequaled.
g. 46:8-13 – God’s prophecy shows His sovereignty and that salvation is sure. V.11 “bird of prey” – probably refers to Cyrus
11.Isaiah 47
h. 47:6 – Babylon is going to behave wrongly and eventually be judged
12.Isaiah 48
i. 48:3-5 – Another reason for prophecy
j. 48:6 – Reminds me of the “mystery”
k. 48:11 – We need to see this as loving, and take up the same cause.
l. 48:12-16 – Trinity in v.16+12. Interesting that God’s arm comes up again…could mean something or not. I don’t know.
m. 48:17-18 – “Teaching” and “Leading” Mind + Actions/ Life
n. 48:20-22 – There is no peace for the wicked.
“The ways of the Lord are right,
And the righteous will walk in them,
But the rebellious will stumble in them.” – Hosea 14:9b
“The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied with his.” – Prov. 14:14
Showing posts with label cg2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cg2. Show all posts
Saturday, March 13, 2010
isaiah 40-48
N.T. use of Isaiah 40-48
40:2 – Rev. 18:6
40:3 – Mt. 3:3, Mk. 1:3, Lk. 3:4-6, Jn. 1:23
40:6 – 1 Pet. 1:24-25
40:8 – Mt. 5:18
40:10 – Rev. 22:12
40:11 – Jn. 10:11, 14-16
40:12 – Heb. 1:10-12
40:13 – Rm. 11:34, 1 Cor. 2:16
40:16 – Heb. 10:5-9
40:18 – Acts 17:29
40:21 – Acts 14:17, Rm.1:19
40:27 – Lk. 18:7-8
40:31 – Lk. 18:1, 2 Cor. 4:1, Gal.6:9, Heb.12:3
41:4 – Rev. 1:8, 17, 22:13
41:8 – James 2:23
41:10 – Rm. 8:31
41:23 – Jn. 13:19
41:24 – 1 Cor. 8:4
42:1 – Mt. 12:8-21, Php. 2:7, Lk.9:35, 1 Pet. 2:4,6, Mt. 3:17, 17:5, Mk
1:11, Lk.3:22, Mt. 3:16, Lk. 4:18,19,21
42:5 – Acts 17:25
42:6 – Lk. 2:32, Acts 13:47, 26:23
42:16 – Heb. 13:5
42:20 – Rm. 2:21
43:6 – 2 Cor. 6:18
43:7 – James 2:7, Eph. 2:10
43:21 – Lk. 1:74-75, 1 Pet. 2:9
44:6 – Rev. 1:8, 17, 22:13
44:10 – Acts 19:26
44:20 – Rm. 1:21-22, 2 Thess. 2:11, 2 Tim. 3:13, Rm.1:25
44:22 – Acts 3:19, 1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Pet. 1:18-19
44:26 – Mt. 5:18
45:4 – Acts 17:23
45:9 – Rm. 9:20-21
45:14 – 1 Cor. 14:25
45:17 – Rm. 11:26
45:23 – Heb. 6:13, Rm. 14:11, Php. 2:10
46:10 – Acts 5:39
46:13 – Rm. 3:21, 1 Pet. 2:6
47:2 – Mt. 24:41, 1 Cor. 11:5
47:8 – Rev. 18:7
47:9 – Rev. 18:8, 10, 23
47:11 – 1 Thess. 5:3
47:15 – Rev. 18:11
48:2 – Rm. 2:17
48:4 – Acts 7:51
48:12 – Rev. 1:17, 22:13
48:13 – Heb. 1:10-12
48:20 – Rev. 18:4
40:2 – Rev. 18:6
40:3 – Mt. 3:3, Mk. 1:3, Lk. 3:4-6, Jn. 1:23
40:6 – 1 Pet. 1:24-25
40:8 – Mt. 5:18
40:10 – Rev. 22:12
40:11 – Jn. 10:11, 14-16
40:12 – Heb. 1:10-12
40:13 – Rm. 11:34, 1 Cor. 2:16
40:16 – Heb. 10:5-9
40:18 – Acts 17:29
40:21 – Acts 14:17, Rm.1:19
40:27 – Lk. 18:7-8
40:31 – Lk. 18:1, 2 Cor. 4:1, Gal.6:9, Heb.12:3
41:4 – Rev. 1:8, 17, 22:13
41:8 – James 2:23
41:10 – Rm. 8:31
41:23 – Jn. 13:19
41:24 – 1 Cor. 8:4
42:1 – Mt. 12:8-21, Php. 2:7, Lk.9:35, 1 Pet. 2:4,6, Mt. 3:17, 17:5, Mk
1:11, Lk.3:22, Mt. 3:16, Lk. 4:18,19,21
42:5 – Acts 17:25
42:6 – Lk. 2:32, Acts 13:47, 26:23
42:16 – Heb. 13:5
42:20 – Rm. 2:21
43:6 – 2 Cor. 6:18
43:7 – James 2:7, Eph. 2:10
43:21 – Lk. 1:74-75, 1 Pet. 2:9
44:6 – Rev. 1:8, 17, 22:13
44:10 – Acts 19:26
44:20 – Rm. 1:21-22, 2 Thess. 2:11, 2 Tim. 3:13, Rm.1:25
44:22 – Acts 3:19, 1 Cor. 6:20, 1 Pet. 1:18-19
44:26 – Mt. 5:18
45:4 – Acts 17:23
45:9 – Rm. 9:20-21
45:14 – 1 Cor. 14:25
45:17 – Rm. 11:26
45:23 – Heb. 6:13, Rm. 14:11, Php. 2:10
46:10 – Acts 5:39
46:13 – Rm. 3:21, 1 Pet. 2:6
47:2 – Mt. 24:41, 1 Cor. 11:5
47:8 – Rev. 18:7
47:9 – Rev. 18:8, 10, 23
47:11 – 1 Thess. 5:3
47:15 – Rev. 18:11
48:2 – Rm. 2:17
48:4 – Acts 7:51
48:12 – Rev. 1:17, 22:13
48:13 – Heb. 1:10-12
48:20 – Rev. 18:4
Thursday, January 21, 2010
cg - isaiah 13-26 from ms. laura stoddard
Intro = The Complaint Agianst the Nations
In this we see what is important to God - what does God make a big deal of? The nations sought security from others or through self-sufficiency; Either way they were forgetting God. Before we read these downer passages; let's start with having an attitude of faith in God's goodness and character rather than putting God on trial.
First Section = Chapters 13-20
-13-14:23 - A prophecy against Babylon (They were arrogant, oppressive, ruthless)
-14:22-27 - A prophecy against Assyria (Israel trusted them when they shouldn't have)
-14:28-32 - A prophecy againt the Philistines (They oppressed the poor and needy)
-15 and 16 - A prophecy aginst Moab (They were rich, agressors, conceited, worshippers of Molech) [READ 15:5, 16:9]
-17 - An oracle against Damascus (idolatry) [READ 17:10]
-18 - A prophecy against Cush (agressive)
-19 - A prophecy about Egypt (idolatry and divination, spirit-worship) [READ 19:3, 22]
-20 - A prophecy against Egypt and Cush (become shamed, captives to Assyria) [READ 20:5
Second Section - Chapters 21-23
21:1-10 A prophecy about Babylon (idolatry)
21:11-12 A prophecy against Edom
21:13-16 A prophecy against Arabia (pomp/arrogance)
22 A prophecy about Jerusalem [READ 22:14,18]
23 A prophecy about Tyre (wealthy merchants in this town will be forgotten for 70 years, there will no longer be a good harbor) [READ 23:17-18]
Third Section - Chapters 24-26
24 God's Devastation of the Earth
[READ 24:1-6, 20-23]
25 Praise the Lord
[READ 25:1-4, 8]
26 A Song of Praise
[READ 26:3-4]
Common Complaints
Idolatry, Injustice, Oppression, Forgetting God
"The whole series comes to a dramatic climax in the contrast of 2 cities: the world's city- the human attempt to organize a world without God- which falls
(24:10), and the strong city of salvation (26:1) which stands." -Motyer, Commentary on Isaiah
Things to REmember
-God takes no pleasure in punishing. God is looking for faithful people; the vision has to do with a positive search, not a desire to find evil. [1 Chron. 16:8-14]
-God is ready to forgive and restore. REpentence is possible, necessary, and effective [Isa. 26:9-10]
-God will always have someone to follow Him: the remnant will live [Isa. 14]
-God made it clear to people what right and wrond were and that He is a jealous God [Deut 4:24, 39-40, DEut 18:9-13]
Application
1. We are so blessed by the new covenant and how easy it is to approach God under grace [2 Pet 3:8-9, Heb. 4:16]
2. We are so lucky to have the HS to help us walk with God, and to convict us.
3. There will be this sort of judgment and destruction again (tribulation); Judah/Israel was called to be a blessing to the surrounding nations so that they would know God. Similarly, we also need to be a good witness.
4. We should be eager to listen to instruction and discipline. Our pride or hurt feelings are a small price to pay. God dealt strongly with people who had similar sin as us. This is a wake up call, not a threat. [Isa. 26:16-18]
In this we see what is important to God - what does God make a big deal of? The nations sought security from others or through self-sufficiency; Either way they were forgetting God. Before we read these downer passages; let's start with having an attitude of faith in God's goodness and character rather than putting God on trial.
First Section = Chapters 13-20
-13-14:23 - A prophecy against Babylon (They were arrogant, oppressive, ruthless)
-14:22-27 - A prophecy against Assyria (Israel trusted them when they shouldn't have)
-14:28-32 - A prophecy againt the Philistines (They oppressed the poor and needy)
-15 and 16 - A prophecy aginst Moab (They were rich, agressors, conceited, worshippers of Molech) [READ 15:5, 16:9]
-17 - An oracle against Damascus (idolatry) [READ 17:10]
-18 - A prophecy against Cush (agressive)
-19 - A prophecy about Egypt (idolatry and divination, spirit-worship) [READ 19:3, 22]
-20 - A prophecy against Egypt and Cush (become shamed, captives to Assyria) [READ 20:5
Second Section - Chapters 21-23
21:1-10 A prophecy about Babylon (idolatry)
21:11-12 A prophecy against Edom
21:13-16 A prophecy against Arabia (pomp/arrogance)
22 A prophecy about Jerusalem [READ 22:14,18]
23 A prophecy about Tyre (wealthy merchants in this town will be forgotten for 70 years, there will no longer be a good harbor) [READ 23:17-18]
Third Section - Chapters 24-26
24 God's Devastation of the Earth
[READ 24:1-6, 20-23]
25 Praise the Lord
[READ 25:1-4, 8]
26 A Song of Praise
[READ 26:3-4]
Common Complaints
Idolatry, Injustice, Oppression, Forgetting God
"The whole series comes to a dramatic climax in the contrast of 2 cities: the world's city- the human attempt to organize a world without God- which falls
(24:10), and the strong city of salvation (26:1) which stands." -Motyer, Commentary on Isaiah
Things to REmember
-God takes no pleasure in punishing. God is looking for faithful people; the vision has to do with a positive search, not a desire to find evil. [1 Chron. 16:8-14]
-God is ready to forgive and restore. REpentence is possible, necessary, and effective [Isa. 26:9-10]
-God will always have someone to follow Him: the remnant will live [Isa. 14]
-God made it clear to people what right and wrond were and that He is a jealous God [Deut 4:24, 39-40, DEut 18:9-13]
Application
1. We are so blessed by the new covenant and how easy it is to approach God under grace [2 Pet 3:8-9, Heb. 4:16]
2. We are so lucky to have the HS to help us walk with God, and to convict us.
3. There will be this sort of judgment and destruction again (tribulation); Judah/Israel was called to be a blessing to the surrounding nations so that they would know God. Similarly, we also need to be a good witness.
4. We should be eager to listen to instruction and discipline. Our pride or hurt feelings are a small price to pay. God dealt strongly with people who had similar sin as us. This is a wake up call, not a threat. [Isa. 26:16-18]
Friday, December 18, 2009
Challenge Group - Isaiah 7-12
Chapters 7-12 of Isaiah are set in a time of war, when the people and even the king were terrified. King Ahaz failed to trust God, and is spoken of poorly in the Bible. In this section, Isaiah tells the people that they do not need to fear this current threat, but he brings up a time when things will be much worse for them because of their lack of repentance. He also sprinkles in the message of hope in the future that God will bring about, mentioning the birth of Immanuel and the peace that the remnant will enjoy someday.
1. Historical Backdrop
a. This section is set during the Syro-Ephraimite War (735-732b.c.e.)
b. Rather than trusting God, Ahaz looked to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser the 3rd for help. 2 Kings 16:2-9
c. Tiglath-Pileser the 3rd conquered Damascus and dispersed the Aramaens in 732 b.c.e.
d. 10 years later, the northern tribes rebelled again, and were also dispersed into Assyria (722 b.c.e.) Samaria was destroyed in 721 b.c.e.
e. In 701b.c.e., when Hezekiah was king, Sennacherib of Assyria laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah initially trusted in Egypt, but eventually repented and trusted God for their deliverance. When this happened, the Assyrian army was destroyed.
f. Isaiah lived past the date of Sennacherib’s death in 681 b.c.e.. Then, it is believed that he was put in a hollow log and sawed in half for his belief.
2. Summary of the Section
a. In chapters 7 and 8, God comforts the faltering and terrified people by telling them that Ephraim and the Aramaens are not going to succeed. He also makes reference to “Immanuel”, a child born of a virgin.
b. In the first part of chapter 9, God assures the people that the other strong nations of the day are not going to last – but Israel will be restored to glory at the end of the age. Here he brings up “Immanuel” again, saying that a child will be born who is called “Mighty God”.
c. 9:12-10:15 warns the people of Judea about a siege that will come about because the people are unrepentant in their failure to trust God. In 9:20 he predicts that the siege will be so bad that people will eat the flesh off their own arms and hands and still feel hungry.
d. 10:20-11 discuss the faithful remnant who do the exact opposite of what the unrepentant people in 9 do. He encourages them that the mighty nations of this day will be cut down, and a branch of Jesse (Christ) will spring up and make things better in the future. This section descibes the Millenial Kingdom in cool detail (i.e. a child playing by a viper's den, lions eating hay, etc..)
e. Chapter 12 focuses on how God is our salvation. We should trust Him and not be afraid.
3. A Closer Look at the themes
“Immanuel” will be born
7:14-16
9:6-7
11:1-10
Other strong nations will not last, but Israel will
7:1-16
8:1-5
9:1-11
10:24-27
10:33-11:1
Most are Unrepentant, but a Remnant will Trust God and His Wisdom
9:15-10:20
Do Not Be Afraid
7:2+9
8:12
9:12-13
10:24-27
12:2
More about Fear-- Prov. 3:25-26, Ps. 112:7-8a
-- Fear comes from an inappropriate view of God.(Rm. 8:15, Heb. 13:5-6, 1 Jn. 3:21-22.) Fear and faith are often brought up together as opposing attitudes.
-- We are used to relying on ourselves or other people. We need to be re-trained.
-- It is only as we abandon ourselves to the care of God that we will no longer be self-reliant and autonomous. It is only as we rid ourselves of alternate safety nets (plan bs) that we will no longer be double-minded. We need to learn from the mistakes of Ahaz and the people who "feared what everyone fears rather than fearing God" and who depended on self and others instead of God.
-- If we want a dynamic life, we need to stop worrying about our safety.
1. Historical Backdrop
a. This section is set during the Syro-Ephraimite War (735-732b.c.e.)
b. Rather than trusting God, Ahaz looked to the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser the 3rd for help. 2 Kings 16:2-9
c. Tiglath-Pileser the 3rd conquered Damascus and dispersed the Aramaens in 732 b.c.e.
d. 10 years later, the northern tribes rebelled again, and were also dispersed into Assyria (722 b.c.e.) Samaria was destroyed in 721 b.c.e.
e. In 701b.c.e., when Hezekiah was king, Sennacherib of Assyria laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah initially trusted in Egypt, but eventually repented and trusted God for their deliverance. When this happened, the Assyrian army was destroyed.
f. Isaiah lived past the date of Sennacherib’s death in 681 b.c.e.. Then, it is believed that he was put in a hollow log and sawed in half for his belief.
2. Summary of the Section
a. In chapters 7 and 8, God comforts the faltering and terrified people by telling them that Ephraim and the Aramaens are not going to succeed. He also makes reference to “Immanuel”, a child born of a virgin.
b. In the first part of chapter 9, God assures the people that the other strong nations of the day are not going to last – but Israel will be restored to glory at the end of the age. Here he brings up “Immanuel” again, saying that a child will be born who is called “Mighty God”.
c. 9:12-10:15 warns the people of Judea about a siege that will come about because the people are unrepentant in their failure to trust God. In 9:20 he predicts that the siege will be so bad that people will eat the flesh off their own arms and hands and still feel hungry.
d. 10:20-11 discuss the faithful remnant who do the exact opposite of what the unrepentant people in 9 do. He encourages them that the mighty nations of this day will be cut down, and a branch of Jesse (Christ) will spring up and make things better in the future. This section descibes the Millenial Kingdom in cool detail (i.e. a child playing by a viper's den, lions eating hay, etc..)
e. Chapter 12 focuses on how God is our salvation. We should trust Him and not be afraid.
3. A Closer Look at the themes
“Immanuel” will be born
7:14-16
9:6-7
11:1-10
Other strong nations will not last, but Israel will
7:1-16
8:1-5
9:1-11
10:24-27
10:33-11:1
Most are Unrepentant, but a Remnant will Trust God and His Wisdom
9:15-10:20
Do Not Be Afraid
7:2+9
8:12
9:12-13
10:24-27
12:2
More about Fear-- Prov. 3:25-26, Ps. 112:7-8a
-- Fear comes from an inappropriate view of God.(Rm. 8:15, Heb. 13:5-6, 1 Jn. 3:21-22.) Fear and faith are often brought up together as opposing attitudes.
-- We are used to relying on ourselves or other people. We need to be re-trained.
-- It is only as we abandon ourselves to the care of God that we will no longer be self-reliant and autonomous. It is only as we rid ourselves of alternate safety nets (plan bs) that we will no longer be double-minded. We need to learn from the mistakes of Ahaz and the people who "feared what everyone fears rather than fearing God" and who depended on self and others instead of God.
-- If we want a dynamic life, we need to stop worrying about our safety.
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