Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Introduction: Last Week, Your Small Group Studied One

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Introduction: Last Week, Your Small Group Studied One Isaiah 52:13-53:12 Introduction: Last week, your small group studied one of two “high points” in the book of Isaiah. This week, we’ll be looking at another part of the love letter that God sent to his people through the prophet Isaiah: Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 is one of four “Servant Songs” in Isaiah that point forward to the character and deeds of the coming Messiah. (You can find the others in Isaiah 42:1-9; 49:1-7; 50:4- 11.) In this beautiful song, God tells his people about a Suffering Servant. This Servant would come not with celebration and honor, but in humility. He would not be received with open arms, but instead he would be despised and rejected by the people he came to save. The name of that Suffering Servant, God would later reveal, was Jesus. This Week’s Main Focus: Jesus is the Suffering Servant — the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This passage teaches us a glorious truth about God’s plan of salvation in the Gospel. Here, God promises a great exchange — one in which his Suffering Servant would live a perfect life and do no wrong, yet upon him would be laid the sins of the world. And by his wounds, those very sinners would be healed, adopted as sons and daughters of God, and made heirs to a kingdom by a grace they did not deserve. This free gift of grace would be available for all who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus. Despite being part of an Old Testament book, Isaiah 53 is often mistaken as a New Testament passage because it contains such a clear depiction of Jesus. But the truth is that this prophecy was written more than 700 years before Jesus was born! As you study this week’s lesson, pay careful attention to the details about the coming Messiah and think about ways that Jesus fulfilled the predictions that we find in this passage. Bible Study Questions: Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 1) List as many characteristics of the Suffering Servant as you can from this passage. What parts of Jesus’ life do these prophecies make you think of? 2) According to this passage (53:1-9), how would the world view the Suffering Servant when he came? How does it say God’s view would differ? 3) Verse 10 says “it was the will of the LORD to crush him.” Why would God treat his servant in this way? 4) What did the Suffering Servant do to deserve his punishment? What did we do to deserve his grace? 5) According to verses 5, 11, and 12, what specific things do believers in Jesus receive because he died for sinners? Group Application Questions: 6) Verse 8 asks, “Who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?” Tell your story of when you first trusted that Jesus had died for your sin so that you could be reconciled to God. 7) The bible says, “For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). How does this picture of Jesus as the Suffering Servant help strengthen you in your walk with him? Prayer: Read Psalm 119:81-88 • Talk to God about how you want to long more for his salvation and to hope more in his word. (v. 81) • Ask God for patience and trust in the daily circumstances of your life that cause suffering. (v. 84) • Thank God for his steadfast love. (v. 88) .
Recommended publications
  • 30 Days Together “Immanuel – God with Us” #30Daystogether Devotion: Karen Mccarty
    30 Days Together “Immanuel – God With Us” #30daystogether Day #14 – Dec. 9 Text: Isaiah 52:5-11 “And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,” declares the LORD. “And all day long My name is constantly blasphemed. Therefore My people will know My name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I.” How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the LORD returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD will lay bare His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the articles of the LORD’s house. Devotion: Karen McCarty Who thinks feet are beautiful? Especially the tired and dirty feet of the people in biblical times, who traveled dusty roads and deserts in sandals or no shoes. Who looks at someone's feet anyway? Well, in today's verse, maybe a stranger's feet is the FIRST thing a downcast person sees.
    [Show full text]
  • Through the Bible Study Isaiah 52:13-54:17
    THROUGH THE BIBLE STUDY ISAIAH 52:13-54:17 It was Martin Luther who rightly wrote, “If you want to understand the Christian message you must start with the wounds of Christ.” The cross of Jesus is the crux of Christianity. In fact, the term crux is from crucifixion. And outside of the four Christian Gospels there is no clearer account of Messiah’s crucifixion than Isaiah 53. Realize the Hebrew prophet Isaiah was writing 700 years in advance of Calvary - 200 years before crucifixion was invented by the Persians - and 500 years before it was employed by Rome. Yet Isaiah paints an amazingly vivid and detailed prophetic account of all that Jesus endured to take away our sin. !1 To read this chapter with a dry eye is an indication of a cold heart. Isaiah 53 is some emotional footage. In fact, this passage from the Jewish Scriptures is so obviously and authoritatively Christian in its message, later Jews conspired to eliminate it from their Bibles. Ashkenazi, or European Jews, omitted Chapter 53 from their editions of Isaiah. Sephardic, or Oriental Jews, retained it, but tried to explain it away by relating it to the nation Israel rather than a personal Messiah. Yet God refuses to let His people ignore Isaiah’s testimony. Today, in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem - at the heart of the city and the modern state - across the street from the Israeli Knesset - there is a unique building known as The Shrine of the Book. !2 It stands as part of the Israeli Museum.
    [Show full text]
  • The Significance of the Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls
    Journal of Theology of Journal Southwestern dead sea scrolls sea dead SWJT dead sea scrolls Vol. 53 No. 1 • Fall 2010 Southwestern Journal of Theology • Volume 53 • Number 1 • Fall 2010 The Significance of the Biblical Dead Sea Scrolls Peter W. Flint Trinity Western University Langley, British Columbia [email protected] Brief Comments on the Dead Sea Scrolls and Their Importance On 11 April 1948, the Dead Sea Scrolls were announced to the world by Millar Burrows, one of America’s leading biblical scholars. Soon after- wards, famed archaeologist William Albright made the extraordinary claim that the scrolls found in the Judean Desert were “the greatest archaeological find of the Twentieth Century.” A brief introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls and what follows will provide clear indications why Albright’s claim is in- deed valid. Details on the discovery of the scrolls are readily accessible and known to most scholars,1 so only the barest comments are necessary. The discovery begins with scrolls found by Bedouin shepherds in one cave in late 1946 or early 1947 in the region of Khirbet Qumran, about one mile inland from the western shore of the Dead Sea and some eight miles south of Jericho. By 1956, a total of eleven caves had been discovered at Qumran. The caves yielded various artifacts, especially pottery. The most impor- tant find was scrolls (i.e. rolled manuscripts) written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the three languages of the Bible. Almost 900 were found in the Qumran caves in about 25,000–50,000 pieces,2 with many no bigger than a postage stamp.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah Commentaries & Sermons
    Isaiah Commentaries & Sermons SONG OF SOLOMON JEREMIAH NEWEST ADDITIONS: Verse by verse Commentary on Isaiah 53 (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) - Bruce Hurt Verse by verse Commentary on Isaiah 35 - Bruce Hurt ISAIAH RESOURCES Commentaries, Sermons, Illustrations, Devotionals Click chart to enlarge Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Another Isaiah Chart see on right side Caveat: Some of the commentaries below have "jettisoned" a literal approach to the interpretation of Scripture and have "replaced" Israel with the Church, effectively taking God's promises given to the literal nation of Israel and "transferring" them to the Church. Be a Berean Acts 17:11-note! ISAIAH ("Jehovah is Salvation") See Excellent Timeline for Isaiah - page 39 JEHOVAH'S JEHOVAH'S Judgment & Character Comfort & Redemption (Isaiah 1-39) (Isaiah 40-66) Uzziah Hezekiah's True Suffering Reigning Jotham Salvation & God Messiah Lord Ahaz Blessing 1-12 13-27 28-35 36-39 40-48 49-57 58-66 Prophecies Prophecies Warnings Historical Redemption Redemption Redemption Regarding Against & Promises Section Promised: Provided: Realized: Judah & the Nations Israel's Israel's Israel's Jerusalem Deliverance Deliverer Glorious Is 1:1-12:6 Future Prophetic Historic Messianic Holiness, Righteousness & Justice of Jehovah Grace, Compassion & Glory of Jehovah God's Government God's Grace "A throne" Is 6:1 "A Lamb" Is 53:7 Time 740-680BC OTHER BOOK CHARTS ON ISAIAH Interesting Facts About Isaiah Isaiah Chart The Book of Isaiah Isaiah Overview Chart by Charles Swindoll Visual Overview Introduction to Isaiah by Dr John MacArthur: Title, Author, Date, Background, Setting, Historical, Theological Themes, Interpretive Challenges, Outline by Chapter/Verse.
    [Show full text]
  • Lenten Journey, We Want to Spend Time Reflecting on the Scripture and in Prayer
    LENT, A JOURNEY TO DICIPLESHIP A PERIOD FOR PURIFICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT A PERSONAL WALK ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS Jesus himself drew near and walked with them on the road to Emmaus. The unknown stranger spoke and their hearts burned. Walk with us too! Let our hearts burn within us! Their eyes were opened when he blessed and broke bread. Let us know you in the breaking of the bread, and in every person we meet. They begged him to stay with them in the village they called home. Please stay with us. Do not leave us at the end of this day, or at the end of all of our days. #1214167v1 1858-26 1 INTRODUCTION1: Each year, Lent offers us a providential opportunity to deepen the meaning and value of our Christian lives, and it stimulates us to rediscover the mercy of God so that we, in turn, become more merciful toward our brothers and sisters. In the Lenten period, the Church makes it her duty to propose some specific tasks that accompany the faithful concretely in this process of interior renewal: these are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. In this year’s Lenten journey, we want to spend time reflecting on the Scripture and in prayer. We are not unlike the disciples who were accompanied by the Lord on the road to Emmaus. They reflected on the Scripture as Jesus explained it to them. And they engaged in the most formidable type of prayer known to us, a dialogue with the Risen Lord. The materials that follow are presented to you as “signposts” on your personal walk with Jesus this Lent.
    [Show full text]
  • Old Testament Prophetic Concepts 1. Single Fulfillment This Is When A
    Old Testament Prophetic Concepts 1. Single Fulfillment This is when a prophecy is spoken and it is to be fulfilled one time and one time only. An example would be that of Isaiah 14:24-25. This is a specific prophecy about the destruction of Assyria. From studying history, we know that the nation of Assyria was destroyed in 612 BC, their lead role in the world assumed by the Babylonians. Due to this destruction, we recognize this prophecy has a single fulfillment. 2. Double Fulfillment When we speak of double fulfillment of prophecy, we mean that the specific prophecy spoken will be fulfilled twice. Most times, it is first fulfilled in the not to distant future, probably sometime around the time it was spoken. Yet, there is also a greater fulfillment that is to come in the distant future. We could also look at an example in the writings of Isaiah 7:14. This prophecy was initially fulfilled through the birth Maher-shalal-hash-baz who was a son of Isaiah born to him by his second wife (Isaiah 8:1-10). This prophecy was fulfilled in a greater way through the birth of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25). He was the great sign of Emmanuel, God with us in the flesh! 3. Cumulative Fulfillment This means the prophecy will be fulfilled progressively, or increasingly throughout time. We can again look at an example in Isaiah 9:6-7.This is a prophecy concerning the coming increase of God’s kingdom. Though we could state that this prophecy was initiated through the birth of Christ (vs.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring What God Celebrates
    Iamfor You Exploring what God celebrates 2016 bible study guide This journal belongs to: ______________________________ Mission trip dates:____________________________________ Mission trip location: _______________________________ table of contents Introduction 1 DAY 1 I Am for Finding the Lost 2 DAY 2 I Am for Joy 5 DAY 3 I Am for Hope 8 DAY 4 I Am for Jesus 11 DAY 5 I Am for worship 14 DAY 6 I Am for US 17 DAY 7 I Am for Justice 20 DAY 8 I Am for good news 23 DAY 9 I Am for good stuff 26 DAY 10 I Am for sacrifice 29 When you get home 36 child sponsorship Opportunities 38 Back2Back overview 40 We encourage you to take the time to finish this book after you return home. Stories and lessons the staff have learned on African soil, Mexican mountains, Haitian shorelines, and Indian streets will fill this book and your heart for what’s to come. Jntroduction “What’s your name?,” Moses asked. No one had thought to ask that question before. It was always assumed. “Tell me who you are. What is your name?" It is the conversation God is inviting us to have with him this week. For all of time God had been called YAHWEH. It was a name that reflected the sovereignty, power, and rule of God. In Exodus 3, Moses asks God for his name, his personal one that he calls himself. No one (that we know of) had ever asked God for his personal name before. Moses asks God, “When they ask, what should I call you?” “I am that I am,” God responds.
    [Show full text]
  • Isaiah 49-52 Overview Coming Servant
    Isaiah 49-52 Overview Coming Servant The prophet Isaiah will drift in and out of various visions concerning: 1. The deliverance of the Jews from the future Babylonian captivity. 2. The Salvation of Jewish believers by the future coming Messiah. 3. The Salvation of the Gentile nations by the future coming Messiah. God had always wanted His people to be a Kingdom of Priests to the whole world cf: Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. But the Jews refused to be evangelistic by being God’s servants cf: Isaiah 42:19 Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD'S servant? Isaiah 43:10-11 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
    [Show full text]
  • The Suffering Servant Isaiah 52:13-53:13 in the New Testament Wayne O
    The Suffering Servant Isaiah 52:13-53:13 in the New Testament Wayne O. Cochran [email protected] The Great Isaiah Scroll The Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaa) is one of the original seven Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in Qumran in 1947. It is the largest (734 cm) and best preserved of all the biblical scrolls, and the only one that is almost complete. The 54 columns contain all 66 chapters of the Hebrew version of the biblical Book of Isaiah. Dating from ca. 125 BCE, it is also one of the oldest of the Dead Sea Scrolls, some one thousand years older than the oldest manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible known to us before the scrolls' discovery. … Around twenty additional copies of the Book of Isaiah were also found at Qumran (one more copy was discovered further south at Wadi Muraba'at), as well as six pesharim (commentaries) based on the book; Isaiah is also frequently quoted in other scrolls (a literary and religious phenomenon also present in New Testament writings). The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah#52:13 The Servant Songs 1. Isaiah 42:1-9 • Servant Israel (41:8-14; 44:1; 44:2,21, 45:4) • Righteous servant? Israel is unfaithful, rebel (Isaiah 1). • In need of a redeemer (41:14). Who is the redeemer? • Blind and deaf (42:18-25; 48:20); does not know God (45:4,5) 2. Isaiah 49:1-7 • Servant Israel (49:3) is to be brought back (49:5) by YHWY’s servant.
    [Show full text]
  • Second Isaiah Isaiah 49:1–52:12: God's Servant and God's Bride To
    Second Isaiah Isaiah 49:1–52:12: God’s Servant and God’s Bride To this point, the great corpus of Second Isaiah in chapters 40–55 has been focused on King Cyrus of Persia as the instrument of God’s new creative work on earth. Toward the end of chapter 48, however, the Servant of the Lord, whom we met in Isaiah 42:1-4, spoke up. He interjected his own voice as a way of marking a shift in orientation within our poetic corpus. “Now the Lord GOD has sent me and his spirit” the Servant proclaimed (Isa 48:16). As we move forward with the poetry of Second Isaiah, we learn much more about the role of the Servant and the ordeal he must endure as God’s instrument of salvation. We also read of Jerusalem personified as Daughter Zion, the bride of God, and her coming glorification in God’s new world. The Witness of the Servant of the Lord: Isaiah 49:1-13 Immediately at the start of this division of Isaiah, the Servant presents his programmatic testimony (vv. 1-6). He bears witness to key themes of his life’s work, including his special divine election and his commission to display God’s splendor. God is glorified as the Servant works to realize all God’s expectations (v. 3). These include not only restoring the tribes of Jacob to God but also becoming an instrument of salvation for earth’s many nations (v. 6). Due to him, God’s salvation becomes global. Both Israel and the Gentiles are about to have their worlds inverted and be left greatly in the Servant’s debt.
    [Show full text]
  • A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)
    A Reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) 13 ​ See, my servant will act wisely; ​ he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 ​ Just as there were many who were appalled at him— ​ his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— 15 ​ so will he sprinkle many nations, ​ and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. 1 ​ Who has believed our message ​ and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 ​ He grew up before him like a tender shoot, ​ and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 ​ He was despised and rejected by men, ​ a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 ​ Surely he took up our infirmities ​ and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 ​ But he was pierced for our transgressions, ​ he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 ​ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, ​ each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
    [Show full text]
  • The Suffering Servant of the Lord Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 I. See The
    1 The Suffering Servant of the Lord Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 I. See the Servant’s Exaltation. 52:13-15 1) He is exalted because of His success. 52:13 2) He is exalted because of His suffering. 52:14 3) He is exalted because of His service. 52:15 II. See the Servant’s Rejection. 53:1-3 1) He appeared to be insignificant - not important. 53:1 2) He appeared to be a nobody not a somebody. 53:2 3) He appeared to be a loser not a winner. 53:3 III. See the Servant’s Passion. 53:4-6 1) He bore our sorrows (illness). 53:4 2) He bore our suffering (injury). 53:5 3) He bore our sin (iniquity). 53:6 IV. See the Servant’s Submission. 53:7-9 1) He was submissive in His silence. 53:7 2) He was submissive in His suffering. 53:8 3) He was submissive in His shame. 53:9 V. See the Servant’s Salvation. 53:10-12 1) It is purposed by the Lord. 53:10 2) It is pleasing to the servant. 53:11 3) It is provided for many. 53:12 2 The Suffering Servant of the Lord Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12 Introduction Isaiah 53 has captivated the hearts and imaginations of those who study the Bible like few other texts in Holy Scripture. Kyle Yates, Old Testament Professor at Southern Seminary called it, “The Mt. Everest of Old Testament prophecy,” Polycarp, “The golden passional of the Old Testament evangelist,” Spurgeon, “A Bible in miniature, the gospel in its essence,” Delitzsch – “The most central, the deepest, and the loftiest thing that the Old Testament prophecy, outstripping itself, has ever achieved….
    [Show full text]