Precepts for Life™ Isaiah Part 2 Study Guide
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™ Isaiah Part 2 Comfort for His People study guide Comfort for His People Isaiah Part 2 Isaiah—“The Holy One of Israel” You’re about to continue your study of the crown jewel of Old Testament prophets, a book that brings us face to face with “the Holy One of Israel”—a phrase Isaiah repeats 25 times but which is found only 6 more times in the Bible and only in the Old Testament: once in Kings, three times in the Psalms, and twice in Jeremiah. God’s holiness is a recurring theme. Between 739 b.c. and 681 b.c., Isaiah watched the spiritual and moral deterioration of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and preached the “vision” he received during the reigns of Uzziah Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (Isaiah 1:1) and likely continued to preach it for part of Manasseh’s rule (697-642 b.c.)—possibly the most wicked king of Judah. He knew that no matter how bad things got, Jehovah would ultimately humiliate sin and exalt justice and righteousness. He warns God’s people of approaching captivity and the surrounding nations of approaching judgments. But beyond judgment he always looked to the hope of the coming Messiah, His universal kingdom (from sea to sea), justice and restoration! Jesus quotes Isaiah extensively and Isaiah’s name is mentioned 22 times in the New Testament, all associated with prophecies of the Messiah’s comings. This program (Part 2) carries us through the second section of the book (27 chapters). There couldn’t be a more relevant time to study Isaiah. We’re living in identical times—apostasy from the true faith and consequent idolatry of one sort or another, with Kay Arthur disrespect for justice and the sanctity of human life and marriage, and nations rising up against nations. We don’t know how all this is going to shake out for our nation or any other, but we do know we’re reliving Isaiah’s times and God wants us to relive his ministry. Like Isaiah, we can trust that the Holy One of Israel will continue to judge sin and promote His love and justice. And we can look to the Messiah’s second coming. It’s an awesome and exciting time to live in Beloved, a time for us to speak the prophetic Word of God to everyone we know! The message is the same—approaching judgment or salvation. You’ll see this every day as you join with us to learn the book of Isaiah. May the Lord richly bless you in this Inductive Bible Study! ™ ™ Study Guide This Bible study material was designed for use with the TV and Radio teaching program, Precepts for Life™ with renowned Bible study teacher Kay Arthur, a production of Precept Ministries International. This inductive 30-minute daily Bible study program airs on many satellite, cable, and broadcast stations, and on the internet at www.preceptsforlife.com. As with all Inductive Bible studies, the best way to use the material is to complete the assignments in each lesson before listening or watching the PFL program for that day. These programs are also available on DVD and CD at www.preceptsforlife.com. For more information about the Precept Inductive Bible Study Method and Precept Ministries South Africa, visit www.precepts.org.za. These materials are also useful for Bible study apart from the Precepts for Life™ programs. We hope you’ll find them valuable for studying God’s Word and that your walk will be strengthened by the life-changing Truth you’ll encounter each day. Isaiah Part 2: Comfort for His People STUDY GUIDE Published by Precept South Africa P. O. Box 539, Howard Place, 7450 Tel.: +27 (0)21 531-1836 Website: www.precept.org.za Email: [email protected] with permission from Precept Ministries of Reach Out, Inc. P.O. Box 182218 Chattanooga, TN 37422 Precept Ministries of Reach Out, Inc. reserves the right to continue selling and distributing its own edition in the region. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®(NASB) © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.lockman.org Copyright © 2009 Precept Ministries International All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Precept, Precept Ministries International, Precept Ministries International the Inductive Bible Study People, the Plumb Bob design, Precept Upon Precept, In & Out, Sweeter than Chocolate!, Cookies on the Lower Shelf, Precepts For Life, Precepts From God’s Word and Transform Student Ministries are trademarks of Precept Ministries International. Printed in South Africa. 2017 COMFORT FOR HIS PEOPLE | ISAIAH PART 2 STUDY GUIDE PROGRAM 1 Hope and Redemption TODAY’S TEXT 1. Now let’s review Israel’s historical context that leads up to chapter 40 by looking Isaiah 40:1-2, 27-31 at a few key verses and passages. CROSS-REFERENCES a. Look up Isaiah 1:1-4. Ask 5W and H questions (who, what, when, where, why and Isaiah 1:4; 2:3-4; 7:9, 14; how) to determine who’s writing, who’s reading, when, and what else is happening. 9:6-7; 39:5-8; 50:4; 59:14 How would you sum up Israel’s relationship to the Lord in a few points? Psalm 119:104 b. Isaiah 2:2-4 reveals a big picture – what will happen in “the last days”? Daniel 11:32 c. Read Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7. Who do these prophecies concern? What will He do? d. Lastly, look at Isaiah 39:5-8. What does Isaiah prophesy about Israel’s future? 2. Now read Isaiah 40:1-2, 27-31. What does God tell the prophets to tell His people? Think about what you learned about Israel’s future – what are their circumstances? 3. What do you learn about God in this chapter’s final verses? 4. What does God promise to those who wait for Him? PROGRAM 2 Revelation of God’s Glory TODAY’S TEXT Isaiah 40:1-5 1. Read Isaiah 40:1-5. What does God promise Israel in verse 2? Why will this truth comfort the captives? CROSS-REFERENCES Isaiah 9:6-7; 40:31 Psalm 119:104 Daniel 7:13; 9:24 2. What does He tell the people to do in verses 3-4? Malachi 3:1-2 Matthew 3:1-6; 17:10-13; 24:30 Luke 1:17 3. What will happen according to verse 5? Who will see it? How do we know it will happen? John 1:14 Romans 8:28-29 Titus 2:11-14 Hebrews 9:22 4. Now let’s compare Scripture with Scripture to understand verses 3-5. Look up Matthew 3:1-3. How do these verses relate? What additional insights do you gain 1 John 3:2-3 from Matthew 17:10-13? Revelation 1:7 ©2009 Precept Ministries International 1 COMFORT FOR HIS PEOPLE | ISAIAH PART 2 STUDY GUIDE PROGRAM 3 Strength for the Weary TODAY’S TEXT 1. Observe Isaiah 40:1-31 marking key words and asking 5W and H questions. Isaiah 40:1-31 Keep the context in mind as you read. CROSS-REFERENCES a. Color references to God with a purple triangle shaded yellow. Isaiah 35:4, 8; 39:6-7; b. Shade nations green, then underline them in brown. 66:24 c. Look for time phrases that help you order events and mark them with a green clock . 1 Samuel 2:7-8 Psalms 73:25; 138:2 Matthew 2:6; 5:18 2. What does the future hold for God’s people according to verses 10-11? Compare this with Revelation 22:12. John 10:3, 11 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 2 Corinthians 12:9 3. What do you observe about the “shepherd” in verse 11? Look up the following cross-references and note what you learn. 1 Peter 5:4 a. Matthew 2:6 Revelation 22:12 b. John 10:3, 11, 28-29 c. 1 Peter 5:4 PROGRAM 4 In the Last Days… TODAY’S TEXT 1. Observe Isaiah 40:27-31 and 41:1-14. Mark the following key words including Isaiah 40:27-29; 41:1-14 pronouns and synonyms: CROSS-REFERENCES a. God with a purple triangle shaded yellow Isaiah 40:6-7, 15, 21 b. Nations in a green shade with a brown underline Genesis 1:1-3, 7; 2:2; 15:5, 7 c. Idols with a large I d. Time phrases with a green clock Exodus 3:13-15 Psalms 115:4-7; 147:4 2. What does Israel ask in 40:27? What does God say about Himself to comfort John 8:44; 15:16 them? Romans 9:15 Ephesians 1:4 Colossians 3:5 3. Why does He remind them He’s the Creator? Read Genesis 1 and Hebrews 1:1-3 and record what you learn about His power as Creator. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 Hebrews 1:3; 11:1-3, 6 1 John 5:20 4. Who is God talking to in 41:1? What does He say to them? ©2009 Precept Ministries International 2 COMFORT FOR HIS PEOPLE | ISAIAH PART 2 STUDY GUIDE PROGRAM 5 Overcoming Fear TODAY’S TEXT 1. Review Isaiah 41:1-9, then read verses 10-29 and continue marking references to Isaiah 41:10-29 God and idols.