TIME WITH GOD I S A I A H P A R T 2 BIBLE READING NOTES, QUESTIONS AND PRAYER POINTS FROM THE BOOK OF ISAIAH, CHAPTERS 40-66 INTRODUCTION God says in Isaiah 66:2, ‘This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.’ These Bible reading notes are designed to help us read and respond to God’s word in Isaiah. You can use them by yourself, with a friend or with your family. They follow on from ‘Time with God’ Isaiah part 1 which you can find on the HBC website. We’ve also included ‘Today’s Prayer Suggestion’ (TPS) to give you ideas on great things to pray for. Here’s a prayer you might like to use before each reading: Dear God, Thank you for giving us your word. Please helps me to be humble as I read it and respond with trust and obedience. In Jesus name, Amen Isaiah is a big book, so a quick recap might be helpful. 1:1 tells us it was written during the reigns of kings Uzziah (Azariah), Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (about 740-700BC). You can read about this period in in 2 Kings 15-20 and 2 Chronicles 26-32. During this time Assyria rose as a world power and destroyed the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and seriously threatened the Southern Kingdom (Judah). Chapters 1-39 explain how behind these world events was God – judging his rebellious people. The section ends with a prophecy that Jerusalem would be defeated by Babylon and the people sent into exile (39:5-7). Chapters 40-66 look forward beyond the exile to a time of comfort for God’s people. In these chapters a figure called God’s Servant emerges as the key agent of his redemption. As well as comfort for Israel, Isaiah’s prophecy speaks about hope for all nations and the eventual creation of a new heavens and new earth. There will be loads for us to reflect on and delight in! ‘But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ (Isaiah 40:31) DAY 1 ISAIAH 40:1-11 After the big messages of judgment in chapters 1-39, this section stands out as full of hope and good news. Many of the big themes of chapters 40-66 are introduced here. What is the tone or mood of the passage? What big ideas are introduced about God, his people and his plans? God did gather his people in Jerusalem when they returned from exile in 537 BC but Isaiah’s words were fulfilled in a greater way with the coming of Jesus. Read Luke 3:1-6. Who is the ‘voice’ in this section? What does that tell us about Jesus? Today’s Prayer Suggestion (TPS): Thank God that the message of the gospel of Jesus has come to us. Pray that God would show us great things about himself as we read his word in Isaiah. DAY 2 ISAIAH 40:12-31 Isaiah’s first readers would have felt that their nation was pretty small compared to the great nations of Assyria and Babylon. This section draws their attention to the bigness of God. How many rhetorical questions can you find? What points are being made about God? 1 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “... The Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” How can the power of God (especially in Christ) renew our strength in weakness? TPS: Bring to God your weaknesses and weariness. Ask that you might depend on God’s power in Christ for strength – even to ‘soar on wings like eagles’. DAY 3 ISAIAH 41:1-29 This chapter talks about God raising up a military power to do his will. This is probably Cyrus of Persia (r. 559-530 BC). Persia was to the east of Jerusalem but its armies would have approached Judah from the north because the Arabian desert blocked the direct route (hence 41:2 and 25). How does God’s power over historical events compare with the power of idols? What special place does Israel have for God? How can we be encouraged from this reading? TPS: Pray for the city of Newcastle – that God would bless people (even 30000!) by turning them from idols to trust in the true God. 2 DAY 4 ISAIAH 42:1-9 This is the first of what are traditionally known as the four ‘Servant Songs’ of Isaiah (the others are 49:1-7, 50:4-9 and 52:13-53:12). List out everything we learn about this servant. How does he compare to the ruler (Cyrus) in chapter 41 (41:2-3, 25)? This passage is quoted or alluded to many times in reference to Jesus (see for example Mt 12:15-21 or Luke 2:32). What things about Jesus do you particularly love from this Servant Song? TPS: Pray for Stu and Isabella and their children Sophia, James and Tim as they seek to bring the light of Jesus and the gospel to people in South Asia with CMS. DAY 5 ISAIAH 42:10-17 In response to the ‘new things’ (verse 9) announced in the first Servant Song Isaiah moves to a new song of praise. God is not like the idols because he actually deserves praise (verse 8). Who or what does the praising in this passage? Why do they sing? 3 Praise and singing have always been things God’s people do. Can you think of other great songs in the Bible? How can you grow in this emotional response of singing, praise and joy? TPS: Pray for Pete Witt (our Magnifiaction Pastor) and Pete Munday (Music Director) as they lead us in singing, praise and joy in Christ. DAY 6 ISAIAH 42:18-25 These verses come like a shock after the high notes of 42:1-17. In this case the ‘servant’ is not Jesus but the nation of Israel (cp 41:8-9). What has Israel done wrong? What do we learn about God from this passage? Notice that Isaiah includes himself among the sinners in verse 24 (cp Isa 6:5). Why is it important we remember our sin, even as we reflect on God’s grace and mercy? TPS: Pray for one of your 5 non-Christians friends (at HBC we’ve given everyone the challenge of praying regularly for 5 non-Christians they know) . Ask God that you might have (and take) the opportunity to warn them about God’s judgment for sin. 4 DAY 7 ISAIAH 43:1-13 The previous reading was a brief note of judgment. Today’s reading begins with a great turnaround: ‘but now’ (like Rom 3:21!) and a message of hope. God promises to redeem and gather his scattered people. The ransom or exchange in verses 3 and 4 is probably talking about how God gave Cyrus many nations and people in return for him allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem. What does this passage say about God’s creative power, his saving power and his glory? Why should God’s people not be afraid? What is the witnessing role that God has for them? Consider 43:10 and look up Philemon 4-7. How does ‘witnessing’ actually confirm and encourage our faith? This chapter inspired the classic 80s youth group song ‘Fear Not’ by Phil Pringle. You might like to sing it with your family or flatmates to finish! TPS: Pray for our Mission Pastor Sam Hilton and his family. Pray that Sam would lead us, train us and encourage us in being fearless witnesses to the one and only God. 5 DAY 8 ISAIAH 43:14-44:5 This passage contains at least 3 or 4 messages of encouragement for God’s people. What are they? What are some of the past things God talks about? What are the new things he will be doing? 44:3 reminds us of God’s promise to Abraham to bless his descendants. It adds to this by linking the giving of the Spirit to the blessing (like Gal 3:14). From the Bible, what’s so great about having God’s Spirit? TPS: 43:25 is a great promise. 1 John 1:7 says that the blood of Jesus, God’s son, purifies us from all sin. Take a moment to confess your sin and delight in the forgiveness of God. DAY 9 ISAIAH 44:6-23 Chapters 40-44 have been a great encouragement to Israel in the midst of their suffering and exile. This passage then warns Israel about one of the great threats to them worshipping God – idolatry. Why is idolatry so foolish from this passage? 6 How does God compare to the idols? Have a look back at the themes of creation, redemption and glory so far (41:16, 42:8,10-12, 43:1,7,21, 44:23). How do these ideas fit together? How can we put into practice being witnesses for God rather than idolators? TPS: Pray for the youth and kids of HBC – that they might grow up to know God and proclaim him. Ask that we as parents, teachers and leaders might set a great example for them.