8. Promises
Lesson 8
(ISAIAH 54—66)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Isaiah 54—66. This lesson references chapters 12 and 13 in Be Comforted. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The image in Isaiah 54 is that of Jehovah, the faithful husband, forgiving Israel, the unfaithful wife, and restoring her to the place of blessing. Isaiah has used the marriage image before (50:1–3) and will use it again (62:4).… The nation was “married” to Jehovah at Mount Sinai, but she committed adultery by turning to other gods, and the Lord had to abandon her temporarily. However, the prophets promise that Israel will be restored when Messiah comes and establishes His kingdom.
—Be Comforted, page 167
1. What are some of the descriptions of restoration in Isaiah 54? Why is the theme of restoration so critical to the Jewish people? What does restoration mean to Israel? What role does confidence play in restoration (54:4–10)?
More to Consider: Read John 6:45. Why does Jesus quote the first part of Isaiah 54:13 in this passage? (You might need to review the context of the verse in John to discover the purpose.)
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Isaiah 54—66 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The Servant died not only for the sins of Israel (53:8), but also for the sins of the whole world (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14). Isaiah makes it clear in 55:1—56:8 (as well as throughout the entire book) that the Gentiles are included in God’s plan. What Isaiah and the other prophets did not know was that believing Jews and Gentiles would one day be united in Jesus Christ in the church (Eph. 3:1–12).
—Be Comforted, page 170
3. How might the Jews have responded had they known in Isaiah’s time that the Gentiles and believing Jews would one day form Christ’s church? In what ways was the message of the prophets a “preparation” for the coming church? Why did some choose to reject the eventual truth that Isaiah and others had pointed toward in their prophecies?
From the Commentary
When God delivered His people from Babylon and took them safely back to their own land, it was a witness to the other nations. It also gave Israel another opportunity to be a light to the Gentiles (49:6) and bring them to faith in the true and living God. While it was important for Israel to seek the Lord and be wholly devoted to Him, it was also important that they share this invitation with the nations.
—Be Comforted, page 171
4. Review Isaiah 55:6–13. What is involved in “seeking the Lord”? How does seeking the Lord lead inevitably to sharing Him with other nations? In what ways is this message the same for Christians today?
From the History Books
When Jesus came to earth, bringing the message of grace, many Jews chose to disbelieve that He was the Messiah foretold in Isaiah’s (and others’) prophecies. Even today, Jews still await their Messiah. Those who chose to follow Christ became known as Christians. But there are some Jewish followers of Jesus today who consider themselves “Messianic Jews.” People who associate themselves with this movement tend to observe Jewish dietary laws and holy days, and some claim Messianic Judaism is a sect of Judaism rather than a different version of Christianity.
5. Why do you think Messianic Judaism exists today? Why wouldn’t Jews who believe in Christ simply live like Gentile Christians and stop observing Jewish customs? What might Christianity learn from the Messianic Jews that could grow their relationship with Christ? What elements of modern Christianity could potentially benefit those who still follow Jewish laws?
From the Commentary
It was the godless conduct of the leaders that caused Judah to fall to Babylon (Lam. 4:13–14). Had the prophets, priests, and rulers turned to God in repentance and faith, He would have intervened on their behalf, but they persisted in their rebellion. With biting sarcasm, Isaiah called them “blind watchmen” who cannot see the enemy coming, and “sleeping dogs” who could not bark their warning even if they were awake! The leaders were not alert; they loved to sleep, and when they were awake, they loved to eat and drink.
—Be Comforted, page 174
6. What other indictments did Isaiah present to the leaders (and other groups) in Isaiah 56:9—59:21? What response to these indictments does God then invite from the people? What role does God’s mercy play in this section of Scripture?
From the Commentary
There was a great deal of injustice in the land, with the rich exploiting the poor and the rulers using their authority only to make themselves rich (see Isa. 1:17–23; 3:13–15; 5:8–30). The people lifted their hands to worship God, but their hands were stained with blood (1:15, 21). God could not answer their prayers because their sins hid His face from them.
It was a conflict between truth and lies, just as it is today. Isaiah compared the evil rulers to pregnant women giving birth to sin (59:4; Ps. 7:14; Isa. 33:11), to snakes hatching their eggs, and to spiders weaving their webs (Isa. 59:5–6). What they give birth to will only destroy them (James 1:13–15), and their beautiful webs of lies can never protect them.
—Be Comforted, page 177
7. How does the cry against injustice in 59:1–21 foreshadow the final day of the Lord when all nations will be judged? What are some of the injustices listed in this chapter of Isaiah? What are some of the injustices that still plague our world today? How can this passage offer encouragement to those who suffer injustice?
From the Commentary
Isaiah began his “Book of Consolation” (chaps. 40—66) by promising that “the glory of the LORD shall be revealed” (40:5). Now he concludes by describing that glory for us. In the last seven chapters, he used the word glory in one form or another at least twenty-three times. When God’s glory is on the scene, everything becomes new.
—Be Comforted, page 181
8. Go through Isaiah 60—66 and circle any uses of the word glory or other similar words. What does this tell you about Isaiah’s closing message? What is God’s glory? In what ways is God’s glory present in these chapters?
More to Consider: Read Isaiah 61:1–9 and Luke 4:16–21. What do you notice about Jesus’ words in the Luke passage? What is missing in Jesus’ quote from Isaiah? Why?
From the Commentary
The prophet looks ahead in 63:1–6 and sees Jesus Christ returning from the Battle of Armageddon that climaxes the day of the Lord (Rev. 19:11–21). Edom is named here as a representative of the nations that have oppressed the Jews. Bozrah was one of its main cities, and its name means “grape gathering.”
The ancient winepress was a large, hollowed rock into which the grapes were put for the people to tread on them. The juice ran out a hole in the rock and was caught in vessels. As the people crushed the grapes, some of the juice would splash on their garments.
—Be Comforted, pages 185–86
9. What’s significant about the use of the winepress analogy in Isaiah 63:1–6? What is the message being given in this passage? What roles do both redemption and vengeance play in these verses? How are vengeance and redemption related?
From the Commentary
Throughout his book, Isaiah has presented us with alternatives: Trust the Lord and live, or rebel against the Lord and die. He has explained the grace and mercy of God and offered His forgiveness. He has also explained the holiness and wrath of God and warned of His judgment. He has promised glory for those who will believe and judgment for those who scoff. He has explained the foolishness of trusting man’s wisdom and the world’s resources.
The prophet calls the professing people of God back to spiritual reality. He warns against hypocrisy and empty worship. He pleads for faith, obedience, a heart that delights in God, and a life that glorifies God.
—Be Comforted, page 190
10. In what ways has each message in Isaiah pointed to the concept of finding comfort in the Lord? How is comfort in the Lord different from being comfortable in our lives? Read Isaiah 1:18 again. How does this verse summarize the overall message of Isaiah?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Isaiah 54—66. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Much of Isaiah’s message is about “seeking the Lord.” What are some of the ways you seek God? Why is that important to your faith experience? What happens when you stop seeking God?
12. Have you ever doubted that Isaiah is speaking about the Messiah in his prophecies? What prompted that doubt? Why do you think so many Jews continue to disbelieve that these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus?
13. The theme of injustice appears in the later chapters of Isaiah. What are your experiences with injustice? How do you respond when you see injustice? How easy or difficult is it for you to trust God’s judgment of all injustice?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to explore new ways to seek God daily? Be specific. Go back through Isaiah 54—66 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Since one of the themes in this section of Isaiah is injustice, take a moment to consider the injustices happening around you and around the world. Are there things you can do today to help battle injustice? If so, what are they? Take action as appropriate, but also spend time in prayer asking God to respond to those injustices according to His plan and through His great mercy.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.