4. The Future
Lesson 4
(ISAIAH 32—35)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Isaiah 32—35. This lesson references chapter 7 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
At the beginning of its history, the nation of Israel was a theocracy, with God as King; it was not a monarchy led by human rulers. In the days of Samuel, the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul (1 Sam. 8; see Deut. 17:14–20). God did not establish a dynasty through Saul because Saul did not come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10). It was David who established both the dynasty for Israel’s throne and the ancestry for Israel’s Messiah (2 Sam. 7). Every devout Jew knew that the future Messiah-King would be the Son of David (Matt. 22:41–46).
In Isaiah 32:1, Isaiah wrote about “a king,” but in 33:17, he called him “the king.” By the time you get to verse 22, He is “our king.”
—Be Comforted, pages 97–98
1. What is the significance of Isaiah’s shift from “a king” to “the king” and finally to “our king”? What does this tell us about God’s people in Isaiah’s time? What does it tell us about their culture? Their hope?
More to Consider: Isaiah refers to “the fool” in 32:5–8. What are the characteristics of this fool? Who is he in the context of the passage? Who is he today?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Isaiah 32—35 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
Behind the selfish rulers of Judah, and influencing them for evil, were the “aristocratic women” of Jerusalem, who were complacent and self-confident in a time of grave national crisis (Isa. 32:9–14; see 3:16–26; Amos 4:1–3; 6:1–6). Isaiah warned them that “in little more than a year” (NIV), the land and the cities would be desolate. This took place in 701 BC when Sennacherib’s Assyrian army invaded Judah and devastated the land. The Jews confined in Jerusalem were greatly concerned about future harvests, and Isaiah had a word for them (Isa. 37:30–31). But before the siege ended and God delivered Jerusalem, these worldly women in Jerusalem had to sacrifice not only their luxuries, but also their necessities.
—Be Comforted, page 99
3. Why do you think Isaiah singles out the women of Jerusalem in 32:9–20? What does this say about their influence in the culture? How does this compare with your understanding of women’s roles in early Bible history? What warnings for today can we discover in these verses?
From the Commentary
Isaiah 33:2 is the prayer of a godly remnant when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army. Isaiah had promised that God would be gracious to them if they would only trust Him (30:18–19), so a few devout people turned His promise into prayer. God spared Jerusalem for David’s sake (37:35) and because a believing remnant trusted God and prayed.
—Be Comforted, page 100
4. What does the prayer in Isaiah 33:2 tell us about those who trust God in times of trial? How is this prayer similar to other prayers in Scripture? To prayers your church has offered? What does it mean for God to be “our salvation in time of distress”?
From the Commentary
The Lord was exalted in the defeat of Assyria (Isa. 33:5), for no human wisdom or power could have done what He did. We must remember that nations and individuals can have stability in uncertain times only when they trust God and seek His wisdom and glory.
—Be Comforted, page 100
5. What does “stability in uncertain times” look like for those who trust God? Consider the situation in Judah (Isa. 33:7–9). Why would the people have reason to trust God in this circumstance? How does Isaiah’s proclamation of God’s judgment against the Assyrians (vv. 11–12) give the people of Judah hope? What message would the deliverance of Judah give to the Gentile nations?
From the Commentary
In Isaiah 33:17–24, the prophet lifts his vision to the end times and sees Jerusalem ruled by King Messiah. God’s victory over Assyria was but a “dress rehearsal” for His victory over the whole Gentile world system that will one day assemble to destroy the Holy City (Zech. 14:1–9). When our Lord was ministering on earth, the unbelieving Jews said, “There is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isa. 53:2). But when they see Him and believe, then they will perceive His great beauty (Zech. 12:3—13:1; Ps. 45).
In contrast to the ordeal of the Assyrian siege, the Jews in the messianic kingdom will experience no terror, see no arrogant military officers, and hear no foreign speech (Isa. 33:18–19). Jerusalem will be like a tent that will not be moved (see 54:1–3), pitched by a broad river that will never carry the vessels of invading armies. Jerusalem is one of the few great cities of antiquity that was not built near a river, but that will change during the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 47).
—Be Comforted, page 102
6. What sort of picture of the end times does Isaiah paint in 33:17–24? How does this compare and contrast to the images the people of Judah would have been seeing in real time? How can this picture inspire believers today?
From Today’s World
Sermons about preparing for the end times have been around since the first preacher stood among a throng of believers. Many of those sermons point to current events—particularly wars and rumors of wars—as evidence that things are heading quickly toward the promised return of Christ. Natural disasters also spur a resurgence of preaching on the end of life as we know it and the ushering in of God’s future kingdom. However, in times of relative peace, such messages seem to go missing from the pulpit.
7. Why does it take the threat of annihilation to spur churches into thinking about the end times? In what ways does Isaiah’s message to the people of Judah reinforce this approach? What value is there in keeping God’s coming kingdom in mind even in times of relative peace?
From the Commentary
Israel’s ancient enemy Edom is singled out in Isaiah 34:5–6, but this divine judgment will come upon the whole world. Edom is only one example of God’s judgment on the Gentile nations because of what they have done to His people Israel. “For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause” (v. 8 NIV). In the day of the Lord, the Gentiles will be repaid for the way they have treated the Jews and exploited their land (Joel 3:1–17). “Zion’s cause” may not get much support among the nations today, but God will come to their defense and make their cause succeed.
—Be Comforted, page 103
8. What is your initial reaction to God’s vengeance as described in this passage? Why do you think the God of the Old Testament is prone to judgment and retribution? How does this line up with the role God plays in the New Testament story to come? How does God come to His people’s defense today?
From the Commentary
In Isaiah 34:5–8, the prophet moved from the battlefield to the temple and saw the worldwide judgment as a great sacrifice that God offers (see Jer. 46:10; 50:27; Ezek. 39:17–19). The practice was for the people to kill the sacrifices and offer them to God, but now it is God who offers the wicked as sacrifices.
—Be Comforted, page 103
9. What is significant about the distinction between people offering sacrifices on behalf of God and God Himself offering the sacrifices as noted in Isaiah 34:5–8? How does this contrast with the ultimate sacrifice God offers later in His Son?
From the Commentary
Isaiah used the promise of the coming kingdom (Isa. 35:1–10) to strengthen those in his day who were weak and afraid (vv. 3–4). In the kingdom, there will be no more blind or deaf, lame or mute; for all will be made whole to enjoy a glorious new world.
—Be Comforted, page 105
10. How does the promise of the coming kingdom in Isaiah compare to the promises in Revelation? How does such a promise give hope to those who are going through trials today? How does this promise help fearful people find peace about the future?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Isaiah 32—35. 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. When have you felt like the “godly minority” in a situation? How did you deal with that feeling? What role has prayer played in those sorts of moments? How have God’s answers to your prayers in those circumstances helped you to understand God’s plan for your life?
12. What is your natural response when life gets difficult? How easy is it for you to trust God when challenges come your way?
13. How does Isaiah’s picture of the future kingdom inspire you? What are you most looking forward to in the life to come? How can that help you get through the difficult seasons of life?
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 need to trust God’s plan for you even in difficult times? Do you want to learn more about what it means to live in hope of the future kingdom? Be specific. Go back through Isaiah 32—35 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: In this section of Isaiah, we learned how the prayers of a godly minority made a difference in a truly challenging circumstance. Why not make plans to hold your own prayer meeting? Invite small-group members or simply pray with your family, but focus your time on the concerns and needs of the local and national governments. Your small prayers can make a difference.
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.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Isaiah 36—39. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 8, “God Save the King!” in Be Comforted.