Study Questions for Isaiah 58-66

Study Questions for Isaiah 58-66 – All’s Well That Ends Well

The Big Idea: God has solved the sin problem for all who trust in Him so that we can look forward to incredible blessings as His people.

I. Experiencing God’s Solution (58-59) / Key Idea: Even though our sins have separated us from God He has personally provided redemption and restoration for us.
1. Read Isaiah 58:1-14. What had Israel done wrong (v3-5, 13)? What should they have done (v6-7, 10, 13), and what did God promise if they did (v8-12, 14)? / Israel had outwardly done good things in that they fasted and observed the sabbath. But the way they did it was wrong. When they fasted they also treated their workers inhumanely, driving them hard, humiliating them and beating them into submission. They should have pursued the Lord in their fasting, loosening the “bonds of wickedness” (the enslavement of their workers) and letting the oppressed go free. They should have given themselves to the hungry and satisfied the desire of the afflicted. On their sabbaths they engaged in their own pleasure while they should have delighted in the Lord as their pleasure. This shows that there is a direct relationship between our love for God and our love for our fellow man; we don’t genuinely love God if we treat our fellow man in unloving ways. Love God = love man, and being unloving towards our fellow man = not loving God. This is more than a moral demand; it is a picture of reality. If His people did honor Him in fasting and on the Sabbath by putting others and God first then their light would break out like the dawn, they would quickly recover, and they would be surrounded by the Lord’s righteousness and glory. When they called on the Lord He would answer, He would guide them, He would satisfy and strengthen them, and they would ride on the heights of the earth. He would also cause those among them to rebuild the ancient ruins, raise the age-old foundations, and they would be called repairers of the breech (in the walls) and restorer of streets. In other words healing would come to the nation and they would be secure once again.
2. In Is 59:1-15a what was Israel’s problem (v1-2, 12-13)? What sins had they done (v3, 4, 7, 8), and what were the results (v9-11, 14-15a)? / Israel’s problem was sin against God – their “iniquities” (perverse, twisted behavior) had made a separation between them and God. He was completely able to save, but couldn’t because their sin stood in the way. They transgressed His moral boundaries, turned away from God, denied Him, and spoke lying words to Him. They had murdered, lied to one another, engaged in deceitful lawsuits, had refused to execute justice, and failed to walk in the way of peace. The result of these actions was abounding injustice, darkness, gloom, confusion, lack of energy, contentious behavior, and sad moaning over the current conditions. Righteousness had been turned back and truth had stumbled in the streets.
3. From Is 59:15b-21 what was God’s response to Israel’s sin (v15b, 16-17, 18)? What will the outcome be (v19-20, 21)? / God was displeased with the injustice in Israel (mistreatment of one another) and was “astonished” (Heb, shamem, to be stupefied, or stunned, see also Is 63:5) that there was no one to intercede. God was not surprised, but the idea is that He looked high and low for someone, but there was no one to be found who could intercede (pray in a way that would urge God to act) for Israel. This does not refer to the time of Isaiah, but to the time of Christ, because His solution was to become Israel’s salvation Himself. His own arm brought salvation to them as He wore it like a helmet, His righteousness upheld Him as He put it on like a breastplate, and He wrapped Himself in the clothes of vengeance against the perpetrators of injustice. Jesus’ life and death accomplished righteousness, salvation and judgment on sin. Everyone’s works will be called into account, and all will settle up with God. This will cause everyone to revere the Lord and His glory will appear as the Lord Himself comes out of Israel to redeem His people who have turned from their sin to serve Him. His Spirit will be placed on all of them and His words will be put in their mouthsthroughout all generations.
II. Expecting God’s Blessings (60-64) / Key Idea: Because God loves us and desires His glory He will bring great blessings to us when His time is right.
4. From Is 60:1-22 what will happen to Israel one day (v1-3)? What reversals of fortune will occur (v5, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 22), and what effect will this have (v16, 21)? / One day Israel will be liberated from the darkness by the Light of the glory of the Lord. That Light, who is Jesus (the Light of the world), will attract all the nations of the earth. All the things that have been bad for Israel will be reversed – whereas their wealth flowed out to all the nations, now the wealth of the nations would flow into them; their sons who had been exiled in nations all over the earth, would now be brought back as the nations came to Israel with their silver and gold. Moreover, the foreigners who had torn down their city walls would now build them up and their kings would minister to them instead of seeking to destroy them. Their gates would no longer have to be closed for security reasons, but would remain open so that nations could bring their wealth to them. Those who had ruled over them would now come and bow before them, and Israel would no longer be hated. Israel would be blessed with the very best instead of settling for cheaper substitutes, violence would never be heard again in their land, and their walls and gates would be for bringing glory to God rather than for providing security. Finally, the smallest clan or individual would become a mighty clan or nation. The effect of this great reversal of fortune would be that Israel would know that God, the Mighty One of Jacob, Yahweh, was their Savior and Redeemer.
5. Based on 61:1-11 describe what the Lord’s favor brings (v1-3). What will happen to God’s people in that day (v4-7, 9) and how should this affect us (v10-11)? / The Lord’s favor which is shown through His Spirit brings good news to the afflicted, binds up the broken-hearted, brings freedom to captives, comforts all that mourn, gives them gladness and praise instead of a spirit of despair, and makes God’s people into oaks of righteousness. In that day the Lord’s people will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up the former devastations, and instead of shame will have a double portion from the Lord. They will shout with eternal joy over their portion rather than being humiliated because of its smallness and their descendants will be known among the nations as those whom the Lord has blessed. The effect of this on us, as God’s people, should be to rejoice greatly in Him and exult in praise for Him. He has beautifully clothed us with His salvation.
6. Using 62:1-12 how will the Lord rename His people one day (v2-5, 12)? What part do we play in this process (v1, 6, 7, 10) and what is God’s part (v8, 11)? / The Lord will give His people a new name one day; no longer will they be forsaken and desolate, but they will be renamed “My delight is in her” and “married”. They will be called “the holy people”, “redeemed of the Lord”, “sought out, a city not forsaken”. Our part in this renaming is to not keep silent about the work which He will do until Israel’s righteousness and salvation burns brightly. We are to be watchmen in prayer, reminding the Lord of His revealed plans for Israel to make them a source of praise to Him in the earth. We are to go out and clear the way for the people, building up the highway for them to travel to the Lord, removing the impediments (stones) and raising up His standard (flag) for all to see. This highway will be used by God to send His humble servant-king to Israel, bearing God’s salvation and justice. As His Servant comes to them, they will be able to walk this same highway to the place where God lives (Zion). We work with God to build a highway for the King, which is also a highway for the people to receive His salvation.
7. In 63:1-19 how will God give justice to the nations one day (v1-6)? How did He deal with Israel in the past (v7-14), and what did they need from Him in Isaiah’s time (v15-19)? / God will give justice to the nations one day by personal intervention. He will come from the east (Edom, the nation to the east) with majestic colorful clothing (war regalia) marching in the greatness of His strength. He will trample the winepresses (a picture of the blood that will flow) of His righteous anger, and by vanquishing the enemy He will bring about the ultimate redemption of His people. There is no one else that will be able to do it, so God will do it Himself. The Lord Jesus Christ will return as a conquering King in the “day of the Lord” and destroy His enemies. It will be a great victory. Although in the past God had shown mercy and covenant loyalty to Israel by leading them with His shepherds and putting His Spirit in their midst, they had dealt with Him falsely. He continued to deliver them but they rebelled. His Spirit was grieved so He turned Himself against them and became their enemy. Isaiah realized that they needed His help again; they needed God to look down from heaven, act in His zeal and allow His compassion to take over. They needed God to remember that He was their Father even though Abraham and Israel (Jacob) did not recognize them, and to do something about those who had trampled down His sanctuary. In essence God’s justice that will be poured out on unbelievers also makes its presence felt among His people. For them, however, it has the positive effect of turning them back to Him.
8. From 64:1-12 what did Isaiah pray for (v1-3, 4) and why was he desperate (v5-6)? How should we approach God when we sin (v8-12)? / Isaiah prayed for God to come down from heaven in an awesome display of His judgment, just as He had done when He defeated their enemies of old (during the deliverance from Egypt, conquest of Canaan, etc). He acknowledged that no God acted in behalf of His people who wait for Him like their God, Yahweh; so he asked that God would do it again. He was desperate for God’s deliverance because they didn’t deserve it and it would only be His mercy and covenant faithfulness that would bring it to pass. They were sinners in every way, and even their “righteous” deeds were as filthy rags (literally, menstrual rags) before God. God had every right to continue to ignore their pleas for help. Just like Isaiah, the only way we can approach God when we sin is on the basis of the things that He values – His relationship with us and His relationship with us. He is our Father and He has made us for His purposes; so we will be able to be restored only if He shows mercy. Also, the places where He is most magnified – His holy cities in Israel, His capital city, Jerusalem, and His temple – must be restored if His glory is going to be seen. Similarly, we must ask for God’s forgiveness and restoration so that we can renew our relationship to Him and be restored to a place where we can magnify Him.
III. Expanding God’s Offer (65-66) / Key Idea: Because of Israel’s ongoing rebellion the door was opened for the Gentiles to become God’s kingdom people.
9. Looking at 65:1-25 how did God respond to Israel’s sin negatively (v 2-7, 11-15), and positively (v1, 8-10, 16)? What can God’s people expect in the end (v17-25)? / God first invited His rebellious people to come back, even though they provoked Him. However, He then disciplined them for this, repaying them for their sinful actions and destining them for the sword of their enemies. They would experience hunger, thirst, shame, heaviness of heart, and would be viewed as cursed by the nations of the world. On the positive side, Israel’s rebellion led to an opportunity for the nations (Gentiles) to come to God. He permitted them to seek Him and offered Himself to them. They would be the offspring that God would bring from Jacob (Israel), having been grafted into the vine of Israel by faith in Christ (see Romans 11:11-17). God’s people can expect the old to pass away and all things to become new; it will be a time of rejoicing for the people of God, long life, prosperity, intimate fellowship with God, and peace.
10. Based on 66:1-24 who does God live with (v1-2) and who does He reject (v3-4)? What will happen to His people (v10-13, 22), and to His enemies (v15-17, 18-21, 24)? / God lives with the humble one who is contrite in his spirit and trembles at His word, but rejects those who worship God in their own ways, live as they wish, and expect Him to cater to them. He will not listen to them, but will punish them. God’s people can expect peace to flow like a river to them in the end, for the nations to be attracted to them, for them to be nurtured and comforted by God, and for their name and their descendants to endure forever. His enemies will be rebuked by His flames of fire and His sword will destroy them. They will come to a complete end, and they will all declare His glory even though they oppose Him. God will take from among the nations those who will praise Him, but all who oppose Him will eternally suffer the pain of judgment. All who look at them will abhor them.
11. Think back over Is 58-66. What does God desire to do for His people and why? What problem must be overcome and what is God’s solution? What must we do to experience the promises found in these chapters? / God wants to restore and bless His people because He loves them deeply, and because He desires that they be exhibits of His glory and grace. Unfortunately, we have a deeply ingrained problem with sin, which blocks God’s blessing; the only way this can be solved is by God stepping in and doing something about it. This, of course, is what He did in His Son, Christ – He bared His righteous right arm and abolished the penalty of sin. For us to experience the promises that God has for us we must confess our sin, acknowledge our inability to serve God, surrender to Him, and begin to live a life of obedience in His power. The more closely we adhere to this pattern, the more wonderful our lives will be.