Study the Bible in Two Years

Saturday – Isaiah 24-25

1.  Chapter 24 is mainly about the end of the world, but there are images mixed in of the destruction of the city ofJerusalem.  Jesus does the same in Matthew 24!!  Ponder 24:12-14.  What will happen when Jesus returns?

2.  Ponder Isaiah 25:6-9.    “On this mountain” refers toMt.Zion, another name forJerusalem.   That is the hill on which the temple rested inJerusalem, and it is also used as picture language for the place of God’s eternal presence, heaven.   What did Jesus do on this mountain to fulfill verses 7-8?

3.  Therefore, what will we be doing in the heavenly Mt.Zion?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Friday – Isaiah 21-23

1.  The destruction of Babylonin Old Testament times is a foreshadow of another Babylon that will be destroyed – as described in the book of Revelation.  Isaiah 21: 9 is fulfilled again in Revelation 19 –Rome!

2.  What warning does 22:11 give us when we think we can take care of our own problems?

3.  Read 22:12-14.  Instead of coming to the Lord in repentance, what is the attitude of the people when disaster threatens?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Thursday – Isaiah 13-20

The Daily Light Bible put so many chapters into one day, perhaps because they are messages to enemy countries and they don’t apply directly to us today.  It will help to know a little bit about each of them.

    Assyria:   The strongest of the 3 major powers in Isaiah’s time.  Capital: Nineveh.   They are located in the northern half ofI raq.

   Babylon:  Up-and-coming power, soon to be the greatest.   Location: southernIraq.    

   Egypt:      Perennial power to the south of Israel. 

   Cush:        Part of Egypt– the southern regions of the Nile River.

    Philistia:   Smaller power like Israel, located inGaza strip.  City: Ashdod

   Moab:      Smaller power, east of theDead Sea.  Part of modern day Jordan.

   Syria:       Smaller power, NE of Israel, sometimes calledAramin the Bible.  Capital:  Damascus. Its location is the same asSyriatoday.

   Tyre:         Island port city of Lebanon, the center of Mediterranean shipping and commerce.

1.  Read Isaiah  13.  “The Day of the Lord” is his day of judgment.  That day will come on the Babylonians, but some of these verses are about the coming “day of the Lord” at the end of the world.  Find those verses as you read the chapter.

2.  Isaiah 14 is God’s declaration againstBabylonand its king.  However, verses 12-15 have a double meaning, as they also apply to our greatest enemy.  “Morning Star” is the name “Lucifer” in Hebrew.  It seems likely that this was Satan’s “good name” as an archangel of the Lord, before he rebelled and was cast out of heaven.  What was Satan’s original sin?

3.  There are 5 “I will” declarations from Satan.   What do they teach you about his character?   

4.  In Isaiah 16, there is a surprising message toMoababout the Savior!  Find that verse as you read the chapter.

Study the Bible in Two Years

Wednesday – Isaiah 11-12

1.  Here Jesus is called the Branch of Jesse, who is the father of King David.  His family tree will be cut down to the point that it is like a dead stump.  Yet a living Branch will rise from his line.   What other descriptions do you see in the first five verses of chapter 11 that fit Jesus well?

2.  The rest of chapter 11 gives us an incredible glimpse of what heaven will be like.  What descriptions do you find most fascinating?  How does the description differ from the world around us right now?

3.  Isaiah gives us a foretaste of the songs we will be singing in heaven in chapter 12.   This has been called “The First Song of Isaiah”  and we sometimes sing a version of it in church.  For what blessings do we praise the Lord?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Tuesday – Isaiah 9-10

1.  ThelandofZebulonand Naphtali was the area aroundNazareth, the hometown of Jesus.  In the Old Testament times, this land was not seen as very important. Isaiah describes the land as gloomy.  Contrast that gloom with what Isaiah writes in 9:3.  What changed?  (cf. John 8:12)

2.  In 9:6 we see another direct prophecy of Jesus.  Included in the verse is a list of titles given to Jesus.  Reflect on how Jesus’ life was a fulfillment of each of these titles.

Wonderful Counselor -

Mighty God -

Everlasting Father –

Prince of Peace –

3.  Isaiah 9 and 10:1-11 are about the northern kingdom, calledIsraelorSamaria. Zebulon & Naphtali are a part of this kingdom.  When the smaller enemy countries,SyriaandPhilistia, attacked and harmed them (9:12), what was their attitude?  See especially 9:10 and 13.  They received repeated warnings but becauseIsraelignored them, what refrain do you see in 9:12,17,21 and 10:4?  What message do you see for theUSAif we as a country refuse to listen to God?

4.  The Lord is going to use the greatest power at the time, Assyria, to destroyIsrael.  Assyria will attack the southern kingdom of Judaht oo, but before they can conquerJudah, what is going to happen to their armies?    See 10:16-19.  This was fulfilled all in one day, as recorded in Isaiah 37:36.

Study the Bible in Two Years

Monday – Isaiah 7-8

1.  Ahaz is a wicked king ofJudah, 744-728 BC.  He ignored Isaiah’s prompting to ask God for a sign that he would be with his people, yet God gave him a sign anyway.  What was the sign God gave him?  

2.  Immanuel means “God with us.”  Why is this such a fitting name for Jesus?

3.  Isaiah comments that the people should stop seeking out the mediums and spiritists who attempted to speak to the dead.  Many people were doing this because it was believed that by channeling the dead they could learn about the future.  When we are concerned about the future, where does Isaiah say we should turn?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Saturday – Isaiah 6

1.  Isaiah has been ushered into the presence of God, and experienced his holiness with his senses. His vision is very similar to whatSt. Johnexperienced in Rev. 4:1-11. Why do you think God wanted Isaiah to see this?

2.  As Isaiah stands before God, he says:  “Woe to me, I am ruined.”    ‘Ruined’ literally means to come apart at the seams, to be unraveled.   What does this teach you about coming before God in worship?  What do we usually do at the beginning of each service?

3.  To emphasize the dramatic change in taking away Isaiah’s sin, the angel touched a burning coal from the altar of heaven to Isaiah’s lips.  Would you agree or disagree:   “True repentance is always a painful process.”

 

Study the Bible in Two Years

Friday – Isaiah 5

1.  God’s people are compared to a vineyard. The Lord tends his vineyard with great care, but they yield only bad fruit.  What warning does this give for our fruit-bearing?

2.  Six times, the Lord says “Woe” about how the people are living.  Apply each one to our modern times, especially the dangers for you and me.

3.  In 5:25-30, the Lord forewarns that he will use other nations to bring about his justice for their sin.  What is God using today to try to wake our country up?

 

Study the Bible in Two Years

Thursday – Isaiah 3-4

1.  How does Isaiah 3:8,9 remind you of modern dayAmerica?

2.  In chapter 4, Isaiah uses the name “the Branch” as a promise of the Savior for the first time.   What will He do for the people ofZion(which means all believers, including us)?

3.  God promises the pillar of fire and pillar of smoke to be over all ofZion, which today includes us.  What does that mean for us today?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Wednesday – Isaiah 1-2

1.  The first verse sets the historical context of Isaiah’s long ministry.  He served from about 750 to 700 BC.  Except for Ahaz, the other three kings are some of the best thatJudahever had.  Yet there are spiritual problems withJudah.  They still bring sacrifices and worship (1:11-13) but where are their hearts?  See 1:4.  They continue to pray, but why won’t the Lord listen to their prayers?  1:15-17.  how does the Lord describe their worship?  What does that teach us about worship and prayer?

2.  In spite of all that, the Lord says that their sins would go from crimson red to white as snow.  How does that remind you of Jesus?  See 1 John 1:7.

3.  In chapter two, Isaiah talks about God’s final judgment. Before that occurs, what will happen at themountainofGod’s temple?  How is this fulfilled in Jesus?   However, many will trust in what things instead of the Lord? See 2:6-8.  Apply this to what you see in our own country.  What will these people do when the Lord returns in glory?