Explore the Bible Lesson Preview March 22, 2009 "Follow the Lord's Will" Background: Isaiah 24:1-35:10 Lesson: Isaiah 29:13-16; 30:1-3, 15-18

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1 Explore the Bible Lesson Preview March 22, 2009 "Follow the Lord's Will" Background: Isaiah 24:1-35:10 Lesson: Isaiah 29:13-16; 30:1-3, Motivation: What are you thinking about right now? God instructs us in these passages to think of Him - If we keep our thoughts on the things of God, He promises to give us peace and a fruitful life. (Prov. 3:5-6, 16:9; Ps. 37:4-5) Examination: I. Judgment & Deliverance (24:1-27:13) Believer's Study Bible, 949: 24:1 "This begins the section of Isaiah frequently referred to as the little apocalypse' (chs ), which deals with the final judgment of all humanity and the universe itself (cf. Rev. 6:2)." Rev. 19:11-16 A. A Corrupt Earth Made Desolate (24:1-23) 1. God Doesn't View People as the World does (1-3) He judges all fairly whether rich or poor, powerful or lowly. 2. God Doesn't View Punishment as the World does (4-6, 17-23) a. Punishment of People (4-6, 17-18a) 1 / 13

2 b. Punishment of the Planet (4-6, 18b-20) Believer's Study Bible, 950: 24:5 "The everlasting covenant' refers to the Noahic covenant in Gen. 9:1-17 (see v. 16). God promised to preserve creation. Man's responsibility under that covenant was to produce and preserve life. This included the establishment of human government and law, including capital punishment for taking life. The judgment of God in Is. 24 is for the violation of that covenant by rampant violence and the failure of human government to establish righteousness." (Rev. 4:3, 5, 8) c. Punishment of Powers (21-22) 3. God Doesn't View Pleasure as the World does (7-13) "The desire of our soul is for your Name..." (8b) Ps. 16:11 4. God Doesn't View Praise as the World does (14-16) Believer's Study Bible, 950: 24: "The prophecy of gloom and doom is interrupted by the sound of a distant song of praise by a redeemed remnant." Ps B. Songs and Prophecies of the Day of the Lord (25:1-26:21) 1. Reasons to Praise God (25:1-12) Rev. 22:7-20 a. His Mighty Acts (1) - God desires us to remember His faithful acts in our lives. 2 / 13

3 b. His Faithful & True Counsel (1) - The Wonderful Counselor stands ready to help. Isa. 46:9-10 c. His Power (3) - No nation can stand against Him. d. His Strength (4) - God especially stands strong for the poor and needy. e. His Protection (5) - No matter what anyone says, God will quiet their opposing words with His actions. f. His Plan (6) - Even now He is planning a feast for His people. g. His Knowledge (7) - A veil of ignorance (2 Corinthians 3:14-16) will some day be removed. h. His Life (8) - Believer's Study Bible, 951: 25:8 "This together with the word from Isaiah's contemporary, Hosea (cf. Hos. 13:14), is the first announcement that death is to disappear and cease to be a reality because of the victory won by Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:54-57; Rev. 21:4). The removal of sin also erases sorrow (cf. Rev. 7:17). Rebuke' or reproach" shall also end during the reign of the Messiah." i. His Salvation (9) - The greatest gift of all! j. His Victory (10) - Moab symbolizes the last foe to oppose God. (Rev. 20:7-15) 3 / 13

4 2. A Song of Salvation (26:1-21) This chapter is a hymn to be sung by redeemed Israel. (R evelation 21:22-27) Many of the themes of chapter 25 are put to verse here. "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you" (3) Philippians 4:6-7 talks about a peace that "passes all understanding." The key to this peace? We must focus our minds on God and not be swayed by the wisdom of the world or by changing circumstances. (John 14:27) 3. The Restoration to come in the Day of the Lord (27:1-13) The First Vineyard (5:1-7) The Second Vineyard (27:1-13) a. Israel compared to a a. Israel compared to b. Bitter fruit born b. Full fruit born 4 / 13

5 c. God decided to aban c. God pledged to gu d. God did everything to d. Fill the world with f II. Woe and Hope (Isa. 28:1-33:24) A. Foolish Leaders (28:1-29:24) 1. Condemnation of Ephraim's Drunken Leaders (28:1-13) a. Ridicule of Israel (1-8) Evidently Isaiah had a first-hand view of the northern kingdom's leadership, perhaps walking in unannounced on a security council meeting. What Isaiah found appalled him and gives us insights into the perils of drunkenness: 1. Sin emanates from a crown of pride (1-3) 2. Drunkenness leads to error. (7) a. errors of vision 5 / 13

6 b. errors of judgment c. errors of priority "are swallowed by wine" Prov. 23:21 3. Drunkenness can take control of anyone (prophets, priests, potentates) 1 Tim. 6:15 4. Drunkenness inevitably leads to relaxed standards (8) b. Ridicule of Isaiah (9-13) The prophets & priests say that Isaiah is teaching such a simple message "precept upon precept, line upon line" (10) that it is fit only for babies. Isaiah retorts in verse 11 that if they're not willing to hear his simple message, perhaps they'll understand it better in a foreign tongue, when they are conquered by the Assyrians. 2. Denunciation of Judah's Foreign Treaties (28:14-22) a. Covenant of Death (14-15) Israel's leaders chose to believe a lie & trust in their good works: a treaty with Egypt. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12) b. Covenant of Life (16-22) Jesus is the "precious cornerstone" (16) - "F or in Scripture it says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, the Stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.'" (1 Peter 2:6-7) 6 / 13

7 Ps. 118:22; Rom. 9: A Parable of How God Works with Judah (28:23-29) The key to applying this parable is an understanding of plowing and threshing as metaphors for judgment. Israel or Judah may complain that God's judgment is not fair. Isaiah says in parable form that just as a farmer does everything in season and in moderation so God has a divinely perfect plan which He is carrying out. 4. Judgment and Hope for Jerusalem (29:1-24) Ariel refers to Jerusalem. Verses 1-4 describe Jerusalem under siege; 5-8 describe God's deliverance, cf. Isaiah 37: a. Sin Blinds (9-12) - Sin keeps us from seeing ourselves as we really are, it keeps us from seeing God's truth as it applies to us, and it keeps us from seeing sin and the damage it causes. b. Actions Speak Louder than Words (13-14) - Jesus applied verse 13 to the Pharisees in Matthew 15:8 & Mark 7:6. We are responsible not only to talk the talk but also to walk the walk. c. Know Your Place (15-16) - We must remember that God is the creator, we are the created. (Rom. 1:21-25) d. God has the Last Word (17-24) - God's plan will be accomplished; God's people will be restored. Believer's Study Bible, 657: 29:19 "Compare Isaiah's reference to the poor' and the humble' with the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3, 5)." 29:24 "The word understanding' indicates spiritual discernment, and the allusion to doctrine' suggests a willingness to receive the teachings of God's prophets and profit by them." 7 / 13

8 B. Admonitions to Trust God for Deliverance (30:1-31:9) 1. A Sowing & Reaping (30:1-17) "Because you despise this Word" (12) failure to heed God's Word is a step down the path to destruction "And trust in oppression & perversity" (12) failure to heed God's Ways leads to destruction "And rely on them" (12) failure to trust God's wonderful security leads to destruction "Therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a branch ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly in an instant." (13) Laws of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-9) apply. A person reaps what he sows, reaps later than he sows and reaps more than he sows. 2. God's Grace (30:18-26) a. Grace, Mercy & Justice (18) b. Full Understanding (21) "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way, walk in it,' Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left." c. Turning from Idols "you will say to them Get away'!" (22) d. Restoration "In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound" (26) 3. Judgment on Assyria (30:27-33) "Assyria will be beaten down" (31) "For Tophet was established of old..." (33) Believer's Study Bible, 959: 8 / 13

9 30:33 " Tophet,' meaning the burning place,' is the Valley of Hinnom below the hill of Zion, the place where human sacrifices were offered to Molech (cf. 2 Kin. 23:10; 2 Chr. 28:3, Jer. 7:31)." 4. The Folly of Not Trusting God (31:1-9) Punishment will be great on the people for trusting in foreigners. The Egyptians are inadequate to protect Judah. God will one day assume protection for Judah and smite the Assyrians. C. King of Righteousness (32:1-33:22) 1. Future Rule a. Results of Righteousness (1-8) A righteous king will rule over Judah in the latter days. He will be fair and just. Men will view things in perspective under His reign. Before that time men and women will be killed. The land will be barren. But under His reign, Judah will be afforded bounty and protection. b. Results of Complacency (9-14) "Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech." Israel and Judah were relatively prosperous before they were conquered. These verses target the women of Jerusalem; but, ultimately, they are a warning to us all against complacency. c. Results of God's Reign (15-20) "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the 9 / 13

10 effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Earlier Isaiah wrote of the blessing of God's peace (26:3). Jesus promised this peace to all Believers (John 14:27) Ps. 23:6 2. Present Judgment (33:1-22) a. A Torturing Enemy (1) The historical context of this chapter was probably in reference to Sennacherib's invasion at the head of the Assyrian army in 701 B.C. (2 Kings 18:13 ff; 2 Chron. 32: 21-31). The Assyrians were quite possibly the most feared army in all of ancient history (cf. 33:19). Using brutal torture and genocide, they intimidated many enemies to give up without a fight because of their fearsome reputation. The words "plunder" and "treacherously" are used repeatedly to describe them in verse 1. The Northern Kingdom had fallen to their savage invasion in 722 B.C. b. A Timely Plea (2-4) God's grace (2) and salvation (2) are our only hope in times of trouble. (Heb. 4:15-16; Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:9-13) c. A Trusting Faith (5-6) "The fear of the Lord is His treasure" (6) - a reverent honor for God will remind us of whom to trust. Cf. Deut. 31:12; 1 Sam. 12:14, 24; Job 28:28; Ps. 25:14, 33:18, 34:7; Prov. 1:7, 10:27, 22:4. d. A Terrible Judgment (7-13) Judgment falls because of the broken covenant (8). 10 / 13

11 e. A Testimonial Ethic (14-16) What kind of testimony does God treasure? "He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: he will dwell on high..." (Micah 6:8; Deut. 10:12-17) f. A Tremendous Future (17-24) In contrast to the terrible judgment of the present, Isaiah shows a view of a future Zion ruled by God's Messiah (33:22). N otice the characteristics of this future Jerusalem: no lawyers, tax collectors, spies or enemies (18-19) plenty of beauty and peace (17, 20-21), the Lord rules (22), and provides wellness and prosperity (24). III. End and Beginning (34:1-35:10) A. Judgment of the Nations (34:1-17) Believer's Study Bible, p. 962: 34:5 "Edom, because of her relentless hatred toward Israel, is singled out form the nations as the object of God's fury. Sh e was to suffer a fate like that of Babylon. Twenty-six centuries of desolation bear witness to the trust of this prophecy (cf. Mal. 1:4). The chapter also has apocalyptic overtones (cf. vv. 1-4; Rev. 6:12-17)." B. Joy of Salvation (35:1-10) 1. Deserts Bloom (35:1b-2a) "And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice" The virtues of the millennial kingdom are prophesied; we are already seeing a foreshadowing of verses 1-2 which is Israel's agricultural production. 2. Sick Healed (35:5-6) "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a 11 / 13

12 deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing." Jesus alluded to verses 5-6 in Matthew 11:4-5 "Jesus replied, Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, and deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor!" Every Jew waiting for a Messiah looked for these signs. 3. Salvation Made Plain (35:8) "A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray" 4. God's People Protected (9) 5. Redeemed Rejoice (9b-10) "But the redeemed shall walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads." Application: 1. We should view the world as God sees it. 2. We should praise God daily. 3. We should claim God's peace. 12 / 13

13 4. We should use what God has given us to become fruitful. Leader Pack - Item 7: Poster: Lesson Outline Biblical Illustrator: p. 25: "Earthenware Vessels; Pottery and Pottery Production in Ancient Israel" Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: y.org/ ; Dates: 1/14-5/13 - Midlink; 3/21 - Share Your Faith Workshop; 3/22 - Guest Speaker - Curt Jones all three services; 3/29 - Spring Loaded; 4/3 - FBA Wax Museum & Intl. Festival; 4/3 - First Things First; 4/9 - Broken for You Service; 4/12 - Easter - no Bible Studies; 4/16-18 SBTC SENT Conference; 4/19 - Dr. Jerry Rankin a.m.; 4/25 - AID Sudan Run/Walk - Bear Creek Park; 4/26 - Dr. Rick Rigsby all three services. 13 / 13