It’s not great talents that God blesses, so much as great likeness to Jesus.
– Robert Murray M‘Cheyne
Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
Isaiah 40-48: Behold Your God
(44-45) Israel is going to be taken captive by the Babylonians. Who is God going to raise up, and for what purpose (44:28-45:6)?
God predicted this over 170 years before it happened. How would this encourage the people of Israel? How does it encourage you as you think of other predictions from God?
(40-41) To what things is God compared in 40:15-26? How does God measure up in the comparison?
In what ways can God help us (40:29-31, 41:10)?
How would God’s help comfort Israel in captivity? Comfort us in our trials? How should we respond (40:31, 41:10)?
(43-46) What idea is repeated in these verses: 43:10-11; 44:6-7, 24; 45:5-6, 18, 21-22; 46:9? Why is this important for Israel to grasp in their captivity? For us to grasp in our daily lives?
(47) What does Babylon claim for itself (v8, 10)? In what ways are we tempted to act like this?
(41-46) How does God compare to the idols of the nations (41:21-29, 44:9-21, 45:16-20, 46:1-7)?
How does Isaiah’s description of idols in his day also describe the idols of our day?
(43-48) In what ways is God for Israel (43:1-7; 44:21-26; 46:3-4; 48:17-18)?
How would God’s actions for Israel comfort them in their captivity? Comfort us in our current situations?
(42-45) Who is this servant (42:1-7 Matthew 12:18-21)? What will he do? How should we respond (45:22-23, Philippians 2:10-11)?
(40) Who is the one preparing the way of the Lord (v3-9, Matthew 3:1-3)? Who is this Lord in Isaiah 40? In Matthew? Ponder the connection being made!
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
What Is It Like to Enjoy God? – John Piper (DG)
The enjoyment of God is the enjoyment of a Person — not just the enjoyment of a thing, or an idea, or a pattern of actions, or a mysterious force. The ultimate joy of God’s creatures is joy in a Person — joy in God.
10 Things You Should Know about the Resurrection – Adrian Warnock (Crossway)
…every Sunday should be Resurrection Sunday. The reason why the early church began to meet on the first day of the week was to celebrate Jesus’s defeat of death. Imagine what church would be like if we consciously gathered every week to celebrate the resurrection?
You Can Forget to Be Irritated – Scotty Smith (DG)
The more I remember God’s lavish, unwavering, inexhaustible love for us in Jesus, the more I forget to be irritated with others.
Worship as a Feast – Dustin Rouse (FTC)
As worshipers who come to church (this is also true, if not more so, for worship leaders), we need to come hungry. You can go to the nicest restaurant with the best reviews, but if you’re not hungry, you will not want to eat. It doesn’t matter what the meal smells or looks like, if you’re full, you won’t want to partake.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!
A Way of Hating
Irritability is the antithesis of charity. It is not merely a way of complaining, therefore, but actually a way of hating.
– Phil Ryken in Loving the Way Jesus Loves
Reflections on II Kings 18-20 & II Chronicles 29-32
Hezekiah becomes king of Judah. Observe:
- Hold Fast to the Lord – Hezekiah was a rare king who not only did what was right in God’s eyes, but even did it to the extent of David. He tore down all the places of idolatry. He trusted God and turned to him in trouble. He followed God and kept his commands. He walked faithfully before the Lord with his whole heart. How well does this describe you?
- Revival – After years of apostasy, Hezekiah led the people back to God. They cleansed the temple, restored the sacrifices and singing, and worshipped the Lord together. Many people humbled themselves and set their heart to seek the Lord. How do you need to return to the Lord?
Not Merely
We are called not merely to put up with people, but also to treat them kindly.
– Phil Ryken in Loving the Way Jesus Loves
Q&A#6: Verses, Questions, Project
Q/A#6
Q: What is the Word of God?
A: The Word of God is his flawless, unchanging, living, and abiding Word to us, consisting of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Memory Verses
Forever, O Lord, your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
– Psalm 119:89
Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.
– I Peter 1:23
Further Supporting Verses
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
– Proverb 30:5
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
– Luke 24:27
…as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you…as he does in all his letters…. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
– II Peter 3:15-16
All Scripture is breathed out by God….
– II Timothy 3:16a
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth….
– John 16:13
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Why is it important to your life that God’s Word is flawless, unchanging, and abiding?
How have you found God’s Word to be alive and active in your life?
How do the supporting verses give you confidence that the Bible really is God’s Word?
Project
Read Psalm 119 and reflect further upon God’s gift of His Word.
Reflections on Isaiah 36-39
Assyria threatens Jerusalem, but God will deliver. Babylon, not Assyria, will plunder Jerusalem.
- Trust – Hezekiah provides a striking contrast to Ahaz back in chapters 7-8. While Ahaz looked to other nations for help, Hezekiah turned to the Lord, and the Lord answered. Are you looking to the Lord for help in your troubles?
- God Alone – The Assyrians mock God, claiming God cannot save Judah from their hands. But God hears. God kills thousands of them in one night and sends them packing back to Assyria where the proud king is killed by his sons. God alone reigns supreme over all the nations of the world.
Classic Quote
Free will without grace has the power to do nothing but sin…. You call the will free, but in fact it is an enslaved will.
– Augustine
Isaiah 36-39, II Kings 18-20, II Chronicles 29-32: Hezekiah
(2K18) What words are used to describe Hezekiah in v1-6?
How does his example challenge you?
(2Ch29-30) What is Hezekiah’s first order of business (29:3-19)?
Describe the worship that followed (29:20-36). Note their actions, mood, and motives.
Describe their preparations for, and their keeping of, the Passover in chapter 30. Note their decisions, actions, mood, and motives.
What can we learn from their example in chapters 29-30?
(Is36) What is the main issue the Assyrian official raises in his speeches (see especially v4-7, 15)? What three options do the people of Jerusalem have?
What options do we have when trials come against us?
(Is37) Isaiah encourages Hezekiah not to fear – God will take care of the Assyrians (v1-7). The Assyrians leave to fight another battle, but send a letter to Hezekiah threatening they will return (v8-13). How does Hezekiah respond (v14-15)?
How does Hezekiah describe God (v16-17)?
What does Hezekiah ask God to do (v17-20)? Why (v20)?
What can we learn from Hezekiah’s prayer?
How did God respond to Hezekiah’s prayer (v21-38)?
(Is 38-39, II Chron32) Hezekiah became sick. Once again Hezekiah prayed to God, and God healed him. How did Hezekiah respond to his healing (II Chron 32:24-26)? How did this response show itself (Isaiah 39)? How might we be tempted in the same way?
What were the results? What warning is there for us?
Brian J. Mikul 