Isaiah

Lesson 7Isaiah Chapters 40-42

This lesson is a little different than past ones. The material contained within this week’s study is very revealing, and very important to our faith. So I really want to emphasize the need for you to read it and to pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to the many truths contained in these few chapters.

Bible

Beginning in Isaiah Chapter 40, we change from reading a book on judgment to reading a book on salvation, grace, deliverance, and love – in spite of our sins. We will now get to see more about God, his character, his love and grace, and his sacrifice of sending of his only Son for us. You cannot possibly read these three chapters without being awestruck by God’s great power, indescribable knowledge, wisdom, and love. What an awesome three chapters!

You will also see in these three chapters a great deal that brings each of us hope as we face tough struggles, and when we begin to realize that our God is so awesome that there is NO problem or challenge we face that He cannot handle for us; and, moreover, He wants to handle it for us.

While the following doesn’t follow our usual format, please commit to taking some time this week to reading these three chapters and seeking out the Holy Spirit’s leading in discerning the many truths contained here.

As you read Isaiah chapters 40 through 42, consider the following:

  1. The first four verses of Chapter 40 are referring to whom in the New Testament? To whom is the fifth verse referring? (see John 1:14)
  2. As you read the remaining verses in Chapter 40, list each specific reference to the creation of the earth and the things in the earth that God alone caused.
  3. What does verse 26 say about the stars and planets? How is this relevant to our relationship with God?
  4. What is the single most important teaching contained in verse 31?
  5. Beginning in Isaiah 41:8 and continuing through verse 20, list each verse in which God uses the pronoun "I" and what he says he will do, or has done. (This will be a long list, but one worth making. You might want to underline these in your Bible.)
  6. Of the many verses in this week’s lesson, one in particular merits memorizing: Isaiah 41:10. Why do you suppose that I say this?
  7. In Isaiah 41:21-29, God challenges mankind to step up and argue its case for following after other gods. What points does God make about these gods? For example, what point is he making in verse 22?
  8. How does God summarize man’s vanity and false idols? He says they are _________ and _________. (See the end of verse 29.)
  9. Read Isaiah 42:1-16. Again, list each verse where God uses the pronoun "I" and what he says that he does, has done, or will do. These verses, plus the earlier "I" verses, give us great insight into God and His relationship with his creation and with us.

As we begin studying the second half of Isaiah, we see how this book parallels the entire Bible. Judgment is first proclaimed because of sin; then, because of His great love and grace, deliverance is proclaimed

What a blessed hope we have knowing that our salvation is guaranteed through Christ; that it’s not dependent on our works, but solely on God taking the action and on his promise and unchanging love for us.

From the long list of "I"s that we examined in this lesson, one truth, or precept, rises to the surface: The truth that God alone is the initiator of our salvation; and that in spite of our sin, through the blood of Christ, God takes the initiative to restore us to Him and to bless us and love us – in spite of who we are. The God of this earth, the creator of the universe, the God above all gods, loves us and desires to be our help in time of need. What a blessed, joyful picture Isaiah paints for us this week!

I pray that you will come to see and know God in ways that you’ve never experienced before.

May He richly bless you as you study His Holy Word this week.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

[2003]