Isaiah

Lesson 8Isaiah Chapters 43-45

This week as we follow up our great study last lesson on God and His interceding for us, we will encounter another great lesson as we look at answering such questions as:

  • Were the Jews "saved" in the Old Testament?
  • Could they have been?
  • Can we lose our salvation?
  • Who existed before God?
  • What does God intend for us to do once we are saved?
Bible

We will be studying three chapters this week, Isaiah 43-45. This group of chapters opens with some beautiful words of encouragement for any of us who are going through exceptionally hard times, and it concludes by showing us beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is no god other than God, and that in Him we have an eternal hope that cannot ever be taken away.

After you have read through Chapters 43-45, consider the following:

  1. In Isaiah 43:1-2, what does God tell us about going through hard times? (Can you see a parallel here to Isa. 41:10?)
  2. We tend to see "salvation" and the "savior" as New Testament terms. Read Isaiah 43:3-9. What does God say that he is going to do? Who does he identify to us (and the Old Testament Jews) as our "savior"?
  3. In Isaiah 43:1-9, list each "I" phrase, and briefly state what God says following each "I".
  4. In Isaiah 43:10, what does God say about us? What two things are we to do?
  5. Who does Isaiah 43:11 say is our "Savior"? Who has "saved" us?
  6. Do you think this shows that the Jews were "saved" in the Old Testament?
  7. What do you believe is the difference between salvation (or being "saved") in the Old Testament versus the New Testament?
  8. What does Isaiah 43:13 tell us about the security of the believer? Can we lose our salvation? If so, then how? If not, then why not?
  9. Who does Isaiah 43:14 say is the "redeemer"?
  10. In Isaiah 43:18, we are provided some very practical advice about living, and about reflecting on the past. Specifically, what does God tell us about reflecting on the past?
  11. In Isaiah 43:25, who is it that "blots out our transgressions", and what happens to our sins?
  12. In Isaiah 44:6, what two titles for God are identified?
  13. In Isaiah 44:8, who is like God?
  14. Read Isaiah 45:20-25. Who were the Jews to turn to in order to be saved? What does God say will happen in verse 23?

Once again this week, we see an awesome picture of a sovereign God who, of his own initiative and not based on anything that we have done, reaches out, forgives us of our sins, and redeems us. Even more blessed is the fact that this will never be taken away, and we are assured of an eternity with Him – all because of His great grace.

We, just like the Jews in the Old Testament, have been saved to serve and to witness; and to proclaim to those around us that God is very real and desires that all would come to a saving knowledge of Him. Just as in Old Testament times, we all must choose whom we will serve, and if we choose Him he will redeem us through the shed blood of Christ.

He promises to walk with us during the really hard times, to protect us, to save us, and to restore us. What an awesome God we serve!

May he richly bless you this week as you study with us.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

[2003]