Scripture Text: Isaiah 1:1-6:13
Memory Verse: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” —Isaiah 1:18
Introduction:
The book of Isaiah begins with an ominous accusation. After naming the author and the time of his writing, God cries out through the prophet’s voice that His people have committed high treason: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me” (Isaiah 1:2).
On the basis of this charge of Israel’s rebellion and infidelity, the rest of the book stands. The very next statement after the opening charge places the intuitive intelligence of God’s people below the natural inclination of domesticated animals. In essence, man’s failure shows him to be dumber than a donkey.
Throughout the book, the main contrasting themes of Isaiah are judgment and hope, as these themes are interchanged repeatedly. The Lord’s accusations always give way to His promises of cleansing, healing, and restoration.
However, despite the heavy emphasis upon hope beyond God’s judgment, no other book in the Bible speaks with greater force or authority upon the uniqueness and exaltation of Yahweh. Throughout the book, the idea that God can be compared to the gods of the nations is ridiculed. Despite their failures, it was only the Hebrew people who believed that God is above the world—that He alone was all-sufficient and transcendent above all else. God is absolute; His ways are absolute.
Eventually every man will encounter the Creator, but each is given an important choice. Will we kneel to God’s will in humble obedience, or will we be forced to our knees because of our haughty pride and stubborn disobedience? God’s promises of grace and restoration cries out to us still today. Each of us must decide how we will respond.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- It is obvious in Isaiah 1:10-20 that Judah thought they were entitled to favorable treatment because they had God’s revealed way of doing offerings. How might we dismiss our own sinfulness because we have an understanding of “right doctrine?” (Ezekiel 18:4; Galatians 5:19-21).
- What were God’s real purposes in bringing harsh judgment upon His people? (Isaiah 1:24-28; Malachi 3:1-7) Is this still true today? (1 Peter 4:12-17; 2 Peter 3:10-12)
- What will the “day of the Lord” be like for the proud and lofty, who have put their trust in anything but God? (Isaiah 2:10-19)
- Isaiah 3 shows the dreadful result of human arrogance that trusts in worldly resources and flesh, and takes pride in its own beauty. Aren’t we as idolatrous and proud as Judah was by emphasizing our own security in life above all else, and believing we can guarantee that security by manipulating the powers of this world? (Isaiah 3:10-12; 3:21-4:1; Hosea 10:12-15)
- Which is the better condition for us to desire: happiness or holiness? Why? (Isaiah 4:2-6; Hebrews 12:12-15)
- Identify the six specific behaviors found in Isaiah’s judgment song. (Each is introduced by the word, “Woe…”) (Isaiah 5:7-24)
- In Isaiah 6, Isaiah’s call to ministry begins with seeing the Holy Lord on His throne. Isaiah then says, “Woe is me!” Discuss how it is foolish to attempt serving God until we confess our own sinfulness, come to repentance, and renounce our rebellious ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 55:7)
- What process does God use today for the holy cleansing of those He chooses and calls? Don’t all believers fit into this category to some degree? (Acts 2:38-39; Luke 18:13; Hebrews 9:12-14)