Scripture Text: Isaiah 55:1-59:21
Memory Verse: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” —Isaiah 55:6-7
Introduction:
This section of Isaiah completes the trilogy of promises and punishments begun in Isaiah 54. The second part is an invitation to the Gentile nations, extending from Isaiah 55:1-56:8.
A three-fold invitation goes out to the Gentiles:
- Come to the waters (“every one that thirsteth”) Isaiah 55:1-5
- Seek (turn from sin, turn to the Lord) Isaiah 55:6-13
- Worship (use of the Sabbath as a time set apart for the worship of God) Isaiah 56:1-8
The beautiful picture of the grace of God is experienced through an understanding of these verses, as the very people prohibited from entering God’s covenant nation (Deuteronomy 23:1-8) are now encouraged to do so.
The last part of the trilogy deals with God’s accusation against sinners (Isaiah 56:9-59:21), through a series of indictments.
- The godless leaders of the nation (Isaiah 56:9-57:2)
- Idolators (Isaiah 57:3-13)
- The proud and greedy (Isaiah 57:14-21)
- Hypocrites (Isaiah 58:1-14)
- The unjust (Isaiah 59:1-21)
The sum of the judgment is found in Isaiah 59:18-19a: “According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun.”
God’s judgment on Israel and Judah was a bitter foretaste of the final Day of the Lord, the time when all nations of the earth will be judged. But after this, the “Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob” (Isaiah 59:20).
Studying the Word
- Once the Servant completed His work on earth, what became His primary role? (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34; Isaiah 53:12; 59:16)
- What promises does God make if we heed His invitation? (Isaiah 55:1; Psalm 145:19; 36:8; Jeremiah 31:25; John 4:14; 6:35)
- What time limitations does God place on His covenant? (Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 16:60; Hebrews 13:20)
- Is anyone left out of God’s invitation to salvation? (Isaiah 56:3-8; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; 10:12)
- What warnings does Isaiah give to the leadership of God’s people? (Isaiah 55:9-12; Matthew 6:23; 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:6)
- God has expectations of His followers and Isaiah relates these in “If-Then” statements. List the expectations (where God says, “If…you do this…”) and the consequences promised (where God says, “Then…I’ll do this…”) in Isaiah 58:9-14.
- What does Isaiah compare evil doers to, and what will be their outcome? (Isaiah 59:4, 5-6, 11; 33:11; Psalm 7:14; James 1:13-15)