The Vision

We all come to a place in our lives when we realize we can’t save ourselves. We are forced to ask who will save us and how? Isaiah proclaims The Holy One of Israel’s justice against sin and rebellion, and The Holy One of Israel’s hope as the saving Messiah. Isaiah’s message is simple. Yahweh, The Holy One of Israel, is Judge and Savior; of His people (1-12), of the nations (13-27), of Jerusalem (28-39), while in exile, (40-48), as the suffering Messiah (49-55), and as LORD forever and ever (56-66).

Starter

The word for vision that Isaiah uses is best translated perspective. What is something that you used to have a certain perspective about, but God has since changed your perspective (vision) to his perspective through His word? explain

Pray

Lord we thank you that you are The Holy One of Israel. You are Holy perfect in all you do and worthy of our worship and obedience. We like Israel are the ones who wrestle with you, fight to see you, in the end knowing that you always win, and bless those you chose to bless. Help us to see your vision. Help us to see from your perspective what you have communicated consistently for generation after generation. May we see The Vision you have for life now and eternal. Amen

Study Questions

READ: Isaiah 1

  1. If you were in the position of the Israelites receiving this message from Isaiah, how might you have responded?
  2. In what ways have you seen the consequences of rebellion against God in your own life or the lives of others like we see in Isaiah 1?
  3. In what ways does God's rebuke and call for repentance in Isaiah 1 relate to the concept of love and discipline?
  4. How does Isaiah 1 portray The Holy One of Israel’s feelings towards His people's sin?How does this shape your understanding of God’s character and vision for life?
  5. In Isaiah 1:17, God commands us to "seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow". How can you personally put these commands into practice in today's context?
  6. How does the promise of restoration in Isaiah 1 give you hope in the midst of personal, national, or global challenges?
  7. Isaiah 1:18-20 are powerful verses about God’s plan for salvation, "Come now, let us reason together…," How might coming together to reason about this salvation message help us to understand God’s desire for a personal relationship with us and our relationship with one another?
  8. How does God’s promise to restore Jerusalem to righteousness (Isaiah 1:26) encourage you about God’s plans for the future of all of humanity?
  9. What are some practical steps you can take to avoid the 'ritual without righteousness' that God rebukes in Isaiah 1?
  10. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God like the Israelites in Isaiah 1. What steps did you take to reconcile this relationship?