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

What would others say is a sanctuary and a rock in your life?

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, know that you always win, and understand you bless those you chose to bless. Thank you for for loving us, for forgiving us, and for restoring us. You are our sanctuary and The Rock. Help us to learn not be like your people in the past stumbling, tripping, and trapping ourselves because we would not trust in you as our sanctuary and The Rock of our lives. Amen

Study Questions

READ: Isaiah 8:11-14

  1. What was “the way” of God’s people that God told to Isaiah in verses 12-14 to keep him from going their way?
  2. How do we still see people who call themselves believers go against the great power of God’s word and go the same ways that God lays out here?
  3. How does it help us to live with “great power” and not go “the way of this people” when we realize “He will be a sanctuary” and The Rock?

God uses the symbol of a rock, stone, mountain, etc. throughout scripture to refer to Himself. As you READ these next passages, look for those types of references and why people refused to believe in The Holy One of Israel, Jesus, as The Rock?

READ: Isaiah 8:14-15, 28:15-17, Matthew 7:21-23, Romans 9:30-33, Luke 20:17-26, Acts 4:11-12, Ezekiel 11:19-20, 1 Corinthians 1:20-23, 1 Peter 2:1-7

  1. In what specific ways do people trip, stumble, reject, refuse, and get crushed over The Rock and cornerstone (Jesus)?
  2. In what specific simple ways would it look like to know you are building on The Rock, Jesus?
  3. Are you someone that tends to trip, stumble, reject, refuse, and get crushed over The Rock or build on it? explain.
  4. How can you be sure you are not deceiving yourself into thinking you are building on The Rock like the people of Isaiah’s day?

READ: Isaiah 8:16-22

  1. What were the names of Isaiah’s children?
    1. Why are their names significant to the story that God is telling through Isaiah’s life message?
  2. Isaiah said he was waiting with the children of God that refused to seek their Heavenly Father and His law and Testimony (The Scriptures). What were they seeking?
    1. How do we still seek the same answers from the same places as the people in Isaiah’s day only without realizing it?