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

Talk about a relationship that has been destroyed by death or by disagreement that you would love to see return?

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. Lord you have decreed a destruction and you have promised that a remnant will return. You have given us pictures of this destruction and return throughout mankind's existence. Help us to trust you in the midst of the destruction decreed because we believe the promise that you will lead the remanent to return. Amen

Study Questions

READ: Isaiah 10:20-33

  1. Isaiah named his 2 sons Shear-Jashub, meaning "A remnant shall return", and the younger Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning, "Quickly to spoils, plunder speedily.”
    1. How does this show Isaiah’s commitment to the message of a destruction degreed and a remnant returns he was asked to give his life to share?
    2. How is Isaiah’s message of a destruction decreed and a remnant returns still the message for us to share today?
    3. How committed are you to sharing the message of the coming destruction that has been decreed and the remnant of humanity that will return with Jesus to the new earth? explain
  2. Creation itself declares the continuing story of destruction and return. Modern science, unlike older science, even tells that the earth itself will be completely destroyed at some point by the fire of the sun.
    1. Why do people find it so hard to embrace God’s eternal story of destruction and return?

READ Genesis 6:5-10, 2 Peter 3:3-7, Matthew 24:3-14

  1. How do these verses specifically help prepare us to live our lives in the reality of the destruction that has been decreed and the remnant that will return?
  2. Why do we tend to not listen to or speak about the full destruction and return story of the scripture?
  3. How does the way we practically live our lives matter in that full declaration?
  4. Who or what do we tend to listen to instead of God according to these passages? Why? How does that effect us?
  5. Isaiah prophesies that the mighty and long standing Assyrian empire would be wiped out quickly and do not be afraid. (10:24-33)
    1. How can this message be an encouragement to us in our endurance as we wait for and experience the reality of destruction and return?

READ Isaiah 11:1-12:6, Philippians 2:5-11,Hebrews 9:27-28, Revelation 19:10-16

  1. These passages tell us a lot about a Messiah (Jesus) the shoot from the stump of Jesse.
    1. What will the Spirit of the Lord look like on the Messiah? (Isaiah 11:1-2) How does this help us see what it should look like on us?
    2. What will the Messiah delight in? (Isaiah 11:3) Do we delight in that? explain
  2. Why do you think God would say the stump of Jesse and not the stump of King David? (Isaiah 11:1) How can that be encouraging to common folks like us?
  3. How does Philippians 2:5-11 say that the Messiah, Jesus, came the first time?