ISAIAH CHAPTERS 13-23
Lesson 2 Week of August 26th, 2018 /
- We begin the lesson by focusing on the Sunday message. After meditating on the message, share one way the sermon shaped your thinking this week.
- Review: Isaiah began his book with a series of sermons denouncing the personal sins of Judah (chapters 1-6) and the national sins of their leaders (chapters 7-12). What stood out to you the most in these first 12 chapters?
- In chapters 13-23, Isaiah now directs his prophecy to the surrounding Gentile nations. The theme of this section is “God is at work in al nations of the world, carrying out His perfect will.” See if you can identify the twelve countries or cities he mentions:
- 13:1 –
- 14:25 –
- 14:29 –
- 15:1 –
- 17:1 –
- 18:1 –
- 19:1 –
- 21:1, 9 –
- 21:11 –
- 21:13 –
- 22:1 –
- 23:1 -
- Match your answer for each letter above with the correct location on the provided map on the back page (place them by each dot on the map).
- Isaiah, as do many of the Old Testament prophets, often blends predictions of soon-to-be judgments and blessings with far-off, future events that are yet to occur. What theme do you find in 13:6, 9, and 13? How about 14:1-2?
- Read 13:19 and 21:9 and describe the fate of the city of Babylon. (Note: this occurs fifty years after Isaiah delivered this prophecy)
- Read 14:12-15. While this passage seems to refer to a Babylonian king, many scholars also see a reference to Satan. Read Ezekiel 28:14-19, while comparing it to Isaiah 14:12-15. Describe what happens in these two passages.
- In chapters 15 and 16, Isaiah discusses the future of Moab, a long-standing enemy of the Jewish nation located east of the Dead Sea (whose origination is found in Genesis 19:30-38, making her related to Israel). Read 15:1-9. What emotion is used (14 times!) to describe the response of the Moabites?
- What national sin was displeasing to God (16:6)?
- What does Isaiah predict would occur (16:13-14)?
- The nation of Egypt is discussed in chapter 19. In 19:4, Isaiah predicts an event that would occur in 670 B.C. What is that event?
- What phrase, commonly used by the prophets, occurs six times in 19:16-25? Now that you’ve had some exposure to Old Testament prophetical writings, see if you can define this phrase.
- Isaiah felt very strongly about his warnings to Judah. Read chapter 20 and describe what unusual steps he took to demonstrate his message.
- Can you think of an issue or message today about which you feel very strongly? How might one appropriately convey the importance of that issue?
- Even Jerusalem, the capitol of Judah, was not immune to judgment. In chapter 22, Isaiah describes their eventual captivity by the Babylonians (586 B.C.). From 22:10-13, describe the problem. How might this same accusation apply to us today?
- Below are four applications from these eleven chapters. Review these and, in your small group, discuss how they might apply today:
a. God is in control of the nations of the world.
b. God hates the sin of pride, either national or personal.
c. God judges the nations for the way they treat each other.
d. God always give a word of hope to his people.