 Welcome back to the Come Bible Study with Me Blog. We are pressing forward through the word in the book of Isaiah. As you have probably noticed, it is taking time to deeply study this amazing book. This is how we should study, slow down and get the true message. In many instances Prophet Isaiah is seeing present and future and there is some symbolism also, so we want to be sure we understand the parts clearly. Remember context is very important.
I will continue using the asking questions (annotating strategy) to summarize this chapter. I pray you are enjoying this strategy as much as me. A few of the Bible study resources I am using while studying are www.biblehub.com, the Experiencing God Bible, and the Olive Tree Bible app. These resources help me to deep dive into the context, background, and to also look up the words for understanding. In addition, I use the YouVersion app to listen to the text more than once if needed. It's important that we reread and use scholarly resources to help us better understand the parts of the scripture where we get stuck. Let's jump into chapter 8! Here are my list of questions and answers I came up with as I read through the chapter: How many sections are in this chapter? This chapter is broken into 2 sections, "The Coming Assyrian Invasion (1-10)" and "Fear God, Wait for the LORD (11-22)." How was Isaiah's life a sign to the people that God is real and was all they needed? Isaiah's name alone meant "Yahweh is salvation." In addition, he followed all of God's instructions. He remarried a virgin after his first wife passed away. His sons' names were given prior to God bringing to pass what he had spoken through Isaiah. They were physical signs of remembrance of God's power and truth. In section one, what do the waters of Shiloah -vs- the mighty river of (Euphrates) Assyria represent? According to the ESV study Bible in, Shiloah was a quiet spring feeding Jerusalem—a picture of God's steady, faithful care. In contrast, Assyria was a roaring flood of empire politics. Its military power would flow over Syria and Ephraim and flood south into Judah as well, causing destruction. In section one, why did they prefer the "Euphrates?" Maybe because the Assyrians were seen as a world superpower that everyone feared. Maybe they believed they had drawn far away from God where they were not hearing his voice or they thought the situation was bigger than the LORD. In section one, why does Isaiah say, "Give ear all you far countries; strap on your armor and be shattered?" Well, the simple answer is in verse 10, "For God is with us." Because of this truth, no one would completely destroy them, no matter how powerful the Assyrians believed they were because of the power and authority of God himself. In section 2, what does God mean when He instructs Isaiah to not walk in the way of the people around him? God tells Isaiah to honor Him instead of fearing what others could do to Him. I believe He is making Isaiah aware that there shouldn't be any idols in his life. If he feared the power of the Assyrians so much as to join forces with them to keep them from destroying them was equivalent to bowing to an idol as a god. He needed to trust God and watch God move on their behalf. In section 2, verse 14, what does "he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel…?" This is a prophecy about Jesus Christ. I did a little digging about these phrases, and I found some profound details. According to Professor David Chapman at Covenant Theological Seminary, Christ's crucifixion and being the Messiah were stumbling blocks (obstacles, hindrances, or barriers) to the Jews. One reason was because people who were hung on trees were considered "cursed" by God. They were rebels, slaves, robbers, etc.). Therefore, they wouldn't be able to understand how one who seemed to be cursed by God and had undergone the same death by the enemy's of the Jews was a savior for them. Most Jews of the first century expected a powerful, conquering Messiah who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and restore the Davidic kingdom. In section 2, why would the people inquire of the mediums and necromancers? I believe they considered this to be a short cut to placing their trust in God. Maybe they wanted to follow after others' practices. Either way, they wanted to come up with the solution on their own, which God won't violate. This is why the LORD instructed Isaiah (who loved Him and obeyed Him) to not follow what the others were doing. They had a free will. In section 2, what does "they have no dawn" mean? This means, without relying upon and turning to God's wisdom and truth, they will be in spiritual darkness, distress, and gloom. This is the consequence of ignoring God. What stood out the most? The thing that stood out to me the most was how God sent Isaiah to the people knowing they would still refuse his words and warnings. God did everything to reveal himself to them, but they rejected Him over and over. This, to me, shows God's grace and mercy while at the same time not violating their free will. It also reveals His plan for redemption (Christ) that he spoke through Isaiah. What's the theme of this chapter? I think the theme of this chapter is "Despite the judgment and correction of God, He is still merciful, even when we don't deserve it." How does it apply to us today? I think many today must stop seeking the answers from self and others. They must seek to understand the Ancient of Days in the context of scripture, understand his character, and his truth in order to truly be free. I think we must denounce the idols we fear because they are not bigger than the LORD of hosts. We must hold to faith in the LORD as Isaiah, not superficial but life-preserving. Now, let's dive deeper: The 4 questions will focus on the people of the land this time. Once you're done, return here for the next part. 1. What lie did the people believe? The people believed that they could overcome trouble in their own power and strength. King Ahaz didn't ask God's help because he had sought the help of the help of the Assyrians. They also believed they could get support from mediums and necromancers, which is why Isaiah said, "Should not a people inquire of their God?" They were speaking to the dead who know nothing, instead of seeking the God who made them. 2. What truth did God reveal about Himself to the people? He revealed that He is all-knowing. He told them (through Isaiah) that He knew their ways, yet He attempted to extend grace to them in the prophecy that was fulfilled in Isaiah's son. God went through lengths to show Himself to the people, but they still rejected Him. 3. How did the lie they believed distort their identity? It distorted their identity by giving them a false hope in themselves. They were nothing without the God who brought them out of the bondage of Egypt and kept them from being destroyed by the evils around them. 4. What was their purpose as revealed to them by God? Their purpose was to honor and worship the God who created and sustained them. Now use my HOPE acronym and journal how there was still HOPE for them by answering the questions below. Feel free to change or add your own questions as well. H (Spiritual Healing) - In chapter 8, how did the people's misplaced trust affect their relationship with God and their deliverance from the wickedness in the land? O - (Overcoming) - What hope did God's presence offer even though judgment was coming? P - (Purpose) -What does Isaiah's faithfulness teach us about remaining committed to God's purpose even when others reject Him? E - (Eternal Perspective) -Why was trusting God's promises a greater source of hope than trusting political alliances or human wisdom? Finally, take a few moments to journal the application question below: In what area of your life is God calling you to stand firm and remain faithful? What were your answers from this chapter? Add them and the answers below and any other comments you have. Share this with someone else. Thank you for stopping by the blog! Be Blessed & Keep Studying with "HOPE in CHRIST" Denise M. Walker Founder of Hope-in-Christ Ministries
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 Well, we made it to another chapter. Welcome back to the blog! This week, I'm sharing my thoughts and strategies used with Isaiah chapter 7.
I will be using the asking questions (annotating strategy) again to summarize this chapter. Remember, there is no fixed way to use any of the strategies I am sharing here. Choose to make it work for you. Let's begin! Here are my list of questions and answers as I read through the chapter: Why are the King of Syria and the King of Israel waging war against Jerusalem? After studying different commentary, I learned that these two kings united against the coming all-conquering Assyria. They were so serious that they were even willing to overthrow King Ahaz and replace him with the son of Tabeel. They believed they could possibly defeat them if they all joined forces. Why did God instruct Isaiah to bring his son "Shear-jashud" to meet with King Ahaz? According to various Bible commentary, Isaiah's son symbolized God's judgment and His restoration that would come. His son name meant "a remnant will return." This was a show of Isaiah's faith in God keeping His promise to preserve David's throne in Jerusalem. Therefore, they wouldn't be annihilated. In addition, King Ahaz was the king of Judah at the time. He had led the people into sin, to act sinfully against God. Through Isaiah, God made sure that his (Isaiah's) son was a symbol that God's judgement would come to pass because of their great sin against him. Why did Ahaz refuse God's help to fight against all of their adversaries? According to 2 Kings 16:8, King Ahaz secretly tried to buy aid from the Assyrians with silver and gold from God's Temple. Even with God telling him (through Isaiah) that Ephraim (Israel, the northern kingdom) would no longer exist within 65 years, Ahaz still struggled to place his faith in God alone. He worshipped the "god" that benefitted him. How does God's prophecy through Isaiah begin to come to pass? According to various commentary, God's prophecy that He spoke through Isaiah began to come to pass when the northern kingdom was invaded by Assyria. By 669 BC, the nation no longer existed. What does God, through Isaiah, mean when he says in chapter 7:9, "If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all?" In the context of what was taking place at the time, I believe the LORD was saying that Ahaz would never be firm or stand for anything. He would always waver in his thinking. He would always seek his own will, what seemed right in his own eyes. Others would be able to use him, and he would ultimately fall, which he did. Overall, God was trying to get him to understand that he had his trust in the wrong place, and it would cost him. Why did God speak to Ahaz about the virgin that would conceive and bear a son and would call him Immanuel? This was two-fold. There would be a virgin (in their time) who would give birth to a son and name him Immanuel, which would be a sign of remembrance that God spoke the two kings would no longer be an issue. They died two years later, before the boy knew how to refuse evil and choose good (he was young). This was also the prophecy of the Christ to come, the redeemer of souls, the one who would make the ultimate atonement for all of humanity. What stood out the most? The thing that stood out to me the most was King Ahaz belief that he could buy a friendship, instead of seeking God. He rejected the word of God (through Isaiah) because he seemed to walk after his own will and his own wisdom. What's the theme of this chapter? I think the theme of the whole chapter is verse 9, "If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all." How does it apply to us today? I believe many are not firm in their faith in Christ. This is why emotions are able to rule over individuals so easily. Our world is much like the mindsets of all the kings in chapter 7, let me figure it out on my own, separate from the LORD. I often practice (even what seems like smaller decisions) asking God to give me direction. I ask Him to help me to walk strong in my faith and not place my trust in myself or others. This is vital because we don't want to fall prey to the enemy and the adversaries that seek to harm us. We must stand still and see the salvation of the LORD. Now, let's dive deeper: As usual, we will take a few minutes to answer the 4 questions below either in our Bible or a journal. Notice these are focused on King Ahaz. Once you're done, return here for the next part. 1. What lie did King Ahaz believe? He believed he could protect himself from the evil against them. 2. What truth did God reveal about Himself to King Ahaz? 2 Chronicles 28:23 reveals, "For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, 'Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.' But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel." Therefore, the truth revealed here is that all the gods of man are worthless. God is the creator and sustainer of all. The worship of idols only destroy. 3. How did the lie King Ahaz believed distort his identity? King Ahaz seemed to believe that he was the keeper of the southern kingdom. He didn't submit to God like his father David, knowing that God knew all things and was able to keep him. He had a god complex, which destroyed him in the end. 4. What was King Ahaz's purpose as revealed to Him by God? He was supposed to trust God and seek Him for wisdom to protect the land He had given. Now use my HOPE acronym and journal how there was still HOPE for the people by answering the questions below. Feel free to change or add your own questions as well. H (Spiritual Healing) - How did God hold the people of the land accountable for their spiritual downfall? O - (Overcoming) - How did God send assurance to the people in the midst of the threats? P - (Purpose) - What was Judah's overall purpose? E - (Eternal Perspective) - How did God's promise to Judah reveal His faithfulness even while they struggled with unbelief? Finally, take a few moments to journal the application question below: Have I allowed fear to make decisions that faith should make? What were your answers from chapter 7? Add them below with any other comments you have. Share this to bless someone else. Thank you for stopping by the blog! Be Blessed & Keep Studying with "HOPE in CHRIST" Denise M. Walker Founder of Hope-in-Christ Ministries |
“Where literacy strategies meet Scripture.”AuthorDenise M. Walker is the founder of 
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