Come Bible Study with me (Isaiah Chapter 2)

Welcome back to the blog. We are continuing in the book of Isaiah. This week, we are taking a look at Isaiah chapter 2. Remember, our theme for the year  is "wholeness." We will continue to focus on their places of barrenness (void of God) and how they got there. Then, we will explore the HOPE that still remains for them. 

Read:
Isaiah Chapter 2.
On your own, read/listen to Isaiah chapter 2. Remember, don't rush through it. I suggest reading and listening to it more than once. Then, write a quick summary paragraph in your journal describing what the chapter was about overall. When you're done, return here. 

Strategy:
After reading Isaiah chapter 2, here is my short summary: 

 Prophet Isaiah continued to speak to the leaders and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. In this chapter, he reference "the latter days (the time of the Messiah; when He will reign over the earth; the 1,000 year reign)." He indicated that there would come a time when the mountain of the house of the LORD would be lifted up and all nations would flow to it to learn from Him and submit to His way. This prophecy is also repeated in Micah 4:1-3. 

Isaiah challenges them to walk in God's light in that very moment. He then highlights the many sins that was keeping them from walking in the light of the LORD. The land was filled with idols, they worshiped their treasures, and they walked in pride, but it was all going to come to an end because the LORD would judge the earth. 

The verse that stood out to me was 22, "Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?" I kept reading it over and over. It stood out so much that I began to do a deep dive and studied the term "regarding (ESV)." It seemed like a simple instruction from the LORD, yet we still see humans regarding man more than God even today. 

The term regarding means to "esteem, value, or be guided by. We must be very careful not to esteem or be guided by any voice but the LORD's. There are many voices fighting for our attention. Yet, God's is eternal and the most significant to our wholeness. 

This was some of the idolatry in the land, hanging onto the guidance of those in power. It showed their greater trust in those individuals. It is like hanging onto the doctors for dear life when you are having a major surgery, instead of praying and seeking God to keep you. See my screenshot below. 

Now, let's dive deeper: 
Take a few minutes to answer the 4 questions below either in your Bible or a journal (before reading what I have written). Once you're done, return here and compare notes. 


1. What lies did Israel believe? 
They believed they had to be like the people of the east (ex: fortune-tellers). 
Their treasures and false idols would bring them success. 
They could build their own kingdoms with strong materials, and nothing could come against them. 
They could exalt themselves and their leaders. 

2. What was God's truth that they questioned? 
Their identity did not come from idols they made by hand. 
God is more powerful than any idol or material they would use to build. 
​God would judge the lofty pride of man. 
The LORD alone would be exalted. 

3. How did the lies they believed distort their identity? 
They began to look like and do the things their pagan neighbors did. 

4. What did they believe their purpose was in that distorted identity? 
​I think they believed they thought they needed to become like the world around them, to have them as their allies. 

But there was still HOPE for them...

Again, you will use my HOPE acronym and journal how there was still hope for them by answering the questions below. 

H (Spiritual Healing) - What was God's redemptive plan to come? 
What was one thing God (through Isaiah) instructed them to do in their current time? If they refused, how did that violate God's commands?
O - (Overcoming) - What did Isaiah me by walking in "the light of the LORD?" 
P - (Purpose) - What was their purpose in chapter two? 
E - (Eternal Perspective) - How was "regarding man" the wrong perspective to have? 


Finally, take a moment to journal at least one of the application questions below: 
1. Are you looking like the (unbelieving) world around you? How? 
​2. How can you change this?

When you're finished, return here. 

My answer: 
I'm finding that being a "Christian" doesn't have the same meaning for everyone. As followers of Christ, we are to follow the Word and live set apart, in obedience to Him. Everyone doesn't believe that. Therefore, I have to be careful of my connections as I continue my journey in obedience to Christ. 

How would you answer? Leave a comment below.


Be Blessed & Keep Studying with "HOPE in CHRIST"
​Denise M. Walker
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