The LORD promised King David that one of his descendants would sit on the throne forever. After David’s son, King Solomon, the kingdom split into Northern Israel and Southern Judah. The northern Kingdom has been taken into captivity by Assyria due to their wickedness. The Southern Kingdom was spared due to King Hezekiah’s humility. However, Isaiah will prophesy that Babylon will take the Southern Kingdom into captivity due to their unfaithfulness to the LORD. God uses foreign nations to judge Israel for their sin. Israel goes so far as to accuse God of being powerless to help them avoid the judgement they brought on themselves. It can seem a little back and forth trying to figure out who the “good guy” is, if you think the Bible is about man. IT’S NOT! The Big Picture is all about God’s holiness and His plan to bring about redemption. Despite the accusations and unfaithfulness of Israel, God will continue the story of redemption because the story is about Him. Through Isaiah, God gives another piece of the redemption puzzle or how God is going to accomplish redemption. God is going to raise up a “Servant.”
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading Links - Week 39
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Isaiah, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read Isaiah 50:10-11. What is someone in darkness supposed to trust and rely on? Why would those who walk by their own "torches" (light) be punished by God to lie down in torment?
Read John 1:1-9, 8:12. How is light and darkness being used to illustrate salvation? Read Matthew 8:12. How is hell described? How does this connect with Isaiah 50:11?
Read Isaiah 53:1-12. What is the experience of the Servant vs the straying sheep? How do the transgressors receive peace and righteousness?
Read Isaiah 55:1-3. How is a relationship with God being portrayed? What do you notice about the transaction? What does it cost? How long does it last?
Read John 6:35-40. How are Jesus’ words similar to Isaiah 55:1-3? What do you notice about the cost to the believer? How long does it last?
SHARE IT.
Read Isaiah 51:2-3. When you are feeling like God has abandoned you, what situation from the past does God point you to for encouragement? How does an impossible situation for you bring God more glory? (See Matthew 19:26)
Read Isaiah 55:6-7 and Romans 10:11-17. How are you intentional to meet non-followers?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. What is the ministry that all Christians have, and how are you accomplishing this in your own life?
Read 1 Peter 1:13-25. What is the will of God for every believer?
Read John 6:38. What is God’s will for your life right now? (See Romans 12:2)
FINAL THOUGHT
Why would God delight in crushing His Servant? Isaiah 52:13-15 describes God’s servant victorious and exalted, but marred beyond human semblance. The contrast between God’s servant who was first marred and then exalted will be “astonishing”. The one who had no majesty will be marveled at for His majesty beyond any other. Through the servant’s marring, many nations be “sprinkled.” This is a description of the work of a priest cleansing through the sprinkling of water, and sometimes blood. The writer of Hebrews connects this practice with Jesus in Hebrews 9:13-14. Jesus’ blood would be “sprinkled” on those who believe on Him from every tribe, tongue, and nation. God was maximally glorified in Jesus’ perfect obedience, even to death. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11) Jesus glorifies God the Father, who exalts Jesus the Son, whose perfect life glorified God, who God exalts with a name above every other name. It is an endless exultation of which God’s people get to enjoy forever. Author David Mathis explains, “God’s pleasure in the crushing of his Son is the pleasure of God in lifting up his Son, both at the cross and in the resurrection. Just as God the Son delights in the glory of his Father, so God the Father delights in the glory of his Son.”
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