Post by Mikael on Feb 4, 2012 6:02:27 GMT -5
1.) BACKGROUND: The book of Isaiah opens with what is commonly known as "The Great Arraignment". The southern kingdom of Judah has followed the northern kingdom's lead by resorting to wickedness and a notorious rebellion against God. With the exception of Hezekiah, it has been led by the wickedness of its own kings. During this "Great Arraignment", the Lord has put Judah on trial. Enter the prophet, Isaiah. Not too popular amongst his countrymen because of the dire content of his warnings, Isaiah bears witness to a vision in which the Lord says:
"The ox knows its owner
And the donkey its master's crib;
But Israel does not know,
My people do not consider" (Isa 1:3)
Discussion points: How grave it must have been for the Lord to compare the Apple of His Eye to the beasts of the earth; placing Israel below them, even. You see, an "owner" runs synonymously with the term "provider", and "Master's crib" with "provision." Yet, the people of Israel chose to turn against their Provider (God) and His Divine Provision (the land of their forefathers).
As you will soon find, the book of Isaiah is stacked with the prophetic. And, prophecy is generally accepted to, at times, have multiple fulfillment. In other words, a prophetic message may apply to past, present, AND future generations. Now, I invite you to re-read the above passage once more.
Let's discuss its applicability to past, present, and future generations.
************************************************
2.) In Isaiah 1:9, the prophet speaks about the Lord leaving a "very small remnant" of the righteous, who will be spared from judgment.
"Unless the LORD of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah. "
Think of this in terms of it being a divine pattern in the Lord's method of operation with His people.
Sin --> Warning --> Remnant --> Judgment --> Restoration
Can you think of other instances in the Word of God in which the Lord HAS and/or WILL preserve a remnant who were/will be sheltered and spared from His divine judgment?
************************************************
3.) He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar, And will whistle to them from the end of the earth; Surely they shall come with speed, swiftly. Isa 5:26
In this verse, the Assyrian army is being summoned by God to lay waste to Judah and Jerusalem as instruments of His Wrath. What does this say about free will?
************************************************
These are just discussion points. Feel free to engage them OR add your own insight and reflections on what the Lord has shared with you as you read these chapters.
"The ox knows its owner
And the donkey its master's crib;
But Israel does not know,
My people do not consider" (Isa 1:3)
Discussion points: How grave it must have been for the Lord to compare the Apple of His Eye to the beasts of the earth; placing Israel below them, even. You see, an "owner" runs synonymously with the term "provider", and "Master's crib" with "provision." Yet, the people of Israel chose to turn against their Provider (God) and His Divine Provision (the land of their forefathers).
As you will soon find, the book of Isaiah is stacked with the prophetic. And, prophecy is generally accepted to, at times, have multiple fulfillment. In other words, a prophetic message may apply to past, present, AND future generations. Now, I invite you to re-read the above passage once more.
Let's discuss its applicability to past, present, and future generations.
************************************************
2.) In Isaiah 1:9, the prophet speaks about the Lord leaving a "very small remnant" of the righteous, who will be spared from judgment.
"Unless the LORD of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah. "
Think of this in terms of it being a divine pattern in the Lord's method of operation with His people.
Sin --> Warning --> Remnant --> Judgment --> Restoration
Can you think of other instances in the Word of God in which the Lord HAS and/or WILL preserve a remnant who were/will be sheltered and spared from His divine judgment?
************************************************
3.) He will lift up a banner to the nations from afar, And will whistle to them from the end of the earth; Surely they shall come with speed, swiftly. Isa 5:26
In this verse, the Assyrian army is being summoned by God to lay waste to Judah and Jerusalem as instruments of His Wrath. What does this say about free will?
************************************************
These are just discussion points. Feel free to engage them OR add your own insight and reflections on what the Lord has shared with you as you read these chapters.