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ISAIAH – LESSON THIRTEEN

I. GLORY OF JEHOVAH MANIFESTED IN LIGHT OF JUDGMENT UPON THE NATIONS –EDOM, AND HIS BLESSINGS UPON ZION (Chapters 34-35)

A. The call for all the nations to hear of the judicial wrath of God to come upon them in their representative:

Edom (34:1-17).

1. God’s wrath manifested against all the nations (v. 1-2).

2. Dead bodies unburied and deluge of human blood accompany a calamitous downfall (v. 3-4).

3. God’s sword comes down in righteous judgment- Edom and it’s chief city are the sacrificial animals. (v.5-7).

4. God’s judgment upon the nations is a day of vengeance and recompense for Zion (v.8).

5. Eternal ruin and desolation accompanies God’s wrath upon the nations who are enemies of God’s people –                    Edom (v. 9-15).

6. The surety of the fulfillment of the prophecy of everlasting desolation emphasized (v. 16-17).

B. Zion flourishes out of a desert land (35:1-10).

1. God’s glory will be seen as He causes God’s people to flourish again (v. 1-2).

2. God’s people exhorted to encourage the weak and fearful as they wait for God’s vengeance to come upon her                  enemies and they be saved (v. 3-4).

3. The blind, deaf, lame and dumb are healed (v. 5-6).

4. The dry land shall flourish with vitalizing water (v. 7).

5. A “highway” of holiness will be clearly seen for the joyous holy and redeemed to travel upon and find protection                 (v. 8-10).

QUESTONS:

1. Why is Edom named when God calls all the nations to hear of his approaching judgment upon them?

2. What will happen to “the heavens” in the context of God’s judgment upon the nations?

3. Before God’s sword comes upon Edom, what will it have done in heaven?  What is the significance of this fact?

4. What is Bozrah to Edom?  What is Bozrah to God?

5. God’s judgment upon the nations is a day of _________________ and a year of ______________________ for the           ________________ of Zion.

6. Give three descriptions that show that Edom will be in perpetual desolation.

7. What tools usually utilized for building does Isaiah use to describe desolation?

8. How sure should one be that God’s prophecy of everlasting desolation upon the nations will occur?

9. What will cause God’s people to rejoice and sing again?

10. When God’s people are weak and fearful how can we encourage one another to be strong?

11. What two general descriptions does Isaiah give of God’s glory being manifested?

12. Describe the “highway” that is connected with God manifesting His glory?

13. Who shall walk on this highway?

ISAIAH – LESSON FOURTEEN

INTRODUCTION: Historical background of Hezekiah’s rule and his relationship with Assyria(2 Kings 18-19;2Chronicles 32:1-23).

I. ASSYRIA’S ATTEMPT TO COMPEL JERUSALEM TO SURRENDER (Chapters 36-37)

A. Assyria’s first attempt: Sennacherib, King of Assyria, sends Rabshakeh to persuade Jerusalem to surrender to Assyria (36:1-37:7)

1. Rabshakeh, with a great army, meets three officers of Judah at the conduit of the upper pool outside of Jerusalem (36:1-3).

2. Rabshakeh ridicules and blasphemes Jerusalem’s source for strength and protection – appeal to trust in Assyria (36:4-20).

3. Officers report to Hezekiah the troubling words of Rabshakeh (36:21-22).

4. Hezekiah sends his officers to Isaiah for hopeful Divine intervention (37:1-4).

5. Isaiah’s assuring words from Jehovah – Blaspheming King of Assyria will return to own land to be slain (37:5-7).

B. Assyria’s second attempt: Rabshakeh returns with letter from Sennacherib to continue scare tactics to persuade Hezekiah to surrender to Assyria (37:8-35).

1. Rabshakeh defies Jehovah and appeals to Assyrian conquests to scare Hezekiah into submission (37:8-13).

2. Hezekiah takes letter and lays it before God in the house of Jehovah in prayer (37:14-20).

3. Isaiah’s encouraging words to Hezekiah that God has heard and will answer his prayer of intervention against Assyria (37:21-35).

 

C. God’s intervention against Assyria (37:36-38)

                        1. 185,000 of Assyrian army killed by angel of Jehovah.

                        2. Sennacherib returns to Nineveh.

                        3. Sennacherib murdered by sons while worshipping his god.

QUESTIONS:

1. How had Hezekiah changed in his relationship with Assyria before his visit from Rabshakeh?

2. What year of Hezekiah’s reign did Sennacherib send Rabshakeh to Jerusalem?

3. Describe the place where Rabshakeh met the officers of Judah at Jerusalem?  

4. How did Rabshakeh argue against trusting in the following for protection from Assyria:

 (a). Pharaoh –

 (b). Jehovah (YHWH) -

 (c). “gods” of surrounding nations-

5. Of what “facts” about Jehovah was Rabshakeh ignorant?

6. What assurance does Rabshakeh give to Jerusalem for trusting in Assyria?

7. Describe Rabshakeh’s’ “condescension” towards:

(a). Hezekiah –

(b). people of Jerusalem –

8. What did Rabshakeh refuse to do regarding the request of the three officers of the Jews in Jerusalem?

9. Why did the three officers of the Jews not answer Rabshakeh?

10. Did Rabshakeh’s words “trouble” the leaders in Jerusalem?

11. What did Hezekiah want to accomplish through Isaiah for God’s people when he sent the officers to him?

12. What was Isaiah’s response?

13. What did Hezekiah do after Rabshakeh’s second attempt to compel Jerusalem to surrender to Assyria?

14. In addition to protecting God’s people, what of the King of Assyria’s own character was causing Jehovah to bring Assyria down?

15. How does God react to Assyria’s condescension with some of His own?

16. What “sign” does Jehovah give Hezekiah through Isaiah?

17. What does Jehovah promise His people in Jerusalem that Assyria WILL NOT DO?

18. How was Isaiah’s prophecy against Assyria “fulfilled?”