What brings peace to a person’s life?
(Isaias 41-49; Mat. 5:17; 12:15-21; Apoc. 16:12) Blog 21-27 Feb. 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Isaiah promises a Divine Deliverer that not only confronts the hypocrisy of God’s covenant bride but also brings her final deliverance by means of judgment – even deliverance from the pride of the human heart. He promises future glory for God’s remnant that has long suffered captivity to Babylon, while all the while desiring to comfort his people and encourage them to trust in his greatness.
Israel, God’s Servant (Isaiah 41:1-29; Dan. 9:15-19; Matt. 5:17; 12:15-21; Luke 10:2; Eph. 1:3; Rev. 16:12)
1. What principle of Bible prophecy must we keep in mind in order to rightly understand Isaiah? That Bible prophecy with the exception of Daniel & Revelation which are apocalyptic in nature (having a prophetic continuum from the prophet’s day to the apocalypse) can have multiple applications.
2. To what climactic events concerning literal Israel is Isaiah 41:1-16 pointing? To God’s judgment on oppressive Babylon by a deliverer from the east who God’s people support with their prayers.
3. To what final, climactic events is Isaiah 41:1-16 pointing? To God’s judgment on spiritual Babylon (false religion) by a Deliverer from the east who God’s people support with their prayers.
4. What prophecy of Revelation points to the deliverer from the east that Isaiah introduces? That of Revelation 16:12 in which “the kings of the east” come to rescue God’s people when the river of Babylon’s support is died up.
5. How does Isaiah 41:1 and 42:1 describe the method that God will use to accomplish the deliverance of his people? Isaiah calls God’s method “judgment,” a judgment in which God comes near to his people for deliverance while his wrath is poured out on the oppressors of his remnant.
6. What dual application should be understood when God tells his people Israel that they are called and chosen to be a harvesting instrument? Since “chosen” refers to election & Jesus is God’s ELECT according to Luke 23:35 then we are to understand that the term “Israel” refers both to God’s people & to their Federal Representative (Jesus) in whom they are found by faith. They are to work with the Lord of the harvest!
7. How does Isaiah describe the results that come with deliverance? For the righteous the dry land will be full of springs of water & God will fill the wilderness with all kinds of beautiful trees & the opposite for the wicked (see also Isa. 42:15; 43:20 & 44:3-5).
8. When God challenges all other gods in Isaiah 41:21-29 what test does he give for proof of Divinity? That they can accurately foretell the future by making happen what they predict.
9. How does Isaiah describe the conquest of God’s deliverer from the north that comes from the east? As one that tramples princes like a potter that tromps on his wet clay preparing it for his wheel.
Jesus, God’s Servant (Isaiah 42:1 – 44:24; Dan. 5:28-31; Zech. 6:13; 2 Cor. 5:21; )
10. In Isaiah 42 why is God’s elect servant given for “a covenant of the people”? Because God’s elect servant is Jesus who promised in covenant with the Father before the foundation of the world to be substitute & surety for the human race & who in life & death fulfilled that role by taking our place.
11. How will God’s elect servant treat weak, suffering human beings? He will patiently deal very gently with them so as not to extinguish their spirits nor frighten them away from him.
12. How does Isaiah 42:21 show that Jesus was to provide a perfect life for our imperfect one? By saying that he would “magnify the law and make it honorable.”
13. How does Isaiah 42:22-25 show that Jesus was to provide a vicarious death for our forgiveness? By saying that he would bear the “fury of [God’s] anger” against sinners.
14. Why does Isaiah 43:1-7 say that God redeemed us and protects us when in danger? Because we are precious in his sight.
15. According to Isaiah 43:7-13 & 21 why were we created? So that we would give glory to God being his witnesses.
16. In Isaiah 43:25-26 what does God promise to do in the day of final judgment? He promises to blot out the sins of his people & not bring them up again for he will grant them justification full & finally complete with glorification (see also Isa. 44:21-23).
17. In Isaiah 44 how does God describe the things that people worship other than himself? He says that they cannot see, nor know, nor understand, nor deliver, nor point out sin.
Cyrus, God’s Anointed (Isaiah 44:24 – 49:26; Dan. 5:28-31; Zech. 6:13; 2 Cor. 5:21; )
18. How does God say that he will use Cyrus the Persian to accomplish his will? God says he will use Cyrus to subdue nations; to dry up the Euphrates River that supports Babylon, even leaving open the brass, river gates for him; to bring fear to Babylon’s kings as happened with the writing on the palace wall; to free God’s captive people; to decree & support the rebuilding of Jerusalem & its temple; & to demonstrate that God is the only true God for he knows & brings to pass the future (Isaiah wrote all this 150 years before the fall of Babylon).
19. What do verses 17-25 of Isaiah 45 teach us about salvation? They teach that salvation comes by looking to the Lord & by being found in him.
20. To what does God compare himself in Isaiah 46? To the gods of gold & silver that men make to worship, which represent any precious person or thing that we value above God.
21. What New Testament picture of fallen Babylon is very similar to that given in Isaiah 47. That given in Revelation 2:20-23; 17:16-18; 18:1-24.
22. According to Isaiah 48:8, when did we become sinners? Before we were born – when we were still in our mother’s womb because in Adam every child of his became a sinner.
23. According to Isaiah 48:18-22 what brings peace to a person’s life? Heeding God’s Commandments, for the wicked have no peace.
24. What characteristics of Jesus are enumerated in Isaiah 49? He was called from his mother’s womb, the sword of the Spirit came out of his mouth, he glorified the Father & the Father glorified him, he was chosen (elect) of God but despised by the people, he was given for a covenant of the people, he set prisoners free, & he is a Comforter to God’s people.