What is the terrible shaking that Isaiah describes in chapter two?
(Isaiah 1-5; Deut. 30:19-20; Heb. 12:26-28) Blog Dec. 27, 2020 -Jan. 2, 2021
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: The book of Isaiah the prophet contains 66 chapters – the first 39 are said to correspond with the 39 books of the Old Testament and the remaining 27 with the 27 books of the New Testament. This quarter we will take a rapid journey through Isaiah seeking to apply its message to our time and to our lives.
God’s complaint (2 Kings 15:1-7, 32-38; 16:1-4; 17:6, 18-23; 18:1-6; Isaiah 1:1-15; )
1. To what people did God send Isaiah as his special messenger? To his people, the people of Judah & Jerusalem.
2. Which of the four kings of Judah during whose reign Isaiah prophesied did right in the sight of the Lord? Uzziah, Jotham, & Hezekiah.
3. What traumatic event happened to the northern kingdom of Israel during the fifth year of Hezekiah’s reign? Because of their rebellion against God, they were taken captive to Assyria, nevermore to be a kingdom again.
4. Of whom had Hezekiah’s wicked father, Ahaz, sought help when attacked by Syria and Israel? Of Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria.
5. What did Ahaz see and draw plans of when he met Tiglath-pileser in Damascus? Of a pagan altar which he had reproduced in Jerusalem for worship in God’s temple court.
6. Why does God call heaven and earth to hear his complaint against Judah in Isaiah’s first vision? Because heaven and earth were the witnesses of the covenant that he had made with his people.
7. Of what did God accuse the people of Judah in Isaiah’s first vision? Of rebellion by forsaking God & revolting against him.
8. What natural animal behavior did God say that his people were not even as good as? That of an ox or a donkey that knew who fed them & would return to their master’s stall.
9. How does Isaiah conclude (in Isa. 1:9) his initial accusation of Judah? By saying that they would have all been destroyed like Sodom & Gomorrah except the Lord had left a small remnant of true believers.
10. In Isaiah 1:10-15 of what does God accuse his people? Of hypocrisy – because they followed all the forms (ceremonies) of true religion, but their heart was not in it.
God’s Remedy (Isaiah 1:16-31; 2:1-22; 3:1-15; 4:2-6; Joel 2:1-14; Zech. 5:1-4; Heb. 12:26-28; 1 Pet. 4:5-6, 17; Rev. 3:5)
11. What does God ask his people to do in order to overcome their hypocrisy? They were to cleanse themselves of their evil deeds & begin caring for the oppressed & the needy which was only possible if they first repented & sought his forgiveness.
12. What glorious future does God promise to the “willing and obedient”? That he will restore justice & righteousness to his people when he rises in judgment & will eradicate all transgressors.
13. What is the terrible shaking that Isaiah describes in chapter two? It is the judgment of God’s people that Joel, Zachariah, Peter & Paul also foretold.
14. According to Isaiah 3 what problem brings God’s curse upon his people? Their looking to & placing their trust in human beings rather than in God.
15. When God shall have judged his people in what condition will the overcomers be found? They will be holy & cleansed from sin, their names will be retained in the Book of Life, their sins will have been blotted out, they will be glorified, & they will be miraculously protected & fed by God during earth’s final crisis.
God’s Vineyard (Psa. 80:9-19; Isaiah 5:1-9; 63:3; Matt. 23:38; Mark 12:1-9; Rom. 3:1-2)
16. What does the vineyard of Isaiah 5 represent? God’s church, his people on earth whom he loves as a covenant husband.
17. What advantages had God given to his church in Isaiah’s day to insure her production of good fruit? He planted good seed in her good soil, protected (fenced) her with his Ten Commandments, provided his Holy Spirit to sanctify her by eradicating her sins (stones & stony heart), he gave her his sanctuary (tower) that he might dwell with her & she enjoy his presence, & he placed a crucified Saviour (represented by the winepress) in her midst.
18. What excuse do God’s people have for not bringing forth good fruit? They have none.
19. If God’s people forsake righteousness what method in Isaiah 5:5-6 does he promise to use for their correction? He will withdraw his protection & blessings from them.
20. When did God transplant his vineyard outside the borders of Israel? When Jesus said, “your house is left unto you desolate.” Then he planted his vine outside of the Jewish people & his church then included people from every race.
21. What is the theme of Isaiah 5:8-25? That when God rises to judge his people the vast majority will lack knowledge & will have cast away the Law of the Lord resulting in their eternal damnation.
22. What is Isaiah describing in verses 26-30 of chapter 5? The Lord’s, life-searching army that, like that of Joel two, & that of Zechariah five (see also Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36-37), will invade every life to determine its eternal destiny.