Prophecies against Israel: Isaiah 7-12 (7)

Pray Psalm 126.4.
Bring back our captivity, O LORD,
As the streams in the South.

Review Isaiah chapters 7-12.

Reflect.
1. The bulk of this section focused on judgment coming against the northern kingdom of Israel. Why was God upset with the people of Israel? How had they come to that state?

2. God intended Isaiah’s prophecies concerning Israel and Syria as a warning to Judah and Jerusalem. Why did they need such a warning? Do we need this warning today?

Meditate.
Part 2 of the book of Isaiah (chapters 7-12) serves as a warning to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, to whom Isaiah was sent to proclaim the Word of the Lord. They would see these prophecies against Israel, Syria, and Assyria come to fulfillment in their lifetimes. They were supposed to infer that, since God’s Word to those nations proved true, surely we should listen more carefully to His Word to us.

But they would not, and the result would be the judgment of God in the form of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian armies.

Israel was being judged because they had strayed from the Lord. They still gave lip-service to Him, but their leaders had turned them away from His Law, and they were pursuing pagan worship and ways. They wanted to be like the nations around them, rather than the holy people God had called them to be. In His covenant, God had warned the people against this, but they would not listen. Thus, His judgment would fall, just as He had promised.

Judah and Jerusalem: Are you listening? Are you paying attention to events? Do you see in yourself any of the crimes of the northern kingdom? Will you repent and return to the Lord, before He brings His judgment against you as well?

And what about us?

Laced through these chapters of warning and dread is the message of hope. A Child will be born. A Kingdom of eternal peace is coming. A remnant will be saved. The salvation of the Lord will come in that day, and then all will be joyous worship and bold witness to the excellencies and goodness of the Lord.

God’s last word to His people is never one of wrath, but of hope and restoration. 

Prepare.
1. Do you think God still judges His people today? In what ways? Why? 

2. How should Isaiah’s words of warning to Judah and Jerusalem speak to us today? 

3. The gracious salvation Isaiah foresaw is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ. What is the nature of that salvation? What does it entail? How should we respond to having received such a great salvation?

Certainly one must have faith in the Scriptures as containing the divine mind, and thus one must proceed to the understanding of what is written in them. For one must go beyond the types and thus apprehend the truth of what has been shown to us. First one must believe in the Scriptures with the simple faith that they are “inspired by God and useful” and then go on to examine subtly and enquiringly the meaning contained in them. Basil the Great (330-379 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 7.197

Your Word to Isaiah is living and powerful, Lord (Heb. 4.12); let it pierce the depths of my soul, so that I…

Pray Psalm 126.
In this psalm, the psalmist seeks revival even as he travails in tears. He calls on the Lord, and sows unto the harvest, because this, he knows, is what the Lord will bless. Pray this psalm to seek revival in our day.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 126 (Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns!)
When God restored our fortunes all, 
we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, 
made Him our constant song and theme.

Then the astonished nations said, 
“The Lord has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, 
Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!

Restore our fortunes, Lord our King!
Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing
who sow while yet they weep and wail.

They who in tears of sorrow sow
and cast their seed on every hand, 
with joy shall reach their heav’nly home, 
and bring the harvest of their land.

T. M. Moore

Where do the prophets fit with the rest of Scripture? How can I be a better student of God’s Word? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you gain a better approach to and understanding of the Scriptures. Watch this brief preview video, then register at The Ailbe Seminary and enroll in this free online course.

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week (click here). Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).