Isaiah

Week One: An Introduction to Isaiah

Prayer & Discussion:

 When we gather together for Bible study we choose to create space for respectful
dialogue and disagreement. We believe the Bible to be the living word, which calls us to
wrestle with the word and with our own experiences. We will likely disagree, as part of
this time together we do agree to respecting others when they speak, not interrupting, and
allowing for ambiguity in our learning space.
 Beginning Discussion:
o What experiences (if any) do you have with the book of Isaiah?

o What knowledge do you already have coming into this Bible Study?

o What questions do you already have?

o What are you curious about?

Themes of Isaiah1:

 The book of Isaiah is the long account of the life of Israel and its people before and
during the Assyrian and Babylonian empire, the interaction between Judah and multiple
imperial powers (Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian) is a key element.
 One primary theme is YHWH (Yahweh) throughout Isaiah’s writings with a dominant
holy sovereignty and also faithful gentleness. Yahweh is the “primal player in the life of
Judah and in the life of the world around Judah.”
 Isaiah’s tradition is one of a “two-stage presentation”: judgment and renewal. Similarly,
although individual speeches in Isaiah have this two-stage presentation, the book itself
also has two (some think even three) stages of judgment and renewal. The first part of
Isaiah (chapters 1-39) are heavy with judgment for the people of Judah, and the second
part (Chapters 41-66) is often referred to as the “Book of Comfort”.

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Isaiah 1-39 & Isaiah 40-66 Commentary by Walter Brueggemann (Westminster Bible Companion)
History of Isaiah1:

 Who: Isaiah, son of Amoz; What: The history and prophecy of Judah and Jerusalem;
When: in the days of four kings (Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah) which can also be
read about in 2 Kings 15-18;
 Most of Isaiah’s ministry was likely between 742 BCE and 701 BCE, some authors
believe he lived until 681 BCE.
 Isaiah includes the history and prophecy of the Assyrian Empire 745 BCE to Jerusalem’s
deliverance from Sennacherib in 701 BCE (Chapters 1-39), the Babylonian Empire under
Nebuchadrezzar (700-541 BCE) and the Persian Empire under Cyrus (540-520 BCE).

Small Group Reading: Isaiah 1

 Read Isaiah 1:1-31 As a group take turns reading out loud together
o Who are the characters in this story? What emotions do you sense in the characters? What
actions are being taken? What strikes you about this reading? Does it bring up any emotions for
you?

Come back to large group

 Read Isaiah 2:1-5

o How does this part of the reading differ from Isaiah chapter 1? Are there different feelings or
actions being taken?

 How do Isaiah’s words speak to us today?

 What are some examples of this “two-stage presentation” in our own lives? (i.e. judgement & hope, sin
& forgiveness, failure & triumph)

Next time: Reading Isaiah Chapter 5:1-25 & Chapter 9:1-7

Knowing that even 8 weeks in the book of Isaiah is not enough time to read through the book in its entirety, if
you are interested, this week at home read Isaiah 2:6—4:6 & 5:26—8:22, continue to recognize this “two-stage
presentation” theme, thinking about the emotions and actions of both Judah and Yahweh.
Closing Prayer

Isaiah
Week Two: Reintroduction & Prophesy

Prayer & Discussion:

 When we gather together for Bible study we choose to create space for respectful
dialogue and disagreement. We believe the Bible to be the living word, which calls us to
wrestle with the word and with our own experiences. We will likely disagree, as part of
this time together we do agree to respecting others when they speak, not interrupting, and
allowing for ambiguity in our learning space.

 Beginning Discussion:
o For those of you who took home the Bible study last week, what came up for you during your
reading and study?

o How did you see the “two-stage presentation” theme play out through Isaiah’s writings?

o What are some examples of this “two-stage presentation” in our own lives? (i.e. judgement &
hope, sin & forgiveness, failure & triumph)

Small Group Reading: Isaiah 5

 Read Isaiah 5:1-7 As a group take turns reading out loud together
o What message is Isaiah sharing in this song about God and God’s relationship with the people of
Jerusalem and Judah? What are some of the emotions being shared? What strikes you as familiar
from this reading?

o This “love song” becomes the base line for the parable of Jesus in Matthew 21:33-41. Read
Matthew 21:33-41 2out loud together. How does Jesus’s parable grow from this Isaiah reading?
What has stayed the same? What are the differences?

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  Read Isaiah 5:8-25 As a group take turns reading out loud together
o It’s often hard to read the one-stage part of Isaiah’s prophecy, even Isaiah is bringing these
charges with a sense of woe, of sadness and disappointment. (Ask Pastor Megan about the word
“Ah,” used in this reading. What are the charges Isaiah brings about the people of Judah in this
reading? What do they have in common? Is there a central theme growing with each woe?

o In verses 14-17, and 25 Isaiah talks about the consequences of Judah’s failure to be in
relationship with God. What do the emotions Isaiah shares in verse 25 and the consequences
throughout tell us about God? About God’s people?

Come back to large group

 Read Isaiah 9:1-7

o A hopeful stage in Isaiah’s presentation, how does the “wonderful counselor” play into Isaiah’s
judgment for the people? As Christians, this reading is often found in our worship services
pointing to Jesus.

o What are the three important marks of God’s kingdom in this reading? What do Isaiah’s words
tell us about God? About God’s people?

 How do Isaiah’s words speak to us today?

Next time: Reading Isaiah Chapter 13:1—14:2, Chapter 17:4-14, Chapter 23:1-17
Knowing that even 8 weeks in the book of Isaiah is not enough time to read through the book in its entirety, if
you are interested, this week at home read Isaiah 9:8—12:6, continue to recognize this “two-stage
presentation” theme, thinking about the emotions and actions of both Judah and Yahweh. You can also read
ahead through some of the “Oracles Against the Nations” with Isaiah 14:3—17:3 and Isaiah18:1—22:25.
During this reading, think about the themes from the oracles, from the poet, and from Yahweh and how they
differ, what they have in common, and how good news might be found in these often violent texts.

Closing Prayer3

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