Isaiah Part 1

Welcome to the first week of Isaiah!  It will take us 4 weeks to work through this book of prophecy.  As you read, you will hear messages of judgment and messages of hope.  You will read about God's wrath against sin; you will read about God's great mercy toward his people.  

Included in this week's readings are two familiar Messianic texts, perhaps two of the best-known Messianic texts.  How does those messages of hope fit into the context of these chapters and Isaiah's prophecy as a whole?  If you were alive in Isaiah's day, how would you react to Isaiah's prophecy?

It's often said that prophecy has three layers of messages. The first layer is to the original audience.  What did Israel's people and leaders hear from Isaiah? The second layer is the Messianic layer.  How does Isaiah point the way to Christ?  The third layer is the current-day reader.  What message does Isaiah have for 21st-century Jesus-followers?

As you read, keep these layers in mind.  Enjoy your reading!  Please share your reflections and questions.  Be sure to use the guiding questions as you read.


Our guiding questions are these: 
  • What stood out to you in the reading?
  • Was there anything confusing or troubling?
  • Did anything make you think differently about God?
  • How might what you read change the way you live?

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