Isaiah - Part 4

Welcome to the fourth week of Isaiah!  These later chapters of Isaiah are probably more known than the earlier chapters because of the words of hope and promise in this section.

We hear words like this: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isa. 53); Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon (Isa. 55); “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isa. 61).

This is very different from what we heard in earlier chapters, yet it's all connected. Yes, God brings judgment, but he is also a God of mercy and compassion, not wanting his people to perish.  So, he offers forgiveness to those who repent and change their ways.

How do these words relate to our current culture and current issues/challenges?  How do we hear God's words of mercy, yet avoid falling into a place where we don't take sin seriously?

What words of hope spoke to you?  How might those words of hope bring hope to our world today?  Who in your life needs to hear the words of hope from Isaiah?  Would you share those words with that person?

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?