Book of Isaiah Study Questions
Chapters 40-66

1. Chapter 40:1 introduces this section's theme of "comfort." What specific things in 40:1-11 are comforting?

2. What is referred to in 40:1-2? How does this signal a turning point in the flow of the book?

3. Isaiah 40:3 - All four gospels quote this passage as referring to John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus Christ (Matt. 3:1-3 Mark 1:2-5 Luke 3:2-6 John 1:23). How does support the doctrine of the deity of Christ?

4. Verses 9-11 describe the coming of Christ to earth. Do you think these verses refer to the first or second comings, or both? Note the way Isaiah equates God/YHWH with Christ.

Contrasts in Isaiah 40:

40:12 God contrasted with all creation (His unique immensity and scope of power)
40:13-14 God contrasted with all creation (His unique wisdom
40:15-17 God contrasted with the nations
40:18 Statement of God's uniqueness ("To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him?")
40:19-24 God contrasted with idols
40:22 God contrasted with mankind
40:23-24 God contrasted with rulers and earthly judges
40:25 Statement of God's uniqueness ("To whom then will you liken Me That I should be [his] equal?" says the Holy One.)
40:26 Lesson from astronomy
40:27 Example of foolishness by a misunderstanding the greatness of God
40:28-31 God contrasted with energetic youth

5. How does the context of 40:12-26 add to the promise of 40:29-31?

6. What does 41:21-23 teach? How would this give confidence to the exiles about to leave Babylon?

First Servant Passage:

7. Isaiah 42:1-4 What are five things predicted in this passage?

8. (a) At what event in Christ's life are several of the truths of 42:1 taught? (b) What is the meaning of 42:2 in light of Matt. 12:10-21?

9. In Isaiah 43:10 Israel as God's witnessess and servant, was to do what 3 things?

10. How does 43:10 refute key Mormon and JW notions?

11. What does 43:25 teach regarding forgiveness?

12. How does 44:6 (and 44:8) refute the Mormon notion of a plurality of gods?

13. How does 44:8 refute the Catholic idea that Peter is the "rock" on which the church is built?

14. What is so amazing about the prophecies of 44:28-45:1?

15. What two important things Restoration of Israel are predicted in 45:13?

16. What is the New Testament counterpart to 45:23? (Just the reference)

Third "Servant of YHWH" passage: 50:4-9

17. What prophecies of Christ can you find in this passage?

Fourth "Servant of YHWH" passage: 52:13-53:12

18. 52:13; 53:12 - What is the ultimate destiny of the Servant?

19. Find at least 5 prophecies of Christ's life and redemptive work from chapter 53.

20. How could you prove that the Servant in this passage is not the nation of Israel?

21. How could you argue the death, burial, and resurrection from this passage?

22. Which verses in this passage support the idea of the Servant's death being (a) substitutionary sin-bearing work, (b) priestly in its nature or purifying effect?

23. 54:1-3 - (a) What is this passage describing? (summarize briefly); (b) How does Paul apply 54:1 in Galatians 4:27? (c) When did/does this passage ultimately point to?

24. List all the verses in chapter 55 that could be used in presenting the gospel to someone:

25. Where does chapter 56 describe the universal scope of God's blessings? In other words, which verses talk about God's dealings with Gentiles (the "foreigner" in chapter 56)?

Chapters 59-66

26. Which of the parts of the Christian armor in Isaiah 59:17 (compare with Eph. 6) do we share with the Lord. Which parts do we not share?

27. What is 59:19-20 referring to? (Note Paul's use of verse 20 in Romans 11:26-27.)

28. (a) Does 59:21 and 61:8-11 refer to the New Covenant? (b) Does these passages have significant parallels with Jeremiah 31:31-34? (c) How do the benefits of this covenant affect the life of a believer?

29. What are the essential prophecies of 60:3-7? What event involved a foreshadowing of 60:6?

30. Isaiah 60:9-11 - What will Gentiles do for Israel after Christ comes?

31. What cosmological changes are described in (a) 30:26, and (b) 13:10; 24:23 and 60:19-20?

32. What happens spiritually at this time? (60:21)

33. Where was Isaiah 61:1-2 quoted in the New Testament? Which part did Christ not quote?

34. List some of the essential details of the prophecy of the return of Christ in Isaiah 63:1-6 (NOTE: Edom represents Israel's eschatological enemies; Bozrah is the capital of Edom.)

35. How is Isaiah 65:1 used in Romans 10:20?

36. 65:17-25 - This is an amazing glimpse into millennial life. (a) What does this passage say about the longevity of life during the millennium? (b) What are some other significant details of this prophecy?

37. What three qualities does God look for according to 66:2? How did Isaiah exhibit them in his encounter with the Lord in chapter 6?

38. What general things are predicted in 66:19?

39. What general things are predicted in 66:20-21?