1. What were Isaiah's chief objectives regarding King Ahaz in chapter 7?
2. What is the source of fear in chapter 7?
3. What is the meaning of the name Shear-Jashub? What are the two predictions contained in this name (one explicit and the other implicit)?
Both halves of his name are important concepts in Isaiah's book. Remnant, Return.
4. How does Isaiah try to elicit faith from Ahaz in chapter seven? Write down the verses that contain appeals for faith.
5. The "sign" in verses 11 and 14 pertains to the confirmation of what promise?
6. Note the connection between Isaiah 7:7 and 8:10:
What is the significance of this in light of Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23?
7. Do you think that 7:15-16 belongs with 7:14? Does 8:3-4? How does this decision affect our interpretation of this famous "Immanuel" passage? (Note: there are two common interpretations in evangelical circles, a single reference view and a double reference view.)
8. Comment on Isaiah's devotional life from 8:11-13 and 8:16-17:
9. What is predicted in 8:14-15? See also the Old Testament development of this theme in Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22; (Ps. 69:22) and the New Testament usage of it in 1 Peter 2:8; Matthew 21:42-44.
10. What are the specific sins mentioned in 8:19-22? What are the appropriate judgments for each?
11. What elements of 9:1-7 contrast with 8:19-22?
12. How do each of the four titles of Christ in Isaiah 9:6 contrast with specific aspects of gloom in 8:19-22?
13. How do each of the four titles of 9:6 apply to the Christian life? What are the timeless principles based on these attributes of Christ"
14. Isaiah 9:1-2 - The northern part of Israel (the areas of Zebulun and Naphtali) were the first to go into exile (by Tiglath-Pilesar III, before the larger exiles of the Northern and Southern kingdoms). This region was considered to be the most despised part of Israel. What is predicted here? Note: compare it with Matthew 4:13-16.
15. In 10:5-34 Isaiah describes the fall of the Assyrian Empire. Developing a "theology of Assyria" is strategic to understanding Isaiah's message. Comment on the significance of verses 5, 12, 15 , 24-25.
"The remaining trees (soldiers) would be so few that even a child could count them. In 701 B.C. 185,000 Assyrian soldiers surrounding Jerusalem were killed (37:36-37). Then in 609 B.C. the Assyrian Empire fell to Babylon. The fall of the Assyrian Empire is a prototype of the fall of all who oppose God and His plans for His covenant people (Martin, 1055).
16. The promise of 10:20-22 is connected with the name of which son of Isaiah?
17. Note the use of the terms "shoot/branch" (netzer) and "root" (shoresh). How did the selection of Jesse's youngest son David (in 1 Samuel 16), foreshadow the later Jewish reaction to his distant Descendant, the "shoot" in Isaiah 53:1-2?
18. How do the Messiah's qualities mentioned in 11:4-5 contrast with the specific charges against Jerusalem in chapter 1?
19. What elements of salvation/the Christian life can be found in chapter 12—even though the ultimate fulfillment of this chapter will occur when Israel is converted at the end of the age?
©1998 Peter Wise. Anyone is welcome to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.