NOTE: Isaiah 1 is a preface to the whole book of Isaiah, introducing his basic themes. As you read, look for messages that apply to us today.
Day 1: Read Isaiah 1:1-4 (with footnotes 3a,b), Bible Dictionary entry, "Isaiah" (p. 707 in the Bible Appendix)
1. Look up "Isaiah" in the Bible Dictionary. What does the name "Isaiah" mean? When did Isaiah prophesy in Jerusalem? What major theme is identified in paragraph three in the Bible Dictionary entry?
2. Read Isaiah 1:2-3. In your own words, what is the main problem with Israel? Can this be a problem with covenant Israel (us) today?
3. Read Isaiah 1:4. List three ways Israel has incurred the anger of the Lord.
Day 2: Read Isaiah 1:5-9 (with footnotes 5a,c, 6a,b, 8b), D&C 38:11-12
4. What might the “head” and “heart” of the people represent? How sick is the body of Israel?
5. Do you think Isaiah is describing physical or spiritual desolation in Isaiah 1:7? (See also D&C 38:11-12.)
6. The “cottage” or watchman’s hut described by Isaiah in 1:8 would have been a temporary shelter built of straw and leaves. How secure is the “daughter of Zion”?
Day 3: Read Isaiah 1:10-15 (with footnote 13e, 15b), Genesis 19:14-16, 24-25, Bible Dictionary entry, “New Moon,” p. 738, 1 Chronicles 23:31
7. Read Genesis 19:14-16, 24-25. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Why? (See also Bible Dictionary entry, “Gomorrah,” p. 682.) How is Israel NOT like Sodom and Gomorrah?
8. Why were Israel’s temple ordinances spurned by the Lord?
9. Read Bible Dictionary entry “New Moon” and Chronicles 23:31. Explain what “vain oblations” are. Why would the Lord refuse to hear the prayers of his people?
Day 4: Read Isaiah 1:16-20 (with footnotes 17c,e, 21b), D&C 50:10-12
10. List ways the Lord has proscribed for us to repent, from Isaiah 1:16-17.
11. Read D&C 50:10-12 with Isaiah 1:18. How does the Lord reason with us? What must we understand in order to be cleansed?
12. What will happen if we refuse to reason?
Day 5: Read Isaiah 1:21-23 (with footnotes 21a,b, 22a, 23b,c)
13. What do the footnotes to Isaiah 1:21a and 22a indicate about the spiritual state of Jerusalem during Isaiah’s time?
14. Look up “Dross” in any dictionary. How was Israel like dross?
15. List two sins of Jerusalem’s rulers, according to Isaiah 1:23.
Day 6: Read Isaiah 1:24-27 (with footnotes 25a, 27b)
16. List ways in which the Lord will cleanse his people.
17. Find three examples of “parallelism” in Isaiah 1:24-27.
18. How will Zion be redeemed?
Day 7: Read Isaiah 1:28-31 (with footnotes 29a, 31a)
19. Read footnote 29a. Why should Israel be ashamed of trees?
20. What happens to an unwatered garden?
21. What is the overall message of Isaiah 1?
BONUS: Read 2 Nephi 11:2-8 and 2 Nephi 25:1-8. From 2 Nephi 11, give reasons why Nephi quoted Isaiah. From 2 Nephi 25, list Nephi's keys to understanding Isaiah's teachings.
