Isaiah for everyone

Study guides to aid in better understanding of the words of Isaiah. Not an official Church website.

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that ye ought to search these things. Yea, a commandment I give unto you that ye search these things diligently; for great are the words of Isaiah." - 3 Nephi 23:1


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Seek and you shall find

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Isaiah 15-17


Map of Moab and surrounds (click to enlarge)

Isaiah 15-17 – to be discussed December 1
Day 1: Read Isaiah 15:1-4 (with footnotes 1a, 2b) Bible Dictionary entry, “Moab” Bible Dictionary entry, “High Places
1. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Moab.” From whom were these neighbors of Judah descended?


2. The phrase, “in the night,” is used twice in Isaiah 15:1 to describe how two Moabite cities would be laid waste. If “in the night” means suddenly, or without warning, how is the destruction of Moab a “type” of Christ’s Second Coming?


3. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “High Places.” Why were the Moabites ripe for destruction?


BONUS: What are our “high places” today?


Day 2: Read Isaiah 15:5-9 (with footnotes 5b,c, 7a)
Note: The names in Isaiah 15:5-9 refer to cities and geographical landmarks in Moab. See a simple map of Moab on the class blog: http://ifestudyguides.blogspot.com.
4. What kind of destruction is described in Isaiah 15:4-5?*


5. What kind of destruction is described in Isaiah 15:6-7?


6. What would become of those who escaped the destructive forces in Moab?**


Day 3: Read Isaiah 16:1-5 (with footnotes 1a, 3a, 4a)
7. Using the footnote to Isaiah 16:1a, to whom would Moab appeal?


8. Find the river Arnon on map 10 in your Bible Appendix (C-6 through D-7). The Arnon was a major river and part of Moab’s northern border. Why were the daughters of Moab like “a wandering bird cast out of the nest”?


9. Read the footnotes to Isaiah 16:3a and 4a. Isaiah 16:3-5 contains Moab’s appeal to Judah for refuge. How might these verses foreshadow the pleas of the wicked during the destruction preceding the Lord’s Millennial reign?


Day 4: Read Isaiah 16:6-11 (with footnote 6a)
10. What was Judah’s reply to Moab’s appeal? List the sins of Moab from Isaiah 16:6.


11. Isaiah 16:7-11 is written using the Hebrew poetry form inverted parallelism, or chiasmus. Compare Isaiah 16:7-8 with Isaiah 16:9-11. List common phrases or concepts.


12. Regardless of the locations of all the Moabite sites listed in Isaiah 16:7-11, what is the overall feeling regarding the fate of Moab? If Moab represents pride and idol worship in the world, what is the message from the Lord through Isaiah?


Day 5: Read Isaiah 16:12-14, Amos 2:1-3
13. To whom would the Moabites turn for help in their distress? How much help would they find?


14. Read Amos 2:1-3, another burden of Moab. What do you think it means that Moab would die “with tumult… and with the sound of the trumpet”?


15. How long did the Moabites have before destruction (in the form of Assyrians) would arrive (v.14)?


Day 6: Read Isaiah 17:1-8 (with footnotes 1a, 3a, 6a, 7b), Bible Dictionary entry, “Damascus
16. Damascus was the capital of Syria, a northern neighbor of Israel. What was to become of Syria during Isaiah’s lifetime? (See Bible Dictionary entry, “Damascus.”) Who was Syria’s ally? (See footnote 3a.)


17. From the institute manual: “Gleaning grapes” ( v. 6 ) are those few missed by the harvesters, and olives were harvested by shaking the branches, which always left a few scattered fruits in the topmost branches (see v. 6 ). Are these verses talking about fruit or people?


18. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Grove.” What was the big problem in Israel and Syria? From Isaiah 17:7, what would the devastations cause Israel to do? (See footnote 7b.)


BONUS: Read Genesis 49:22, Jacob’s blessing to Joseph (father of Ephraim). How might this blessing be reflected in Isaiah 17:6-7?


Day 7: Read Isaiah 17:9-14 (with footnotes 10a,e, 12a)
19. Isaiah 17:9-11 provides agricultural metaphors. The “strange slips” in v. 10 indicate Israel has forgotten Jehovah and instead grafted into their “pleasant plants” the false gods of their heathen neighbors. What kind of harvest might they expect?


20. Isaiah 17:12-14 contains another “burden” or message of doom to the Assyrian empire. What words or phrases from these verses describe the power of the Assyrian army?


21. What would happen to this powerful force, according to Isaiah 17:13-14? (Note: The “rolling thing” in v.13 describes a tumble weed.)

From the Institute Manual:
*(14-19) Isaiah 15:5 . What Was Meant by Moab Being a Heifer of Three Years Old? Isaiah recognized that Moab was a youthful, vibrant nation. “A three-year-old ox, is one that is still in all the freshness and fulness of its strength” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 7:1:326). In spite of Moab’s vigor and strength, Isaiah foretold that powerful forces from the north countries would destroy her only three years hence (see Isaiah 16:14 ). This prophecy was fulfilled with the Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib (see Enrichment F ).
**(14-20) Isaiah 15:8–9 . Moab’s Destruction Was UniversalThe cry of destruction of Moab is universal, even beyond her borders to Eglaim (En-Eglaim) northwest of the Salt Sea. To show the extent of the tragedy that Moab would experience, Isaiah prophesied that the heart of the rich pastoral land around Dibon would have its waters (called Dimon) stained with the blood of the people. In other words, there would be widespread slaughter and destruction of the people, the enemy penetrating even the very heart of Moab. In the Hebrew text, the word translated “lion” is actually a single lion. Isaiah revealed that the relationship of Judah and Moab would change, for the “lion,” Judah, would come upon the remnant of Moab that was spared and make them her vassal.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Isaiah 13-14




Isaiah 13-14 Study Guide – to be discussed November 17
Day 1: Read Isaiah 13:1-5 (with footnotes 1b,c, 2a,c, 3a), D&C 133:1-16
1. Read the chapter heading for Isaiah 13. What great city or nation is the object of the prophesied destruction recorded in Isaiah 13? What does it represent on a broader scale?


2. Where is the ensign mentioned in Isaiah 13:2 to be raised? What group is being gathered? (See footnote 13:3a.)



3. What war are we fighting today? Who will win?



BONUS: Read D&C 133:1-16. What is the fastest way out of Babylon?


Day 2: Read Isaiah13:6-18 (with footnotes 11d, 14a,b, 15a, 16c), Bible Dictionary entry, “Ophir,” D&C 18:10-16, Bible Dictionary entry, “Media,” Bible Dictionary entry, “Persia
4. Why will the wicked “howl” at Christ’s Second Coming?


5. Give two possible meanings for the phrase, “I will make a man more precious than fine gold…” (Isaiah 13:12). See also D&C 18:10-16.



6. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Media” and the Bible Dictionary entry, “Persia.” Who were the Medes? What would they do to Babylon in 538 BC?



Day 3: Read Isaiah 13:19-22 (with footnotes 19b, 21b, 22a,b), Bible Dictionary entry, “Babylon,” D&C 1:12-16, 2 Nephi 23:22
7. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Babylon” and D&C 1:12-16. Why is Babylon an appropriate “type” or example of the wicked world today?


8. Who did Isaiah say would inhabit the spectacular palaces of Babylon after its destruction?


9. Read 2 Nephi 23:22. What message of hope is added to Isaiah’s message of burden in Nephi’s record?


Day 4: Read Isaiah 14:1-3 (with footnote 2a), Bible Dictionary entry, “Cyrus
10. Isaiah 14:1 mentions “strangers” who will join with Israel. Footnote “a” for Isaiah 14:2 indicates other nations will help Israel. Give examples of how gentile nations assist Israel today.



11.Spiritually, how does the Lord give us rest from sorrow, fear and bondage?

12.Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Cyrus.” How did the Lord use Cyrus to fulfill part of the prophecy recorded in Isaiah 14:1-3?



Day 5: Read Isaiah 14:4-11 (with footnotes 4a,c, 6a, 8a,b,c, 9b,11a)
Note: Isaiah 14:4-11 contains a “proverb,” or instructive message to the king of Babylon. Much of this prophecy is “dualistic,” or has two meanings. The king of Babylon (the world) is a “type” of Satan.
13. The trees in Isaiah 14:8 (and in most of Isaiah’s writings) represent people. Why are the trees singing? (See also D&C 128:22-23.)



14. Why might the inhabitants of hell be surprised to see the king of Babylon coming? Or are they?



15. What does the wicked king have in death instead of a throne and a robe? (See Isaiah 14:11.)



Day 6: Read Isaiah 14:12-23 (with footnotes 12c, 13c, 16a,b, 18b, 19a,b, 21a, 23a), D&C 76:25-27, Moses 4:1-4
Note: Isaiah 14:12-20 is a message of doom to Lucifer, or Satan.
16. Read D&C 76:25-27. List ways in which Lucifer “fell.” (See also Moses 4:1-4.)



17. Lucifer makes five statements in Isaiah 14:13-14. What is the first word of each statement?



18. What do Lucifer and the king of Babylon have in common?




Day 7: Read Isaiah 14:24-32 (with footnotes 25a,b, 26b, 28a, 29a, 32a,d)
19. Turning back to Assyria in Isaiah 14:24, what does the Lord promise this wicked nation?



20. Isaiah 14:29-32 is a “burden” or message of woe to Philistia, a neighbor of Israel. Find Philistia on map 4 in your Bible Appendix. Today this land roughly coincides with the Gaza Strip. According to the footnote to Isaiah 14:28a, when was this burden prophesied?



21. Why would Philistia make a poor ally against Assyria? What might be the message to modern Israel (us)?

Friday, November 4, 2011

Isaiah 10-12




Isaiah 10-12 Study Guide – to be discussed November 10
Day 1: Read Isaiah 10:1-7 (with footnotes 2a, 3a, 5a, 7a), D&C 59:21, Mormon 4:5
1. Isaiah 9:9 through Isaiah 10:4 lists four evils of Ephraim. The first (Isaiah 9:9-12) describes pride; the second (Isaiah 9:13-17) condemns wicked leaders; the third (Isaiah 9:18-21) indicts the “fire of wickedness,” or absence of love and kindness. How would you categorize the fourth evil of Ephraim, outlined in Isaiah 10:1-4?


2. Read D&C 59:21. Why is this fourth evil so heinous in God’s eyes?



3. Read Mormon 4:5 with Isaiah 10:5-7. Using these verses, explain how Assyria was the “rod” of the Lord’s anger. Was Assyria aware of its role?



Day 2: Read Isaiah 10:8-19 (with footnotes 12b, 15a,c, 16b, 18a), D&C 117:6
Note: The “he” in Isaiah 10:8 refers to the king of Assyria. Calno, Hamath and Samaria were cities in Israel. Carchemis, Arpad and Damascus had already been taken by Assyria. The king’s boasting comprises verses 8-11 in Isaiah 10. The Lord answers Assyria’s boasting in verses 12-19 (quoting the king again in vv. 13-14).
4. How did pride and power contort the Assyrian king’s view of his relationship to God? Can we see the same tendencies today? See also D&C 117:6.


5. What would eventually happen to Assyria and her king, according to Isaiah 10:12 and 16-19?


6. Who or what are the Assyrians in your life? What can you do to overcome them?



Day 3: Read Isaiah 10:20-27 (with footnotes 20a,c, 22e, 23a, 24b, 27c)
7. What time period is reflected in the prophecy of Isaiah 10:20-27? What is the promise?


8. How are we seeing this promise fulfilled today?



9. Using the footnotes for help, what might the phrase, “… the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing” (Isaiah 10:27) mean? Note: the word translated “anointing” is the Hebrew word shamen, which means “oil.”



BONUS: Read 2 Kings 19:35-37. What was the result of the Assyrian attack on Jerusalem?



Day 4: Read Isaiah 10:28-34 (with footnotes 28a, 33a), Bible Dictionary entry “ Ramah,” Bible Dictionary entry, “Nob,” 2 Kings 19:32
10. Look up LAISH on map 10 in your Bible Appendix (C-2). About how far was Laish from Jerusalem?

11. According to the Bible Dictionary, where was Ramah? Where was Nob? Even though we can’t identify locations for all the cities listed in Isaiah 10:28-32, what was the message to Judah regarding the advancing army?



12. Read 2 Kings 19:32. How does the prophecy regarding the Lord’s protection give you hope?



Day 5: Read Isaiah 11:1-9 (with footnotes 1d, 3b, 4c, 5b, 8a,b, 10a,d), D&C 113:1-4, D&C 101:26-28
13. Who was Jesse (see footnote)? Who is the “stem of Jesse”? See also D&C 113:1-2.


BONUS: Read D&C 113:3-4. What is the rod that comes from the stem of Jesse?


14. List qualities of leadership from Isaiah 11:2-5.



15. What time period might be described in Isaiah 11:6-9? In Isaiah 11:9 the word “knowledge” might also be translated “devotion.” How does our knowledge of the Lord affect our devotion? (See also D&C 101:26-28)



Day 6: Read Isaiah 11:10-16 (with footnotes 10a, 13a, 14a, 15b, 16a), D&C 113:5-6
16. What time period is described in Isaiah 11:10-16? (See footnote.)


17. Read D&C 113:5-6. What is the “root of Jesse” mentioned in Isaiah 11:10?



18. From Isaiah 11:10-16, list prophesied events that will come to pass “in that day.” Are these events as miraculous as the events described in Isaiah 10:6-9? (Note: The countries listed in Isaiah 11:11 were neighbors to ancient Israel. They represent the entire world.)



BONUS: Read 2 Nephi 6:14-18. How is the Lord fulfilling these promises today?



Day 7: Read Isaiah 12:1-6 (with footnotes 1b,c, 2a, 4b)
19. Considering the prophecies of Isaiah 11, why will people praise the Lord “in that day”?


20. Isaiah 12 consists of two psalms or hymns (vv. 1-3, 4-6). List a psalm or a latter-day hymn that comes to mind as you read this chapter.


21. List what the Lord does for us from Isaiah 12.