Isaiah 33-35

Isaiah 33-35 Study Guide – to be discussed February 2
Day 1: Read Isaiah 33:1-6, Omni 1:13, Psalm 97:2
Note: The pronoun “thee” in Isaiah 33:1 may refer to Shalmaneser of Assyria, representing wickedness, oppression, and treachery. “Their” in Isaiah 33:2 should read “our.”
1. What will eventually happen to the wicked, even though they seem to get away with murder?


2. Read Omni 1:13 with Isaiah 33:2. How can we look to the Lord to be our “arm every morning” and our “salvation in time of trouble”?


3. With what has the Lord filled Zion? (See also Psalm 97:2.) What is His treasure?


Day 2: Read Isaiah 33:7-18 (with footnotes 8a, 15b,d,e), Bible Dictionary entry, “Sharon,” Bible Dictionary entry, “Carmel,” Bible Dictionary entry, “Bashan,” Psalm 24:3-4
Note: Isaiah 33:7-9 returns to the theme of an Assyrian attack.
4. Lebanon was the capital of Syria, an ally to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during Assyria’s attack. Look up “Sharon,” “Bashan,” and “Carmel” in the Bible Dictionary, then find them on map 1 in your Bible Map section. What do these three places have in common? What did Isaiah prophesy concerning these areas?


5. What is the end result of a wicked lifestyle?


6. Read Psalm 24:3-4 with Isaiah 33:14-17. Compare questions asked in each passage. List six qualities of discipleship from Isaiah 33:15 and six blessings of discipleship from Isaiah 33:16-17.



Day 3: Read Isaiah 33:18-24 (with footnotes 18a, 19a, 21a)
7. Another translation of the first phrase in Isaiah 33:18 reads, “You shall recount in your mind the terror….” When foreign invaders are gone, what are the righteous remnant encouraged to look upon? Why?


8. Rearrange the verses in Isaiah 33 as follows: 19, 20, 24, 21, 23, 22. The galleys and gallant ships mentioned in Isaiah 33:21 are enemy ships – which, according to Isaiah 33:23, will not be able to sail in the “broad rivers” (living waters) of Zion. List other promises to Israel from Isaiah 33:19-21.



9. Isaiah 33:22, explains why Zion is a goal to be desired. What can we count on the Lord to be and do for us when he comes again?


Day 4: Read Isaiah 34:1-10 (with footnotes 4a, 5a, 7a, 9a), D&C 1:1-3, Revelation 6:12-15, D&C 88:95
Note: Isaiah 34 contains harsh words to the wicked, followed by beautiful promises of hope to the righteous in Isaiah 35. In these chapters, “unicorns” should read “oxen”; “dragons” should be “jackals”; “satyrs” should read “goats.” “Idumea” is another name for Edom, and represents the wicked world.
10. Read D&C 1:1-3 with Isaiah 34:1-3. Although these passages were written nearly 2700 years apart, they have much in common. List similar themes or phrases from these scripture blocks.
11. Read Revelation 6:12-15 with Isaiah 34:4-5 and D&C 88:95. Comparing Isaiah 34:4 with Revelation 6:13, what might the “host of heaven” represent? According to D&C 88:95, what will be revealed when the “scroll” of heaven is unfolded or unrolled?


12. From Isaiah 34:8, what “day” is being described in these verses? (See also chapter heading.)


Day 5: Read Isaiah 34:11-17 (with footnotes 11c, 13a)
13. Look up “cormorant” and “bittern” in any dictionary. (“Bittern” is also in the Bible Dictionary.) What kind of animals are these? Why might they be associated with owls, ravens, and jackals?



14. All the beasts mentioned in Isaiah 34:11-15 are considered unclean according to Mosaic Law. What message might this send to Israel regarding the indignation of the Lord?


15. The JST for Isaiah 35:16 reads, “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read the names written therein: no one of these shall fail, none shall lack their mate; for my mouth it hath commanded, and my spirit it hath gathered them.” Read the note below from the Institute Manual.* List promises from Isaiah 34:16-17.


Day 6: Read Isaiah 35:1-4 (with footnote 1c), D&C 49:24-25, Review Isaiah 34:9, D&C 81:5, D&C 45:71
16. Read the footnote to Isaiah 35:1c and D&C 49:24-25. For whom will the wilderness and the solitary place be glad?


17. Compare Isaiah 35:2 with Isaiah 34:9. What is the good news for these areas in the Holy Land?


18. Read Isaiah 35:3-4 with D&C 81:5. How can we actively strengthen tired hands and revive stumbling knees today?


Day 7: Read Isaiah 35:5-10 (with footnotes 6a, 7b)
19. List phrases from Isaiah 35:5-7 indicating the gospel heals.



20. Isaiah 35:8 reintroduces the idea that there will be a “highway” for the righteous remnant in the last days (see Isaiah 11:16). According to Isaiah 35:8, what will this highway be called?


21. From Isaiah 35:10, with what will the “ransomed of the Lord” return? (See also D&C 45:71)


*From the Institute Manual: Isaiah 34:16–17 . What Is the “Book of the Lord”? Not all people, of course, are wicked, and those who are not will be saved from the destroying fire—both the spiritual (hell) and the physical (see 1 Nephi 22:15–17 ). The names of the children of the Lord who have kept their covenants are enrolled in a special book known as “the book of the Lord” ( Isaiah 34:16 ), “the book of the law of God” ( D&C 85:5 ; see also vv. 9, 11 ), or “the book of life” ( Revelation 20:12 ). Records of our works are kept on earth by the Lord’s clerks, but the book of life is the record kept in heaven. Both records should agree (see D&C 128:6–9 ). Of those whose names are recorded in the heavenly book, “no one of these shall fail” ( Isaiah 34:16 ). The promise that “none shall want [lack] their mate” (JST, Isaiah 34:16 ) is particularly interesting to Latter-day Saints since we know that only through the ordinance of celestial marriage can we have our mate eternally.