Isaiah 65-66 Study Guide – to be discussed May 10
Day 1: Read Isaiah 65:1-7 (with footnote 4a), Exodus 20:25
1. Re-read Isaiah 64:11-12. Isaiah 65 begins by answering the question Israel posed at the end of chapter 64. After acknowledging their unworthiness, Israel asks, How long will you continue to punish us, O Lord? The JST for Isaiah 65:1 reads, “I am found of them who seek after me. I give unto all them that ask of me; I am NOT found of them that sought me not, or that inquireth not after me…” How does the Lord “spread out [his] hands all the day” (v.2)?
2. Read Exodus 20:25 with Isaiah 65:3. What was wrong with using altars of brick? Of what other abuses was Israel accused? (See Isaiah 65:2-5.) What was (is?) the main problem with Israel?
3. According to Isaiah 65:6-7, who will be held accountable for Israel’s rebellious ways?
Day 2: Read Isaiah 65:8-16 (with footnotes 8a, 11a,b, 16a,b), Jacob 5:35-36
4. Compare Jacob 5:35-36 with Isaiah 65:8-10. Why does the Lord continue to work with Israel in spite of her iniquities?
5. What two idols, or false gods, was Israel in the habit of worshipping (see footnotes 11a,b)? How are these false gods worshipped today?
6. List phrases in Isaiah 65:13-16 illustrating God’s mercy and willingness to forgive.
Day 3: Read Isaiah 65:17-25 (with footnote 17c), D&C 101:30-31
7. When will the Lord create new heavens and a new earth? (See chapter heading and footnote 17c.)
8. Read D&C 101:30-31 with Isaiah 65:20-22. List promises to Israel in a coming day.
9. The promise in Isaiah 65:23, “They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble…” might indicate that the people who inhabit the Lord’s “new earth” will not bear children into a world of trouble. What further blessings will await those “offspring”? (See Isaiah 65:24-25.)
Day 4: Read Isaiah 66:1-4 (with footnotes 3a, 4a)
10. Isaiah 66 concludes the prophet’s record with a reprisal of many of Isaiah’s main themes. The message of the first two verses in chapter 66 addresses the idea that everything created by the Lord is specifically designed to help humble and righteous people. Give one example of this principle from either (1) church history or (2) your own life.
11. In Isaiah 66:3, the Lord addresses hypocrisy, another main theme in Isaiah. What had Israel chosen instead of true worship?
12. The prophecy in Isaiah 66:4 indicates Christ will exercise his own agency in choosing punishments for the wicked. Why will the Lord “bring their fears upon them”?
Day 5: Read Isaiah 66:5-9 (with footnote 7a), Isaiah 49:20-21
13. What promise is extended to those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, in Isaiah 66:5-6? (See also Isaiah 12:1.)
14. Another major theme in Isaiah writings is restated in Isaiah 66:7-9. Read the footnote to Isaiah 66:7a and review Isaiah 49:20-21. What is the marvelous promise to Israel in the last days?
15. Rewrite Isaiah 66:9 in your own words.
Day 6: Read Isaiah 66:10-14 (with footnote 12a), Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 11:6-9, D&C 35:7
16. Why will the righteous have reason to rejoice in the renewal of Jerusalem?
17. Isaiah 66:10-14 reviews another major theme. Read Isaiah 66:12 with Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 11:6-9, and D&C 35:7-8. What theme is evident here?
18. List promises to the righteous in Isaiah 66:12-14.
Day 7: Read Isaiah 66:15-24 (with footnotes 16b, 17a), Isaiah 1:25, Isaiah 13:6, Isaiah 49:22-23, Isaiah 5:26, Isaiah 11:11
19. What major message from Isaiah is restated in Isaiah 66:15-17? (See also Isaiah 1:25 and Isaiah 13:6.)
20. What theme is reviewed in Isaiah 66:18-21? (See also Isaiah 49:22-23, Isaiah 5:26, Isaiah 11:11.)
21. It is appropriate that Isaiah’s final recorded message contains both hope and warning. List promises from Isaiah 66:22-24. What is the implied warning?
From the institute manual: Isaiah 66:1–4 . How Is “He That Killeth an Ox . . . As If He Slew a Man”?
Anciently God required animal sacrifice as a token of the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for the sins of men. But the people took the form of worship that was to teach them faith in the coming of Christ and turned it into a mockery. They maintained the outer form of the ordinances but lost the spiritual meaning, for they showed no corresponding inward righteousness. Thus, the very forms of worship that were intended to save them became an abomination and worked to their condemnation. In strong language Isaiah revealed the Lord’s feelings for their hypocritical religious observances. Those who killed the ox for sacrifice were viewed as though they offered a man, an act of great wickedness. Other sacrificial offerings would mean nothing more than sacrificing a dog or pig, both of which were considered abominable (see v. 3 ). People had “chosen their own ways” ( v. 3 ) instead of the Lord’s. When called by God through His prophets, they refused to hearken. The result was “delusions” and “fears” ( v. 4 ), fit rewards for evildoers.
