How Great Thou Art (ISAIAH 40–48)

Getting Started

From the Commentary

The book of Isaiah can be called “a Bible in miniature.” There are sixty-six chapters in Isaiah and sixty-six books in the Bible. The thirty-nine chapters of the first part of Isaiah may be compared to the Old Testament with its thirty-nine books, and both focus primarily on God’s judgment of sin. The twenty-seven chapters of the second part may be seen to parallel the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and both emphasize the grace of God.The “New Testament” section of Isaiah opens with the ministry of John the Baptist (40:3–5; Mark 1:1–4) and closes with the new heavens and the new earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22), and in between there are many references to the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and King. Of course, the chapter divisions in Isaiah are not a part of the original inspired text, but the comparison is still interesting.

1. In what specific ways does Isaiah 40–48 remind you of the message in the New Testament? Ignoring for a moment the chapter numbers (which were added later), do you think the parallels between Isaiah and the entire Bible are significant? God-inspired? Why or why not? Does it matter?

Going Deeper

From the Commentary

“In your time we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society but upward to the Great Society.” President Lyndon B. Johnson spoke those words at the University of Michigan on May 22, 1964. Reading them over three decades later, I asked myself, “I wonder how the Jewish captives in Babylon would have responded to what the president said?”A rich society? They were refugees whose land and Holy City were in ruins.A powerful society? Without king or army, they were weak and helpless before the nations around them.A great society? They had suffered great humiliation and chastening. They faced a great challenge but lacked great human resources.That is why the prophet told them to get their eyes off themselves and look by faith to the great God who loved them and promised to do great things for them. “Be not afraid!” he admonished them. “Behold your God!” (40:9).

2. How might the captives in Babylon have reacted to Isaiah’s admonishment? Where else in Scripture do you find a similar encouragement? Why would it be difficult for the captives to “behold” their God? What are the sorts of obstacles Christians face today that keep them in fear instead of trusting God’s promises?

From the Commentary

Years ago, one of my radio listeners sent me a motto that has often encouraged me: “Look at others, and be distressed. Look at yourself, and be depressed. Look to God, and you’ll be blessed!” This may not be a great piece of literature, but it certainly contains great practical theology. When the outlook is bleak, we need the uplook. “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things … he is strong in power” (Isa. 40:26).

3. In what ways did the remnant in Babylon look to God? How were they reminded of the greatness of God? How can the church benefit from this sort of thinking today?

From Today’s World

It’s common in the workplace to find a great diversity of belief systems represented by employees and leaders. In an age of “tolerance,” Christians are looked upon as just another group of people who are free to practice what they believe … as long as what they practice doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s beliefs. This creates challenges and opportunities for Christians. Though Christians aren’t captive to the belief systems of the workplace (as the Jewish remnant was in Babylon), they still can be bound by rules or restrictions concerning how they express their faith.

4. What are some ways Christians can practice what they believe even in a secular workplace? How can their behaviors and words lift up the greatness of God, while still abiding by workplace rules?

From the Commentary

The Jews were few in number, only a remnant, and facing a long and difficult journey. The victories of Assyria, Babylon, and Persia made it look as though the false gods of the Gentiles were stronger than the God of Israel, but Isaiah reminded the people of the greatness of Jehovah. When you behold the greatness of God, then you will see everything else in life in its proper perspective.

5. Review Isaiah 40. Circle the places where Isaiah notes the greatness of God. How can being reminded of God’s greatness help people who are suffering? What does it mean to keep your eyes on God? How do you do that?

From the Commentary

In Isaiah 41:10–44:28, the Lord seven times says, “Fear not!” to His people, and He says “Fear not!” to us today. As the Jewish remnant faced the challenge of the long journey home and the difficult task of rebuilding, they could think of many causes for fear. But there was one big reason not to be afraid: The Lord was with them and would give them success.

6. Go through Isaiah 41:1–44:28 and underline the places where the Lord says “Fear not.” What “success” was promised to the remnant? What are some of the challenges in the church today that make believers worry? How does God calm those fears?

From the Commentary

God announced that He would raise up a ruler named Cyrus, who would do His righteous work on earth by defeating other nations for the sake of His people Israel.As Cyrus moved across the territory east and north of the Holy Land (41:25), the nations were afraid and turned to their idols for help. With keen satire, Isaiah described various workmen helping each other manufacture a god who cannot help them!Cyrus may have thought that he was accomplishing his own plans, but actually he was doing the pleasure of the Lord (44:28). By defeating Babylon, Cyrus made it possible for the Jewish captives to be released and allowed to return to their land to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple (Ezra 1:1–4).Sometimes we forget that God can use even unconverted world leaders for the good of His people and the progress of His work. He raised up Pharaoh in Egypt that He might demonstrate His power (Rom. 9:17), and He even used wicked Herod and cowardly Pontius Pilate to accomplish His plan in the crucifixion of Christ (Acts 4:24–28).

7. What message was God giving His people by the way He used Cyrus? What are some ways God uses unconverted leaders today to accomplish His purposes?

From the Commentary

Those who defend idols and worship them are just like them: blind and ignorant and nothing. God made people in His own image, and now they are making gods in their own image! Part of the tree becomes a god, and the rest of the tree becomes fuel for the fire. The worshipper is “feeding on ashes” and deriving no benefit at all from the worship experience.

8. Review Isaiah 44:9–20. How does this passage illustrate the folly of idolatry? Compare this passage to Psalm 115. Why is the worship of idols like “feeding on ashes”? How does this compare to worshipping the one true God?

From the Commentary

The Jews had become comfortable and complacent in their captivity and did not want to leave. They had followed the counsel of Jeremiah (Jer. 29:4–7) and had houses, gardens, and families, but they had become so attached to those things that it would not be easy for them to pack up and go to the Holy Land. Nevertheless, the Holy Land was where they belonged and where God had a work for them to do. God told them that they were hypocritical in using His name and identifying with His city but not obeying His will (Isa. 48:1–2). They were stubborn (v. 4) and were not excited about the new things God was doing for them.

9. Read Jeremiah 29:4–7. How might the Jews have misinterpreted this counsel? Why were they so hesitant to trust God’s delivery of them? What are ways Christians today become complacent or comfortable with the way things are? What are the dangers of becoming complacent? How can we tell if we have become complacent?

Looking Inward

Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Isaiah 40–48. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.

10. When have you felt like a “captive” as the Jews did in Babylon? What led to that circumstance? How did you see God during that season? How did you find your way home?

11. What are some of the ways you remember God’s greatness? Is this important to you? Why or why not? How can remembering God’s greatness help you in times of trial?

12. Describe a time when you became comfortable or complacent in your circumstance. What role did your faith play in that comfort? If God challenged you to move out of your comfort zone, what did that look like? Is comfort always something to distrust? Why or why not? How can God use discomfort to move us along in His will?

Going Forward

13. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).