Isaiah 34-35

Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! 2 The LORD is angry with all nations; his wrath is on all their armies. He will totally destroy[a] them, he will give them over to slaughter. 3 Their slain will be thrown out, their dead bodies will stink; the mountains will be soaked with their blood. 4 All the stars in the sky will be dissolved and the heavens rolled up like a scroll; all the starry host will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like shriveled figs from the fig tree. My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. 6 The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat— the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom. 7 And the wild oxen will fall with them, the bull calves and the great bulls. Their land will be drenched with blood, and the dust will be soaked with fat. 5 8 For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion’s cause. The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 3 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 5 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. 8 OUTLINE – ISA 34 & 35 I. Judgement and Hope 以赛亚书 34-35 章： 审判与希望审判—— II. Judgement – Ch 34 审判——第 34 章 A.What we deserve A. 我们应得的 B.Lessons and example of Edom B. 以东的教训和榜样 III. Hope – Ch 35 盼望——第 35 章 A.God’s plan to provide grace A. 上帝赐下恩典的计划 B.Rejuvenation B. 复活 C.Protection C. 保护 D.Highway to Him D. 通往祂的大道 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Do you think God’s judgment and punishment is too harsh or overbearing? 2. Do you see how you compare to that of Edom and deserving of God’s judgement or do you feel unfair? 3. What ways have you been blind, deaf, mute or lame to God’s provision? 4. How you experienced the Highway described in Ch 35 – goodness and holiness, protection from lions / beasts 5.讨论题目： 6. 1. 你认为神的审判和惩罚是不是太严厉了？ 7. 2. 你看你如何与以东人相比，并应受到上帝的审判，还是你觉得不公平？ 8. 3. 你在哪些方面对神的供应是瞎的，聋的，哑的，瘸的？ 9. 4. 你如何经历第 35 章描述的大道 - 良善和圣洁，免受狮子 / 野兽伤害的保护？