Isaiah 38-39

Intro

Group Intro

- Goal

We are to eagerly hunger for spiritual nutrition in greater degrees

We are here to become spiritually mature

Regardless of your background or where you are in your relationship with Jesus, you are called to grow

- What we do

Scripture

Prayer

Community

Lesson Intro

Last Lesson

What is Prophecy

God’s word to His people

Literary Setting - Transition (36-39)

Literary Setting - Transition (36-39)

Not just telling the future

These books bridge the OT and the NT

What is different about this passage?

Major themes

God will discipline for Israel’s sin

It is a historical narrative, not poetic prophecy

False or half-hearted religion does not please God

But in the end, God will come and establish His city on a hill under the messiah

This is not arbitrary, It has a precise literary purpose

Sharp contrasts, pointed language, poetic style

Important Lessons

Divides the two halves of the book

Message to King Ahaz - met with unbelief

Point to the ultimate hope of the Messiah, the true davidic king

Confirms the prophecies of God’s sovereignty over all nations, illustrates the discipline that is coming, confirms there is hope for those who have faith

Assyria will invade Judah, and come all the way to the gates of Jerusalem

Sets a historical transition from a prosperous people who reject God’s word to a exiled people seeking hope

This is God’s sovereignty, but also Assyria’s free will

God will punish Assyria for her arrogance and evil

Resets hope from Jerusalem that was to the New Jerusalem that is coming

Trusting in Egypt instead of God for political hope is foolish

But it also anchors the prophecies

In fact, Egypt herself, will one day look to God for hope

Will God’s word come true?

This world is battle between the city of man and the city of God

God will triumph and bring heaven

Here is a dramatic example that God rules the world and that He keeps His promises

This is the answer to our disappoint - God’s victory over death

Intro Questions

Setting

Intro Questions

What is different about this passage?

It is a historical narrative, not poetic prophecy

This is not arbitrary, It has a precise literary purpose

Divides the two halves of the book

But it also anchors the prophecies

Historical Setting - Backstory

From , which has this same story embedded in the larger history of Judah.

Assyria had destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel 20 years earlier. Judah and the surrounding countries had become vassals/provinces of Assyria.

But when the new king Sennacherib became king, the Judah and the surrounding countries revolted.

Assyria invades and put down the revolt harshly. They make a path of destruction by conquering the nations on the way, then continue by invading Judah.

Most of the country is conquered. Few towns are left, most of the people have been killed and enslaved, the economic infrastructure is gone. Pretty much only Jerusalem is left.

Intro Questions

How do you face failure and inadequacy?

Story of weight

Read , 37:33-38

What is different about this passage?

It is a historical narrative, not poetic prophecy

This is not arbitrary, It has a precise literary purpose

Divides the two halves of the book

Confirms the prophecies of God’s sovereignty over all nations, illustrates the discipline that is coming, confirms there is hope for those who have faith

Sets a historical transition from a prosperous people who reject God’s word to a exiled people seeking hope

Resets hope from Jerusalem that was to the New Jerusalem that is coming

But it also anchors the prophecies

Will God’s word come true?

Here is a dramatic example that God rules the world and that He keeps His promises