Isaiah Questions
You will get the most benefit out of these studies if you spend time in personal study before or after you watch the videos.
Questions you could use in every study:
1. What do I learn in this passage about God? About the world? About myself?
2. What do I think God is saying to me in this passage?
It’s very important to write down your findings. A ball-point pen is a wonderful meditation stick!
Suggestion for Bible Study Groups:
Let each person do a personal study during the week before the group meets without watching the video.
Then divide your group-time as follows:
30 minutes - group members talk about what they have found in their private study.
10 minutes - watch the video.
10 minutes - discuss the video.
Extra Questions
Study #2 - Isaiah 1
1. Identify when Isaiah is speaking, and when God is speaking.
2. What differences/similarities are there in the two narratives?
3. What are the community/individual similarities between the situations against which Isaiah is warning the nation, and our community/individual situations today?
4. What are we to do about these?
5. Can we see any indication in this chapter of God’s plan for our redemption?
Study #3 - Isaiah 2
1. In the chapter, take note of all opposites, for example swords/plowshares, lifted up/brought low.
2. Take note of all the adjectives. What do these suggest?
3. Look at words/phrases that have been repeated several times.
4. Look at v2, v11, v12, v17 and v20. What do you notice?
5. Several examples of idols are given. In v20 we see what they all have in common. Can we identify with this situation in any way?
Study #4 - Isaiah 3&4
1. Compare Isaiah’s statements with those he attributes to God.
2. What does 3:2-5, suggest about God supplying things through skilled people and leaders?
3. It has been said that “we get the leaders we deserve”. Do you see any connection between these passages and this saying?
4. 3:10 talks about enjoying the fruits of our deeds. What deeds could bring us good fruit in the context of the passage? (Think particularly about relationships)
5. Thinking about all the positives in Ch 4:2-6. Which of these have you personally experienced as you “remain in him”?
6. In 4:5 we read about smoke and fire. What do these images often represent?
Study #5 - Isaiah 5
What was the vintner’s vision for the vineyard? What did he do to accomplish his vision?
What happened when the crop came in?
What did the vintner say he would do with the vineyard? What does this parable mean?
Look at the sins of v8-12 & 18-23. Which do you think are particularly worrying in our society? Are there any that you fear are creeping into your life?
Questions you could use in every study:
1. What do I learn in this passage about God? About the world? About myself?
2. What do I think God is saying to me in this passage?
It’s very important to write down your findings. A ball-point pen is a wonderful meditation stick!
Study #6 - Isaiah 6
1. Would you want to experience this vision – or a similar one – yourself?
2. The text emphasizes the transcendent holiness of the God of Israel. In what ways is this depiction of God similar to the way you think about God? In what ways is it different?
3. What makes Isaiah so different from other Biblical figures? Do you think this has to do more with the individual, or with the work being planned, or both?
Study #7 - Isaiah 7
Have you ever received a sign form the Lord? What impact did it have on your life?
What was the gist of Isaiah’s prophetic instruction to Ahaz? Why do you think Ahaz chose to disregard it? What did Ahaz do instead? What was the consequence of this disobedience?
Why do we sometimes seem to think that we’re smarter than God?
Why is it sometimes so hard to do what God tells us to do? How did God react to Ahaz’s refusal to ask for a sign in v13?
Study #8 - Isaiah 8
What metaphor did the Lord use to describe how Assyria would punish Judah in 7-8? What does this suggest to you?
How did Isaiah express his confidence that Judah would not be completely destroyed by the invaders v9-10?
How would you react to that prediction?
What did God expressly direct Isaiah not to do in v11? Why?
Study #9 - Isaiah 9
The anger of God is mentioned four times in this chapter. What do you feel about the anger of God?
v1-6 gives a wonderful, beautiful description of Christ, while v7-21 depict an angry God. How do you tie these two together?
What do you learn about the Messiah from the four word pairs describing him? Which of these saving attributes do you need most in your life right now?
Study #10 - Isaiah 10
v1‐2 - Why do we humans tend to pass laws that oppress the weak and poor?
What can we do to help the poor and weak in our communities?
What role should we play when unjust laws are passed and enforced?
Study #11 - Isaiah 11
v1-5
What is your favourite in the list of qualities of Jesus given in? Why?
When the Messiah comes, what will happen to all who involve themselves in injustice, and what will happen to their victims?
v6‐9
The passage speaks in figurative language. What kind of peace does it describe?
How far will this peace extend? According to Isaiah 11:9b, why will there be peace?
What does “the knowledge of the Lord” mean? What will happen when it fills the earth?
v10‐16
What does it mean that “the nations” will rally to the Messiah when he appears?
Who are these “nations”? Who else will be “gathered” at this time? How does this
prophecy relate to Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching about the Rapture (Mark 13:26‐27; 2
Thessalonians 2:1)? When will this prophecy be fulfilled?
Study #12 - Isaiah 12
Sometimes the circumstances around us make it hard to see God’s hand in our lives. Take a moment and reflect or share on a difficult time in your life when it was hard to see God.
Notice the repetition of the word “salvation.” Can you remember the day you were “saved”? Does that event still feed you? Why/why not?
What percentage of your speech would you say is positive?
Study #13 - Isaiah 13-14 - Babylon
Isaiah 14:4-7 says that people will rejoice when Babylon, the tyrant, falls. Can you remember a time when you rejoiced at the fall of a bully or a tyrant? Is there ever a time when we should punch a bully in the nose like the boy in the video?
In the light of 14:13-14, what do you think about the poem:
“I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul”?
Study #14 - Isaiah 15 & 16 Lament for Moab
Underline all the words in these chapters describing grief or lament. What part should grief and lament play in the life of a Christian?
Look at the verses in these two chapters that include “I” or “My” (15:5; 16:5,9,11.) Assuming this is both Isaiah and God speaking, what do these verses tell you about each of them?
What command is given to Judah about how to treat fugitives and refugees?
How does this compare with how countries are treating refugees in the world today?
Study #15 - Isaiah 17
1. According to Isaiah 17:1-3, what is going to happen to Damascus (Aram) upon whom Ephraim (Israel) were relying for protection from the advancing Assyrian armies? Note: Damascus is the capital of Syria.
2. The sin of Damascus is "You have forgotten God your Saviour; you have not remembered your Rock, your fortress."
Was there ever a time when you forgot your God. What would you have done differently if you had remembered him at that time? Is their any thing you can do now to set that right?
Study #16 - Chapter 18-19 – “The River”- Cush and Egypt
1. Isaiah 18:7 says that the people of Cush ( strange, aggressive people; outsiders) will bring gifts to Israel. Are there any people who think I’m and outsider, or aggressive, or “strange”? What gifts could I bring them?
2. In 19:18-25, Isaiah expresses an “Impossible Dream” – Egypt and Assyria (Iraq) turning to the Lord and making peace with Israel. What is your “impossible” dream. Is it really impossible?
Study #17- Desert by the sea - Isaiah 20-21 - Babylon
1. Isaiah was asked to walk around for two years with his buttocks bare as a sign to Egypt and Cush of the futility of trusting in anyone but God. Have you ever felt led to do something that made you stand out from the crowd? What did it feel like? What did it achieve?
2. What do you think about the pain that Isaiah felt at the fall of Babylon (21:1-5)
3. Why do you think God posted Isaiah as a lookout to watch for the destruction of Babylon? (21:6-10)
What would it mean for you to be a watchman in your world right now?
Study #18 – “Valley of vision” - Isaiah 20-21 – Jerusalem
1. What was Isaiah’s personal reaction to the disasters coming on Jerusalem, his home town? (v4)
What does this suggest to us about our attitude to our own country and community?
2. What would you say was Israel’s basic sin? How do other sins flow from this one? How does the fact that Israel is the “Valley of Vision” make their sins worse?
3. Look at the promises given to Eliakim (v20-24). Do these promises apply to you in any way?
#19 Tyre - Marketplace of the Nations – Isaiah 23
1. Tyre is a seaport on the Mediterranean. How many references to the sea can you find in this chapter? (I found eleven.) How many reference to the Tyre’s success can you find in this chapter? (I found twelve.)
2. What would you say is the main sin of Tyre, for which she is going to be brought down?
3. Do you think there is a principle in verse 18? Could we be beneficiaries?
Study #20 – A world with a choice - Isaiah 24
1. We are now completing the toughest 12 chapters of Isaiah – 178 out of 212 verses have been “negative” – warnings of punishment for sin. This is not unique to the Old Testament: Jesus does the same in Mt 24 and Luke 21, and a large part of Revelation does the same. Why do you think the Bible gives so much attention to sin and its consequences?
2. In the midst of all this negativity, how would you explain the burst of positivity in v14-16? Is it out of context, or is there a message here?
Study #21 - P.T. for the Soul – Isaiah 25-26
1. Isaiah says, “I will praise…” (25: 1). What is the significance of the word “will”?
2. I found 25 different reasons for praise in these two chapters. How many can you find? Which most “ring a bell” with you?
Study #22 - Deliverance and Fruitfulness - Isaiah 27
1. The Leviathan is a mythical serpent of the sea. Assuming it refers to Satan, what does this image of him (inhabiting the oceans/ “gliding”/ “coiling”) tell you about him?
2. Isaiah sings a song of the vineyard(v2). Who/what do you think this refers to today? What difference would that make in your life?
3. Isaiah dreams of a day when all nations will worship at Jerusalem. Zech 14:16 says that all the nations will go up to Jerusalem year after year to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles, and that any who do not go up will have no rain. If you had the chance would you go? Do think that by going, we actually avert drought in our country?
Study #23 – Runaway world - Isaiah 28
1. Drunkenness is condemned in this chapter. What do you think about the idea of total abstinence from alcohol for Christians?
2. Isaiah twice calls drunkenness a “wreath.” How is this an appropriate image?
3. How do the ways of God differ from the ways of drunkards? (v6, 16)
4. Why do you think people get drunk? Are there any similar tendencies in you?
Study #24 – Ariel - Isaiah 29
1. In verse 1, God calls Judah “Ariel” (Lion of God). What significance does this have in the rest of the chapter?
2. Verse 13 talks about people who pay lip-service to God. Why do you think so many people who profess faith in Christ remain basically self-centered?
3. Can you remember a time when you questioned what God was doing in your life (v16)? How has that worked out?
Study #25 – Short-eared Donkeys - Isaiah 30-31
1. How does the Lord describe His people in Isaiah 30:1? What specifically is His complaint against them? What consequence would Judah suffer as a result of their rebellious behavior?
2. What is the Lord’s attitude toward His people even though they are rebellious? (see Isaiah 30:18-31)
3. If you had the offer of God telling you exactly what he wants you to do, would you take it? Why/ why not?
4. Has there been a time in your life when you didn’t forrow god’s guidance? What might have been different if you had?
Study #26 – King of Righteousness - Isaiah 32
1. Isaiah 32 has been called a mini New Testament. Can you identify the three sections of the chapter which reflect three sections of the New Testament?
2. In verse 1-3, Isaiah predicts three aspects of Jesus’ character. How do these verses reflect what you know about Jesus?
3. What are the main effects that the coming of the Spirit will produce in people’s lives (v15-20 and v4) ? How does this tie in with your own experience?
Study #27 – Key to the Treasure - Isaiah 33
1. List the characteristics of God in this chapter. Does anything strike you?
2. List all of the gifts God promises to the redeemed in this chapter. Does anything strike you? Which ones do you especially wish for?
3. Which verse do you think is the key verse of this chapter? Why?
4. Verse 6 talks about fear of the Lord. What does this chapter tell us about fear of the Lord?