Isaiah 11.1-16? See also Zech: 3:8; Zech: 6:12. Isaiah 11:1 picks up on the imagery of a felled tree in Isa: 10:33-34. The “stump of Jesse” represents the idea that the dynasty of David (son of Jesse) would lose its power (Dan: 4:10-17, Daniel 4:20-26). But there would arise a “shoot/branch” from the apparently doomed “stump”; that is, a ruler … Continue reading –>
Isaiah 9:8-10:34 This section explains Isaiah 9:1-5, which predicts deliverance for the gloomy, anguished people who had trusted in the occult and fallen prey to military conquest and oppression: “the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian” (Isa: 9:4, NRSV). Read through the sufferings of God’s people as shown in the above … Continue reading –>
Isaiah 9.6-7 Here is the third special birth in the book of Isaiah, following mention of the births of Immanuel and Maher-shalal-hash-baz. What is special about the Child found in these verses? Isaiah 9.6-7. Notice that this Deliverer has several names/epithets that describe Him in various ways. In the ancient Near East, kings and deities had … Continue reading –>
Isaiah 9:1-5 Isaiah 9:1 begin with a word (But/Nevertheless) that indicates a contrast to what precedes it? Isaiah 8.21-22 describes the hopeless condition of those who turn to the occult rather than to the true God: wherever they look, they will “see only distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish; and they will be thrust … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Isa: 9:1-5; Isaiah 9.6-7; Isa: 9:8-10:34; Isa: 11:1-16; Isa: 12:1-6. Memory Text: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, … Continue reading –>
It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9 NLT When you read this week’s lesson on how Ahaz sought support from surrounding nations instead of God alone, did it remind you of times you trusted in people and they let you down? It did me. I almost … Continue reading –>
Timely Lesson By Godwin K. Lekundayo God taught me about heaven’s understanding of time when, as a district pastor, I led a three-week evangelistic series in my homeland, Tanzania. Local organizers chose the dry season for the meetings in Moshi, a city at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. But heavy rains started to fall after … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read in The Great Controversy, “Can Our Dead Speak to Us?” pages 551-562. “In the days of the Hebrews there was a class of people who claimed, as do the spiritualists of today, to hold communication with the dead. But the ‘familiar spirits,’ as these visitants from other worlds were called, are declared by … Continue reading –>
Isa: 8:16-22 Read the above passage. What is it talking about? What has this to do with King Ahaz? Summarize the ideas. Ahaz was deeply involved in pagan religion ( 2 Kings 16.3-4, 2 Kings 16:10-15; 2 Chronicles 28.2-4, 2 Chronicles 28.23-25), which was heavily interconnected with the occult (compare Deut: 32:17, NRSV; “They sacrifice to demons”, 1 Cor: 10:20). Various aspects … Continue reading –>
Isa: 8:11-15 In his first inaugural address, American President Franklin D. Roosevelt told a nation disheartened by the Great Depression: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” — U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C. (March 4, 1933). Isaiah’s message to depressed people is: “We have nothing to fear when we fear God Himself.” God … Continue reading –>
