Isaiah 45-66 Twenty Questions

1. Isaiah 45 calls out Cyrus by name over two hundred years in advance of his appearance in history.  For that reason, some believe this portion of Isaiah was added later and backdated.  Others hold it to be genuinely prophetic.  Which do you believe, and why?

2. Isaiah 45:9 includes the image of a potter’s creation arguing with him.  Why is that an apt analogy of our relationship with God at times – and is there any important failing in that comparison?

3. What is the connection between verses like Isaiah 45:23 and Philippians 2:10-11?

4. Does Isaiah 46 envision a capricious God or One who makes purposeful plans?

5. According to Isaiah 48:11, for whose sake did God “refine” Israel through her sufferings?

6. What are some things that the chosen “servant of the Lord” will accomplish, according to Isaiah 49:1-7?

7. Do you see any parallels between Isaiah 50:7-9 and Romans 8:31-34?

8. In Isaiah 51, which lasts longer: God’s righteousness and salvation, or the heavens and earth and its inhabitants?

9. Why do you think Isaiah 52:7 and 53:1 are quoted by Paul in Romans 11:14-17?

10. What in Isaiah 53 most speaks to you of Jesus Christ?

11. Isaiah 53:7-8 appears again in Acts 8:32-33.  How can the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus serve as an evangelistic tool for the gospel?

12. Why do you suppose some chapters of Isaiah (like Isaiah 22) are extremely severe and punitive toward Israel, while others (like Isaiah 54) are extremely gracious and generous?

13. What emotions does Isaiah 55:8-9 stir in you?

14. In Isaiah 56, what does the prophet say God’s house will be called?

15. What does God respond to among His people in Isaiah 56:14-21?

16. What kind of “fast” does God want to see in His people (Isaiah 57)?

17. How is Isaiah 59:17 related to Ephesians 6:13-17?

18. List some parallels you find between Isaiah 60 and Revelation 21.

19. Jesus read from Isaiah 61:1-2 at the start of His ministry (Luke 4:14-21) and said the words were fulfilled in His audience’s hearing.  How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy?

20. Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22 speak of “new heavens and a new earth.”  Where else in the Bible do we see such things spoken of?