Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm - Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
Session Ten: God Beyond Politics
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 18:1 – 20:6
What are your initial impressions? Questions?
Are there notable differences in various translations?
3) PROPHESY Toward CUSH or ETHIOPIA (18:1-7):
Egypt and Ethiopia are often mentioned together in the bible (Psalm 68:31; Ezekiel 29:10; Nahum 3:9). Egypt suffered from internal strife and civil war and around 730 B.C. Cush leaders began to push north into Egypt and by 715 B.C. Cush controlled the entire country. In 725 B.C. Israel tried to make political allegiances with Egypt against Assyria (2 Kings 17) which led to the final downfall of the Northern Kingdom. In 716 B.C. King Sargon II of Assyria marched to the Egyptian border and received tribute from the king of Tanis. The Ashdod revolution of 712 B.C. brought Sargon II back to Philistia, but the Egyptian king refused asylum for the Philistine ruler and handed him over to Sargon. In 712 B.C. the Ethiopian pharaohs who ruled Egypt sent a political delegation to Jerusalem to conspire against Assyria. Chapter 18 is Isaiah’s response against them, calling on the leaders of Judah to trust in the word of God rather than the weak promises of Egypt.
a) Verse one does not begin “Woe.” It is better translated as “Ah,” “Alas,” or “Look.”
b) A Land of “whirring wings.” The area is known for insects and a great number of birds.
c) Papyrus Vessels. The land was renowned for the production of Papyrus.
d) The Lord’s Dwelling (vv. 4&7) The Ark of the Covenant?
i) "Queen Sheba visited King Solomon in Jerusalem three thousand years ago, and the son she bore him, Menelik, at age 20 visited Jerusalem, from where he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Aksum. It's been in Ethiopia ever since."
4) PROPHESY AGAINST EGYPT (19:1-25):
a) God Rebukes False Pride and Arrogance (vv. 1-15)
i) Trembling Idols (vs. 1. See also Exodus: chapters 7-11)
ii) Civil War (vs. 2)
iii) Trust in idols, ghosts of the dead, mediums and spiritists. (vs. 3)
iv) Cruel master (vs. 4)
v) Natural resources gone (vv. 5-10)
vi) Wise men become as imbeciles (vv. 11-15)
b) Five Future Predictions for “In that Day…” (vv. 16-25)
i) Tables Turned (vv. 16-17)
ii) Five cities (v. 18)
iii) Salvation comes (vv. 19-22)
iv) A Highway of Blessing and Unity (v. 23)
v) A Company of Blessing and Unity (vv. 24-25)
5) THE NAKED TRUTH (20:1-6):
a) In 712 B.C. the city of Ashdod (in Philistia) revolted against Assyria. King Sargon sent his commander in chief, Tartan, to lay siege. The King of Philistia (Yamani) sought refuge in Egypt but was turned over to the Assyrians instead.
b) Isaiah offers a three-year object lesson. It was not uncommon for God’s prophets to give such lessons: Hosea married a prostitute and gave his children shameful names; Jeremiah preached about being conquered by Babylon with a yoke around his neck (Jer. 27-28); While in exile Ezekiel ate God’s scroll of judgement (ch. 3). He created a clay replica of Jerusalem under siege and lay bound up for over a year eating defiled food (ch. 4). He shaved himself bald and used his hair to show the fate of the city (ch. 5). He mimicked the way exiles leave a city (ch. 12), and he refused to mourn his wife’s death (24:17-19).
6) APPLICATION:
a) Trust God and you have no reason to fear anyone or anything. (Jeremiah 29:11)
b) Quit overtly or secretly seeking advice from Ouija boards, astrology, horoscopes, tarot cards, and/or mediums and spiritists (Palm Readers). (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
c) Keep your eye and heart directed toward World Missions. (Matthew 28:19-20)
7) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON:
Real Power - Read Isaiah 21:1 – 23:18 to prepare
