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 Twenty: Working in Wonderful Ways
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 45:1-25
a) What are your initial impressions? Questions? Notable differences in translations?
3) IN A NUTSHELL:
God will call Cyrus of Persia to deliver His people Israel from Babylonian captivity. God pronounces woes on those who question His plans and His ways, claiming the right as Creator to act as He sees best. He challenges all other gods to gather and prove their deity by predicting history and repeats His claim to be the world’s only God and Creator. When none can, He invites all the earth’s residents to turn to Him and be saved. He especially invites Israel to hear His promises, believe them, and be ready for His salvation.
4) GOD’S ANOINTED SERVANT: (45:1-8)
a) Cyrus, the “anointed” king. (1st Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Psalm 105:15)
b) Fulfilled prophesy. Jeremiah 25:11-13; Daniel 5:22-31; 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4
c) (vv. 5-6) Yahweh informs Cyrus’ ignorance.
d) (vv. 7-8) The Creator God. Is God the author of evil? (See KJV on vs. 7)
5) JUSTIFYING HIS CHOICE – QUIETING HIS CRITICS: (45:9-13)
a) Woe to those who argue with God’s choice of a pagan King.
b) “I Am The Lord” (vv. 5, 6, 18, 21, 22)
c) How do you see Cyrus as an instrument of God’s Grace?
6) SHOWING HIS SALVATION: (45:14-25)
a) (vs. 14) Anticipates a time when these nations recognize Israel’s God is the one true God.
b) (vv. 15-17) Salvation for Israel – Humiliation for idol makers.
c) (vv. 18-19) God’s purpose for His creation. An ancient Near Eastern myth claimed the gods needed a workforce to dig irrigation canals and created humans because the minor gods went on strike.
d) (vv. 20-21) Idols encouraged to make a case against Yahweh.
e) (vv. 22-25) Turn to God for Salvation.
f) Is God’s salvation only for Israel? Explain your answer.
7) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 46:1-13
a) What are your initial impressions? Questions? Notable differences in translations?
8) THE BURDEN OF LOVE: (46:1-13)
a) (vv. 1-2) The gods that the Babylonians carry.
b) (vv. 3-4) The God Who carries the remnant of Israel.
c) (vv. 5-7) The Test of the gods:
i) To whom will you liken me?
ii) To whom will you make me equal?
iii) To whom will you compare me?
d) (vv. 8-10) Remember God’s advance notice.
e) (vs. 11) God will call up Cyrus.
f) (vv. 12-13) God’s justice and salvation will prevail.
9) APPLICATION:
a) Praise God for the wonderful ways He has worked in your life. (Philippians 1:6)
b) Thank God for His Salvation that extends to all who call upon Him. (2 Peter 3:9)
c) Trust the plans of God, even when it looks like evil is prospering. Nothing happens outside of God’s purpose and control. (Proverbs 20:24)
10) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON: Perfecting the Plan - Read Isaiah 47:1 – 49:26 to prepare.
