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-One: Perfecting the Plan
1) GATHERING and OPENING PRAYER
2) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 47:1 – 48:22
a) What are your initial impressions? Questions? Notable differences in translations?
3) IN A NUTSHELL:
God calls Babylonia to lament because they have trusted in magic and astrology. God gives Israel new promises for her deliverance. Then God gives the marching orders: Leave Babylon. Suddenly God’s servant gives his testimony. God expands Israel’s commission from witnessing to being a light for the nations. God will bring His people back to their homeland. As with a mother and her baby, God never forgets His people and their needs. All this will lead Israel and all nations to know that the Lord is God, the Redeemer and Savior of Israel.
4) CALLING BABYLON TO LAMENT: (47:1-15)
a) (vv. 1-4) Babylon will be humiliated by the Holy One of Israel.
b) (vv. 5-7) They presumed to be Immune from God’s Wrath.
i) What brought about God’s wrath on Babylon? See also Revelation 17:1 - 19:4.
c) (vv. 8-11) They presume power in magic, sorcery, astrology, and witchcraft.
d) (vv. 12-15) No one can save them.
i) Even after the Babylonian Empire disappeared, the term “Chaldean” was used to designate astrologers.
5) REVELATION and RELEASE for REBEL ISRAEL: (48:1-22)
a) (vv. 1-2) Hypocrisy revealed.
b) (vv. 3-5) Cynicism revealed.
c) (vv. 6-8) God will do a new thing, formerly unknown because of their treachery.
d) (vv. 9-11) Israel refined in the furnace of affliction.
e) (vv. 12-16) The revelation of God’s Plan.
i) Who is the one the Lord loves, mentioned in verse 14?
f) (vv. 20-22) The Release from Captivity.
6) READ / LISTEN to Isaiah 49:1-26
a) What are your initial impressions? Questions? Notable differences in translations?
7) THE SERVANT OF SALVATION: (49:1-6)
a) Servant Songs in Isaiah (42:1-4; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12).
b) (vv. 1-4) The servant’s calling and work. Who is this servant?
i) See also Matthew 8:17; 12:17-21; John 12:38; Acts 8:30-35.
c) (vv. 5-6) The servant’s plan and purpose.
8) PROSPERITY FOR THE PRISONERS: (49:7-13)
a) (vv. 7-12) Princes will bow down – Covenant people lifted up.
i) Compare various translations of verse 12. This land is either Elephantine in Egypt or as far as China.
b) (vs. 13) A Hymn of praise!
9) THE LORD TAKES AWAY THE FEARS OF ISRAEL: (49:14-26)
a) (vv. 14-20) He removes the fear of being forgotten.
b) (vv. 21-23) He removes the fear of being childless.
c) (vv. 24-26) He removes the fear of Annihilation.
10) APPLICATION:
a) Do not put your trust in witchcraft, astrology, sorcery, Tarot cards, horoscopes, or magic. Put your trust in God. (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
b) Thank God for the refining that comes through suffering. (James 1:2-4)
c) Help God in His desire to bring Salvation to all the nations. (Matthew 28:18-20)
11) WRAP UP and CLOSE IN PRAYER
NEXT LESSON: Turning the Tables - Read Isaiah 50:1 – 51:23 to prepare.
