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Lesson 2 - Knowing God, Isaiah 40:9-31
(To help you answer the questions see the Notes below)
While talking about God with students on campus, I frequently hear a common refrain: "My God is not like that." I have found that even students who deny they have any religion have opinions about what God is like or not like.
Different religions are all around us-Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Islam-and every religion has its own set of beliefs about God. As Christians we believe in the God of Abraham, the God and Father of Jesus Christ. But who is he, and what is he like?
In this chapter Isaiah writes as though Judah's captivity in Babylon is almost over. His comforting words present a dramatic portrait of God.
What are some common opinions about what God is like?
Read Isaiah 40:9-14. God's people, even in the Old Testament, have a desire to tell the world about him (Isaiah 40:9). What is the good news about God (Isaiah 40:10-11)?
How do Isaiah's questions encourage us to trust God (Isaiah 40:12-14)?
Read Isaiah 40:15-24. What comfort is there for Israel as they are held captive by the superpower Babylon (Isaiah 40:15-17)?
What comfort do you receive from knowing God has power over the nations?
How do the idols of the rich and poor compare with the reality of God's power (Isaiah 40:18-24)?
What kind of idols do we worship in our culture?
Why does worshiping idols often seem preferable to knowing the living God?
Read Isaiah 40:25-31. Some people view God as an uninvolved Creator who stands at a distance to watch his world. What does Isaiah 40:26 reveal about God's involvement?
Judah complains that God doesn't know what is happening to her (Isaiah 40:27). When have you been tempted to lament that God was unconcerned about your struggles?
What hope does Isaiah offer us during such struggles (Isaiah 40:28-31)?
Those who know God look to him for help. Describe a time when the Lord renewed your strength or enabled you to soar on wings like an eagle.
Isaiah 40:11
40:11 God is often pictured as a shepherd, gently caring for and guiding his flock. He is powerful (Isaiah 40:10), yet careful and gentle. He is called a shepherd (Psalm 23); the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14); the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20); and the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). Note that the shepherd is caring for the most defenseless members of his society: children and those caring for them. This reinforces the prophetic theme that the truly powerful nation is not the one with a strong military, but rather the one that relies on God's caring strength.
Isaiah 40:12-31
40:12-31 Isaiah describes God's power to create, his provision to sustain, and his presence to help. God is almighty and all-powerful; but even so, he cares for each of us personally. No person or thing can be compared to God (Isaiah 40:25). We describe God as best we can with our limited knowledge and language, but we only limit our understanding of him and his power when we compare him to what we experience on earth. What is your concept of God, especially as revealed in his Son, Jesus Christ? Don't limit his work in your life by underestimating him.
40:29-31 Even the strongest people get tired at times, but God's power and strength never diminish. He is never too tired or too busy to help and listen. His strength is our source of strength. When you feel all of life crushing you and cannot go another step, remember that you can call upon God to renew your strength.
40:31 Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us to rise above life's distractions and difficulties. It also means trusting in God. Trusting helps us to be prepared when he speaks to us. Then we will be patient when he asks us to wait and expect him to fulfill the promises found in his Word.