CrossTalk Scripture Focus Background

Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 55:1-13

We are continuing our journey through Isaiah, the first of the Major Prophets. This week’s Daily Scripture Focus (found on the next page) covers Isaiah 53-58. This section will bring to conclusion the message of Second Isaiah, which is primarily concerned with the Jews in Babylonian exile, and will begin the last section of Isaiah – a section many scholars have termed “Third Isaiah”. Third Isaiah seems to be written to the post-exilic Jewish community, or those Jews who will have returned to Jerusalem after the exile (538-516 BC). Remember, Jerusalem had been conquered by Babylon (modern Iraq) and its citizens taken captive. Several generations later, Babylon fell to Persia. Cyrus the Great gave permission for the Jewish exiles to return home.

Isaiah 53-55 concludes the passage of Isaiah known as the Suffering Servant. The themes of this section are suffering as a result of obedience to God, and redemption. Chapter 53 (along with the end of 52) is the well known passage normally read on Good Friday each year. It is the fourth and longest of the “Servant Songs” found in this section. The Servant’s suffering has so disfigured him that everyone is aghast at his appearance. Paul would later draw the connection between the Servant and Jesus on the cross (Romans 4:45). Isaiah 54 continues the positive picture of redemption taking the negative aspects and turning them into positive images, for example, their widowhood is now marriage with God as husband (Isaiah 54:5).

Today’s scripture focus is Isaiah 55:1-13. This chapter returns to the theme of a new exodus, introduced in chapter 40. The first three verses are reminiscent of a custom used by new kings to establish their throne. When a new king took power, he would hold a special banquet, and cancel any debts of those in attendance to the old king. It was a way of announcing that a new day had arrived. God, through the prophet, is telling the people to come and eat, for a new day has arrived! For the first time in this section, God invokes the name of David, letting the people know that He will restore the covenant made with David’s line. Verses 6 and 7 are an open invitation to all those wanting to participate. They merely need to seek and repent.

The preceding verses would have raised a lot of questions in the minds of the returning exiles. How could God make a new day for a people so long in exile? How could He restore the covenant made so long ago with King David? Who would this suffering servant be who would lead them, and how could He be a light to the gentile nations as well? In the remaining verses, God reminds the people that it is impossible for them to understand His ways of thinking and acting, in the same way it was at that time impossible for the people to understand what made the weather and caused plants to grow. By simply speaking, God made it so. Therefore, the people could trust that when God said He would get them safely to Jerusalem, and reestablish their nation, that it would be done and done permanently.

Today’s sermon will remind us that God’s ways are still above our ways, but we can still trust that He knows what He is doing.

CrossGroup Discussion Guide

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like share anything exciting from their week.

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as would like.

1. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

2. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

3. In a day when science has unlocked so many of life’s mysteries, what questions can only God answer?

CrossTalk Scripture Focus Background

Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 49:1-16

We are continuing our journey through Isaiah, the first of the Major Prophets. This week’s Daily Scripture Focus (found on the next page) covers Isaiah 48-52. Isaiah 48 brings to a close the first major section of Second Isaiah. The prophet here summarizes and justifies God’s actions by reminding Jacob’s descendants of Israel’s stubbornness. God’s name (character) causes Him to withhold His anger, lest He destroy Israel. Instead, He will go into action to refine Israel in the fire of suffering, and test His people in the furnace of affliction. The Lord, as Israel’s creator, summons the nation to listen. He challenges them to find spiritual meaning in the events surrounding them (referring to the rapid rise of Cyrus the Great to power in Persia.)

Isaiah 49 through 55 composes the second major section of Second Isaiah. This section is most likely aimed at readers living from 538-536 BC, after the fall of Babylon but before the return of the exiles to Jerusalem. It is primarily concerned with the redemption of captive Israel, which was by this time scattered throughout Babylon and beyond. The predominant theme of this section is that of the Suffering Servant, who is the Redeemer of Israel. Christians today see these descriptions of the One who would deliver Israel once and for all, as well as the Gentile nations, as prophesies referring to Christ. Passages from this section of Isaiah are normally read during Holy Week (the week before and including Easter Sunday).

Today’s scripture focus is Isaiah 49:1-16. Verses 1-7 is the second of the “servant songs” in Isaiah, and in it we find the call of the Servant. Who is the servant in this passage? Some scholars see this as a call to Israel. Others see this as a prophesy of Christ. Like most prophetic passages, there is both an immediate and a future application. Israel was distinctly called to bring glory to God. This was their one true mission. The Servant (both Israel, and later, Christ) is stepping forward here to speak of His unique call. Summoning an audience from distant lands, He earnestly implores His audience to hear how God claimed and prepared Him from birth to serve God’s purposes. The Servant’s suffering takes on the form of utter weariness from serving God.

God immediately strengthens and encourages His Servant, expanding the call beyond Israel to all the gentile nations. In verse 7, the prophet reveals a change in fortunes coming. It will be so great it will arouse the interest of kings of the nations. The Jews – subjects of Babylon and now Persia, were likely confused and bewildered by the change in political regimes, and uncertain about their future. God brings them hope and courage so they might continue to fulfill their call as His servants (by bringing glory to God), and wait patiently for the One who would give ultimate consummation to that call (Messiah). In light of God’s promise of care, the prophet breaks out into a hymn of thanksgiving. This climaxes in a tender note of care from God, who has His children inscribed (literally “tattooed”!) on the palm of His hand.

Today’s sermon will remind us that during times of great change, God’s care for us remains the same.

CrossGroup Discussion Guide

• Go around the table and share prayer requests. Have someone lead in prayer.

• Let everyone who would like share anything exciting from their week.

• Ask these three questions. Let as many answer each one as would like.

1. Is there anything in today’s scripture that especially speaks to you?

2. What questions would you like to ask about today’s scripture?

3. What has been the best change in the world in the last twenty years? What has been the worst?