BIBLE KNOWLEDGE FOR MSCE

UNIT ONE

The Bible refers to the sacred writings of the Christian Religion, comprising
the Old and the New Testament. During the process of writing and
canonisation, God was with the authors. God worked through the people
that wrote the Scriptures as individual books. He also worked with those
that collected the Books into one collection known as the Bible. The
process of collecting authoritative books of the bible is called Canonisation.

The Bible has several uses and some of them are:

1. For worshipping: the Bible is used for showing of passionate religious

devotion to one’s God through praying. Worshipping means the
showing of passionate religious devotion to one’s God.
2. For meditation: When the Bible is read, one needs to reflect on the
passage read with the purpose of understanding it. Meditation means
reflecting deeply on spiritual matters.
3. For guidance and counselling: after reading the Bible, people get
pieces of advice on issues that affect their lives.
4. For administration of justice or swearing: The Bible is used as a way
of assuring the court that they will not give any force information
regarding the case. The Bible is used by officers to assure people that
there will be justice in the delivery of services to the people.
Administration of Justice or Swearing is a process of or structure
which allows conflicts between parties to be settled by a body
dedicated to that purpose.

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 5. For singing: People use the psalms as songs for worship and other
scripture from other Bible Books in churches and entertainment
theatres.
NB: Theatre means the stage where different entertainment activities
take place.
Singing means producing musical sounds with the voice.
6. For Preaching and Teaching: The Bible is used to teach people in
different aspects of life such as the importance of loving one another.
7. For Funeral Rights: The Bible is used to comfort and encourage the
relatives and friends of the deceased when someone has died.
8. For Wedding ceremonies: The pastor reads the Scripture from the
Bible reflecting on what it says about marriage and advising on what
is expected from them as married people.
9. For Academics: Teachers use the Bible to teach about spiritual matters
to develop an understanding of God.
10. Source of healing: Christians today believe that they get healed
through their faith in what the Bible teaches.
GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
THE WORK OF PROPHET ISAIAH

The word Prophet comes from Greek word “Profetes” meaning to

advocate or speak for. Therefore, a prophet is a person appointed by God
to speak on his behalf. Simply put, a prophet is a messenger of God.

A prophet has different duties or roles like:

✓ Speaking on behalf of god.

✓ Revealing the nature and attributes of God to people.
✓ Communicating the Laws of god to people.

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 ✓ Bringing back the people to the obedience of God’s Laws.
✓ Foretelling God’s future events.
✓ Revealing the truth of God.
✓ Extorting leaders and people to maintain the love relationship with
their God.
✓ Observing the social, political and religious situations and say what
God thinks about them.
✓ Being a conscience of society in that they guide society on what is
right or wrong, just or unfair.
✓ Condemning people’s sins and warning them of the coming
punishment.

Therefore, a proclamation made by prophet and often introduced or

concluded by a phrase “The Lord says……...” is called a Prophecy or an
Oracle. In short a Prophecy is a proclamation made by a prophet on behalf
of God.

Religious leaders of today that take the place of Old Testament prophets
are: Bishops, Priests, Reverends, Pastors and Preachers

TYPES OF PROPHECIES

There are two types and these are:

a) Woe prophecy: This is a prophecy that denounces evil and

announces punishment.
b) Weal prophecy: This is a prophecy that announces blessings.

PROPHETIC VISION

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This is something that a prophet perceives in his hand or dreams that reveal
God’s word or truth. It is something that a prophet sees and hears in his
mind or dream.

THE WORK OF PROPHET ISAIAH

PARTS OF THE BOOK OF ISAIAH

1. PROTO ISAIAH OR FIRST ISAIAH OR JERUSALEM ISAIAH (CHAPTERS 1-39)

✓ This is what properly belongs to the real historical Isaiah.

✓ This part contains prophecies in the period before the Babylonian

Exile.
✓ By then, the super power was Assyria.
2. DEUTRO OR SECOND OR EXILIC ISAIAH (CHAPTERS 40-55)
✓ This is the work of a disciple or student of Isaiah.

✓ He prophesied in the period towards 638 BC, the end of the

Babylonian Exile.
3. TRITO OR THIRD OR POST EXILIC ISAIAH (CHAPTERS 56-61)
✓ This is the work of a student or disciple of Deutro Isaiah.

✓ He prophesied during the period after the Babylonian Exile 530-510

BC.
✓ By then, the super power was Persia.

ISAIAH TRADITION

• Jerusalem Isaiah had a school of disciples who after his death recalled
his words, studied and wrote them.
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 • Deutro Isaiah is unknown prophet, probably one of the students or
Jerusalem who was active in Babylon.
• Trito Isaiah was a student of Deutro Isaiah who also studied the work
of the first and second Isaiah and prophesied in the same tradition.

END OF UNIT 1 ASSESSMENT

a) Mention the parts that make the Old Testament.

b) To which part of the Old Testament does the book of Isaiah belong?
c) Who is a prophet?
d) What are the duties of the true prophet?
e) Define the term “Prophecy.”
f) Mention the religious leaders of today that take the role of the Old
Testament prophets.
g) Mention and describe the two types of prophecies.
h) What is a prophetic vision?
i) Mention the three parts of the book of Isaiah and their respective
chapters.

UNIT TWO

PROTO ISAIAH OR FIRST ISAIAH OR JERUSALEM ISAIAH (CHAPTERS 1-39)

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT JERUSALEM ISAIAH

✓ He lived in Judah particularly in Jerusalem City.

✓ He was called in the year that King Uzziah died (742 BC) during the
enthronement of Jotham.
✓ Had two sons: ShearJashub and Quick-Loot-Fast-Plunder.
✓ Was well informed on Judah’s political situation.
✓ Had access to the King
✓ Was politically active.

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 ✓ Was a city man and well educated.
✓ Was the son of Amoz.

THE TITLE OF THE BOOK AND THE KINGS

The Book contains the messages about Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s father
was Amoz, and the Kings who ruled during the time of Proto Isaiah were
as follows:

• 782-742 BC: Uzziah (My Strength is Yahweh)

• 742-735 BC: Jotham (Yahweh is perfect)
• 735-715 BC: Ahaz (Yahweh graps hand)
• 715-687 BC: Hezekiah (Yahweh is my strength)
✓ Isaiah means Yahweh is salvation
GOD REPRIMANDS HIS PEOPLE (Isaiah 1:2-9)

Isaiah 1:2-4

Isaiah prophesied in Judah in which he said that the people have rebelled
against God and likened them to cattle and donkeys. He however, said
that cattle and donkeys are much better than the Israelites because these
animals know their masters and where they are fed but the Israelites have
rebelled against their masters, therefore, they do not know their masters
and do not understand the one who feeds them.

WHAT WAS THE MAIN SIN OF JUDAH?

✓ Rejection of or rebellion against Yahweh her King and loving father.

God called Israel a doomed nation, corrupt and evil because:

a) Their sins dragged them down; their sins prevented them from doing
God’s will.
b) They had rejected the Lord.
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 c) They had turned their backs on the Lord; they had stopped listening
to Him.
d) They had rebelled against the Lord.

EARTH AND SKY

✓ To act as witness in the case that Yahweh has against his people.

CHILDREN

✓ This refers to Israel, the chosen people of Yahweh.

✓ They have rebelled against Yahweh.

CATTLE KNOW WHO OWNS THEM

✓ By breaking the covenant with Yahweh, Israel is behaving worse than

animals in disobeying Yahweh.

THE HOLY GOD OF ISRAEL

✓ God is totally different from because of perfect goodness.

THE PICTURE OF ISRAEL AS A NATION AFTER PUNISHMENT: (IS. 1:5-9)

Israel as a nation will be:

• A devastated country
• A country with destroyed cities
• A country taken over by foreigners and in ruins
• A country with Jerusalem alone left but under siege

God, however, will not destroy all people, there shall be a remnant. God
likened the sins of Judah to those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Judah
therefore deserved the same punishment as those of Sodom and
Gomorrah. However, with God’s mercy and His promises to the people
of Israel regarding salvation, a few shall remain.

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Your and mind are sick- There is decay in the political, social, moral and
religious life of the people of Judah due to rebellion against Yahweh.

From head to feet……... not a healthy spot on your body- All aspects of
Israel’s life such as political, social, moral and spiritual are full of sinful acts.

Jerusalem alone is left- All other cities and town have been destroyed by
Assyria.

Jerusalem would have been destroyed- Jerusalem is saved because of

faithful survivors just as Sodom and Gomorrah would have been saved if
there were some faithful people.

CONDEMNATION OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN JUDAH (Is. 1:10-17)

The real cause of God’s anger is the people’s hypocrisy. They observed
many religious festivals, offered sacrifices to God, worshipped in the
Temple, observed the Sabbaths and gathered together for a religious cause
but God was not happy because of their sins.

What the people of Judah did to please their God?

a) They offered sacrifices to God.

b) They worshipped in the Temple.
c) They observed many religious festivals such as New Moon festival,
Passover, Pentecost.
d) They observed the Sabbath and gathered together for a new cause.

They offered sacrifices to God in order:

✓ To worship Yahweh
✓ To ask for forgiveness of sins
✓ To thank God for the harvest

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The Lord likens the leaders of Jerusalem to the people of Sodom and
Gomorrah because they are as sinful as the people of Sodom and
Gomorrah.

REASONS WHY GOD REJECTED THE PEOPLE’S SACRIFICES.

a) The worshippers continued to sin against Him.

b) They exploited Yahweh’s favourites: the poor, the orphans and the
widows.
c) The sacrifices are corrupted by the people’s sins.

THE WORSHIP IN JUDAH

✓ People purified themselves through ritual bathing and ablutions.

✓ They brought ritually clean animals to have them as burned sacrifices.
✓ They said prayers with outstretched hands.
✓ They burnt incense.
✓ They sang Psalms and hymns.

Religious ceremonies that were practised by the Jews but condemned by

Isaiah were:

1. New Moon Festival

A day of rest at the beginning of each month when Jews offered
sacrifices to God.
2. Sabbath
The seventh day of the week in the Hebrew Calendar, a day of rest
and prayers.
3. Religious gathering
Less frequent or annual religious meetings such as the Passover, The
Jewish New Year, The Day of Atonement, The Feast of the
Tabernacle.
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Relating what God says to show His anger towards religious hypocrisy

• When people lift their hands in prayers, God will not look at them.
• No matter how much people pray, God will not listen for their hands
are covered with blood.
• People should clean themselves.
• People should stop doing evil and learn to do what is right.
• People should see that justice is done.

The people’s hands are covered with blood because of their sins and crimes.
Therefore, Yahweh expects the worshippers:

• That they wash themselves clean.

• That they should stop doing evil.
• That they should learn to do what is right.
• That they do justice to the oppressed such as orphans and the
widows.

PROOFS TO SHOW THAT JUSTICE IS DONE

a) People should help the oppressed.

b) They should give the orphans their right.
c) They should defend the widows.

REASONS WHY CHRISTIANS GIVE OFFERINGS TO GOD TODAY

a) To take care of the ministers of God.

b) To thank God for the blessings they have received.
c) To assist in the running of the church.
d) To assist the needy through the church.

ISAIAH 1:18-20

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 ✓ Yahweh is acting as a judge in court in a case where Judah is given a
chance to defend herself.
✓ Yahweh draws the attention of the people to His power of
forgiveness and invited the Jews to discuss the matter at hand for a
solution to their problems.
✓ Fortunately, God himself is ready to forgive them but what He asks
them to do is to repent, change their way of life and obey His
Commandments.

……….. stained red: This symbolises the sins of the people.

……….. as clean as snow: This symbolises repentance and forgiveness.

There are two alternatives for the people of Judah:

a) Either they obey Yahweh and enjoy all the privileges associated with
it such as eating the good things the land produces.
b) Or they continue defying rebelling God and face punishment of
death as its consequence.

THE SINFUL CITY (ISAIAH 1:21-31)

Examples of pictures that Isaiah used to describe the condition of Judah:

1. Israel was taken as a whore, unfaithful wife because she had rebelled
against her God.
2. Israel was once filled with righteous people, but now only murderers
remain.
3. Israel was once seen as silver but now is something worthless.
4. Jerusalem was likened to wine mixed with water.
5. The leaders of Israel had become rebels and companions of thieves
instead of righteousness. There was injustice and unrighteousness.

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……………. Behaving like a whore………………….

✓ She has rebelled against her God because of her sins of injustice and
dishonesty

……………. Once silver and now worthless…………

✓ Jerusalem’s former purity, faithfulness and obedience to Yahweh are

now mixed with sins especially the sin of injustice of the leaders of
the city.

……………… now only water ……………………….

✓ Injustice has corrupted the whole of Judah’s life contrary to what the
Lord insists.

THE SINS OF THE LEADERS

1) They are always accepting gifts and bribes.

2) They never defend orphans in court.
3) They never listen when widows present their case.

ISAIAH 1:24-26

✓ God announces His judgement over the city of Jerusalem because of

injustice and unrighteousness. They have become enemies of God
and God will punish them.
✓ God, however, promises to purify them and that becomes the aim
of punishment. Jerusalem will be a pure city with rulers who will be
just and righteous.
✓ God will judge and punish Jerusalem to restore faithfulness and
righteousness.

HOW WILL YAHWEH RESTORE JERUSALEM?

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 1. He will purify his people.
2. He will give them rulers and advisers like those they had long ago.
3. He will save Jerusalem and everyone who repents.
4. He will crush everyone who sins and rebels against Him.
5. He will kill everyone who forsakes Him.

ISAIAH 1:27-31

✓ Isaiah described the division that will be there because of God’s

judgement. On one hand, there will be those that will repent and
will be saved by God and on the other hand, there will be rebels and
sinners who will be destroyed because of their deeds.
✓ Isaiah said that those who will repent will feel sorry for worshipping
trees and planting sacred gardens referring to their idol worship.
They will feel sorry for themselves for worshipping idols.

HOW CAN GOD REACT TO PEOPLE’S RELIGIOUS PRACTICES TODAY?

God cannot be happy because people are worshipping Him but continue
to sin. The sins of the people of Judah included the following:

✓ Rejection or rebellion against Yahweh her King and loving father.

✓ Doing injustice
✓ Leaders being rebels and friends of thieves.

EVERLASTING PEACE (ISAIAH 2:1-4)

…………. In the days to come …………… This refers to the remote or near
future when God will be accepted by all nations and there will be universal
peace based on justice and love.

ISAIAH’s PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN WHERE THE TEMPLE

STANDS

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 1. It will be the highest on of all.
2. It will be towering over all hills.
3. Many nations will come streaming to it.

People will stream to the mountain where the temple stands:

1. To be taught what God wants them to do.

2. To learn to walk in the path that God has chosen.
3. To accept Yahweh as the only true God.

The universal peace that God promised to establish:

1. God will settle disputes among great nations.

2. Nations will hammer their swords into ploughs.
3. Nations will hammer their spears into pruning knives.
4. Nations will never go to war.
5. Nations will never prepare for battle again.

CHAOS IN JERUSALEM (ISAIAH 3: 1-15)

There was chaos in Jerusalem. The following are the factors that led to the
leadership crisis in Jerusalem:

✓ Ahaz was young and inexperienced, weak and became easily

threatened by the foreign powers.
✓ Leading citizens had been exiled to Nin`eveh by the Assyrians.
✓ People refused responsibility.

So, Yahweh promised to take away from Jerusalem and Judah the elite or
cream of the society such as:

a) Food
b) Water
c) Heroes and soldiers

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 d) Judges and prophets
e) Fortune tellers and statesmen
f) Military and civilian leaders
g) Politicians

Now, the righteous:

• Will be happy
• Will enjoy what they have worked for
• Things will go well for them

The evil people:

• They will be doomed

• What they had done to others will now be done to them

A WARNING TO THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM (ISAIAH 3:16, 4:1)

(DAUGHTERS OF ZION)

The women of Jerusalem were accused of their sins.

➢ Pride which makes them despise the poor.

➢ Arrogance shown in holding their heads high while taking little dainty
steps.
➢ Wantonness or flirting: always glancing that aim at seducing men into
sleeping with them.
➢ Excessive love of luxuries that makes them agree with their husbands
to rob the poor.
➢ They seduced men.
➢ They liked showing off.

This is how God will punish these women:

➢ Baldness: Their heads will be shaven bald.

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 ➢ Poverty: All their ornaments and jewels will be taken away. They
will dress in rags.
➢ Stinking: Their bodies will stink.
➢ Widowhood: They will lose their husbands in war.
➢ Childlessness: They will suffer the disgrace of being childless and
without a husband.
➢ Their beauty will turn to shame.

Punishing the wrong doers is necessary because:

➢ The punishment reforms the wrong doers for the good or benefit of
the society.
➢ It deters others from doing wrong.
➢ It abrogates or annuls the wrong done.
➢ In case of capital punishment (death penalty), it eliminates wrong
doers.

RELATING HOW THE WOMEN OF JERUSALEM WILL BE DISGRACED

AND HUMBLED

▪ The Lord will take away everything they are proud of.
▪ Instead of using perfumes, they will stink.
▪ Instead of fine belts, they will wear course ropes.
▪ Instead of having beautiful hair, they will be bald.
▪ Instead of fine clothes, they will be dressed in rags.
▪ Their beauty will be turned into shame.

What the women will say to convince a man to marry them?

o They will say “We can feed and clothe ourselves, but let us say you
are our husbands, so that we won`t have to endure the shame of
being unmarried.”
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RESTORATION OF JERUSALEM (ISAIAH 4:2-6)

Jerusalem will be restored as follows:

✓ There will be new growth after destruction.

✓ There will be holiness after cleansing.
✓ God will punish the people in order to clean the nation.
✓ God will be with the people.

SYMBOLS OF THE PRECENCE OF GOD

1) Cloud in the day time

2) Smoke at night
3) Bright flame at night

…………….. Plant and tree ………………………

✓ Thus the Messiah who will bring a Kingdom of peace and justice.
✓ The Survivors who kept their faith in God.

THE PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD (ISAIAH 5:1-7)

Parable

It is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. It is also defined as a simple

story drawn from everyday life that teaches one a spiritual or moral lesson.

A parable is a comparison which contains a teaching or it’s a short story

that uses familiar situations to illustrate a religious or moral point.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A PARABLE

➢ It has one main message.

➢ It has a picture of something observed in daily life.
➢ The lesson comes at the end.

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WHY DID ISAIAH USE A PARABLE

❖ For people to understand the message easily.

❖ For people to remember the message easily.
❖ To catch people’s attention.
❖ To avoid debates which end up being useless and divisive.
❖ To give a last chance to the people of Judah to see the truth and
repent.
❖ To make the lesson interesting.

RELATE OR NARATE THE PARABLE OR GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF THE

PARABLE OF THE VINEYARD.

✓ Isaiah’s friend had a vineyard on a very fertile land that was well
prepared. He did everything possible to protect the crop. He then
waited for the grapes to ripe but every grape was sour.
✓ Out of frustration, the farmer decided to remove whatever protected
the vineyard. He decided not to weed or prune the vines and would
forbid the cloud to let rain fall on it.
✓ In this parable, the friend is Yahweh, the vineyard is Israel, the vines
are the people of Israel, good grapes represents good behaviour of
Israelites and the sour grapes represent Israel’s sins. God will punish
them for their sins.

THE CHARACTERS IN THE PARABLE

a) Friend of Isaiah : God

b) Vineyard : Israel
c) Vines : People of Israel
d) Grapes : Behaviour of the people
e) Sweet or good grapes : Good behaviour

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 f) Sour Grapes : Sins or bad behaviour

What shows that the farmer or friend of Isaiah loved the vineyard? Or how
did the friend of Isaiah or the farmer prepare his vineyard?

1) He dug the soil, cleared it of stones.

2) He planted the finest vines.
3) He built a tower to guard them.
4) He dug the pit for treading the grapes.

So, the farmer expected good grapes, but instead he got sour grapes.
Therefore, the farmer was disappointed. The farmer then:

o Will take away the hedge round the vineyard.

o Will break the fence that protects it.
o Will let wild animals eat and trample it.
o Will let it be overgrown with weeds.
o Will leave it without pruning or hoeing the ground.
o Will let briars and thorns cover it.
o Will forbid the clouds to let rain fall on it.

Relating the meaning of the parable of the vineyard or how the parable
was relevant to the people of Judah.

Israel was the vineyard of the Lord and the people of Judah were the vines.
God cared for them and expected them to do good, but instead they were
unfaithful and disobedient to God. He expected them to do what is right
but their victims cried out for justice.

GOD HAD SHOWN HIS LOVE TO THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH

o He had freed them from slavery in Egypt.

o He gave them the fertile land of Canaan.

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 o He protected them from their enemies.
o He chose them to make Him known to all nations.
o He revealed Himself to them through the events of History.
o He gave them the Law to guide them.
o He made a covenant with them.
o He gave them the prophets to guide them.

THE PRIVILEGES THE ISRAELITES HAD AS THE CHOSEN PEOPLE OF

GOD

1. Knowledge of One, True God.

2. Knowledge of the Law.
3. Being the chosen people.
4. Being entrusted with the responsibility of teaching other nations the
truth about God.

However, Israel was unfaithful to God:

✓ Israel rejected or rebelled against Yahweh.

✓ Israel practised hypocritical religion.
✓ Israel practised injustice, oppression of the weak.
✓ Israel practised murder, stealing and bribery.
✓ Israel practised idol worship.

The following are the punishments God would give to the people of Judah:

✓ He remove His protection from the people of Judah.

✓ Foreign nations will invade the land of Judah.
✓ The land will turn into a bush.
✓ Drought will loom the country.

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So, the moment God removes His protection, Judah would be attacked
and destroyed by foreign nations.

The lessons that the children can learn from the parable of vineyard are:

a) Parents take care of their children with the expectation that they
behave well.
b) Parents send their children to school with the expectation that they
become productive citizens.
c) If the children misbehave, parents are at liberty to punish them.

THE CALL OF ISAIAH (ISAIAH 6: 1-13)

What is a vision?

A vision is something that God makes someone see and hear in his mind to
reveal a truth.

On what occasion did Isaiah see this vision?

✓ During the cerebration of the Kingship of God, when King Jotham

was enthroned, in the year that King Uzziah died, 742 BC.

Narrate or relate the call of Isaiah.

✓ Isaiah’s vision in the Temple that happened in the year that King
Uzziah died made him see the Lord sitting on His throne, His robe
filling the Temple, surrounded by flaming creatures which were
praising Him.
✓ In His reaction, Isaiah said that there was no hope for Him. He said
that he was doomed because every word that passed his lips was
sinful and that he lived among people whose every word was also
sinful. His sin was forgiven when one of the flaming creatures
touched his lip with a burning coal.

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 ✓ God called Isaiah to be His messenger despite the fact that failure in
Isaiah’s work was already foretold.

Why was the death of King Uzziah a big crisis to the people of Judah?

1) The country had lost a pillar of peace, prosperity and unity.

2) His death meant an end of God’s blessings since people believed that
God’s blessings come to people through the king.
3) Uzziah’s son Jotham, his successor, was weakling.
4) Tiglath Pileser of Assyria had planned to attack Judah.

❖ Praising God's Holiness

❖ One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a burning coal

What were the uses of the six wings of each of the flaming creatures?

1. Two were for covering their face since no one can see God's majesty.
2. Two for covering their bodies out of reverence of God.
3. Two for flying symbolising their swiftness in carrying out God's
commands.

Relate Isaiah's response to the vision

He said that there was no hope for him. He said that he was doomed
because every word that passed his lips was sinful and he lived among
people whose every word was sinful yet with his own eyes 1le had seen
the LORD.

Describe Isaiah's response to the vision?

❖ He said the there was no hope for him.

❖ He said he was doomed (lost).
❖ At the end he accepted to be the LORD's messenger

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Why did Isaiah say he was doomed or lost?

✓ Every word that passed his lips was sinful.

✓ He lived among people whose every word was sinful.

How was Isaiah cleansed?

His lips were touched with a burning coal.

How was Isaiah called?

The Lord said: "Who shall I send? Who will be our messenger?" What was
Isaiah's response to the Lord's call? "I will go! Send me!"

What was Isaiah called for? OR Why was Isaiah called?

To be the Lord's messenger or prophet. What was the message Isaiah was
to deliver to the people of Judah? No matter how much you listen, you
will not understand. No matter how much you look you will not know
what is happening.

What was the actual meaning of the message?

God wants his people to receive the message and repent but people will
choose to go on hearing and seeing without understanding because they
do not want to due to their sin.

What was to be Isaiah's mission?

Make the minds of people dull, their ears deaf, and their eyes blind so that
they cannot see or hear or understand.

How was Isaiah prepared for his mission?

His lips were touched with the burning coal.

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What was the significance of the touching of Isaiah's lips with the burning
coal?

Forgiveness of sins.

What question did prophet Isaiah give the LORD?

How long will it be like this LORD?

Relate the LORD's response to Isaiah's question

Until the cities are ruined and empty -Until the houses are uninhabited
Until the land itself is a desolate waste

Why will there be failure in Isaiah's mission?

The people will choose not to understand the prophet's message.

sins New beginning for God's people Destruction but also hope for the
survival of the remnants that will be the future hope of the nation.

Why was there always hope for the people of Judah after destruction?

✓ Through the remnants, God would fulfil the promise He had made
to Abraham thin Abraham would be a blessing to many nations.
✓ Through the remnants, God would fulfil His promise that David's
dynasty would last forever .
✓ Through the remnants, God would fulfil the promise of a Messiah
of the Future King.

Describe the main themes in the story

• God is King: It is God alone who is the ruler and controls creation
and history.

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 • God is Holy: He is not part of creation He is different from man He
cannot be controlled by man He has no defect of fault; He is perfect
God's blamelessness exposes man's sinfulness
• God is Glorious: This is revealed when suffering and oppression
cease or when God cares for the oppressed, the outcasts, the poor
and the powerless.
• Judgement/Punishment: God punishes His people in two ways:

He punishes through natural calamities such as plagues, droughts and

floods. He also punishes through political instabilities.

• Sinfulness and Repentance: Man should realize his sinfulness and

repent just as Isaiah did. f Hope: God's punishment is meant for
purification and not for elimination or destruction.

PROPHET ISAIAH AND KING AHAZ POLITICAL BACKGROUND

Ahaz, Jotham's son became the next King of Judah in 735 BC. Soon after
Ahaz was made king, he was approached by King Rezin of Syria and King
Pekah of Israel asking him to form an alliance against Assyria to which Ahaz
refused. At this time Assyrian King Tiglath Pileser III targeted Egypt in his
plan of expanding his empire. For this to work, he had to conquer Syria,
Israel and Judah. Ahaz's refusal to join the alliance made Pekah and Rezin
threaten to attack Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. replace King Ahaz with
Tabeel's son. God through Isaiah informed Ahaz that he should not be
threatened by Syria and Israel because they had no power and would soon
be destroyed. Instead of Ahaz trusting in God, he sought for help from
Assyria. Later Assyria attacked and destroyed Damascus in 732 BC and
invaded and destroyed Israel in 721 BC. Judah was saved from Syria and
Israel but at a cost in that she lost her independence and had to pay tribute

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to Assyria every year. Refusal to do so would attract heavy punishment.
What political fear pre-occupied Ahaz at the beginning of his reign?

The alliance between Syria and Israel which plotted against him.

Explain why King Ahaz and the people of Judah became terrified with the
threat by Syria and Israel

a) They would lose their property

b) They would lose their land
c) It would result into deportation
d) It would result into the destruction of Jerusalem
e) It would result into the destruction of the Temple

How did Ahaz react to the threat?

a) He burned his son as a sacrifice

b) He made an alliance with Assyria for protection against Syria and
Israel.
c) He inspected the tunnel for Jerusalem's water supply and defense
mechanism.

Why did King Ahaz make alliance with Assyria?

a) He was pro-Assyrian like his father King Jotham.

b) He was afraid of Syria and Israel combination
c) He believed Assyria would not attack Judah
d) He trusted the power of men more than God.

Why did Isaiah disapprove or become against the alliance?

1) It showed lack of faith and trust in God.

2) There was no need for Judah to panic because God had already
arranged for the destruction of Syria and Israel

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 3) History is controlled by Yahweh and not Kings Pekah and Rezin.
4) Alliances had bad or evil effects or consequences.

Explain the evil effects or consequences of alliances.

❖ Worshipping of Assyrian gods as a condition for protection.

❖ It led to more corruption and oppression of the poor.
❖ It led to consultation of fortune tellers and mediums to get
assurance for the future.
❖ It led to the practice of sacred prostitution and fertility rites in
honour of Syrian gods.
❖ People started copying consultation of mediums and fortune tellers.

Describe the actual results of Judah's alliance with Assyria

✓ Judah started paying heavy tribute to Assyria.

✓ Judah allowed the worship of Assyrian gods
✓ Judah allowed the practice of pagan religion.

Describe how the alliances help people today

✓ They help nations in doing trade.

✓ They help nations in getting military support
✓ They help minority governments to function well especially in
parliament.
✓ They help individuals to get any form of assistance from others

A MESSAGE FOR KING AHAZ (ISAIAH 7:1-9)

Describe the political threat or situation which faced King Ahaz at the
beginning of his reign

There was war that break out. Rezin, king of Syria and Pekah king of Israel
attacked Jerusalem because King Ahaz had refused to join their alliance

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against Assyria. So, these two kings wanted to replace him with a certain
Tabeel's son. What was the reaction of King Ahaz of Judah? a. King Ahaz
and the people were so terrified that they trembled like trees shaking in the
wind

Relate God's instructions to Isaiah Take your son Shearjashub, and go to

meet King Aha You will find him on the road where the cloth makers work,
at the end of the ditch that brings water from the upper pool. Where did
Isaiah meet Ahaz? a. On the road where cloth makers worked, by the end
of the ditch that brought water from the upper pool.

Why did Ahaz go to the place where Isaiah was to meet him?

❖ To inspect the tunnel for Jerusalem's water supply.

❖ To inspect the tunnel that would also be used as a defence
mechanism in times of the siege.

Describe God's message to King Ahaz

✓ Keep alen Stay calm

✓ Do not be frightened
✓ Do not be disturbed
✓ The anger of King Rezin and Pekah is no more than smoke from two
smouldering sticks

How did Isaiah convey the message to King Ahaz?

✓ By action since he took his son Sheajashub as a sign.

✓ By word since he told King Ahaz to keep alert, stay disturbed.

Which nations were likened to two smouldering sticks?

✓ Syria
✓ Israel

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Why were the nations likened to two smouldering sticks?

✓ They were weak and soon would soon be defeated.

Describe the plot of Syria and Israel

✓ To invade Judah
✓ To terrify the people into joining their alliance
✓ To put Tabeel's son on the throne

Why did Syria and Israel plot against Judah?

✓ To terrify the people into joining their anti-Assyrian alliance.

✓ To replace King Ahaz with Tabeel's son so as to force him join the
anti-Assyrian

What reasons did God give to prove that the plot of Syria and Israel would
not succeed?

✓ Syria was no stronger than Damascus its capital city and Damascus is
no stronger that alliance king Rezin.
✓ Within 65 years Syria will be destroyed.
✓ Israel is no stronger than Samaria, its capital city and Samaria is no
stronger tha King Pekah

What was the response of Ahaz to the message?

✓ He neither took the warning nor accepted the advice.

What does the name Shearjashub symbolise or mean?

✓ A few will come back

✓ There will be a few remnants
✓ A remnant shall return

Explain the two applications of the meaning of Shearjashub

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 ✓ Positively it means that not all people will be destroyed as some
people shall remain
✓ Negatively it means that many people will perish and only a few will
sur ...smoke from two smouldering sticks..." Israel and Syria are no
longer a threat as they are weak and will soon be destroyed. no
stronger than..." Kings Rezin and Pekah are mere creatures and can
be destroyed by God hence Ahaz should not be afraid of them. If
your faith does not endure..." Ahar should trust in Yahweh or risk
destruction.

THE SIGN OF IMMANUEL (ISAIAH 7: 10-25)

This is an event that has a special meaning

Define the word sign: Relate the Lord's message to King Ahaz Ask the LORD
your God to give you a sign. It can be from deep in the world of the dead
or from high up in heaven.

Describe Ahaz's response to the message

He said that he would not ask for a sign. He said that he refused to put the
LORD to the test.

Give reasons why Ahaz refused to ask for a sign

✓ He had already made alliance with Assyria.

✓ He did not want to put the LORD to the test.

What was the main reasons why Ahaz refused to ask for a sign?

✓ He had already made an alliance with Assyria.

What was Isaiah's reaction to Ahaz's response?

✓ He wondered if Ahaz wanted to wear out God's patience

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 ✓ He said the LORD would give Ahaz a sign.

What sign did the LORD give King Ahaz?

✓ It was the sign of Immanuel.

What does Immanuel mean?

✓ God is with us

What was the significance of the sign of Immanuel?

✓ God would protect Judah from Syria and Israel.

Why did Isaiah give Ahaz the sign of Immanuel?

To assure Ahaz that God will protect His people.

Relate the sign the LORD gave King Ahaz

A young pregnant woman will have a son and will name him IMMANUEL
By the time he is old enough to make his own decisions, people will be
drinking and eating honey. well. ch ne g milk Even before that time comes,
the lands of Israel and Syria will have been deserted. Explain the meaning
of the sign given to Ahaz Before the child to be born grows up, there will
be peace in Judah after the defeat Syria and Israel.

What was Ahaz policy?

✓ Making alliance with Assyria.

What were the consequences of Ahaz's policy? OR What Prophecies

response to Ahaz's disobedience were given

✓ God would whistle a signal for Egyptians to come like flies and the
Assyrians li bees to fight in Judah causing great damage on Judah 19

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 ✓ The same Assyrians hired for assistance will destroy Judah. The
destruction of Judah would cause desolation of the land.
✓ The fertile land would be changed to a country where only hunters
would come and cattle would graze

Describe how were the above prophesies fulfilled historically

✓ Ahaz's trust in Assyria made Judah a subject of Assyria and had to

pay tribute to the king of Assyria
✓ Syria was destroyed by Assyrians in 732 BC while Israel was fully
destroyed in 721 1. In 701 HC. Judah was severely damaged by
Sennacherib of Assyria.
✓ In 586 BC. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians

What were the respective symbols of the armies of Egypt and Assyria?

✓ Egypt: Flies
✓ Assyria: Bees

Which nation was referred to as a barber from the East?

Assyria

How will Judah suffer under Assyria?

✓ Judah will lose independence

✓ Judah will pay tribute to Assyria

What were the results of Ahaz's alliance with Assyrians?

❖ Judah lost its independence

❖ Judah had to pay a heavy tribute to Assyria
❖ Judah adopted pagan religion of the Assyrians.

Who could this Immanuel refer to?

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 ❖ Hezekiah, Ahaz's son: by this time Ahaz's wife was pregnant.
❖ The Messiah: a future king through whom God would eventually
make his promise come true
❖ Jesus: He was a descendant of King David through whom God had
fulfilled all the promises he had made to his people.

ISAIAH'S SON, QUICK-LOOT-FAST-PLUNDER, AS A SIGN TO THE

PEOPLE (ISAIAH 8: 1-4)

Describe what God instructed Isaiah to do in this passage

Take a large piece of writing material and write on it QUICK-LOOT-FAST

PLUNDER Get two reliable men, Uriah the Priest and Zechariah to serve as
witnesses.

What message did God give Isaiah to do in this passage? Name your son
QUICK-LOOT-FAST-PLUNDER Before the boy is old enough to say
"Mummy" and "Daddy" all the wealth Damascus and all the loo of Samaria
would be carried off by the King of Assyria. What did QUICK-LOOT-FAST-
PLUNDER refer to? The destruction or defeat of Syria and Israel was just
near and therefore were no something to go by or fear. The liberation of
Judah from war the protection of Judah 20

Who witnessed the writing of QUICK-LOOT-FAST-PLUNDER?

❖ Uriah
❖ Zechariah

How did Isaiah make his prophecy solemn?

❖ He put it in writing
❖ It was attested by two witnesses.
❖ He dedicated it to his own son, QUICK-LOOT-FAST-PLUNDER

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What was Ahaz's general reaction to Isaiah's prophecy?

❖ He did not believe.

How did Isaiah react to Ahaz's reaction to the prophecy?

❖ He gave two signs that Syria and Israel would soon be defeated; that
of Immanuel and that of Quick-Loot-Fast-Plunder.
❖ He made his prophecy solemn
❖ He announced disasters as yet another sign
❖ He withdrew from public ministry.

THE EMPEROR OF ASSYRIA IS COMING (ISAIAH 8: 5-9)

The LORD will bring the emperor of Assyria and his forces to advance like
flood waters of River Euphrates to sweep through Judah in a flood.
WARNING AGAINST CONSULTING THE DEAD: ISAIAH' TEMPORARY
WITHDRAWAL FROM PUBLIC MINISTRY (ISAIAH 8: 10-9:1)

Why did Isaiah withdraw from public ministry?

❖ His prophetic work was fruitless.

❖ He was wearied out by adamant attitude of King Ahaz concerning
the alliance,
❖ He wanted to pay more attention to his disciples.
❖ He wanted to give his disciples a chance to put his messages in
writing.
❖ He waited for his prophecies to be fulfilled in his time of withdrawal,

What message did he tell his disciple?

Guard and preserve the message that God had given him. People would
be consulting mediums which his disciples should discourage because
mediums do not put trouble away. People were going to be in trouble and

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in their anger, they were going to curse their King and God. "...my
children..."

✓ Isaiah's own two sons

✓ His disciples or followers

What would people ask his disciples to do according to this passage?

To ask for messages from fortune tellers and mediums who chip and
mutter.

Why would they ask for such a thing from Isaiah's disciples?

✓ All people would be asking messages from spirits.

✓ All people would be consulting the dead on behalf of the living.

What answer were Isaiah's disciples to give to the people's demand?

Don't listen to mediums because what mediums say cannot keep trouble
away: instead listen to what the LORD is teaching you.

What troubling experiences would the people of Judah go through this

time?

✓ People would wonder through the Land, discouraged and hungry.

✓ In their hunger and anger, they would curse their God and King.
✓ They would have no way to escape from the time of trouble.
✓ Instead they would see trouble and terrifying darkness.
✓ They would see nothing when they looked up to the sky or stare at
the ground

Why should the people not listen to mediums?

✓ What they say cannot keep trouble away.

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THE FUTURE KING (ISAIAH 9: 2-9)

Mention the two tribes that would see the light in the time of the future
king.

✓ Zebulum
✓ Naphthali

Describe how these two tribes were disgraced

✓ They were conquered by the Assyrian Emperor, Tiglath Pilesser III.

The Israelites living there were dispersed.
✓ The Assyrians and other peoples were made to settle in the
territories of these tribes.

What would happen to these tribes when the new king came to the throne?

✓ They would see great light after walking in darkness for so long. The
LORD would give them joy and happiness as the joy and happiness
the people have when they harvest their corn or when they divide
captured wealth.

Describe how God would bring about this joy and happiness upon these
tribes.

✓ He would break the yoke that burdened them.

✓ He would break the rod that beat their shoulders.
✓ He would defeat the nations that oppressed and exploited his
people.
✓ The boots and the bloodstained clothing of the invading army would
be fire.

Describe the titles accorded to the Future King

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 ✓ Wonderful counsellor He would make right plans and right decisions
according to God's will.
✓ Mighty God He a great warrior who cannot be defeated since he
will have divine power.
✓ Eternal Father He will love and care for his people just as Yahweh
cares for his people.
✓ Prince of Peace Under his kingship, there will be complete peace and
harmony.

What would be the characteristics of this future king?

✓ One of David's descendants

✓ One inspired by the Spirit of God
✓ One who is wise and knowledgeable
✓ One to rule with justice and integrity
✓ One who brings universal peace

Mention the duties of this Future King

❖ Bringing peace in Judah

❖ Breaking the yoke that burdened the people
❖ Defeating the nation that oppressed and exploited them

Mention two groups of people who would benefit from the Future King's
justice.

✓ The poor
✓ The helpless

What would characterise the leadership of this future king?

✓ His royal power will continue to grow

✓ His kingdom will always be at peace

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 ✓ He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and
justice.

What was the significance of each of the following things in the Jewish
Society?

❖ Land: a sign of God's covenant with His people.

❖ Temple: a sign of God's presence among his people.
❖ King: God's blessings on people passed through their King.
Represented the people before God. Was a symbol of unity Through
the King, there was the continuation of David's Dynasty. Kept the
Messianic expectation alive "...Zebulum and Naphthali walked in
darkness..." These tribes of Israel, the Northern Kingdom were
defeated by and became slave of Assyrians. "...seen great light..." The
liberation brought by the new ideal King. "...yoke and rod..."
Oppression and slavery of the Jews after the Assyrian conquest. "... a
child is born to us..." The coming of a new king since every king was
adopted by God as a child

THE PEACEFUL KINGDOM (ISAIAH 11: 1-9)

Why was the royal line of David compared to a tree that had been cut
down?

• A new King would rise from David's descendants.

• A new King would have humble beginning.

Describe the gifts the new King would have

• Wisdom: will enable him to have Yahweh as his guide.

• Understanding: of the difference between truth and falsehood.

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 • Counsel: ability to give sound advice and point to the right decision
without fear favour.
• Might: will have the moral courage to abide by the decision to be
taken.
• Knowledge of God: will know what Yahweh really is, that is, Holy,
loving mighty.
• Fear of the Lord: with due respect to Yahweh's holiness and the
faithfulness to of him.

Classify the gifts of the New King into three groups.

• Intellectual gifts: wisdom and understanding

• Practical gifts: counsel and might
• Religious gifts: knowledge of God and fear of the Lord

Explain how the new king would judge and rule his people

• He will not judge by appearance or hearsay

• He will judge the poor fairly
• He will defend the right of the helpless
• At his command, the people will be punished and evil people will
die.
• He will rule his people with justice and integrity

Describe the peace and harmony that would be established as a result of

the peace brought about by the new king

a) Wolves and sheep will live together in peace.

b) Leopards will lie down with young goats.
c) Calves and lion cubs will feed together.
d) Little children will take care of calve and young lion.

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 e) Cows and cubs will lie down in peace.
f) Lions will eat straw as cattle do.
g) Even a baby will not be harmed if it plays near a poisonous snake.
"...stump..." Hope or new beginning. David, the ancestor of all Kings
after David. "...branch..." The Messiah

PROPHET ISAIAH AND KING HEZEKIAH POLITICAL BACKGROUND

Sennacherib, the Assyrian Emperor attacked the 46 cities of Judah in King
Hezekiah had ruled it for 14 years. Sennacherib through his chief official
asked Hezekiah to pay tribute to Assyria and surrender the city of Jerusalem
to the 701 BC when Assyrians. Hezekiah stopped paying heavy tribute to
Assyria and then joined anti-Assyrian alliance with Egypt. Later the chief
official delivered a speech to the people which undermined the people's
self-confidence.

What did Hezekiah do to assert Judah's independence?

a) Removed the Assyrian altar from the Temple

b) Stopped paying tribute to Assyria
c) Condemned idol worship
d) Constructed the Siloan tunnel to be ready for a siege by Assyrians.

Why did Hezekiah join the Anti-Assyrians alliance?

a) Judah's influential people encouraged him to do so

b) He thought he would manage to break away since Assyria was busy
crushing Babylonian rebellion
c) He thought Assyria would not hear about the revolt
d) He hated being subjected to Assyria paying heavy tribute and
worshipping Assyrian gods

What was Isaiah's reaction to Hezekiah's joining of alliance?

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 • He was not happy and disapproved the alliance.

Suggest reasons why Isaiah did not agree with the anti-Assyrian alliance

a) Hezekiah weakened his faith in God by joining the alliance

b) It exposed God's people to idol worship
c) Assyria was used by Yahweh therefore it was not good for him to
revolt against Assyria
d) The king should always put his trust in Yahweh

Describe how the Assyrians reacted when they heard of an anti-Assyrian

alliance

i. Attacked Phoenicia and Philistia

ii. Attacked Judah, destroying 46 cities
iii. Besieged Jerusalem
iv. Defeated Egypt after withdrawing from Jerusalem

Analyse Hezekiah's religious reforms

a) Re-opened the Temple for worship

b) Removed the altars of the Assyrian gods from the Temple
c) Revived the old covenant between Yahweh and the Jews
d) Re-introduced the celebration of the Passover which was stopped

How was Hezekiah a man of faith?

➢ Purified Judah's religion

➢ In his sickness, he turned to Yahweh
➢ He accepted the word of prophet Isaiah when he reprimanded him
for seeking alliance with Babylonia
➢ He went to the Temple when he received the Assyrian threats

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 ➢ He promised that going to the Temple would be the first thing he
would recover.

How was Hezekiah the most outstanding King of Judah?

➢ He truthfully worshipped Yahweh

➢ He turned to Yahweh in his sickness
➢ He accepted the prophet's criticism for seeking alliance with Babylon
➢ He was angered most by Assyrian insults against Yahweh.

Describe Hezekiah's character

➢ He was very enterprising by fortifying Jerusalem

➢ He was a man of mistakes by making alliances with Egypt and
Babylon
➢ He was active in international politics by joining alliances
➢ He was a man of faith by always turning to God for help.

What can political leaders learn from King Hezekiah?

➢ Should be very enterprising to develop their nations

➢ Should be very patriotic in making policies
➢ Should accept their own mistakes and learn from them
➢ Should be very active in international politics
➢ Should have faith in God.

ASSYRIANS THREATEN JERUSALEM (ISAIAH 36: 1-37:7)

Where had the Assyrians camped at this time?

➢ At Lachish

Suggest a reason why Sennacherib sent his chief official from Lachish to
Jerusalem?

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 ➢ To demand that King Hezekiah and the people of Judah should
surrender.

Mention the Judean Officials who came to meet the Assyrian official

➢ Eliakim, in-charge of the Palace

➢ Shebna, the court secretary
➢ Joah, in-charge of the courts.

Outline the points in the Assyrian Official's speech

➢ Mere words cannot substitute military skill and power.

➢ They should not rely on Egypt because she is weak and cannot help
them.
➢ Their King Hezekiah deceives them when he tells them to rely on
Yahweh
➢ Their army is far much unskilled if compared to the Assyrian army.
➢ The Lord is bringing judgement on Judah using Assyrians as his
instrument.
➢ It was God who sent Assyrians to punish them.
➢ Sennacherib will take care of the Jews and resettle them in another
land where will eat their own produce.

Which nation was likened to a "reed" in the speech?

➢ Egypt Why was Egypt likened to a "reed" in the speech? a. Egypt was
a weak nation; as such it would break and jab their hands.

Why did the Assyrian official believe that God would not listen to King le
(would not save Judah)

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 ➢ Hezekiah had destroyed God's shrines. b. It was God who sent the
Assyrians to punish the Jews. The Assyrian god was stronger than any
other god including Yahweh

Outline the military arguments raised in the speech

➢ Mere words cannot substitute military skill and power.

➢ They should not rely on Egypt because she is weak and cannot help
them
➢ Their army is far much unskilled if compared to the Assyrian army.

Outline the religious arguments raised in the speech

➢ Their King Hezekiah deceives them when he tells them to rely on

Yahweh
➢ The Lord is bringing judgement on Judah using Assyrians as his
instrument.
➢ It was God who sent Assyrians to punish them.
➢ The Assyrian god has proved to be stronger than any other god
including Yahweh

State the political argument the official put forward in the speech

➢ They should not rely on Egypt because she is weak and cannot help
them

What proposal did the Assyrian Official give if people surrendered?

➢ Sennacherib would treat the Jews well in their own land or take them
to a land bete than Judah.

Suggest reasons why the people had to surrender according to the Assyrian
official

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 ➢ The Jews had no protection and would soon be defeated.
➢ Sennacherib would treat the Jews well in their own land.
➢ Sennacherib would take them to a land better than Judah

What language did the Assyrian official use in the speech?

➢ Hebrew

Why did the Assyrian official use that language?

➢ He wanted even the common people to get the message and

pressurise their surrender.

What rude prediction did the Assyria official say about the people of
Judah?

➢ They would eat their excrement

➢ They would drink their urine

What demand did the Judean officials make to the Assyrian official?

➢ To use Aramaic the official language.

Why did the Judean officials make such a demand to the Assyrian official?

➢ They felt the issue was more diplomatic than for public
consumption.
➢ They thought the people of Judah surrender so as to avoid trouble.
would riot against the King, forcing him

Discuss how what Hezekiah's officials did to the common people is similar
to what happens in Malawi today

➢ Politicians sometimes make decisions without consulting common

Malawians.

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 ➢ Politicians sometimes do not explain their actions to common
Malawians.
➢ Public officers sometimes take advantage of the illiterate level of
Malawians to hed.
➢ Malawians sometimes are not given adequate chances to voice out
their conces them. issues that affect them.

Describe the reaction of the people

➢ They kept quict, just as King Hezekiah

Describe the reactions of the Judean officials

➢ Tore their clothes in grief had told them, they did not say a wond
➢ Went and reported to the King what the Assyrian official had said
➢ They put on sack cloth

Describe the reaction of King Hezekiah to the speech

➢ Tore his clothes in grief

➢ Put on sack cloth
➢ Went to the Temple of the Lord
➢ Sent his officials with the message to Isaiah, the Prophet of God,

Mention the officials Hezekiah sent to Prophet Isaiah

➢ Eliakim
➢ Shebna
➢ Senior Priests

Relate Hezekiah's message to prophet

Today is a day of suffering Isaiah We are punished and are in disgrace. We

are like a woman who is ready to give birth, but is too weak to do

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Sennacherib, through his official, insults the living God. May the Lord hear
these insults and punish those who speak them Pray to God for the
survivors.

Describe Isaiah's response to King Hezekiah's message

Do not let the Assyrians frighten you. The Lord will cause the emperor to
hear a rumour that will make him go back to Assyria. The lord will have
him killed there.

How did King Hezekiah show faith in God in this situation?

➢ After getting the message, he went to the Temple of the LORD.

➢ He consulted Isaiah' God's prophet, ready to follow his advice.
➢ He asked Isaiah to pray to Yahweh for the people of Judah.
➢ He believed that Yahweh would punish Sennacherib.

THE ASSYRIANS SENDS ANOTHER THREAT - A LETTER (IS. 37: 8 38)

Describe the content of the letter

➢ Your God cheats you when he says I will not defeat you. Yahweh
cannot save you since Assyrian gods are greater Yahweh. it. than and
gods including From the past, Assyria has been victorious over
nations with their gods. Judah will not escape the destruction from
the Assyrian Emperor.

How is this message in the letter similar to how politicians command

respect of the day in Malawi?

➢ Party leaders often dismiss from the party anybody who does not
respect th decisions

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 ➢ Party leaders always want their followers to praise them even if they
are making
➢ The ruling party threatens not to bring development in areas where
people did wrong decisions vote for them overwhelmingly as a
punishment
➢ The ruling party leaders forget that they are just Yahweh's
instruments and threatening their subjects.

What was Hezekiah's reaction after receiving the letter from Sennacherib?

➢ He read it He went to the Temple

➢ He placed the letter before the Lord
➢ He prayed Narrate the prayer that Hezekiah offered to God
➢ You alone Yahweh are God -You are the creator and ruler of
everything Listen to the insults from Sennacherib
➢ The gods Sennacherib claims to have destroyed do not exist
➢ Rescue us from the Assyrians so that all nations should know that you
alone are God

Why did Hezekiah ask Yahweh to save them from the Assyrians?

➢ To prove that Yahweh, the God of Israel was the only living God.

Outline God's taunt song against Sennacherib

➢ Jerusalem laughs at you as a young girl makes fun of a great

conqueror
➢ You have been disrespectful to Yahweh
➢ You have forgotten that you are only God's instrument carrying out
his plans

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 ➢ Yahweh will punish you for your arrogance and pride Relate Isaiah's
message to King Hezekiah Sennacherib will not enter Jerusalem or
shoot a single arrow against it
➢ No soldiers will come near Jerusalem and no siege mounds will be
built around it Sennacherib will go back by the road on which he
came without entering the city
➢ The Lord will defend the city of Jerusalem God is in control because
of the promise he made to David that his kingdom will last forever,
his dynasty will never end

For what reasons will Yahweh defend Jerusalem?

➢ For the sake of His honour.

➢ For the sake of the promise
➢ He made to King David.

Describe the prophecy that is fulfilled in this passage

➢ The Kingdom of David will last forever and that Davidic dynasty will
never end.

Explain the signs given in Yahweh's response to show that He would save
Jerusalem

➢ In three years-time people will be planting and harvesting their

vineyards
➢ The people in Judah will flourish like plants that send roots deep into
the ground and produce fruits.
➢ There will be survivors in Jerusalem and mount Zion.

Describe the LORD saved Jerusalem 185.000 soldiers in the Assyrian camp
died because of a plague.

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The Assyrian Emperor withdrew and went to Nineveh where he was killed
in the temple by his own two sons.

What punishment did God give Sennacherib?

Sennacherib was killed in Nineveh by his own sons.

Mention the people who killed Sennacherib

➢ Adramelech
➢ Sharezer Hezekiah show his faith after receiving the letter from
Sennacherib

How did He went to the Temple

➢ He placed the letter in the presence of the Lord

➢ He praised the Lord and the One, True God
➢ He prayed

KING HEZEKIAH'S SICKNESS AND RECOVERY (ISAIAH 38: 1-8)

What was Hezekiah suffering from?

➢ He had a boil Relate the message prophet Isaiah delivered to

Hezekiah over his illness
➢ Put everything in order because you will not recover Get ready to
die

What was the advantage of the knowledge of his death by Hezekiah?

➢ He would have written a will over his property

➢ He would have facilitated power transition
➢ He would have prepared his spiritual life to meet the Lord

Describe Hezekiah's response to this message

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 ➢ He turned his face to the wall
➢ He prayed
➢ He cried bitterly

Narrate Hezekiah's prayer to the Lord

Remember Lord that I have served you faithfully and loyally I have tried
to do what you wanted me to.

Suggest reasons why Hezekiah cried bitterly

➢ He had been faithful and dedicated in serving God

➢ He was sad at the thought of dying so soon
➢ There was a belief at that time that there was no real life after death

Relate the Lord's response to Hezekiah's prayer

➢ The Lord have heard your prayers and seen your tears
➢ I will let you live 15 years longer
➢ I will rescue you the Jerusalem City from the Assyrian emperor
➢ I will continue to protect the city

How did Hezekiah react to the Lord's response?

➢ He asked for a sign to prove that he would recover and go back to

the Temple

Explain why Hezekiah asked for a sign

➢ He doubted the promise of recovery God made to him

➢ He wanted people to realise that his recovery was due to the
almighty God.

Describe the sign given to Hezekiah

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 ➢ On the stairway built by King Ahaz, the Lord made the shadow go
back 10 steps.

Describe how Hezekiah was treated

➢ Putting a paste of figs on his boil

MESSENGERS FROM BABYLONIA (ISAIAH 39: 1-8)

Give reasons why King Merodach Baladan of Babylonia sent messengers to

King

a) To congratulate King Hezekiah for his recovery from sickness

b) To seek Hezekiah's (Judah's) help against Assyria; to join anti-
Assyrian alliance Hezekiah
c) To see the wealth of Judah
d) To bring a letter to King Hezekiah
e) To bring presents or gifts to King Hezekiah

What was the main reason for visiting Judah?

➢ To seek Hezekiah's (Judah's) help against Assyria

How did Hezekiah impress the Babylonians?

a) He welcomed them.
b) He showed them Judah's wealth)
c) He showed them his military equipment

How did Hezekiah welcome the visitors?

➢ He showed them everything; wealth and military equipment

What did Hezekiah show the visitors?

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 a) Wealth such as silver, gold, spices and perfumes
b) Military equipment

List the wealth that Hezekiah showed visitors from Babylonia

a) Silver
b) Gold
c) Spices
d) Perfumes

Why did Hezekiah impress the visitors from Babylonia?

a) He was flattered by the visitors from a powerful country

b) He wanted to show that he was an equal partner in the
c) He was showing off
d) To get favourable terms for the alliance

Relate Isaiah's questions to the King

➢ He asked where the messengers came from

➢ He asked what the visitors said to Hezekiah
➢ He asked was the visitors saw in Judah

Narrate Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's questions

➢ The messengers came from Babylonia

➢ They saw everything: there is nothing in the storerooms that I
did not show them

What was Isaiah's reaction to Hezekiah's action?

a) He was not happy.

b) He predicted disaster upon Jerusalem

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 Suggest reasons why Isaiah was not happy with Judah's alliance with
Babylonia

a) Yahweh's help was enough to project Judah

b) It showed lack of faith in God's will and power to protect His
people
c) The same Babylonians would come to destroy Judah
d) Many Jews will be castrated or made eunuchs while in
Babylonian exile

State what Isaiah predicted as a result of what Hezekiah did

a) Babylonia will become Judah's enemy and attack Judah

b) The wealth of Judah will be carried to Babylonia
c) Some of the descendants of Hezekiah will be taken into exile
d) While in Babylonia, some of the Jewish exiled people will be
castrated or be made cunuchs

What did Hezekiah say in response to Isaiah's prediction?

➢ The message you have given me from the Lord is good

Suggest reasons why Hezekiah responded like that

➢ He understood that the troubles would fall on Judah after his lifetime
➢ He did not want to oppose Yahweh but bow down to His wish

Describe how Isaiah's predictions were fulfilled In 586 BC, about 100 years
later

Babylonia destroyed Judah and took all Judah's wealth. Hezekiah's

descendants were taken in to exile and some were castrated

Why were the Jews sent into exile?

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 ➢ It was a punishment for their sins

Which Kings ruled Judah from the time after Hezekiah to the time when
the Jews were taken into exile?

a) Manasseh
b) Josiah
c) Jehoiachim
d) Jehoiachin
e) Zedekiah

Outline the main message of First or Proto or Jerusalem Isaiah

➢ He rebuked sins: the Israelites were warned about their sins which
made them rebel against their God.
➢ He called for repentance: God sent Isaiah to warn the people so that
they should repent and walk in God's ways
➢ He predicted judgement of the people by God: Isaiah told them that
because of their disobedience to God, they will be taken captives in
a foreign land
➢ He gave a message of hope: Isaiah said that though the people will
be taken as captives in a foreign land, there shall be some remnants
that will go back or return to Judah.

UNIT 3 DEUTERO OR SECOND ISAIAH (40-55)

Describe the events that led the people of Judah to be taken into exile
Towards the end of the 8th Century BC

➢ Isaiah had told Hezekiah that one day the wealth and the people of
Judah would be taken to Babylon.

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➢ This happened in 587 BC. some 100 years later. In 612 BC, Nineveh,
the Assyrian Capital was defeated by the combined armies of the
Medes, Babylonians and Scythians.
➢ The new Babylonian empire became the superpower. During this
time, Josiah took advantage to make Judah independent and purify
the Jewish Religion.
➢ Egypt and Assyria rose up against Babylon while Josiah remained
opposed to Assyria.
➢ Pharaoh Necho II defeated Judah and killed Josiah and replaced him
wid Josiah's son Jehoiachim.
➢ Necho II forced Judah to take the Egyptian side againg In 605 BC,
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated Necho II at Carchemish.
➢ Judah had to pay tribute to Babylon.
➢ However, Egypt was not totally defeated, in 601 BC, it dealt a heavy
blow to Nebuchadnezzar.
➢ Jehoiachim of Judah stopped paying tribute to Babylonia Babylonia.
Nebuchadnezzar then encouraged Judah's neighbours to invade
Jehoiachim's kingdom.
➢ In the battle against them, he was killed, succeeded by his 18 years
old son, Jehoiachin.
➢ Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish Judah for having refused to pay
tribute.
➢ To avoid disaster in 597 BC, the young king, Jehoiachin, went into
voluntary exile and was replaced by Zedekiah.
➢ Foolishly, Zedekiah conspired with Egypt against Babylonia.
➢ To punish him and put an end to any trouble from Judah,
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple in
587 BC.
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 ➢ He took the remaining Jews into exile. Only the poorest were
allowed to stay.

What made the Jews stay together, distinguished from the Babylonians
while in exile?

a) The belief that their God was the only true God in the world
b) They did not worship idols
c) They all went through the process of circumcision
d) They all observed the Sabbath
e) They abstained from unclean food

Describe the religious life of the exiled Jews in Babylonia

a) They observed the Sabbath more strictly

b) The Old Testament Books, especially the Law and the Prophets were
compiled and written
c) They began the Synagogue service on the Sabbath, having missed the
Temple
d) They had prophets to guide them especially Ezekiel and Deutero
Isaiah

Describe the Socio-political life of the exiled Jews in Babylonia

a) They learnt how to eat like the Babylonians

b) They leant the Babylonian language
c) They grouped themselves in settlements of their own
d) They set up institutions like communes, led by elder
e) Some Jews were employed at the palace of the Babylonian King and
had to be castrated (Eunuchs)
f) Some Jews became important leaders of Babylon

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 g) The exiled King Jehoiachin was still treated as the King of the People
of Judah in Babylonia

Describe the economic life of the Jews in Babylonia

➢ Some Jews became traders

➢ Some learnt new professions such as carpentry, building and
sculpture
➢ Some became rich and important
➢ Some were employed by the Babylonian government

Suggest reasons why God allowed the Jews to be taken into exile

1. It was a punishment for their sins

2. He wanted them to realise their sins and
3. He wanted to purify them
4. He was preparing them for the mission of bringing salvation to all
nations

How did the Jews keep their faith in exile?

1. They were allowed to stay together

2. They did not mix or inter-marry with the Babylonians
3. They re-told their traditional stories of their ancestors
4. They came together on the Sabbath leading to the birth of the
synagogue
5. They followed keenly their ancestral customs such as circumcision
6. They had prophets like Ezekiel and Deutero Isaiah who encouraged
and comforted them.

Describe the roles of the Prophets in exile

1. Stressing that the people should worship Yahweh alone

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 2. Explaining that exile was a punishment for their sins.
3. Telling the Jews that once they repent they will be forgiven
4. Telling the Jews that Yahweh will not fail to keep His promise to
save His people.

Explain reasons why some Jews were worried, disappointed and lost trust
in Yahweh

1. It looked as if Yahweh had abandoned them

2. If Yahweh had given them Canaan, how could he allow the
Babylonians to conquer it
3. If Yahweh was the almighty God, how could he allow the
destruction of his dwelling place, the Temple
4. It looked as if Nebuchadnezzar controlled History and not Yahweh

Mention the reasons why some Jews got attracted to idol worship during
their exile in Babylonia

1. Nebuchadnezzar ascribed his success to the Babylonian god, Marduk

2. The Babylonian religious ceremonies and processions were very
impressive and attractive
3. The Jew were a backward people compared with the highly civilised
Babylonians
4. The highly educated Babylonians followed their religion seriously
5. Marduk was seen while Yahweh was unseen
6. God did not provide immediate response to their cry

Explain how the Babylonians were more civilised than the Jews

1. They had highly developed Agriculture

2. They had highly developed industry
3. They had highly developed administration
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 4. They had highly impressive temples and religious ceremonies

Why did the Jews need strong faith and courage to return to Judah?

1. It was a long journey

2. Some people were reluctant to give up their comfortable life
3. The future in Judah was unsure
4. Most of them were unaware of Judah's conditions having been born
in Babylonia

How did Deutero Isaiah encourage the Jews to return to Judah?

1. Telling them that Yahweh will take care of them during the journey
2. Telling them that Jerusalem and the Temple will be rebuilt
3. Telling them that Yahweh will give them a mission to preach to all
nations
4. Telling them that the return would glorify Yahweh as the caring
God
5. Telling them that the return was a "yes" to Yahweh's invitation to a
banquet
6. Telling them that God would bless them in their land

What was the main message of Deutero Isaiah?

➢ Comfort and hope

Describe the message or teachings of Deutero Isaiah

1. Suffering was a punishment and having repented the Jews Judah

2. Yahweh is not only the creator he also controls History will be
brought back
3. The gods of other nations are just the work of human hands and not
gods at all

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 4. Only Yahweh is God 5. Jerusalem will be rebuilt 6. God will save
other nations through Jews

Why is Deutero Isaiah a Book of Comfort?

1. It was written for the Jews who were in exile

2. Deutero Isaiah's main mission was to comfort God's people
3. The main teachings of Deutero Isaiah are meant to comfort the
people

Describe how the exiled Jews suffered spiritually

1. They missed their Temple

2. It was painful for the faithful Jews to see fellow Jews falling away
from their
3. Doubts and confusion caused them pain

Describe teachings of Deutero Isaiah that comforted the Jews in Exile

1. The exile is punishment after which the Jews will see better times
2. The return to Judah is near journey
3. God will take care of the Jews during the return
4. Their suffering is fruitful because it leads to the salvation of all
nations
5. The Jews in exile have nothing to fear for God will protect them
6. Yahweh uses Cyrus to save His people

Explain how Deutero Isaiah interpreted suffering

➢ It was a punishment for their sins

➢ It was God's way of bringing about salvation

Describe main themes in Deutero Isaiah

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 1. Monotheism: Only Yahweh is God, all other gods do not exist
2. Salvation: suffering leads to salvation
3. Universalism: Yahweh is the God of all nations and desires to save
them all
4. Suffering servant: Yahweh has chosen a special servant to carry out
His plan of salvation
5. God's power over nature: Yahweh is in control of everything
6. Justice: Yahweh's glory is seen on earth when justice is done and
oppression of the
7. God's power over History: all events in history have a hand of God
since He controls them pour ends

WORDS OF HOPE (ISAIAH 40: 1-17)

Why is Deutero Isaiah called the Book of Comfort?

➢ The message is meant to comfort the exiled Jews who were suffering
in Babylonia

Relate the message of comfort and hope Deutero Isaiah delivered to the
exiled Jews

➢ They had suffered long enough and that their time of suffering has
ended
➢ Their sins are forgiven
➢ Their punishment was over

Why did the people suffer according to Deutero Isaiah?

➢ They had sinned against God

What was the main mission of Deutero Isaiah?

➢ To comfort the people of God

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Mention the prophet who brought the message of comfort and hope

➢ Deutero Isaiah

Describe the preparations to be made for the return to take place

1. Preparing a road in the wilderness

2. Clearing the way in the desert for God
3. Filling every valley and level every mountain
4. Making hills plain
5. Making rough country smooth

Suggest reasons why the road had to be prepared

1. The return journey will surely take place soon

2. Yahweh will travel with his people
3. The travellers should know that Yahweh cares for them
4. The nations must see how Yahweh takes care of the poor

What was the significance of this preparation?

➢ No obstacle or human opposition would prevent God's plan of

salvation fulfilled

What would be the result of the safe and smooth return of the exiled Jews?

➢ The glory of God would be revealed

Suggest reasons why strong faith and great courage were needed for the
Jews to go back to Judah?

1. It was a long journey, of about 1500 kilometres

2. A good number of the Jews were reluctant to give up the
comfortable life they enjoyed in Babylon

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 3. The future in Judah was uncertain as many years had passed since
they were brought to Babylonia
4. To most exiled Jews, Judah was an unknown country for most of
the were young when they were living Judah or were born in
Babylonia "A voice cries out, 'Proclaim a message!""

Relate the message that was to be proclaimed

➢ All human beings are like grass

➢ They last no longer than wild flowers Grass withers and flowers fade
when the Lord sends the wind over them
➢ People are no more enduring than grass But the word of God
endures forever

What was the significance of the message to be proclaimed?

1. Man is weak and does not last long

2. Salvation does not depend on man's effort
3. Salvation depends on God's word, the promises that are everlasting

Relate the good news that God sent Jerusalem to proclaim?

➢ Their God is coming to rule with power, bringing with him the
people he has rescued
➢ He will take care of his flock like a shepherd
➢ He will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms
➢ He will gently lead their mothers

Describe the qualities that God display in this passage

1. Power and strength: He will defend the people against any danger
2. Gentleness: He will be gentle with the weak

How will God be like a shepherd?

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 1. He will take care of His people
2. He will defend his people against any danger
3. He will harry his people back to the promised Land, Canaan

How does God show himself to be incomparable in this passage?

1. He measures the ocean by handfuls

2. He measures the skies with his hands
3. He holds the soil of the earth in a cup
4. He weighs the mountains and hills on scales
5. No one can tell him what to do
6. No one can teach him or give him advice
7. He does not consult anyone in order to know and understand and
should be done
8. To him nations are nothing, no more than a drop of water learn
how things
9. To him distant nations are as light as dust
10.All animals in the forest of Lebanon are not enough for a sacrifice
and its trees are too few to kindle the fire

What was the main significance of the message of incomparable God?

➢ God is also in control of nations like Persia and Babylonia

State the challenges faced by the returning exiles shown in this passage

➢ The exiles heard that there will be a clash between two giants, Persia
and Babylonia and were afraid of what would happen to them.
➢ It was a long journey, of about 1500 kilometers
➢ A good number of the Jews were reluctant to give up the
comfortable life they enjoyed in Babylon

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 ➢ The future in Judah was uncertain as many years had passed since
they were brought Babylonia
➢ To mod exiled Jews, Judah was an unknown country for most of
the were young when they were living Judah or were born in
Babylonia

GOD'S ASSURANCE TO ISRAEL (ISAIAH 41: 1-20)

Relate what God said to assure Israel of his favour and protection in this
passage

Israel is my servant Israel are the people I have chosen, I brought them
from the ends of the earth. I called them from the farthest comers of the
earth Don't be afraid, I am with you I am your God, let nothing terrify you
I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.

What would happen to the enemies of Israel according to this passage?

✓ Those who were angry with Israel will know the shame of defeat
✓ Those who fought against Israel will die and disappear from the earth

Describe the loving care of God for his people

✓ There will be the abundance of water

✓ There will be good vegetation symbolising the well-being of the
people

Why the Jews need not to fear

✓ Yahweh chose them as His own

✓ He keeps his promise to their ancestors
✓ He does not abandon his people
✓ He will make them stronger than any enemy
✓ He will protect them

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 ✓ They will gain total victory over their enemies

What would be the result of making Israel a threshing board?

✓ She will thresh momains and destroy them

✓ Hills will crumble into dust
✓ She will toss hills and mountains in the air and wind will carry then
off
✓ She will be happy and praise God

How did God show that He is in control of History?

✓ The is the one that brought the conqueror (Cyrus) from the East
✓ The is the one who made him (Cyrus) triumphant wherever he went
✓ He is the one who gave him victory over kings and nations
✓ He is the one that made him strike nations and kings down as if they
were dost
✓ He is the one who made him scatter nations and kings like straw
before the wint
✓ He made him follow in pursuit and matched safely on so fast that he
hardly touches the ground
✓ He was there at the beginning and he will be there at the end

What did the people of distant lands do in reaction to what God had done?

✓ They were frightened

✓ They trembled with fear
✓ They assembled together
✓ The craftsmen helped and encouraged one another to make an idol
✓ The carpenter also encouraged the goldsmith
✓ The men who beat the idol smooth also encouraged the one who
nailed it together
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What was the significance of such reactions?

They worked together to make an idol that they thought would defeat the
LORD of Israel but their efforts would be fruitless

What does the prophet teach about God and his purpose in this passage?

✓ Yahweh is the Lord of History

✓ Yahweh is Holy, His thoughts are not like the thoughts of man
✓ Yahweh is the God of all nations, his salvation is universal
✓ Yahweh uses Cyrus to free his people and to glorify his hole name
before all nations "...small and weak..." The Jews needed God's
tender love and care God's love for Israel is so dear Israel is
defenseless without Yahweh

THE LORD IS THE ONLY GOD (ISAIAH 44: 1-8)

How did God show that He is the only God according to this passage?

✓ He is the first, the last, the only God

✓ There is no other God apart from Him
✓ He alone had predicted what happened
✓ He alone created Israel
✓ He alone created all things
✓ He alone stretched out the heavens
✓ When he made the earth, no one helped him

What did God say to convince Israel to return?

Israel is my servant -The people of Israel are the people I have chosen; I
will never forget you. I have swept your sins away like a cloud I am the
one who saves you; I am the one who created you

How does God guide the following groups of people?

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 ✓ Fortune tellers: he makes fool of them
✓ Astrologers: he frustrates their predictions
✓ Wise men: he refutes their words and shows that their wisdom is
foolishness
✓ His servant: he makes his plans and predictions come true

What predictions did God make in this passage?

✓ In Jerusalem people will live there again

✓ The cities of Judah will be rebuilt
✓ Cyrus will rule for him
✓ Cyrus will do what he wanted him to do
✓ Cyrus will order Jerusalem to be rebuilt
✓ Cyrus will order the Temple foundations to be laid

THE LORD'S CHALLENGE TO FALSE gods (ISAIAH 41: 20-29)

Explain what the gods of the nations are called upon to do

✓ Explain the past

✓ Predict the future
✓ Do something good
✓ Bring about disaster

How does the Lord show that He is the controller of history in this passage?

✓ He had chosen Cyrus from the East

✓ He would bring him to attack from the north
✓ He chose him to trample on rulers as if they were mud, like a potter
trampling clay
✓ He was the one who had predicted that it will happen

Outline arguments to prove that only Yahweh is God

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 ✓ He knows the past and the future
✓ He knows the meaning of events
✓ He performs signs and wonders which inspire admiration and fear
✓ He controls Cyrus even though Cyrus is not aware of it
✓ The idols failed to predict Cyrus' victories
✓ Idol worshipers are disgusting

What does God say to challenge the false gods

✓ Come and predict what will happen so that we know it when it takes
place
✓ Explain to the court the events of the past and say what they meant
✓ Tell us what the future holds
✓ Do something good or bring some disaster

IDOLATRY IS RIDICULED (ISAIAH 44: 6-20)

What is idolatry?

This is the worship of anything as a god

What is an idol?

It is anything that is worshipped as a god

Why did Deutero Isaiah attack idolatry?

✓ It hurt his love for Yahweh the Holy one of Israel

✓ His fellow Jews tempted to believe in the idols of Babylon
✓ The attack on the faith in idols gave comfort
✓ Idol worship was meaningless

How does God make fool of idol worship?

✓ Idols are made by man yet a human being cannot make a God

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 ✓ The energy and skill of idol makers and the materials used are all
God's gifts
✓ The same tree that is used to make a god is used to make fire
✓ The maker of idols become tired in the process of making their gods
✓ The idol worshippers do not even doubt the wisdom of worshipping
block of idols rely on fire and hammer when making their de
✓ The makers of
✓ The maker chooses the material to use for making a god

Explain negative effects of idol worship on the people

✓ People will be disgraced

✓ They will be humiliated
✓ They will be terrified
✓ They will become too stupid to know what they are doing
✓ They will be too senseless to admit that idols are net gode at all

Suggest some of the idols that are worshipped today

✓ Wealth
✓ Spouses
✓ Celebrities
✓ Children
✓ Positions
✓ Leaders

Suggest reasons why people are afraid of abandoning idolatrous practices

✓ They fear losing their status in society

✓ They fear losing their wealth
✓ They fear losing their life
✓ They fear becoming deformed
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CYRUS AS AN INSTRUMENT OF SALVATION (ISAIAH 41: 1-20; 44: 24-
28; 45: 1-13)

What was God's plan in choosing Cyrus?

✓ To rule on His behalf

✓ To order Jerusalem to be rebuilt
✓ To order the Temple foundations to be laid

Explain the tasks of Cyrus OR Why did God appoint Cyrus?

➢ To be King, a Gentile ruling on behalf of Yahweh

➢ To conquer nations
➢ To order help Israel, the chosen people of God return
➢ To order Jerusalem to be rebuilt
➢ To order the Temple to be rebuilt

Explain how Go would help Cyrus to succeed

➢ He would prepare Cyrus' way

➢ He would give Cyrus wealth to use
➢ He would give Cyrus the needed strength
➢ He would give Cyrus honour

Suggest reasons why Cyrus might have allowed the exiles to return

➢ As a way of ensuring their allegiance to him

➢ He wanted their gods to protect him since he encouraged their
worship
➢ To promote peace, stability and submission in his empire
➢ It was out of his own kindness and generosity

Why did the Jews question Yahweh's decision of using Cyrus as his
instrument?

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 ➢ Yahweh had chosen a pagan as his instrument
➢ Yahweh had given Cyrus a mission to rescue them yet he was a
pagan
➢ Yahweh had given Cyrus power though he was a gentile
➢ Yahweh had anointed Cyrus making him a Messiah yet he was not a
Jew
➢ Yahweh had made Cyrus a shepherd
➢ Cyrus was not circumcised
➢ Cyrus did not know the God of Israel yet he was a gentile

Relate Yahweh's response to people's questioning

➢ Such questioning is not proper just as a pot cannot question a potter

or a child cannot question the parent
➢ God is Holy, totally different from man hence his thoughts are not
like man's
➢ The creator is too great to be questioned
➢ He has chosen Cyrus to fulfil His purpose

Describe the illustrations Yahweh uses to show that questioning him is not
proper

➢ The clay pot and the potter: the clay pot does not argue with its
maker
➢ The child and its parents: a child does not complain to its parents
why it is made the way it is

Suggest reasons why Yahweh chose Cyrus, a Gentile, to carry out His
mission

➢ To show his absolute freedom and authority as the creator and

master of people
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 ➢ To show his righteousness; Yahweh's plan of salvation is for all
nations
➢ To show that Yahweh is Holy: His ways are not like man's ways

Outline tasks that Cyrus did for the Jews on Yahweh's behalf

➢ Defeating the Babylonians, the captors of the Jews

➢ Setting Jews free
➢ Rebuilding Jerusalem

Who was Cyrus? -King of Persia From the East (Persia) Conqueror of
Babylonia

Outline the edict that Cyrus issued in favour of the exiled Jews

➢ All the exiled Jews are allowed to return to their country

➢ The Temple vessels once carried off by the Babylonians must be
returned
➢ Jerusalem and the Temple must be rebuilt
➢ The returning Jews will receive a grant from Cyrus
➢ Sheshbazaar was appointed as the leader for the returning Jews

How did God bless Cyrus?

➢ He opened the gates of the cities for him

➢ He prepared a way for him
➢ He levelled mountains and hills for him
➢ He broke down bronze gates for him
➢ He gave him treasures
➢ He made him victorious
➢ He called him by name

JUDGEMENT ON BABYLON (ISAIAH 47: 1-15)

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Suggest reasons why Babylon was personified as a virgin

❖ She had never been conquered

❖ It implies youth and beauty since it had just risen up as an empire

Mention charges made against Babylon

❖ Being cruel and merciless to the captives

❖ Thinking that she was as everlasting as Yahweh
❖ Seeking a life of pleasure
❖ Thinking that she was the greatest, an insult to Yahweh
❖ Thinking she will escape God's judgement
❖ Thinking she was god

Explain punishments that will come upon Babylon

❖ She shall no longer rule the world

❖ She shall be humiliated and shall lose all the privileges of a rich
❖ War will cause the death men and children
❖ The country will he devastated and ruined
❖ Babylonian magicians, sorcerers will be unable to help her
❖ The nation will lose its sense of direction

Describe how Babylonian astrologers worked

❖ They started the stars, mapped out the zones of the heavens
❖ They predicted what was going to happen to Babylonia

What punishment would the fortune-tellers or astrologers get?

❖ They will be burned when it would be discovered that they were

cheats and frauds

Suggest reasons why Deutro Isaiah hated and despised the Babylonians

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 ❖ They forced him to live in their country
❖ He saw his fellow Jews suffer
❖ He was offended by their arrogance, pleasure seeking life style,
idolatry and sorcery

Which nation was personified as a virgin? a Babylon

GOD'S OFFER OF MERCY or GOD'S INVITATION FOR THE BANQUET

(ISASIAH 55: 1-9)

Relate God's invitation Come everyone who is thirsty, here is water Come,
you that have no money, buy corn and cat Come! Buy wine and milk- it
will cost you nothing Why spend money on what does not satisfy? Why
spend your wages and still be hungry?

List the groups of people invited

❖ The thirsty
❖ The poor who have no money

What observations can you make about the offer or the banquet?

❖ It is free, no need to spend anything

❖ It is for all and not only for the Jews
❖ It is a fulfilment of God's promise made to people through David

Explain the conditions to be fulfilled to receive God's offer of mercy

❖ Listen to the word of God and put it into action

❖ Seek God wherever he may be found and trust him
❖ Repent, leave sinful ways and come back to God
❖ No hesitating or delaying

List the blessings people would receive for accepting the invitation

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 ❖ Israel as a nation will be glorified
❖ All nations will be attracted to God
❖ God will offer mercy and forgiveness to those who repent

What would happen to the people who listened and did what God had
said?

❖ They will enjoy the best food of all

❖ They will have life
❖ God will make a lasting covenant with them
❖ God will give them blessings promised to David to make him leader
and commander of nations

What will be the consequences of turning down the invitation offer?

❖ People will be punished

❖ Israel as a nation will be disgraced

Describe the role that Israel will play as a light to other nations

❖ Summoning foreign nations

❖ Through Israel, nations will come running to join her
❖ God will give Israel honour and glory

What reasons did God give for the invited to leave their wicked ways and
change their way of thinking

❖ He is merciful
❖ He is quick to forgive

How did God show Himself to be different from man?

❖ His thoughts are different from man's

❖ His ways are different from man's

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 ❖ His ways and thoughts are as high as the heavens are above the earth

Identify similarities between the invitation in Isaiah and the parable of the
Great Feast in Luke

❖ Everything is free
❖ Those invited are the poor

THE SERVANT SONGS

These are special poems that discuss a mysterious figure, the servant of
Yahweh who reveals how Yahweh saves through the suffering of His
servant.

Who can this servant be?

1) Israel: the poems speak Israel's call, qualities, mission, suffering and
final triumph
2) Cyrus: he would bring back God's people from exile
3) Jesus Christ: mission Jesus identifies Himself as the Messiah who
would suffer to carry out his He predicted that he would suffer and
be delivered up like a servant

THE FIRST SERVANT SONG (ISAIAH 42:1-7)

Outline the qualities or characteristics of the servant

❖ Has God's powers

❖ Is filled with God's Spirit
❖ Is gentle in that he does not complain about his condition
❖ Is patient and compassionate to the weak, poor and helpless
❖ Is courageous in that he does not get discouraged by the rejection
❖ Is faithful and pleases God his faith and obedience
❖ Will bring justice to all nations

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Explain how the servant is prepared for his future task

❖ God has filled him with his Spirit

❖ God has strengthened him
❖ God has given him power

What is astonishing about this servant?

❖ He knows his mission is urgent yet he does his work gently

❖ He is gentle rather than violent
❖ He does not lose hope though it seems that his work is fruitless

What is the mission of this servant?

❖ Bringing justice to every nation with patience and compassion

Explain the meaning of Justice

❖ Truth
❖ Obedience to God's law especially laws protecting the poor
❖ True religion

Mention the tasks of this servant

❖ Bringing justice to every nation

❖ Bringing light to nations
❖ Opening the eyes of the blind
❖ Setting free those in dark prisons

How does Jesus fit in as the First servant?

❖ During presentation in the Temple, Simeon nations said that Jesus

would bring light to the
❖ During Baptism, Jesus was declared God's dear son with whom God
is pleased

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 ❖ At Nazareth, Jesus announced that the Spirit of the Lord was upon
him to proclaim liberty to prisoners
❖ During transfiguration, Jesus was declared as the chosen son of God

THE SECOND SERVANT SONG (ISAIAH 49: 1-6)

Mention the qualities or characteristics of this servant

❖ Ability to express himself

❖ He is a pillar of strength due to his strong faith in Yahweh
❖ He knows his goal in life and is determined to achieve it
❖ He is chosen, prepared and protected by Yahweh to be His servant
❖ He has been given authority to speak to all the people of the world
❖ He has been given God's powers through which people will glorify
God
❖ He has confidence in God that he will not fail this time though he
failed in the past
❖ He affirms Yahweh's purpose to restore Israel spiritually through him
❖ He is to bring salvation to everyone including the Gentiles

How is the servant prepared for his task? 1

❖ God has made his words as sharp as a sword

❖ God has protected him
❖ The servant will become active when God releases him like an arrow
❖ God has given him his Law

What is astonishing about this servant?

❖ He believes he has a mission to save even the Babylonians:

❖ He does not avoid suffering

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 ❖ He kept his faith in God in spite of the failure to accomplish his
mission

Suggest reasons why the second servant kept his faith in God despite failure

❖ He was appointed by God before he was born

❖ The Lord has given him power
❖ The Lord is the source of his strength

What is the mission of the second servant?

✓ Bringing lost Jews back to God

What are the tasks of this servant?

✓ Bringing back the lost Jews to God

✓ Being a light to the nations
✓ Bringing salvation to the whole world

How does Jesus fit in as the second servant?

✓ The angel Gabriel told Mary that Jesus would be the chosen one
✓ Simeon said that Jesus would be the light to the nations
✓ In his lament for Jerusalem, Jesus was willing to bring back people
to God

THE THIRD SERVANT SONG (ISAIAH 50: 4-9)

List the qualities or characteristics of the third servant

✓ He is strong and fearless

✓ Determination to carry out his task despite opposition
✓ Ability to speak eloquently and encouragingly
✓ Obedience to the will of God
✓ Accepting suffering innocently and silently

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 ✓ God has given him the spirit of understanding
✓ He believes that God will defend him if put under court of Law

How did the servant suffer?

➢ He was smitten or beaten

➢ People pulled his beards
➢ People spat on him

How is the servant prepared for his future task?

➢ God has taught him what to say

➢ God has made him eager to listen to God
➢ God has made him understand that suffering makes him a good
master

What is astonishing about this servant?

➢ He suffers in pain and shame without resisting

➢ He knows he is innocent but suffers silently.
➢ He kept his faith in God in spite of his failure to accomplish his
mission

Suggest reasons why the servant kept his faith in God in spite of his failure

➢ God helps him hence he knows that he cannot be defeated

➢ The God who will justify him is near
➢ If God declares him innocent, the accusations against him are of no
value
➢ He is secure in God's hands 5. Only God lasts, all people pass quickly

What is the mission of the third servant?

Suffering hat was the task of the third servant? 1. Strengthening the weary

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How does suffering make one a good master?

➢ It gives courage to those who despair

➢ The one suffering listens to God
➢ The one suffering accepts suffering with patience
➢ The one suffering does not fear his enemies

How does Jesus fit in as the third servant?

➢ Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem where he knew He would suffer

➢ Pilate declared Jesus innocent but Jesus continued suffering

THE FOURTH SERVANT (ISAIAH 52: 13-53:12)

Mention the qualities or characteristics of the fourth servant

➢ He does not look attractive or successful

➢ Affliction puts its stump on him
➢ He suffers without complaining or defending himself
➢ He is honest, sincere, truthful and trustworthy
➢ He will be exalted
➢ He will be astonishing because of his work
➢ He will be despised and rejected by people
➢ He will be wounded and bruised
➢ He will endure the oppression and affliction

Describe 6 stages in the life of the fourth servant

• At birth, he looked malformed and rejected

• During his life, he was maltreated
• His case was dealt with unjustly
• He died a cruel and shameful death
• He was buried with criminals

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 • After his death, he would see the fruits of his death

What is the mission of the fourth servant?

• Triumphant glory

Outline the tasks of the fourth servant

❖ Carrying out the sorrows and sins of others

❖ Healing others by the sorrows inflicted on him
❖ Making himself an offering for sins.

Explain why teachings of the fourth servant were strange to the Jews

❖ Jews believed that suffering was a sign that the sufferer had sinned
❖ They believed that a dead person would not come back to life
❖ They believed that suffering could always benefit the sufferer
❖ They believed that the Messiah would not have to suffer

How does Jesus fit in as the fourth servant?

❖ It was God's will that Jesus suffered

❖ Jesus was arrested, sent off to death and led to die
❖ He was so disfigured that he hardly looked human
❖ He was despised and rejected
❖ He was treated harshly but endured it humbly
❖ Jesus' death was a sacrifice
❖ Jesus rose from the dead hence glorified highly

What are the similarities between the third and fourth servants?

❖ Both servants were humiliated

❖ Both servants were triumphed

Outline the main message of Deutero or Second Isaiah

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 ❖ He calls for the return of the exiled Israelites
❖ He attacks idol worshipping of the exiled people
❖ He assures people of God's fulfilment of His promises
❖ He describes Yahweh's servant

UNIT FOUR TI W Na TRITO OR THIRD ISAIAH (56-66)

Political background in 538 BC

Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem. However, not many Jews
were willing to return to Judah. The first group was led by Sheshbazzar.
The second group was led by Zerubbabel the grandson of Jehoiachin When
the first group started rebuilding the Temple, they stopped because of the
opposition from the Samaritans after their assistance was rejected by the
returned Jews. The second group led by Zerubbabel resumed the rebuilding
of the Temple and was completed in 515 BC.

Describe problems or troubling experiences faced in Judah

• Only a few disappointed Jews went back, some remained in
Babylonia
• They found a poor country
• The Jewish nation had bad leaders who encouraged
corruption and injustice
• The tiny, weak country suffered attacks from its neighbours
• There was tension between the new arrivals and the Jews who
had stayed behind
• There was hostility between Jews and Samaritans
• It looked as if God was failing to fulfil his promises of making
Jews a light the nation

What was the main problem experienced by the returned Jews?

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's promise of a glorious is not being fulfilled a Yahweh's

What was the mission of Trito or third Isaiah?

• To announce Good news that salvation is delayed but not cancelled

• To denounce bad practices such as corrupted leadership, religion and
justice
• To announce punishment to the enemies of the returned Jews
• To solve the problem about the admission of castrated men and
foreigners into the Temple

THE CONVERSION OF FOREIGNERS AND THE CASTRATED MEN

(ISAIAH: 56: 1-8)

Why were the foreigners not allowed into the Temple?

• They were not circumcised

• They were not descendants of or from the seed of Abraham

Narrate Isaiah's response to the problem of the foreigners

• God will bring them to Zion his sacred hill

• God will give them joy in the house of prayer
• God will accept their sacrifices

Mention the conditions for the foreigners to be accepted

• They should observe the Sabbath

• They should love and serve God
• They should keep God's covenant faithfully

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Why were the castrated men not allowed into the Temple?

• They mutilated their bodies

• They were not contributing to the Jewish race since they could not
pass life.

Narrate Yahweh's response to the problem of castrated men

• Their names will be remembered in God's Temple

• They will be accepted as Jews
• They will be remembered among his people

State the conditions for the castrated men to be accepted

• They should honour God by keeping the Sabbath

• They should keep God's covenant faithfully
• They should do what pleases Yahweh message to the returned Jews
on the problem of the foreigners and He will save the faithful
foreigners and accept their burnt offering
• He will honour the faithful castrated men Outline Yahweh's the
castrated men
• He will bring still other people to join the exiles as his people

Suggest reasons why some Church members are excluded from their
congregations today

1) Infidelity
2) Theft
3) Corruption
4) Pre-marital sex
5) Beer drinking
6) Smoking

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 7) Polygamy

Why ISRAEL'S LEADERS ARE CONDEMNED (ISAIAH 56: 9-12)

List the leaders that are condemned in this passage

• Social leaders
• Political leaders
• Religious leaders
• Judges

Mention the accusations against the leaders

• They are blind in that they do not warn the people against
superstition and idolatry
• They are greedy in that they are interested in their own personal
gains and advantages
• They are irresponsible in that they have no understanding of their
responsibilities
• They are selfish in that they please themselves
• They do not take care about the death of pious people
• They are corrupt
• They were lazy

Why have the leaders become corrupt?

• They follow the example of Gentile leaders

• They use their positions to enrich themselves
• They forget they are chosen or appointed by God to be leaders

How will Yahweh punish the leaders?

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He will use pagan nations to attack the people of Judah "...like watch
docks that do not bark..." They do not denounce abuses and injustices
"...like greedy dogs..." They seek their own advantage

ISRAEL'S IDOLATRY IS CONDEMNED (ISAIAH 57: 1-13)

Why did the returned Jews start worshipping idols?

➢ They forgot Yahweh and his covenant love

➢ They had evil and corrupt leaders who gave bad examples to the
people
➢ There was religious syncretism that they found in Judah 4. They were
copying from foreign nations

Describe religious practices Yahweh condemned

➢ Worshipping fertility gods by having sex under sacred trees

➢ Offering children as sacrifices in rocky caves
➢ Offering sacrifices to idols such as stone
➢ Indulging in immoral sexual behaviours

Explain why the people were accused 1

➢ They thought that their sins affected them only and they did not
know that they were sinning against God
➢ Their engagement in sacred prostitution which was done to please
certain gods did not please Yahweh
➢ They were offering children as sacrifices
➢ They were making wine and grain offerings which did not please
God
➢ They were offering sacrifices in high mountains and engaged in
prostitution right there which did not please God

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 ➢ They were having secret and unlawful practices in their own houses
such as setting up idols and worshipping them, conducting sacred
prostitution just to satisfy their lust

Why does Yahweh condemn idol worship?

God is not weak; is powerful to do everything God is not deaf; could easily
answer their prayers God could easily save them Salvation is not cancelled
but just delayed It is because of the people's sins that God cannot hear

List the sins that Yahweh accused the people of doing

1) Corruption of lawyers
2) Lies including perjury
3) Murder of innocent people
4) Plans to hurt others
5) Crooked deeds
6) Violence
7) Injustice in that judges are easily bribed and turn the administration
of justice into a shameful mockery them

THE GOOD NEWS OF DELIVERANCE (ISAIAH 61:1-11)

How was the prophet prepared to do the work?

✓ He was filled by the Spirit of God

✓ He was anointed or chosen by Yahweh

Outline the tasks or mission of the prophet

✓ Bringing good news to the poor

✓ Healing the broken-hearted
✓ Announcing release to captives and freedom to those in prison
✓ Comforting those who mourn and giving them victory and joy

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 ✓ Proclaiming the coming salvation when all people will be freed from
all sorts of oppression
✓ Bringing salvation to people

How would the future glory of God's people be as stated in this passage?

✓ Judah's ruins will be re-built

✓ Strangers will feed Judah's flock
✓ Foreigners and strangers will be attracted to Israel
✓ Foreigners will do manual work for Judah
✓ Foreigners will tend Judah's vineyard
✓ The people of Judah will become priests of the Lord and do His
service
✓ Nations will be saved through Judah 8. The people of other nations
will know that the Lord had blessed His people
✓ The people of Judah will serve an everlasting covenant with their
God
✓ All the nations will praise the Lord for His action 11. Jerusalem will
rejoice because of the Lord's action

How did Jesus use this passage during His ministry?

• He confirmed the fulfilment of this prophecy in Him and His mission

How did the Gospel writers understand the fulfilment of this passage?

1) They understood Jesus as the Messiah, the anointed one

2) They understood Jesus as the deliverer from sin
3) Jesus was filled by the Spirit of God
4) Jesus proclaimed the Good News of salvation
5) Jesus healed the sick
6) Jesus raised the dead
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 7) Jesus' miracles were understood as a fulfilment of this.

Explain why Jerusalem should rejoice in the Lord prophecy

❖ God has saved her from her sins and has made her righteous
❖ God will spread His righteousness to all people of the world

Explain why Isaiah could not be the coming deliverer

❖ Anointing and the coming of the Spirit of God are associated mostly
with Kings the Messiah and rarely with prophets
❖ Tasks described in the servant song are identical to those described
in this passage. "...good news..." Refers to God's protection and
encouragement to the troubled Jerusalem community after the
return from Babylon "...release captives..." Release from sufferings
and injustices

Outline the main message of Trito or Third Isaiah

❖ Universal salvation
❖ Conditions for the return of the exiles
❖ Message of restoration
❖ Deliverance

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