I.       Isaiah 38

A.     Lesson Scripture:

Hezekiah’s Sickness and Healing (Isa.38:1-22)

B.     Outline and Explanation:

When Isaiah went to Hezekiah, who was extremely ill, and told him of his impending death, Hezekiah immediately turned to God.

1.        King Hezekiah prayed to God for his critical illness (38:1-3): Hezekiah wept bitterly.

2.        God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer (38:4-8)

 a.      God sent Isaiah to encourage Hezekiah. God allowed Hezekiah to live another 15 years and would deliver him from Assyria.

 b.      God gave Hezekiah a sign.

3.        The Thanksgiving Song of Hezekiah (38:9-20)

 a.      The sorrow and pain of illness

 b.      Joy after the cure

4.        God used a special way to heal the disease (38:21,22)

II.    Isaiah 39

A.     Lesson Scripture:

Babylonian Captivity of Judah Foretold (Isa.39:1-8)

B.     Outline and Explanation:

The king of Babylon sent letters and a present to Hezekiah. Isaiah gave a warning to Hezekiah. 

1.        The foolishness of Hezekiah (38:1,2): Hezekiah showed messengers the house of his treasures and armory.

2.        Isaiah foretells the future (38:3-8): Someday Babylon would turn on Judah and devour Jerusalem’s wealth.

 a.      Isaiah asked how Hezekiah treated the messengers from Babylon.

 b.      The treasure shall be carried to Babylon. Some of the sons of Hezekiah shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

 c.      Hezekiah’s response.

III. Isaiah 40

A.     Lesson Scripture:

Comfort for God’s People (Isa.40:1-31)

B.     Outline and Explanation:

A Message of Comfort and the Hope of Salvation

1.        A message of release (40:1,2).

2.        Prepare the people’s heart to receive salvation (40:3-5).

3.        All man are like grass; the word of our God stands forever (40:6-8)

4.        Put in effort to proclaim that the Savior is coming (40:9-11).

 a.      To Zion, to Jerusalem, to the towns of Judah.

 b.      How to proclaim:

(a)     To go up on a high mountain.

(b)     To lift up your voice with a shout.

(c)     Do not be afraid.

 c.      The Good News:

(a)     His arm rules for Him.

(b)     His reward is before Him.

(c)     He tends His flock like a shepherd.

5.        Compare the Almighty God with Man (40:12-17)

 a.      The great universe shows God’s Almightiness.

 b.      We are less than nothing in front of God.

6.        God is unique (40:18-26)

 a.      Idols cannot compare to God.

 b.      God is the Creator.

 c.      His majesty and power.

7.        Encouragement (40:27-31)

 a.      Do not complain.

 b.      He is the source of strength:

(a)     He will not grow tired or weary.

(b)     He gives power and increases strength to the weak.

(c)     People who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

IV.  Isaiah 41

A.     Lesson Scripture:

The Helper of Israel (Isa.41:1-29)

B.     Outline and Explanation:

King Cyrus is in the plan of salvation for Israel

1.        God raises Cyrus to punish the nations (41:1-7)

 a.      To stir up one from the east.

(a)     To call him in righteousness to his service.

(b)     To hand nations to him.

 b.      Nations are afraid and tremble.

2.        God will help His people (41:8-20)

 a.      The Israelites are the chosen people.

 b.      God will strengthen Israel. God will destroy the enemy.

 c.      God will revive Israel: To turn the desert into pools and set the pines in the wasteland.

3.        The challenge to idols (41:21-29)

 a.      Questioning of the idols:

(a)     To explain the beginning and end of history.

(b)     To foretell the future.

(c)     To do something special.

(d)     Idols are worthless and detestable.

 b.      How does God stir up Cyrus?

(a)     He is stirred up from the north and from the rising of the sun.

(b)     He calls on God.

(c)     He treads on rulers as if they were mortar.

(d)     To give to Jerusalem a message of good tidings.

V.     Discussion:

1.       Wicked people often live easy lives, or long lives, whereas those serving God often experience great hardships. How do you explain this seeming unfairness?

2.       Is it harder for people to be faithful during times of hardship, or times of success? Why?

3.       How do we “prepare the way” in our life for the Lord Jesus? What needs leveling or shoring up?

4.       What sort of complaints do we hear today from non-Christians? From Christians? How might we answer them from the truths of chapter 40?

5.       How might the truths of chapter 40 help restore strength to us?

6.       What does chapter 41 show us of God’s involvement in human history? How should this affect our attitude toward problems in the world?

7.       How can we be “little” and “worm-like”? What “mountains” and “hills” are there in our life today?