The Beginning of the End
This session covers: 2 Kings 17-19; Isaiah 3, 6, 14, 49, and 53
Even as Israel falls and Judah gets closer to the same fate, God’s message to His people is one of hope and salvation.
Have you noticed that our introductions to the various kings of Israel and Judah usually include a one-sentence resume: “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” as was the case of Hoshea, or “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” as was the case of Hezekiah. What does that say about the importance of our personal relationship with Christ? (See 1 Samuel 16:7) Just think for a second. If your life was summed up in one sentence what would it be? Think about your proudest accomplishments. Is God a part of them?
Chapter 16
Israel has fallen and Judah is next. In the midst of judgment clear words of hope ring true. Hope of restoration; hope for the future. During the dark times of our lives we also long to hear words of hope and restoration. The good news is that these words are found in The Story.
As the dream for a nation of people wholly devoted to God seems to be quickly fading away, words of hope for the future can be heard from the pages of the Bible. Although this chapter comes to an end, God’s story will continue on. He will still pursue His one desire; a relationship with a people He can call His own. And there is nothing He won’t do to see this happen. He wants your story to be part of The Story.
Key Question
What can we learn from Ahaz and Hezekiah about trusting God in difficult times?
AHAZ KING of JUDAH
Assyria’s Attacks: Pages 219–222
To Israel’s north, the Assyrian empire grew powerful and threatening. In 735 BC, the kings of Israel and Aram tried to force the newly crowned king of Judah, Ahaz, to join a coalition against Assyria. When he refused, they attacked, threatening to replace him with a king who would comply. God sent the prophet Isaiah to encourage Ahaz king of Judah not to be afraid, for He wouldn’t let them overthrow him. He told Ahaz to ask for any sign as proof. But Ahaz refused and instead sought Assyria’s help. He voluntarily became a vassal to Assyria’s king, paid him a large tribute, and set up shrines to Assyria’s gods in Jerusalem.
In return, Assyria’s king attacked and deported Aram’s people. Then he attacked Israel and took over all but the hill country of Ephraim and forced her new king, Hoshea, to be a tribute-paying vassal. Many Israelites fled south to Judah. Eventually Hoshea king of Israel stopped paying tribute. Assyria responded brutally. The royal city of Samaria fell in 722, and the nation of Israel was no more. Assyria deported Israel’s inhabitants to other lands within its empire, replacing them with captives from other conquered nations.
1. How had the Lord sought to keep Israel whole (2 Kings 17:13)? How did the Israelites respond (17:14)? Why does obedience require trust in the Lord? Prayerfully consider if there is any area in which you are not obeying God. If so, ask God to show you where you lack trust and write out steps you will take to obey God.
Meanwhile in Judah, Ahaz found that Assyria gave him more trouble than help. He abandoned the God of Abraham altogether and built an altar to the god of Damascus in the Jerusalem temple. He built shrines for Canaanite gods and even sacrificed his sons in the fire of the god Molech. Finally, he shut down the temple. Ahaz died seven years after Israel fell, leaving his son, Hezekiah, with a kingdom in spiritual and moral disarray.
HEZEKIAH KING OF JUDAH
Hezekiah immediately set out to turn things around. He removed the idols and shrines, reopened and purified the temple, and put the temple back into service. He planned a huge Passover celebration and sent couriers not only throughout Judah to announce it, but also into the north to invite Israelites who had escaped deportation. He emphasized that they were all really one people under the God of Israel. Hezekiah stopped paying tribute to Assyria. But undoing the sins of his father proved difficult, for in 701, Assyria laid siege to Jerusalem.
2. How did the Assyrian field commander try to discourage the people within Jerusalem’s walls from trusting God (2 Kings 18:29–32)? How does Satan similarly try to discourage us from trusting God? Briefly describe a time someone tried to discourage you or a loved one from trusting God.
Sennacherib King of Assyria
God’s Deliverance: Pages 222–224
In the midst of the siege, Assyria’s King Sennacherib sent Hezekiah a threatening letter. Hezekiah took it to the temple, spread it out before the Lord, and prayed.
3. How does Hezekiah describe God (2 Kings 19:15)? How does recalling God’s attributes in prayer help us to trust God? What does Hezekiah ask God to do in 19:16? The letter said no nation’s god had been able to deliver it from Assyria, and neither would Judah’s God. How does Hezekiah’s view differ (19:17–18)? What does Hezekiah say will happen if God delivers Judah (19:19)?
4. Think of a situation in your life that you need to entrust to God. Find an object that symbolizes that situation, such as a letter, photo, or sketch. Lay it before you. Write a prayer based on Hezekiah’s prayer. Begin by worshipping God for his attributes that you can depend on. Ask God to see your symbolic item. Explain the situation from a godly viewpoint as best as you can. Then ask for help with the situation, and thank Him for using difficult circumstances to teach you how to trust Him more.
God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that He would save the city.
5. How did God rescue Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35–37)?
ISAIAH PROPHET OF JUDAH
Judah’s Judgment Foretold: Pages 224–226
Isaiah’s prophecies are collected in the book bearing his name. Chapter six describes how God called him to be a prophet years earlier.
6. What strikes you most about Isaiah’s reaction to seeing God (Isaiah 6:5–7)?
The first six chapters of Isaiah call Judah to repentance and announce exile is imminent.
7. What did Isaiah see happening to Judah in Isaiah 3:8–9? What causes people to parade sin?
Isaiah announced Judah’s exile wouldn’t happen in Hezekiah’s lifetime and would be by Babylon, not Assyria.
8. What happens to children whose parents do not discipline them? What happens to countries whose citizens suffer no consequences for crimes? Explain the reason for God’s judgment of Judah according to Isaiah 26:9–10.
Judah’s Return Promised: Pages 226–228
Though exile would come, it wouldn’t last forever.
9. Even though Jacob’s descendants would be exiled, what would eventually happen (Isaiah 14:1)?
Isaiah’s final chapters were written to comfort the future exiles. They are filled with promises of restoration and hope.
10. What would the future exiles feel was the reason for their suffering (Isaiah 49:14)? What would be the truth about their situation (49:15–16)? Have your emotions ever told you something different than the Bible tells you? What do you do when that happens? Explain how Isaiah 49:15–16 applies to you.
The Messiah Promised: Pages 228–230
Isaiah spoke of a future suffering Servant who would be the perfect Israel, the Messiah, and the Great High Priest who would redeem people from all nations from sin and who would make known the Holy One of Israel.
11. Why do you think the Messiah would have “no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him” (Isaiah 53:2)? Why would it be necessary for Him to be familiar with suffering (53:3)? Briefly describe a time Jesus took up your pain and bore your suffering (53:4).
12. The table below lists New Testament passages showing how Jesus fulfilled Isaiah 53:4–12. Write the number of the fulfilled verse in the column on the right. (There may be more than one passage with the same verse, but verses are in order.)
AS YOU READ CHAPTER 16
Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next, or spread the questions over the whole week.
1. The reigns of kings Hoshea and Hezekiah overlapped for about six years. Which king trusted God to be provider and protector for him and his people? Which king was stuck in the ways of this world? How do you know? What was the result?
2. The Assyrians tried to convince the people of Judah not to trust God. Whose “voice” is most likely to cause you to doubt God? To whom do you listen when you feel surrounded by stress or fear?
3. Isaiah lists several analogies that show God’s love for His people (p. 227-228). Which ones are most reassuring to you?
4. Consider Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in the temple. What made Isaiah so aware of his own sinful condition?
5. Isaiah thinks he is unworthy to be God’s messenger because he is a sinner, but that doesn’t stop God from using him. When has God broken through your feelings of unworthiness to use you to show love?
6. God used Isaiah to warn Judah of an imminent judgment. God also provided the promise of restoration through Isaiah. What specific promises (p. 227-228) might bring you comfort when you need it?
Our Lesson On Sunday
Chapter 16: The Beginning of the End
This session covers: 2 Kings 17-19; Isaiah 3, 6, 14, 49, and 53
Even as Israel falls and Judah gets closer to the same fate, God’s message to His people is one of hope and salvation.
I. Israel’s and Judah’s Problem
Isaiah began his ministry in the year the King Uzziah died (739 BC) and it extended through Hezekiah’s reign, which would make it at least 53 years. Scripture doesn’t record Isaiah’s death, but according to Jewish history, Isaiah was sawn in half by King Manasseh (son of Hezekiah), a fact that is alluded to in Hebrews 11:37.
Isaiah was probably a cousin to King Uzziah, which would help explain why he was so familiar with the royal court in Jerusalem and had so much influence on the various kings.
Isaiah 1 graphically describes the state of Judah that compelled God to speak through this prophet.
3 Progressive Reasons for Israel’s and Judah’s Fall
1. Isaiah 1:2-9 Rebellion against God. “Alas, sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly! They have abandoned the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from Him” (Isaiah 1:4).
2. Isaiah 1:10-20 Empty religion. “Bring your worthless offerings no longer, …I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly” (Isaiah 1:13).
3. Isaiah 1:21-31 Social injustice. “Your rulers are rebels, and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does the widow’s plea come before them” (Isaiah 1:23).
Notice the natural progression. Rebellion against God will inevitably lead to empty worship. One cannot fool God. It is an abomination to Him to worship with insincerity, to go through the motions when one’s heart is filled with rebellion.
Naturally, the social structure disintegrates into chaos. Self-centered people will oppress and mistreat others; only God-centered people will seek true justice.
It’s interesting to notice the introductions to the various kings of Israel and Judah usually includes a one-sentence description:
“He did evil in the eyes of the Lord,” as was the case of Hoshea,
or
“He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord,” as was the case of Hezekiah.
Why did Hezekiah experience so many difficulties? Does obedience to God guarantee prosperity?
- Hezekiah loved God and did what was right in God’s eyes, but Hezekiah still lived in a world that was hostile to God and His ways. Hezekiah was confronted by those who were living in opposition to God during his life, those who created difficulties for him and his rule because he tried to live according to God’s ways.
- Obedience to God does not guarantee prosperity, but it does guarantee God’s blessing on His people. God’s blessing might not necessarily mean wealth, health and prosperity although it can, but it might mean more often wisdom and strength to deal with difficult situations that arise, it might mean the ability to trust God for His deliverance in situations that do become difficult, or it might mean the confidence in God’s word that He has a purpose in difficulties in our lives for our good. (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28) In fact, Jesus spoke about how difficulties would be part of the life of obedience to God, but how it would result in a “blessed life” in Matthew 5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.”
What does that say about the importance of our personal relationship with Christ?
- (See 1 Samuel 16:7) But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
- Just think for a second. If your life was summed up in one sentence what would it be? Think about your proudest accomplishments. Is God a part of them?
When Hezekiah received an intimidating letter from his enemies, he “went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.” When have you reacted to an attack or urgent problem with a similar attitude?
- Our first response is normally to defend ourselves at all costs or to try and deal with the problem in our own wisdom and strength. Hezekiah rather, responded in running straight to his God and presenting his problem to the Lord. It would seem that Hezekiah knew and walked with his God intimately which resulted in knowing where to go when attacked or when problems arose. He trusted that God’s wisdom, power and purposes in dealing with difficulties was far superior to his and so he sought the Lord’s council concerning these matters. Its part of the blessing of living an obedient life to God, trusting and knowing who to turn to in times of trouble for help.
II. Isaiah’s Message
A. God intended Israel to be a blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). They were to be His “servant” on earth, a people through whom He would work to redeem all nations. But they never met His expectations.
B. You need a Savior! You, Judah, are sick with sin and desperate for cleansing. Isaiah began to paint a picture of the “ideal servant” that soon narrowed it down to a single individual who would die on behalf of all others. If the nation would not serve the LORD, then this Servant would.
What were some of the main themes in Isaiah’s prophecies?
- God’s Judgment on His disobedient people, the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Because of their disobedience and idolatry, Jerusalem would be conquered, and they would be exiled in a foreign land and live under foreign rule.
- God’s future grace and mercy in delivering and restoring them as a nation from His judgment. The Israelites would return one day to their homes from Babylon and rebuild their nation.
- God’s promise of a greater deliverer who would establish an eternal Kingdom. The promise of a suffering servant, the Messiah, who would come, delivers them and usher in a glorious kingdom which would never end.
How could God be merciful to His people in light of their actions toward Him?
- God could show mercy to His people because God can see into the future at the coming of His promised deliverer. God knew that His promised deliverer, Jesus, would one day pay the penalty for the people’s disobedience, His judgment on them would one day be borne by Jesus on the cross, and so in His mercy He did not give the people what they deserved because of the coming of Jesus.
How has God shown mercy to you?
- Salvation is one way all Christians have experience God’s mercy. We all have sinned, rebelled against God, and are all deserving of His eternal judgment–life separated from God, but because of what Jesus did for us and the Israelites in paying God’s judgment upon us in full, God mercifully delivers us and restores us in a right relationship with Him, He does not give to us what we do deserve. Think of other ways, in everyday things, which God has shown mercy to us in not giving us what we do deserve.
III. Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah (p. 228-230, Isaiah 52:13-53:12).
A. Isaiah has sometimes been called the “Fifth Gospel” or the “Gospel of the Old Testament” because it has so much to say about the Messiah.
B. This is the pinnacle of Messianic passages in Isaiah. Some have identified the Servant as Israel herself (she was to be a servant of God), but the contrast in 52:14 between you (Israel) and Him makes it clear that they cannot be one and the same. The Him must be the Messiah.
Isaiah foretold the rise and fall of nations. Is God still in control of world events in our day?
- The God we serve today is the same God Isaiah served and so yes He still controls world events. Remember it is His-Story and He is orchestrating world events to accomplish His purposes.
- The cross of Jesus is a perfect example of the control God has over world events. We read in Acts 4:23 “This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
- We read in Colossians that all things and events find their purpose in God: “For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.” –Col 1:16
- Then of course we read in the book of Revelation how God will control events during the last days, especially as He brings His judgment on the wicked. Each event will happen at His specific time and for His purposes. God’s Sovereign rule over His creation is clearly evident throughout scripture. No event or non event is a surprise to God. He knows the beginning from the end and is controlling all to accomplish His purpose.
IV. Applications and Implications
- The predictive prophecies of Isaiah strengthen my faith in an all-knowing God.
- The accuracy of Isaiah 53 is another excellent proof that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God.
- These Messianic prophecies, written 700+ years before Christ, could be used to show others that the Bible is true and that Jesus alone saves.
- The saving work of Messiah was God’s plan all along to reconcile helpless, rebellious sinners to Him.
- Because of the work of the Messiah, believers do not need to fear condemnation before God.
- I will not be like Judah. I will not be rebellious; I will not worship insincerely, praying to God with sin-stained hands; I will seek and uphold justice for the poor, oppressed and weak among us.
PRAYER
God, sometimes I can feel so far lost that there is no hope for me, that I’m way beyond Your reach and don’t deserve your grace even though You promise it fully. Even when things are dark, help me know in the depth of my soul that You want more than anything to rescue me, even from my own messes. Help me know that Your love alone is the wellspring of life. Amen
See you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
