Bible Reading
Isaiah 59:1-21 “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness. No one enters suit justly; no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity. They hatch adders' eggs; they weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched. Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace. Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men. We all growl like bears; we moan and moan like doves; we hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us. For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the LORD, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment. So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives. "And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression," declares the LORD. "And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring," says the LORD, "from this time forth and forevermore.”
[44:26]Ephesians 6:10-20 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
[01:04:27]John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
[52:11]Observation questions
- In Isaiah 59, what does Isaiah identify as the reason God’s people experience separation from Him, and what kinds of actions and words show that sin has spread through their lives? [47:41]
- What pictures does Isaiah use to describe the people’s condition in Isaiah 59:9–15, and what do those pictures reveal about their lack of peace, justice, and direction? [54:50]
- In Isaiah 59:16–21, what does the Lord do when He sees that there is no intercessor, and what pieces of armor are connected with His saving work? [01:00:35]
- According to Ephesians 6:10–20, what are the pieces of God’s armor, and what does Paul repeatedly tell believers to do in the evil day? [01:06:12]
Interpretation questions
- Isaiah says that sin separates people from God, while God’s hand is not too short and His ear is not too heavy. How does this correct the common assumption that God is absent or powerless whenever prayer feels difficult? [47:41]
- Why is confession in Isaiah 59 more than simply admitting mistakes? What changes when a person stops defending sin and honestly brings it before God? [53:36]
- Isaiah says that the one who turns away from evil may become prey. Why might a person experience stronger temptation, accusation, or discouragement after choosing to repent and follow Christ? [58:09]
- Both Isaiah 59 and Ephesians 6 use armor imagery. What does it mean that believers stand in Christ’s righteousness rather than their own goodness or ability? [01:03:13]
Application questions
- “What has a hold on me?” Is there a habit, attitude, relationship, wound, fear, or desire that may be taking too much control of your heart? What would honest confession to God look like in that area this week? [48:13]
- Are there places where you have already chosen your own direction and then asked God to bless it afterward? What is one decision you need to bring before the Lord in prayer before moving ahead? [48:16]
- Jesus calls His people to love one another as He has loved us. When are you most tempted to make love conditional on how somebody treats you? What would Christlike love look like in one strained relationship right now? [52:25]
- When you try to leave an old sin or unhealthy pattern behind, what kinds of thoughts or situations usually try to pull you back in? How can you remember that Satan is not equal with God and cannot take you out of Christ’s hands? [59:16]
- Which part of God’s armor do you especially need to put on right now—truth, righteousness, gospel readiness, faith, salvation, Scripture, or prayer? What practical step could help you use that part of the armor this week? [01:16:41]
- Is there a person who has wronged you, frustrated you, or become a burden in your mind? What would it look like to stop carrying the need to repay them and place that situation in God’s hands? [01:01:17]
- The ministry of reconciliation invites people to “come” to Jesus rather than beating them down. Who in your life needs a gracious, truthful invitation toward Christ, and how could you take one simple step to show them His love? [01:17:18]
