This summer we will be studying Isaiah together!
You’re welcome to join us online Wednesday mornings July 22-August 26 from 10-11 MDT. For details, please click here.
If you’re local, you’re invited to my backyard on Wednesday mornings starting July 15th from 6:30-7:30. Yes, that’s AM! Interested? More details here!
All resources, including weekly teaching, will be available online. Please feel free to share these resources with others!
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
Potlucks were a regular church event when I was growing up. I remember the long tables full of mayo salads, hot dishes, vegetables, and dessert. We’d walk alongside the tables slowly, take small portions, fill our plates, and leave plenty of room for items from the dessert table. When we’d piled everything on, we’d navigate carefully to another long table and eat with family and friends.
Reading Isaiah reminds me of these gatherings and the array of food. This prophet declares God’s incomparable glory. He pronounces judgements and speaks explicitly about the people’s sin. He confronts idolatry and exults God above all. He also comforts and assures God’s own of His faithfulness and steadfast love. He prophesies about the Messiah’s birth, death, resurrection, and second coming. In other words, Isaiah is rich, deep, and multifaceted.
To attempt a short, six week study seems like someone telling me I have six minutes to eat my entire potluck meal. It’s either impossible or would make me miserable. Yet this is God’s Living Word, not creamed corn or casserole, and I believe our role is to open the Word—even in a short study together—and read, think, listen, and respond.
Unlike my church potlucks, Isaiah isn’t organized into neat distinct sections. As we thoughtfully read this book, we will find judgment often placed near compassion. God’s direct assault on sin is mixed with allusions to the Savior. Each week’s theme, therefore, will be studied within the sumptuous context of each passage we explore.
I’m not sure where this road will lead, but I’m thrilled you’re on it with me. After all, consuming deep, delicious truth is always better when sitting with family and friends. Let’s pray as we begin:
Father, open our minds to understand the Scripture. Open our hearts to receive Your truth. Open our spirits to deeper faith. Open our hands to freely give the Good News to all. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“Come now, let us reason together,
says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.”
-Isaiah 1:18