Isaiah 10: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 10 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Woe is pronounced on those who make unjust laws and oppress the needy, depriving the poor and widows of their rights (vv. 1-4). Assyria is labeled as the rod of God’s anger, sent to punish a sinful nation (vv.

Key verse

“Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers who write oppressive decrees;”
Isaiah 10:1 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 10:1–4 Woe to Unjust Leaders
Isaiah 10:5–12 Assyria as God's Instrument
Isaiah 10:13–19 Assyria's Arrogance and Fall
Isaiah 10:20–23 A Remnant Will Return
Isaiah 10:24–27 Comfort for God's People
Isaiah 10:28–34 Assyria's Path of Destruction

Discussion questions

In v1, what kind of decrees does the prophet declare as 'unrighteous'?
What does the phrase 'the rod of my anger' in v5 indicate about God's feelings towards Assyria?
In v12, why does God say He will punish the 'fruit of the willful proud heart' of the king of Assyria?
In v27, what does the 'yoke' represent in relation to Israel's oppression and future deliverance?
When have you felt that a powerful person or system was 'cut down' as described in v34?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 10: Isaiah 9, Isaiah 37, Isaiah 26.

Before next time: read Isaiah 11.