Isaiah 24: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 24 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh empties the earth, scattering its inhabitants and judging all people equally (vv. 1-3). The earth mourns and fades away due to pollution from its inhabitants, who have broken divine laws and covenants (vv.

Key verse

“The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently.”
Isaiah 24:19 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 24:1–3 Divine Judgment on the Earth
Isaiah 24:4–6 The Earth's Mourning and Pollution
Isaiah 24:7–11 Loss of Joy and Desolation
Isaiah 24:12–14 Condition of the City
Isaiah 24:15–16 Glorifying Yahweh Amidst Chaos
Isaiah 24:17–20 Fear and Destruction
Isaiah 24:21–23 Final Judgment and Sovereignty

Discussion questions

In v6, what is the curse that has devoured the earth?
What do the phrases 'the new wine mourns' and 'the vine languishes' in vv. 7-8 indicate?
In vv. 18-19, what does it mean for the earth to be 'utterly broken' and 'shaken violently'?
In v16, why does the prophet express 'woe is me' amidst declarations of glory?
When have you experienced a situation where joy has ceased, as indicated in v11?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 24: Isaiah 42, Hosea 4, Jeremiah 4.

Before next time: read Isaiah 25.