Isaiah 50: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Isaiah 50 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh asks about the bill of divorce for Israel, noting they were sold for iniquities, and their mother was put away for transgressions (vv. 1-3). The Servant describes the commission given by the Lord Yahweh.

Key verse

“Who among you fears Yahweh, and obeys the voice of his servant? He who walks in darkness, and has no light, let him trust in Yahweh’s name, and rely on his God.”
Isaiah 50:10 (WEB)

Outline

Isaiah 50:1–3 God's Charge Against Israel
Isaiah 50:4–6 The Servant's Commission and Suffering
Isaiah 50:7–9 Confidence in God's Support
Isaiah 50:10 Call to Trust in the Lord
Isaiah 50:11 Warning Against Self-Reliance

Discussion questions

In v1, what does Yahweh ask about the 'bill of your mother’s divorce'?
In v6, what types of suffering does the Servant endure?
The phrase 'who will bring charges against me?' in v8: what is the Servant asserting about his position?
In v11, what do the 'fire' and 'torches' signify about trusting in one's own devices?
When have you relied on your own 'fire' instead of trusting in Yahweh's name?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Isaiah 50: Jeremiah 1, Isaiah 54, Romans 8.

Before next time: read Isaiah 51.