Free group study handout
Isaiah 59: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Isaiah 59 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Yahweh’s hand is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear (vv. 1-2). The people's iniquities have caused a divide between them and God.
Key verse
“Behold, Yahweh’s hand is not shortened, that it can’t save; nor his ear dull, that it can’t hear.”
Isaiah 59:1 (WEB)
Outline
- Isaiah 59:1–2 God's Ability to Save
- Isaiah 59:3–8 Description of Iniquity
- Isaiah 59:9–11 Despair from Injustice
- Isaiah 59:12–15 Recognition of Transgressions
- Isaiah 59:16–19 God's Response to Injustice
- Isaiah 59:20–21 Promise of Redemption
Discussion questions
- In v6, what do their 'works' say about the state of the people?
- What are the images used in v5 when describing their actions?
- In v15, why is it significant that Yahweh was displeased that there was 'no justice'?
- In v12, what does it mean when sins 'testify against us' for the people of Israel?
- When have you felt that 'justice is far from us' in your own experiences?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Isaiah 59: Isaiah 44, Jeremiah 31, Hebrews 10.
Before next time: read Isaiah 60.