TO US A CHILD IS BORN

 

Isaiah 7:1-9:7

Key Verse 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 

*GOD’S WORD TO AHAZ (7:1-25)

 

  1. What problem did King Ahaz of Judah face? (1,2a) What was the plan of these enemies? (7:5, 6)  What other problems disturbed Ahaz? (2 Chron 28:16-21)

 

  1. How did Ahaz respond to the crisis? (2) What effect did this have on the people?  What did Ahaz decide to do? (2 Kings 16:7)

 

  1. What did the Lord tell Isaiah and his son to do? (What does Shear-Jashub mean?)  What was God’s message to Ahaz? (7:3-4) What was his promise and warning in 7:7-9? (See 2 Ki 15:29,30)  What was it important for Ahaz to stand firm?  How could he? (See 2 Kin 13:4)

 

  1. How did God offer to help him out of his unbelief? (10,11) Why did Ahaz refuse? (12; Dt. 6:16)  What really lay behind his refusal?  What effect did his unbelief have on his people?  On God? (13)

 

*FEAR GOD (8:1-22)

 

  1. What sign did God promise?  What does Immanuel mean?  What should it mean to Ahaz? (To us?)  How many times is “in that day” repeated in 18-25?  What would happen in that day?  What does this mean?

 

  1. What did Isaiah name his 2nd son?  What did it mean?  What was God’s second message to Ahaz? (8:4) How did Ahaz respond to God’s gentle words? (6a) To what did Isaiah compare the Assyrian invasion? (7,8) How would God continue to show mercy to his people? (8-10)

 

  1. What warning did God give Isaiah? (8:11,12) Why not fear what the people fear? (13) For whom is God a sanctuary? For whom is he a stumbling stone? (14,15)

 

*TO US A CHILD IS BORN (9:1-7)

 

  1. Read verses 19-22.  How is the darkness described?  What do people depend on?  What did Isaiah do in this situation? (16-18) What does it mean that he and his children are signs?  What can we learn from him?

 

  1. What is the hope that God gives to the people living in darkness? (9:1-5) How does he bring joy?

 

  1. Ultimately, how does God help his people? (9:6,7) What are the 4 titles of the son, Immanuel, and what does each mean?  What will be the character of Immanuel’s reign?  How does he heal unbelief and fear?  How can this be accomplished?