Page 101 - Isaiah Student Worktext

Certainly, no idol that they may turn to could have done what God had done. In fact, much if not all that
God has done for them and for us is to win us away from the idols that we have in our lives.

To have an iron neck and a bronze brow was indication that God’s word had not penetrated their spirits.

Those who are ‘chosen’ to follow God were not selected based on any great deed they had done or
because they were superior. It was strictly a matter of God’s grace.

V. 6-8 This refers to the prophecies that they have already seen come to pass and the assurance they
could have to know that the prophecies yet to come will indeed come to pass. For God to be ‘able’ to
declare hidden things He must know and control the future.

Although God knew what would happen, it was not revealed to Israel until ‘now’ because they would
have claimed credit for it. ‘Of course, I knew them.’ God knew that they would ‘deal very
treacherously’. He knows our thoughts even before we think them.

V. 9-11 If God knows our reactions and our thoughts ahead of time, why does He put up with us?
Ephesians 1: 14

It is for HIS name’s sake that He delays His anger toward us. He doesn’t ‘cut us off’ so that He will get
the praise and glory for what happens.

Throughout the Old Testament prophets, God always preserves a remnant. Israel is punished and
certainly many people die. But He preserves a remnant to carry on His name and His glory.

He is infinitely patient with us. 2 Peter 3: 15

In V. 11, He says it twice: for My own sake. He ends with ‘I will not give My glory to another’. I have
read from non-believers about the ‘arrogance’ of God to demand praise and honor and glory. No one
and no thing deserves it more than He does. He is the Creator of all things, even the things that we may
turn to as idols or objects of worship.

One of the commentaries said this is great evidence of the Trinity: that the 3 persons of the Trinity,
though separate and distinct, are all God because He does not share glory.

V. 12-13 God reminds His people who He is: He is first, He is last, He is eternal. He laid the foundations
of the earth, and He stretched out the heavens.

It’s hard to imagine that they would have needed a reminder, but sometimes we do as well.

V. 14-15 ‘Who among them’ refers to the idols that have become objects of worship. Can any of them
say they were first and last and Creator?

‘The Lord loves him’ is said to refer to Cyrus, and is detailed in Isaiah 44: 28-45: 1.
God appoints rulers, some for good and some for what seems evil, but He uses them all to accomplish
His purposes.

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