Wednesday, November 29, 2017

When Sorrow Will Flee Away-Isaiah 35:1-10



Isaiah 35:1-10 1The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." 5Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. 8And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. 9No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, 10and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

New International Version , Copyright 2011-2017 Biblica


1.      Do you ever get discouraged? Why might someone get discouraged? How might someone keep from getting discouraged?

2.      How does discouragement affect your life? What do you do when you find you are discouraged?

3.      Can we have joy and be discouraged at the same time? How would you explain your answer?

4.      What is it about joy that changes our outlook on life? How is the joy of the redeemed the product of their faith?

5.      Have you ever felt like your life was a desert? Can you describe the feeling?

6.      Why do you suppose Isaiah used the crocus as the example? When does the crocus usually appear? How do you feel when you see a crocus? What happens when your life “breaks forth into bloom”?

7.      What is the design of the gospel?

8.      What does the “then” of verses 5 and 6 refer?

9.      Are verses 5-7 speaking literally or figuratively? (see Isaiah 6:9f; and 32:3-4) Is Isaiah referring to the work of the Messiah and the Holy Spirit?

10.  What is unique about:

a.       A highway in the desert

b.      This particular highway

Why might someone wish to use this highway?



11.  Jesus said, ‘I am the Way…” How might verse 8 be read now? How are you doing on the highway to holiness?

a.       Cruising on auto-pilot

b.      Running out of gas

c.       Broken down

d.      Driving distracted

e.       Going the wrong way

12.  How can you be helped to get on the highway and make progress?

                             


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