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Q1. (Isaiah 40) What does Isaiah 40 teach us about the necessity of preparing ourselves for the Lord (verses 3-5)? About God's tenderness and compassion (verse 11)? About God's glory vs. the glory of nations (verses 15-17)? Why do we get so enamored by the glitter and glory of the world? What pieces are we missing (verses 15-17, 21-26)? According to verse 31, how can we draw strength from the Lord? ​God wants us to repent and be prepared for the coming of the Lord which will come certainly but without notice.[ verses 3-5] God may punish us for our sins, yet he does so tenderly and with compassion. His objective is to make us return to Him. [verse 11] No matter the glory of nations or individuals, we should never forget that our God's glory is incomparably greater, [verses 15-17] The love for the world, the cravings of the flesh and the eyes make us to be to be so engrossed on perusing the things of the world that we forget the things of God. These things will pass away but those that do the will of God will live forever. We can draw strength from the Lord by waiting upon Him, trusting that He is abundantly able to deliver those who trust in Him

Q4. (Isaiah 38:3) What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are by grace anyway? Hezekiah asked for healing based on: a) His service, commitment to God and his righteousness. For the sake of his nation c) God’s promised to David to have his kingdom to last forever. Personal holiness and righteousness are important because God says in Isaiah 59 1-3 that our sin blocks our prayers; in James 5:16 the Word of God says that the prayer of the righteous is effective Unrighteousness can block our prayers despite the fact that all gifts are due to God’s grace so that unrighteousness will not be exalted.

Q3. (Isaiah 38:2-3) Why is Hezekiah's healing important for his nation? How did it relate to God's promises made to David (2 Samuel 7:11b-16)? Hezekiah’s healing was important for his nation because at the time of his sickness he was responsible for the security of the nation, fighting battles with the Assyrian and other enemy nations. He also he needed a son to succeed him; at that time Manasseh had not been born. Hezekiah offspring will produce the prophesied Messiah eventually.

Q2. (Isaiah 37:16) How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah's prayer (verse 16) correspond to the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer? How are they important to faith? How are they important to God answering the prayer? Hezekiah’s first two sentences correspond to the first sentence of the Lord’s Prayer because they both recognise the awesome God as the only One who reigns supremely over all the kingdoms of the earth and there is no one like Him. These sentences help in boosting our faith by placing God in the right perspective and thus seeing and trusting in His ability to deliver us from whatever challenges we may face. God responds favourably to our positive faith in Him. Thus when we come to Him in faith and pray, He answers us as long as what we ask for is in line with His perfect plan and will for us.

Q1. (Isaiah 37:14) What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy's message before the Lord? What is the underlying principle illustrated here? How can we apply this principle to our own lives? What happens when we don't apply this principle? Isaiah spread the letter of insult and threat of the enemy before the Lord because he recognised that his challenge was God’s challenge. He therefore trusted the Lord to rise, fight and deliver him from the enemy’s threat and power. The underlying principle here is that on our own we cannot succeed and need to turn to God, our refuge and redeemer to deliver us from our challenges. If we do not do this, we end up getting frustrated and may even fail.

Q6. (Isaiah 35:1-10) How do you think these verses brought hope to their first readers? What is promised here? Why do you think Isaiah relies on heavily figurative language to communicate these promises? How does he describe the "highway of holiness"? Who will walk on it? Who won't? What does it mean to be redeemed and ransomed? The hope came from the promise by God for redemption from captivity to restoration from captivity to freedom, from want to abundance and prosperity in their homeland. The highway of holiness is where only the redeemed of the Lord will walk.

Q5. (Isaiah 33:14-16) How does ethical behavior display love for God? How does it display love for man? How does the corruption of taking bribes destroy righteous government? Ethical behaviour display love for God because it points obedience to the Lord. He said in the gospel John that if we love Him we will obey His commandments. The same reasoning above explains why it display love for man. The Lord God said that we should love Him and also love our neighbour. If we love God will do only what pleases him about others. Corruption of taking bribes destroys righteous government because it perverts justice.

Q4. (Isaiah 31:1) Why do we tend to seek help from every source except the Lord? In what way is this similar to idolatry? People haven't changed. Jesus recognized this tendency. What was the remedy he taught his disciples in Matthew 6:31-33? We seek help from everywhere except the Lord probably because at the time of need we are driven by sight not by faith on the God that cannot be seen. This is similar to idolatry because we allow something/ someone to replace God in our lives. He taught the disciples and still teaches us today that we should seek the kingdom of God first and his righteousness and everything we need will be given to us as well. This means that we should seek to serve Him and live to obey and please Him, then He who is our Great shepherd and warrior will provide all our needs and be there to fight and win our battles for us.

Q3. (Isaiah 30:15-29) Why does God long to show us grace (30:18)? What does that say about God's character? What prevents his grace? Have you ever experienced the kind of guidance Isaiah mentions in verse 21? What is necessary in us so that we can hear God's voice? God longs to show us grace because He loves us and does not want to see us stay punished forever. Love, compassion and mercy are some of His characteristics. What may prevent us getting His grace is when we/ His children do not turn and make ourselves/ themselves available for His grace. Yes I have often experience God guiding me in taking some decisions and actions and when the result comes out beautifully, I will just burst in praises by singing “who is like unto thee...” as sung by the Israelites when God led them on dry ground to cross the red sea while the enemy was swept away by the sea water. Jesus is Lord indeed.

Q2. (Isaiah 29:13) Have you ever seen a religious person go through all the religious motions, but whose heart is far from God? How can we detect this in ourselves if it applies to us? What is the remedy? How can you tell if your practice of religion is merely following "rules taught by men"? What is the danger of a rule-based faith? How does it differ from a love-based faith? Yes, even some of us including myself. Forgive me Dear Lord Jesus Christ. We can detect this if our character and actions are not in consonance with the Word of God nor pleasing to Him. Whenever I notice this I immediately run to God in confession and repentance. This is the remedy I believe. Rule –based faith is set on legalistic obedience of the word without a heart that is close and pleasing to God and without regard to mankind. Love- based faith on the other hand is based on pleasing God by being Christ-like and treating mankind as children of God that deserve the honour due to them

Q1. (Isaiah 28) How are we humans able to justify and deceive ourselves so easily? Why do we hold onto lies that guide our lives? Why do people stumble over Christ, the tested foundation stone, and his righteous standards? How can we help people come to the truth? What is the alternative if they don't, according to Isaiah 28:21? We deceive and justify ourselves when we do any unrighteous thing against God and still believe that He is still walking with us and will hear and deliver us from our troubles. People who reject the Lord Jesus the Messiah like the High Priests and the Pharisees did, actually lose an opportunity for salvation and thus stumble and fall into judgement. We can help people to know the truth by praying for God through the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of their hearts to see Jesus seated on the throne. We can also get the opportunity to speak to them and read the Word which is the Truth for them to hear and to know the Truth and they will be set free by the Truth. If they still refuse to believe and accept the Truth then they will face the wrath God’s judgment when He gathers His people.

Q6. (Isaiah 27:12-13) When Isaiah prophesies the gathering of all his people at the sound of a great trumpet call, to what New Testament event does this correspond? The gathering of God’s people in Isaiah’s prophesy refers to the last day when God's children faithful will be gathered from all over the earth. It also refers to the repentance of the Jews and their gathering unto God on the day.

Q5. (Isaiah 26:19) Does this passage actually teach a bodily resurrection? What does it teach us about resurrection? When will this resurrection take place, according to the New Testament? The passage teaches bodily resurrection. Those who have died in the Lord, the righteous will rise but not until the judgement. The resurrection will take place when the Lord Jesus returns.

Q4. (Isaiah 26:3-4) According to this verse, what is the key to perfect peace? What happens when we get distracted from trusting in the Lord? Why is the Lord called the "Rock eternal"? The key to perfect peace is Jesus. He cares for us and has asked to cast our burdens unto Him. When we get distracted from trusting the Lord, we loose our peace and furthermore, we fail to solve the problem that has become our challenge. He is call the "Rock eternal because we can lean on Him and be fully insured and protected

Q4. (Isaiah 26:3-4) According to this verse, what is the key to perfect peace? What happens when we get distracted from trusting in the Lord? Why is the Lord called the "Rock eternal"? The key to perfect peace is Jesus. He cares for us and has asked to cast our burdens unto Him. When we get distracted from trusting the Lord, we loose our peace and furthermore, we fail to solve the problem that has become our challenge. He is call the "Rock eternal because we can lean on Him and be fully insured and protected

Q3. (Isaiah 25:7) Why does the promise that "he will swallow up death forever" provide such comfort to us when we grieve the death of loved ones? When we contemplate our own death? What will we experience instead of death when Christ comes? The death of a love one i s a transition from mortality to the immortality. The death in Christ will rise first and those living will be caught up up with the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes. All the departed ones in Christ and the raptured ones will live together with Him to die no more. This then should comfort us. The resurrected redeemed ones and the raptured righteous ones will live in perfect peace and joy with the Lord and death will have no more power on the redeemed ones because the power of death has been destroyed forever.

Q2. (Isaiah 25:6-8) Obviously this "feast of rich food for all peoples" is a symbol of something more than just good food. What does this theme represent in Isaiah and the New Testament? What does it promise about the Last Days? "feast of rich food for all peoples" is symbol representing the assembly of God's redeemed ones gathered together by the Lord Jesus Christ at His second coming and they live with Him in heaven to die no more in eternity. Then there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more crying but joyful worship and praise to the Lord God Almighty.

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)? Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy? Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who "fear the Lord"? In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? Due to sin and rebellion of the people of the earth and spiritual powers including fallen angels. I do not really feel threatened by this kind of prophesy because I have hope in the Lord who has redeemed me from.the power of death. I now live for Him and with Him. At the ends time, the righteous will be gathered unto the Lord to live joyfully with Him and thus should look forward to that day and therefore NOT to fear its coming. However, remembering the prophesy should help us not to endulge ourselves on the things of this world and forget to watch and pray so as to be ready when the bridegroom shall come..

Q3. (Isaiah 22) Why is Judah faulted for making necessary military preparations in the face of the Assyrian armies? What should they have done at the same time (verses 11-12)? What seems to be the sin of Shebna, steward of the palace (verses 15-19)? Have you ever been guilty of selfishness instead of doing your duty to Christ? Judah was trusting in her military and logistics preparation for her defence instead of depending and trusting in the Lord for her security. He was engaged in curving out his resting grave on the rock probably using public funds despite the impending destruction of the city. I think so. We should however not be selfish.

Q2. (Isaiah 20) Why did God command Isaiah to go naked for three years? What was its meaning? What effect did this acted prophecy have on Judah's foreign policy? If you were Isaiah, would you have obeyed God? To remind Judah not to rely on Egypt that would soon be defeated by Assyria and the captives would be stripped naked as Isaiah was. The prophesy came to pass as Judah saw Egyptians being carried naked and it dawned on her that Egypt could not be relied upon. To strip and walk naked like Isaiah did takes extra ordinary grace to comply. I am not sure if I would have obeyed but this is what is expected of us to do- obey God even if it seems disgraceful or does not make sense. This is what faith and obedience is all about.

Q1. (Isaiah 14) What was the attitude of heart in the ruler described in Isaiah 14:12-17? What is the scriptural evidence that this indeed refers to Satan? Have you ever exalted your opinion and will over God's will and God's word? How does this differ from the ruler in 14:12-17? What is the best way to humble oneself before the Lord? The attitude of heart in this passage is PRIDE and evil ambition to rise above everything else to be like God. . The passage probably refers to Satan because that was his boastful ambition that caused his downfall as he was hauled down from heaven by God. The passages that implies reference to Satan are (Luke 10:18) "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven" and 2 Thessalonians 2:4 I think I have held opinions in the past that were above that of God and His Word when I depended on my own judgement and ideas. The best way to humble oneself is to be sure that what you hear is clearly from God then seek His grace to obey Him

Q7. (Isaiah 11:10-16) What does it mean that "the nations" will rally to the Messiah when he appears? Who are these "nations"? Who else will be "gathered" at this time? How does this prophecy relate to Jesus' and Paul's teaching about the Rapture (Mark13:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1)? When will this prophecy be fulfilled? By "the nations" will rally to the Messiah means the rapture, the gathering of the children of God at the end time. The peoples of Israel, the northern Kingdom and Judah, the southern kingdom will be reconciled and gathered unto the Lord as one nation. Other nations include all the nations of the world who have accepted the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The teaching from Isaiah is similar to the teaching on the rapture by Paul. All Christians from all over the globe will be gathered unto the Lord Jesus Christ starting from those who had slept in the Lord and then those alive will be gathered and caught up with Him in the sky. The specific date and time is known only by the Most High God. According to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, noe else knows the date or time.

Q6. (Isaiah 11:6-9) The passage speaks in figurative language. What kind of peace does it describe? How far will this peace extend? According to Isaiah 11:9b, why will there be peace? What does "the knowledge of the Lord" mean? How widespread will this "knowledge" be? The passage describes divine peace where enemies live peacefully unharmed in the kingdom of the Righteous judge. The peace will extend to all over the world. Due to knowledge and personal relationship with God, such peace will be possible. The knowledge of God will be widespread- all over the earth.

Q5. (Isaiah 11:1-5) Who was Jesse? How does his name indicate that this passage speaks of the Messiah? What attributes will he have due to the Spirit of God upon him? What do we learn about this Messiah from verses 4-5? Who seem to be the victims of injustice and oppression here? When the Messiah comes, what will happen to all who involve themselves in injustice? Jesse was the father of David Because the Messiah comes from the line of David, the son of Jesse The Messiah will have wisdom, counsel, knowledge of Yahweh, fear of God, understanding etc. The Messiah will judge in righteousness ensuring that the poor and the needy are judged in justice. The poor and needy are often the victims in the time of Isaiah and are still the victims in our times. When the Righteous Judge comes, He will judge not by what He sees or hears but with discernment/ wisdom and the wicked will receive their full measure of justice for the wrong

Q4. (Isaiah 10:1-2) Why do we humans tend to pass laws that oppress the weak and poor? What can we as Christians do to prevent this? What can we do to help the poor and weak in our communities? The laws are passed to protect the selfish interest of those that pass such laws. Christians need to rise up and publicly, in the church, in our communities, in government to condemn such laws. Christians especially those in high authority should campaign for reforms in their ministries in line with godly values in our communities, ministries and government..