Make Up: November 13th, 2011

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Small Group: Prophets of Judah 11/13/11 Week 9

Our Lesson

Bible Text:
Isaiah 5:1-7; 9:2-7; 10:1-2; 1:16-20; Jeremiah 31: 31-34; 7:1-15, 23-26

Lesson Focus:
Though the people were not always faithful to God, God was always faithful to them.

Big Question:
Who will I always be able to count on?

Key Words:
JUSTICE, HOPE, CONFESSION

High Level View of Judah and the books of Isaiah & Jeremiah

Assyria was asserting itself against Judah & Israel. We learned last week that Israel fell to Assyria and Judah narrowly avoided being similarly swallowed up. Judah, the Southern Kingdom, led also with kings, mostly who failed to be faithful to Yahweh. Its primary prophets during this period were Isaiah & Micah, however Jeremiah’s prophecy was the most extensive.

Two kings represent the ends of the spectrum. At one extreme, Manasseh was regarded as the most brutal & faithless king Judah had ever known. At the other extreme, Josiah was regarded as the best king next to King David. Josiah instituted religious reforms but was not adept in international relations.

So why was Judah so sinful? (Bad King = Bad People)

King Manasseh’s reign began when he was 12 yrs old and lasted several decades from 687 to 642 B.C.E He spat on covenants, built altars and a temple to other gods and was murderous, even sacrificing his son to an Assyrian deity. He was unjust and had faithless leadership, causing Judah’s sinfulness, destruction and subsequent exile.

Opening Prayer

LEADER: Lord, we have failed to worship you and recognize the grace that you have freely given to us. Help us look to you for guidance, love and acceptance. Help us see your grace and mercy in all that we do and say. Lead us out of temptation and into your loving arms.
ALL: Amen

Prophet-Isaiah

In a vision, Isaiah saw God enthroned in the temple and surrounded by angels. God was seeking a rep, but Isaiah was acutely aware of his sinfulness & the sinfulness of his people. An angel took a live coal from an altar & touched it to Isaiah’s lips explaining that “your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for”.
Isaiah is a good model for how to remain part of the community of faith while at the same time acknowledging and dealing with its faults.

He used the image of the people as God’s vineyard to call the nation to repentance. He also articulated a vision of a king (Josiah) who would be faithful and compassionate and would lead the people in their understanding of the sole sovereignty of Yahweh.

And saving the best for last…he predicted the Messiah’s coming! He saw a vision of the Messiah’s (Jesus) virgin birth, his character and his crucifixion.


Read- Bible Text: Isaiah 9:2-7

In a time of great darkness, God promised to send a light that would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death. This message of hope was fulfilled in the birth of Christ and the establishment of his eternal kingdom. He came to deliver all people from their slavery to sin.

Prophet- Jeremiah

He had both a deep understanding of human sin and a deep trust in God’s constancy and determination to do whatever was needed to renew and sustain relationship with the people.

God’s message through Jeremiah was that his once-devoted people were no longer faithful. Like Isaiah, Jeremiah proclaimed the promise of a new king who would be righteous and compassionate, a leader who would fulfill God’s purpose. (Jeremiah 23: 1-8)

Definitions of Key Words

JUSTICE: the principal of right action and fairness as related to treating people fairly and honestly.

HOPE: trust in or reliance on someone or something.

CONFESSION: the act of admitting your wrongdoing or sins.

The Big Question:

Who will I always be able to count on?

The people of Judah were not faithful to God, yet God remained faithful to them. God could have abandoned the people, let them suffer the result of their sin, yet God did not do that. God is the model of faithfulness for us.

Baptismal Connection

Today’s lesson focuses on the clause “to strive for justice and peace in all the earth”. Working for justice and peace is central to the call to follow God. Prophets like Isaiah & Jeremiah made it clear that what God wants from His people is for them to work in this world on behalf of those who are in need. Working for peace & justice is one of the most important ways we can share God’s love with the world.

Best/Worst (hi’s / low’s) from your week?

Closing Prayer

LEADER: Lord, even though your people turned their back on you,
GROUP: You were faithful.
LEADER: Even though we were in sin,
GROUP: You sent your Son to die for us.
LEADER: Even though we don’t deserve it,
GROUP: You give us your grace.
LEADER: Be with us as we tell others of what you have done in our lives.
GROUP: Thank you, Lord
ALL: Amen.