Chapter Summary

Prophecy concerning last days, when punishment will be visited upon the nations, and Israel shall pass through the Great Tribulation.

Discussion Questions for Isaiah, Chapter 13

1. Isaiah 13:2 repeats an image from Isaiah 5:26 which God raises a signal for nations to come join a battle. How does this image of a warlike God resemble the current society's image of God?
2. If God is the speaker in Isaiah 13:3, why does God use men to execute his anger on others?
3. In Isaiah 13:5 and 9, the scriptures describe the destruction of the land, or others may read earth. Why would God destroy the earth He has created? Why would He be justified in destroying the earth?
4. Isaiah 13:6 commands someone to wail for the Day of the Lord is near. The Day of the Lord is known to be a time of great judgement by the Lord with great destruction upon the group being judged. If judgement is to fall on an entire nation, will those that have been obedient to the Lord suffer during the destruction? Why or why not? How can believers avert a coming Day of the Lord?
5. Isaiah 13:9 reads to destroy sinners from the earth. Romans 3:23 reads that all of have sinned and short of the glory of God. How is God's grace demonstrated to the world when the scripture says that He will destroy all sinners from the earth?
6. Isaiah 13:9-22 shows a very vivid picture of the wrath of God. How can a believer, to use a phrase from Isaiah 12:2, make the deeds of God known and exalt Him in a way that is inviting to a non-believer to come into a relationship with God?
7. Isaiah 13:17 reads that God is stirring the Medes to come against the people and the Medes have not interest in gold and silver. Many people are motivated by wealth to act. What are the greatest motivation techniques for people to act and why?
8. The phrase "day of the Lord" is used twice in Isaiah 13. Isaiah describes the day of Lord in Isaiah 2:12 For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low; Does this description of the day of Lord only apply to end time prophecy or should we be mindful of other "days of the Lord"? How should either belief affect a believer's actions in persecution?
9. According to Isaiah 13:20-22, Israel will become uninhabitable. The land was promised to the forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) for their seed forever. Has God broken His promise when He allowed the children of Israel be carried off in Exile? Is there a contingency to the promises of God, is so why?
10. Isaiah 12 encourages praise and declaring the goodness of God. Isaiah 13 shows the wrath and judgement of God. Why are these two chapters place side by side in the Book of Isaiah?

Key Words/Phrase

Day of the Lord (tv. 6, 9) (fierce anger, v. 13).

Characters

God, Isaiah.

Strong Verse(s)

9, 11.