Chapter Summary

Answer of Jehovah to remnant of Israel. Eternal blessing in the renovated earth.

Discussion Questions for Isaiah, Chapter 65

1. Who is doing the action in verses 1-2? Who is responding poorly? What is longsuffering? How does verse 2 show the longsuffering nature of God? Have you ever experienced the longsuffering goodness of God? How?
2. In verse 2 it says that the people were, “following their own thoughts” (NASB1995). Compare this with Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 55:8-9 and discuss.
3. The actions of the people in verse 3 seem like they would be favorable to God. Why are they not? Compare this verse with Matthew 15:8-9.
4. In verses 8-16, what is God broadly promising? To whom is He making these promises? What is the significance of these promises in light of God's other promises He has made to His people, especially Abraham and his descendants?
5. Why do you think God had the prophet Isaiah record such a drawn-out account of the wrongs the people had done before God? What was the purpose?
6. What is the ironic wording to be found between verses 11 and 12? What is the significance of this wording to those it is directed? Did you find the irony compelling? Why or why not?
7. Verse 15 has some strong language against those who are not following God? Are you even taken aback by this kind of language used to describe God's “feelings” or actions? Why or why not?
8. Verses 17-19 are referencing the new heavens and new earth (including the New Jerusalem). Compare these three verses to Revelation 21:4 and following. What comfort do you find in these verses, be specific?
9. Do you ever wonder why God does not answer specific prayer requests with clearer answers? Do you ever find yourself praying a particular prayer over and over again to God and seemingly get no answer? What does verse 24 say will happen when God's people call on Him in the new creation? Does knowing that God has the same care and concern for you now that He will in the new creation give you some comfort when you do not feel He is answering your prayer or doing so by your timeclock?
10. What information or message do the metaphors of verse 25 communicate? Is it clear what it means? Are these metaphors figurative or is the prophecy something that will actually come to pass as written?

Key Words/Phrase

Israel's hope, v. 8.

Characters

God.

Strong Verse(s)

17, 24.