Our Iniquities Have Taken Us Away

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PASSAGE: Isaiah 64:1-12

COMMENT: Isaiah, as a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah, writes at a time of great distress. The northern kingdom of Israel has been destroyed by the Assyrians and the Assyrians are working to systematically destroy Judah as well. Isaiah seeks divine intervention but also recognizes that Judah’s own iniquities have brought this judgment on them. He appeals to the mercy of God. They are His people and He is their father.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

1.                   When God came down to earth, the mountains flowed down at His __________.

2.                   God meets with him that rejoices and works _____________; with those that remember Him in His ________.

3.                   Our iniquities, like the _______, have taken us away.

4.                   “Be not wroth very ________, O LORD, neither remember ________ for ever.”

5.                   “Our holy and our beautiful _________, where our fathers ___________ thee, is burned up with fire.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.                   Carefully read Isaiah 64:1-2. What is Isaiah desiring of the Lord? What is he asking the Lord to do?

2.                   Compare Isaiah 64:4 with its New Testament quote in 1Corinthians 2:9. Read 1Corinthians 2:7-10 for context. Explain the meaning of Isaiah 64:4 and explain how it is used in 1Corinthians 2:9-10.

3.                   Isaiah 64:6 states that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Righteousness generally refers to the good things we do. How can they be compared to filthy rags? How does this verse compare with Philippians 3:9 and Revelation 3:17-18?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

1.                   Isaiah 64:7 begins, “And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee.” What kind of person is the Lord looking for in this verse? What steps could you take in order to be more like this kind of a person?

2.                   Isaiah 64:8 states, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:9 adds, “behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.” What are the three relationships to the Lord that are spoken of in these two verses? Take each one separately and write out what this relationship means to you.  

SUGGESTED MEMORY VERSES:  Isaiah 64:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9