JBF Bible Study Questionnaire                                                                              SWS 11/30/2008

TO US A CHILD IS BORN

Isaiah 9:1-7

Key Verse 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Read verse 1. Who are "those" (Isaiah 8:19-22)? What created their distress (Isaiah 8:19)? When did the Lord humble the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (2Ki 15:29)? When did the Lord fulfill this prophecy? What did the nation of Israel look like when this prophecy was fulfilled?

Read verse 2. What is it like to “walk in darkness” and to live “in the land of the shadow of death”? What is the significance of a “light has dawned” for such people? 

Read verses 3. Describe the effects this light has on the people who were walking in darkness. Why are they celebrating?

Read verses 4-5. What is “Midian’s defeat” a reference to? What does the removal of a “yoke”, “bar” and “rod” tell us about the new life Jesus brings? 

Read verse 6. What does it mean “the government will be on his shoulders”? Describe the four tangible benefits we receive from his government?

Read verse 7. What is the future outlook of Jesus’ kingdom and of those who participate in it? How will it be established and upheld? How will it come about?

JBF Bible Study Questionnaire                                                                              SWS 11/30/2008

TO US A CHILD IS BORN

Isaiah 9:1-7

Key Verse 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

#Question-1

Isaiah 9:1 

    Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan--

 

Read verse 1. Who are "those" (Isaiah 8:19-22)? 

What created their distress (Isaiah 8:19)? 

When did the Lord humble the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (2Ki 15:29)? 

When did the Lord fulfill this prophecy? 

What did the nation of Israel look like when this prophecy was fulfilled?

#Question-2

Isaiah 9:2 

    The people walking in darkness

        have seen a great light;

    on those living in the land of the shadow of death

        a light has dawned. 

    

Read verse 2. What is it like to “walk in darkness” and to live “in the land of the shadow of death”? 

What is the significance of a “light has dawned” for such people? 

#Question-3

Isaiah 9:3 

    You have enlarged the nation

        and increased their joy;

    they rejoice before you

        as people rejoice at the harvest,

    as men rejoice

        when dividing the plunder. 

    

Read verses 3. Describe the effects this light has on the people who were walking in darkness. Why are they celebrating?

#Question-4

Isaiah 9:4-5 

    For as in the day of Midian's defeat,

        you have shattered

    the yoke that burdens them,

        the bar across their shoulders,

        the rod of their oppressor. 

    [5] Every warrior's boot used in battle

        and every garment rolled in blood

    will be destined for burning,

        will be fuel for the fire. 

    

Read verses 4-5. What is “Midian’s defeat” a reference to? 

What does the removal of a “yoke”, “bar” and “rod” tell us about the new life Jesus brings? 

#Question-5

Isaiah 9:6 

    For to us a child is born,

        to us a son is given,

        and the government will be on his shoulders.

    And he will be called

        Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Read verse 6. What does it mean “the government will be on his shoulders”? 

Describe the four tangible benefits we receive from his government?

#Question-6

Isaiah 9:7 

    Of the increase of his government and peace

        there will be no end.

    He will reign on David's throne

        and over his kingdom,

    establishing and upholding it

        with justice and righteousness

        from that time on and forever.

    The zeal of the Lord Almighty

        will accomplish this. 

    

Read verse 7. What is the future outlook of Jesus’ kingdom and of those who participate in it? 

How will it be established and upheld? 

How will it come about?