Read Isaiah Chapter 53; Read Psalm 22
Try to read these two chapters in different versions than what you usually use to study. If you only have one version, read them multiple times. Meditate on the imagery. Record your observations.
1. Read Isaiah 6:8-9 and record how it relates to the statement in Isaiah 53:1.
2. Why do you think that the words of the prophets were so hard for men to believe? What is it about the voice of the prophet that the heart of man wants to reject?
3. What do you learn from the following verses?
□ John 12:37-38?
□ Romans 10:14-16?
□ 1 Corinthians 1:18-29
4. What do these verses teach about the tender plant mentioned in Isaiah 53:2?
□ Isaiah 4:2
□ Isaiah 11:10
□ Jeremiah 23:5
□ Zechariah 3:8
□ Zechariah 6:12
□ Revelation 5:5
5. What do the following tell us about this man described in Isaiah 53:3?
□ Psalm 22:6
□ Isaiah 49:7
□ John 1:10-11
6. Read John 6:26-69. This is just one example of Jesus interacting with people. What evidence is there in John 6 that Jesus was this man being described in Isaiah 53:3?
Going deeper.
7. Using what you know of the New Testament, answer the following questions:
What sorrows did Jesus suffer?
How was He acquainted with grief?
How do you know He was despised? Not esteemed?
4. Re-read Isaiah 53:4-5. Meditate on this. Consider it in other versions. Consider looking up some of the Hebrew words, e.g. “griefs,” “sorrows,” “transgression,” “chastisement,” to understand more clearly how the words are being used. Record what you learn and your reactions to this disturbing picture.
5. What do the following verses add?
□ Matthew 8:17
□ John 1:29
□ Romans 3:20-26
□ Hebrews 9:28
□ 1 Peter 2:24
Going deeper
6. What does the word “propitiation” mean? How does it apply to Isaiah 53? Jesus?
7. Why was this bearing of our griefs and sorrows necessary? Why was it necessary that Messiah be stricken, smitten, afflicted, and wounded? (Hint: Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; Psalm 14:1-3)
8. According to Isaiah 53:6, whose punishment was Jesus taking?
9. Respond to these verses in your daily conversation with God. Tell Him what it means to you when you read these verses.
Rooted and Grounded 