This chapter has three major sections. First (v.1-8), God reproves His people for their sins and proclaims the separation these sins have made between them and their God. Second (v.9-15), the people despair of their condition and repent of their sins. Third (v.16-21), God raises up a Redeemer who delivers Israel from the enemy. God Himself will defend His people.

What Does It Say?

1. The works of the people are works of ___________, and the act of ____________ is in their hands.
2. The way of _________ they know not; and there is no ___________ in their goings.
3. God’s people all roar like ___________, and mourn sore like ___________.
4. Truth fails and he that departs from ________ makes himself a _________.
5. God’s ____________ with Israel is that, “My _________ that is upon thee, and my _________ which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth.”

What Does It Mean?

1. In verse 5, the wicked “hatch cockatrice’ eggs.” He “that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.” The cockatrice is mentioned four times in the English Bible (Isaiah 11:8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
   See All...; Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 59:5; Jeremiah 8:17For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD.
   See All...). Though its exact identity is disputed, it is a very poisonous snake. Consider the picture that is given in this verse. [Note: the spider’s web is further developed in the next verse and will not be considered here.] The wicked are said to hatch the eggs of a cockatrice. What are the two things mentioned in this verse that someone could do with the snake eggs? What is the outcome of each action? What is the point or points that Isaiah is making by this description?
2. Verse 16 begins, “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor.” Compare this to Ecclesiastes 4:1So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.
   See All.... What is an intercessor? What are some other words that are synonyms to this word? Who shows up as an intercessor in this chapter? Who is our intercessor? Can you give a scripture or scriptures?
3. Compare Isaiah 59:17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
   See All... with Ephesians 6:14-17 [14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
   See All.... What is similar about the armor and garments mentioned in the two passages? What is different? Ephesians 6 is giving the armor of the Christian. Isaiah 59:17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
   See All... is describing the armor of the Redeemer of Israel (v.20). How does this distinction help you understand the differences in their garments?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Verses 1-2 of this chapter are familiar to many people. They speak of the danger of allowing sins to come between us and God. How do people do this? What damage do these sins do to the working of God? What must be done to renew the power of God in our lives? [The concept of iniquity plays a major part in this chapter: v.2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12. Iniquity comes from in-equity (equity is also found here in v.14). It refers to things that are not equal. Another prominent word in this chapter is judgment: v.8, 9, 11, 14, 15. How do both of these words fit into the same theme in this chapter? What is the instruction that we need to get from these words and the connected teaching?]
2. God determines to redeem His people. Verse 19 states, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” This is a blessed assurance. The enemy is compared to a flood that is about to overwhelm the saints. Just in time, the Lord comes to the battle (the standard is a battle flag) and defends His people. What examples of this kind of deliverance can you think of in the Bible? What examples can you find in your own life?

Suggested Memory Verses

Isaiah 59:1-2 [1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: [2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
See All..., Isaiah 59:16-17 [16] And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. [17] For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
See All..., Isaiah 59:19So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
See All...