Our next section in Isaiah will be Chs. 17-23. Notice that the main assignments for the most part only involve observation of the text. The bonus assignments go more into interpretation, and mostly doing word studies. Have fun with whatever you do in these chapters!
1. List and briefly describe the unusual or symbolic names/functions of the Lord in this section.
2. Trace all the places where the noun or verb “plan” occurs in this section. (See also chapter 14.) Briefly describe what you learn from the way this repeated term/idea is used.
3. What significant feature of the oracle about Egypt (chapter 19) do you find unique among the 10 oracles of chapters 13-23? What do you make of this uniqueness?
4. List and briefly describe the symbols/functions connected to Eliakim in 22:20-24.
Bonus assignments:
5. The meaning of “look to” in Isaiah (sha'ah – e.g. 17:7, 8; 22:11; 31:1; etc.)
6. The meaning and significance of the relatively infrequent but significant term “bless” (also blessed & blessing) in the book of Isaiah
7. The meaning and significance of the symbolic “key” in 22:22
8. The meaning of “glory” (kabod) generally, and also particularly in its somewhat different use in this section of Isaiah (cf. esp. chs. 17, 22, 23)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Isaiah Assignment #5
Here are some questions for studying Isaiah 10:5 through Isaiah 16.
1. Besides “the Holy One of Israel,” what other compound names/titles of God are used in this section? Which are even more frequent than “the Holy One of Israel”? Why do you think this is?
2. Make as many observations as you can from the text of 11:1-12 about the Messiah in these four categories: 1) identity, 2) character, 3) activity, and 4) the results or effects of this Messianic person and work.
3. List, in summary form, the statements in this section connected to the phrase “in that day”. After looking at the statements connected to this phrase in the preceding (chs. 3, 4, 5, and 7) and following chapter (ch. 17) what observations can you make about this “day”?
4. List and briefly describe the main themes in the song of praise in chapter 12. Do you find any of these themes rather surprising?
What more? Are you sure? Okay, some bonus (more interpretive) questions:
5. The meaning and significance of God’s “anger” and “wrath”
6. The hermeneutical legitimacy and method whereby 14:13-15 can refer to the fall of Lucifer
7. The meaning of “oracle” (Hebrew "massa")
1. Besides “the Holy One of Israel,” what other compound names/titles of God are used in this section? Which are even more frequent than “the Holy One of Israel”? Why do you think this is?
2. Make as many observations as you can from the text of 11:1-12 about the Messiah in these four categories: 1) identity, 2) character, 3) activity, and 4) the results or effects of this Messianic person and work.
3. List, in summary form, the statements in this section connected to the phrase “in that day”. After looking at the statements connected to this phrase in the preceding (chs. 3, 4, 5, and 7) and following chapter (ch. 17) what observations can you make about this “day”?
4. List and briefly describe the main themes in the song of praise in chapter 12. Do you find any of these themes rather surprising?
What more? Are you sure? Okay, some bonus (more interpretive) questions:
5. The meaning and significance of God’s “anger” and “wrath”
6. The hermeneutical legitimacy and method whereby 14:13-15 can refer to the fall of Lucifer
7. The meaning of “oracle” (Hebrew "massa")
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Isaiah Assignment #4
We're still looking at the broad section of Isaiah 6-10:4, and the last assignment covered Isa 6-8. So here's some work you can do in the rest of the section, Isa 9-10:4.
1. Trace the metaphors of light and dark(ness) through Isaiah. What do you make of it?
2. The NAS translation has a "For" at the beginning of Isa 9:4, 5, and 6. How does the word "for" connect what comes before with what comes after, and what do you make of that happening in three consecutive verses here?
3. List by categories all the characteristics of the Messiah in 9:6-7. (That is, try to put each characteristic into a more general category.)
4. What repeated statement do you find in 9:8-10:4? What do you think it means? Where else is it found in Isaiah, and why there?
5. Try to summarize Isaiah's main point/idea in the sections before these repeated statements.
Have fun!
Oh, not enough? What some bonus, deeper questions? Okay.
6. There are several unusual things about 9:1. What are they and what do you make of it?
7. Do a word study on the "zeal" of the Lord (9:7).
8. Do a word study of the two words "pride" and "arrogance" in 9:9.
1. Trace the metaphors of light and dark(ness) through Isaiah. What do you make of it?
2. The NAS translation has a "For" at the beginning of Isa 9:4, 5, and 6. How does the word "for" connect what comes before with what comes after, and what do you make of that happening in three consecutive verses here?
3. List by categories all the characteristics of the Messiah in 9:6-7. (That is, try to put each characteristic into a more general category.)
4. What repeated statement do you find in 9:8-10:4? What do you think it means? Where else is it found in Isaiah, and why there?
5. Try to summarize Isaiah's main point/idea in the sections before these repeated statements.
Have fun!
Oh, not enough? What some bonus, deeper questions? Okay.
6. There are several unusual things about 9:1. What are they and what do you make of it?
7. Do a word study on the "zeal" of the Lord (9:7).
8. Do a word study of the two words "pride" and "arrogance" in 9:9.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Isaiah Assignment #3
It's Tuesday and once again I'm just now getting the next assignment up. BUT, since half our Group is gone tomorrow, we won't meet this week. So you've got a whole week to work on this! Still, even though the next section we'll study is Isaiah 6-10:4, let's limit the homework to Isaiah 6-8. Here you go:
1. From Isa 6:1-4 list all the ways God is described, including names and characteristics. What do you make of this long and varied list?
2. In the same passage (6:1-4) what word do you see repeated three times, besides "holy" (and obviously besides "and", "the", and the like)? What do you make of this?
3. How would you label the sequence, or steps, in these sections of chapter 6: 1) vs. 1-4; 2) vs. 5-7; 3) v. 8; 4) vs. 9-10; 5) vs. 11-13? How do they relate to each other?
4. List and give what you think the meanings are for the metaphors/similes in Isa 7-8 used both for the nations the Lord would raise up to judge Judah and also those used for the Lord Himself.
5. In what specific ways is Isa 8:18 carried out in chapters 7 and 8?
Bonuses, for an added challenge:
1. The meaning and significance of "house of David" in chapter 7
2. The meaning and proper interpretation of the word "virgin" in 7:14
3. The two different translations of 8:6 among the versions (e.g. NIV, NET, NAS, NRS) and why
1. From Isa 6:1-4 list all the ways God is described, including names and characteristics. What do you make of this long and varied list?
2. In the same passage (6:1-4) what word do you see repeated three times, besides "holy" (and obviously besides "and", "the", and the like)? What do you make of this?
3. How would you label the sequence, or steps, in these sections of chapter 6: 1) vs. 1-4; 2) vs. 5-7; 3) v. 8; 4) vs. 9-10; 5) vs. 11-13? How do they relate to each other?
4. List and give what you think the meanings are for the metaphors/similes in Isa 7-8 used both for the nations the Lord would raise up to judge Judah and also those used for the Lord Himself.
5. In what specific ways is Isa 8:18 carried out in chapters 7 and 8?
Bonuses, for an added challenge:
1. The meaning and significance of "house of David" in chapter 7
2. The meaning and proper interpretation of the word "virgin" in 7:14
3. The two different translations of 8:6 among the versions (e.g. NIV, NET, NAS, NRS) and why
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Isaiah Assignment #2
Again, sorry for the late post! Hopefully I'll get this up earlier from now on. Here are some questions for study of Isaiah 1-5:
1. Isaiah is mostly poetry, and we ought to pay attention to that! The main characteristic of Hebrew poetry is parallelism, where a line parallels the previous line either in a similar way (synonymous parallelism) or an opposite way (antithetical parallelism). Find examples of both in these first 5 chapters.
Also, see if you can discover some other poetic devices (like, for example, similes or metaphors).
2. Imagine chapter 1 as a courtroom scene. Using the text, identify what happens in this courtroom—for example, the members of the court (prosecutor, judge, jury, defendant, witnesses), the summons, the arraignment, the charges leveled, the sentence, the plea bargain, etc.
3. List out the repeated words and phrases in 2:6-22. Then, make some observations in connection to this repetition (e.g. the poetic structure of this repetition; terms or ideas connected to the repeated words/phrases; relationship of repetitions to one another; etc.).
4. Isa 4:2-6 is a beautiful messianic picture. Describe the three main aspects of this picture: 1) the person of the Messiah, 2) the remnant, 3) the work of the Messiah.
5. What do you think is the main point of the vineyard metaphor in 5:1-7?
Okay, I know, this is quite a bit, especially at this late date. But do what you can and want! See you tomorrow.
1. Isaiah is mostly poetry, and we ought to pay attention to that! The main characteristic of Hebrew poetry is parallelism, where a line parallels the previous line either in a similar way (synonymous parallelism) or an opposite way (antithetical parallelism). Find examples of both in these first 5 chapters.
Also, see if you can discover some other poetic devices (like, for example, similes or metaphors).
2. Imagine chapter 1 as a courtroom scene. Using the text, identify what happens in this courtroom—for example, the members of the court (prosecutor, judge, jury, defendant, witnesses), the summons, the arraignment, the charges leveled, the sentence, the plea bargain, etc.
3. List out the repeated words and phrases in 2:6-22. Then, make some observations in connection to this repetition (e.g. the poetic structure of this repetition; terms or ideas connected to the repeated words/phrases; relationship of repetitions to one another; etc.).
4. Isa 4:2-6 is a beautiful messianic picture. Describe the three main aspects of this picture: 1) the person of the Messiah, 2) the remnant, 3) the work of the Messiah.
5. What do you think is the main point of the vineyard metaphor in 5:1-7?
Okay, I know, this is quite a bit, especially at this late date. But do what you can and want! See you tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Isaiah Assignment #1
Just a reminder: as a way to begin Isaiah, let's trace the theme of holiness through the book.
1) Do some thinking/studying/tracing of the unique title "Holy One of Israel."
2) Also, trace the words "holy", "holiness" in the book. What do you discover?
1) Do some thinking/studying/tracing of the unique title "Holy One of Israel."
2) Also, trace the words "holy", "holiness" in the book. What do you discover?
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Budget issues
I find the whole idea of staff cuts or reductions in staff pay disturbing, especially if the body is not fulfilling its end of the bargain by being faithful in tithes and offerings.
I don't particularly care that the economy is depressed; is the Ancient of Days dependent on the economic status of the United States? Of course not! Nevermind the status of the global economy - join God's economy. My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hillsides; He never has a credit crunch.
Lets pray that He prospers His people and His church. Even as we are to be in the world but not of it, let us be different in this way as well SO THAT our community sees a difference and wants to know what we have that they do not. Not that there are not important lessons to be learned from lean times, and not that we want to get into some false prosperity doctrine. But we should not be here! Why can't we give out of our abundance AND our poverty? Most of us are feeling the squeeze, but we still have so much. Take a leap of faith!
I don't particularly care that the economy is depressed; is the Ancient of Days dependent on the economic status of the United States? Of course not! Nevermind the status of the global economy - join God's economy. My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hillsides; He never has a credit crunch.
Lets pray that He prospers His people and His church. Even as we are to be in the world but not of it, let us be different in this way as well SO THAT our community sees a difference and wants to know what we have that they do not. Not that there are not important lessons to be learned from lean times, and not that we want to get into some false prosperity doctrine. But we should not be here! Why can't we give out of our abundance AND our poverty? Most of us are feeling the squeeze, but we still have so much. Take a leap of faith!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Groupies,
We will be cleaning the activity center this Saturday morning (1/10) at 8:30am. Bagels will be provided but please bring other breakfast items - eggs, casserole, bacon, etc.
I really enjoyed our discussion tonight about how getting together for any reason, including cleaning is more about being together than the actual activity.
Paul
We will be cleaning the activity center this Saturday morning (1/10) at 8:30am. Bagels will be provided but please bring other breakfast items - eggs, casserole, bacon, etc.
I really enjoyed our discussion tonight about how getting together for any reason, including cleaning is more about being together than the actual activity.
Paul
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Cleaning the Activity Center
Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year! Saturday is our day to clean the activity center. I believe that you have been cleaning at the same time each week, I cannot make it that early because I need to feed Lorelai etc... So I suppose just plan on doing it as you have the past couple months. If someone could mention it at group tomorrow that would be helpful.
Thanks!
Shawn
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year! Saturday is our day to clean the activity center. I believe that you have been cleaning at the same time each week, I cannot make it that early because I need to feed Lorelai etc... So I suppose just plan on doing it as you have the past couple months. If someone could mention it at group tomorrow that would be helpful.
Thanks!
Shawn
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
White Elephant Party
Our annual White Elephant Party will be held at the Holt's this Wednesday. It will begin at 6pm. Please bring hors d'oeuvres.
As always we will have a prize for the best (that is the worst) WE gift. You can always bring a real gift (one of actual value) but bad gifts are preferred.
See you then,
Paul
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cleaning
I didn't read the blog concerning the time we were to clean the activity center until this morning. By then it was too late. I had it in my mind that we were meeting at 9 o'clock. Sorry!
Nancy
Nancy
Cleaning Today
Hi everyone, I just wanted to apologize for not making it this morning to clean. Marci got off of her pump on Wednesday and is now back to the oral medication so mornings are again difficult for her. Its not feasible for me to leave at 7:45am because I have to be feeding and taking care of Lorelai at that time. Sorry again.
See you tomorrow,
Shawn
See you tomorrow,
Shawn
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Chipotle tonight
For anyone interested we will be meeting for dinner tonight at Chipotle, Maumee on Conant near Meier - 5:30pm. We will then go to Rames' at 6:30pm.
Paul
Paul
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Jenny Gariepy
Thank you for all of your prayers. Jenny went through the double mastectomy
without any complications. The surgeons are quiet sure that all the cancer was removed. She is doing amazingly well. Thank you Father.
Nancy
without any complications. The surgeons are quiet sure that all the cancer was removed. She is doing amazingly well. Thank you Father.
Nancy
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Wednesay, December 10 is Roxanne's birthday
Happy Birthday Rox - you are the best!
Lesley
Happy Birthday Rox - you are the best!
Lesley
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Last Wednesday's group time
Hi everyone, just thinking about the last few sermons, intentionally living simply - either in a monetary sense or otherwise. Paul asked the other night, if it is all about money, using the example of teaching someone to fish as opposed to handing them a fish. I thought about this some more and a lightbulb went off as I saw the sermons as our spiritual fishing lessons - not just being handed the fish!!! (Others of you probably got that a long time ago but, hey, better late than not at all!) We have to figure out where the balance is in our lives. Where is God in the midst of our finances and daily living?
So, we are to control wants and to discern the difference between wants and needs. Tim asked the question - what if we were to share our allocation of needs and wants? Would it be a helpful conversation to share with the group? We may come away with finding ways to a simpler lifestyle.
On another random thought - as a group, when and how and why do we commit to do things together - this came up the other night. Personally, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with commitments to different things - all with good intentions, but there was no balance between them and home life with Paul (and Catherine, even though she is away). I realise that I am not living simply and am sharing that with all of you.
We are committed to outreach for the Keyser school teachers, cleaning the Activity center and the two main church outreach events. We talked about having a leader in the group posing the question - how are we doing commitment-wise. Great idea!
So, on that note, we have an opportunity as a group to offer hospitality to the Keyser teachers this Wednesday from 2.30 pm until 4.00+pm. We are going to provide appetizers and punch or some beverage - this is going on during the teachers' pantry time. Anyone that can bring in an appetizer and/or help that day, please post here or email me.
Thanks. Lesley
So, we are to control wants and to discern the difference between wants and needs. Tim asked the question - what if we were to share our allocation of needs and wants? Would it be a helpful conversation to share with the group? We may come away with finding ways to a simpler lifestyle.
On another random thought - as a group, when and how and why do we commit to do things together - this came up the other night. Personally, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with commitments to different things - all with good intentions, but there was no balance between them and home life with Paul (and Catherine, even though she is away). I realise that I am not living simply and am sharing that with all of you.
We are committed to outreach for the Keyser school teachers, cleaning the Activity center and the two main church outreach events. We talked about having a leader in the group posing the question - how are we doing commitment-wise. Great idea!
So, on that note, we have an opportunity as a group to offer hospitality to the Keyser teachers this Wednesday from 2.30 pm until 4.00+pm. We are going to provide appetizers and punch or some beverage - this is going on during the teachers' pantry time. Anyone that can bring in an appetizer and/or help that day, please post here or email me.
Thanks. Lesley
Friday, December 5, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
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