NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR MAY 9, 2021 : TOPIC – OFFERING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
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IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
NIGERA BAPTIST CONVENTION
DATE: MAY 9, 2021
TOPIC: ISAIAH: OFFERING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
DEVOTIONAL READING: Jeremiah 29:10-14
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 29
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 29:13-24
GOLDEN TEXT
Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction. Isaiah 29:24
OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
• Identify the sins of the people as seen in the passage
• Discuss the future promises of God to His people;
• Demonstrate the willingness to worship God with all sincerity so that they will escape the damnation that awaits the wicked.
INTRODUCTION
One of the major problems of the people of Israel and Judah was inconsistency. They failed to maintain a steady relationship with God, despite His faithfulness towards them since their exodus from Egypt and throughout their wilderness experiences. They forgot God’s covenant with them to be their God and to keep His commandants. Instead, they continuously rebelled against God and disobeyed His commandments, regardless of the several warnings through His prophets among whom was Prophet Isaiah. Thereafter came several predictions of doom against the people that God will bring disaster on the city called “God’s own altar”. There will be weeping and wailing, and the whole city will be like an altar covered with blood (v. 2). After these predictions of woe, the theme suddenly changed. God promised hope to His people in the future.
Today’s lesson focuses on Isaiah’s condemnation of Judah’s blindness and lip services and her substitution of the word of God with the traditions of men. He gave a message of hope that God will restore His people and their land. Though Syria will besiege them as a result of their sins (vv. 1-4); but because of God’s great love, He will destroy their enemies and they will vanish like a dream (vv. 5-8). He will also turn their forest to a fruitful field (vv. 17-24).
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. FALSE WORSHIP CONDEMNED
Isaiah 29:13-16
From the previous verses, Prophet Isaiah made the people of Judah to know that their problem was not really the Syrians but their disobedience and lack of trust in God. He clearly specified the spiritual dullness, indifference, unstable nature of the people and their inability to understand the vision of God (vv. 9-12). They could not clearly see the meaning of every prophetic vision from God to them because of their disobedience. Consequently, the Lord decided to expose their sins and condemned their untruthful worship, which includes:
• Lip service with a heart far away from God (v. 13).
• How they followed men’s rules and traditions, which they have learned from their fathers instead of obeying God’s commands.
• Their spiritual blindness and how their eyes and brain have been sealed.
• Their acclaimed wisdom and intelligence (v. 14).
• Their thought of being smart and turning things upside down against the will of God (. 15).
• Their plan to outwit God (v. 16).
The fact remains that the people of Jerusalem did not walk with God in sincerity of hearts. They only honoured Him with their lips but their hearts were far away from Him. They were superficially religious like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time (Mark 7:6ff; Matthew 15:8, 9) without any form of spirituality. Therefore, Jesus condemned their lip service because it is no use claiming to worship God and still teaching human rules and laws. Even today, many people claim to worship God but their knowledge or submision is not based on God’s righteousness (Romans 10:2, 3). Rather, they are controlled by man-made laws, which they have learned from childhood. However, God promised to surprise the people of Judah with wonders to show His mightiness and put to foolishness their wisdom and intelligence (v. 14). After all, what is formed (the people of Judah) cannot dictate to its Maker (God). The lesson is an encouragement to Christians to worship God in spirit and in truth and to acknowledge Him as our Maker (Proverbs 23:26; Jeremiah 17:5-8).
DISCUSSION TIME
1. What is the difference between giving one’s lips and giving one’s heart to God?
2. Discuss verse 16 and its implications for believers.
B. MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR THE PEOPLE
Isaiah 29:17-24
Having condemned the superficial worship of the people of Judah, God also pronounced woe to those who hide their plans from Him and do evil works in darkness (v. 15). Thereafter, the subject of the message changed. God sent a message of hope and deliverance through Prophet Isaiah to the people of Judah. He said in verse 17, “In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?” In other words, the prophecy will change everything, which will manifest in the following ways:
• Those who were once deaf will be able to hear a book being read aloud from the sealed scroll that they could not read (v. 18a).
• The blind who have been living in darkness will be able to see (v. 186).
• The poor and humble will once again live in happiness, which comes from God (v. 19).
• There will be no more oppression of God’s people and contempt for God.
• God will destroy those who slander, who prevent the punishment of criminals _those who lie, pervert justice and stop honest people from getting justice (Vv. 20-21).
• God’s people will no longer be disgraced or ashamed (v. 22b).
Above all, God’s promise to the people of Judah was clear. The enemies will see the work of His hands such that they will acknowledge that He is the holy God of Israel. Of course, the aftermath of the experience is that God’s people will honour Him and stand in awe of Him. Ultimately, foolish people will gain understanding and those who always complain will be ready to learn (v. 24). Finally, their hearts will turn to God and they will carefully follow His instructions. Simply put, God promised to restore Judah from their superficial religiosity to genuine spirituality. He promised to show them mercy and restore them unto Himself and stop oppression of Syria with her warlord, Sennacherib from invading their land. Then they will acknowledge the name of their holy God and serve Him in holiness. The summary of the lesson is that Christians should be encouraged with these promises of restoration. Despite the challenges of oppression hardship, injustice and persecution in the land, God will surely intervene and change our trials to testimonies. Then people will acknowledge His power to do wonders among all the nations.
DISCUSSION TIME
1. In which areas does our country Nigeria need transformation and why?
2. What steps should Christians take before we can enjoy the blessings of God as stated in verse 22?
FELLOWSHIP AND MINISTRY BUILDING ACTIVITY
• If possible, let some representatives of the class visit a camp of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) or a community where there is severe persecution or hardship during the week and deliver to them the message of hope.
TAKE HOME
• Worship God in spirit and in truth.
• There is hope for God’s people.
• God will disgrace wicked leaders and deliver His treasured people from their hands.
• Everyone is like clay in God’s hand. He can break and mould us according to His will.
• Obedience to God’s instruction leads to blessings and glory.
• Disobedience to God is foolishness.