Isaiah, as a prophet of the southern kingdom of Judah, writes at a time of great distress. The northern kingdom of Israel has been destroyed by the Assyrians and the Assyrians are working to systematically destroy Judah as well. Isaiah seeks divine intervention but also recognizes that Judah’s own iniquities have brought this judgment on them. He appeals to the mercy of God. They are His people and He is their father.

What Does It Say?

1. When God came down to earth, the mountains flowed down at His __________.
2. God meets with him that rejoices and works _____________; with those that remember Him in His ________.
3. Our iniquities, like the _______, have taken us away.
4. “Be not wroth very ________, O LORD, neither remember ________ for ever.”
5. “Our holy and our beautiful _________, where our fathers ___________ thee, is burned up with fire.”

What Does It Mean?

1. Carefully read Isaiah 64:1-2 [1] Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, [2] As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
   See All.... What is Isaiah desiring of the Lord? What is he asking the Lord to do?
2. Compare Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
   See All... with its New Testament quote in 1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
   See All.... Read 1 Corinthians 2:7-10 [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: [8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. [9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
   See All... for context. Explain the meaning of Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
   See All... and explain how it is used in 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 [9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. [10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
   See All....
3. Isaiah 64:6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
   See All... states that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Righteousness generally refers to the good things we do. How can they be compared to filthy rags? How does this verse compare with Philippians 3:9Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
   See All... and Revelation 3:17-18 [17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
   See All...?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. Isaiah 64:7And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
   See All... begins, “And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee.” What kind of person is the Lord looking for in this verse? What steps could you take in order to be more like this kind of a person?
2. Isaiah 64:8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
   See All... states, “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:9Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
   See All... adds, “behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.” What are the three relationships to the Lord that are spoken of in these two verses? Take each one separately and write out what this relationship means to you.  

Suggested Memory Verses

Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
See All..., 5, 6, 7, 8, 9