God Calls His People Back

Key Scriptures — In Order of Use

Isaiah 1:18 — Anchor verse. Read at top and return in closing.

Isaiah 1:2–3 — The ox knows its owner; Israel does not know.

Isaiah 1:11–13 — What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? Who required this trampling?

Isaiah 5:2, 7 — The vineyard yielded wild grapes / he looked for justice, found bloodshed.

Isaiah 5:24 — They have rejected the law of the Lord and despised the word of the Holy One.

Isaiah 9:6–7 — To us a child is born / Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father.

Isaiah 13:17–19 — God stirs up the Medes; Babylon will be like Sodom.

Isaiah 14:13–15 — I will make myself like the Most High / brought down to the pit.

Isaiah 22:11 — But you did not look to him who did it.

Isaiah 25:6–8 — A feast for all peoples / he will swallow up death forever.

Isaiah 26:3 — Perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.

Romans 2:4 — God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.

PNotes

Intro: The courtroom imagery of Isaiah 1

Section 1 (Empty religion): The Isaiah 1:11–13 passage is one of the sharpest in the OT about religious performance without heart. Let it land, then push the personal application — tithing out of habit, prayer on autopilot — before moving to the invitation of 1:18.

Section 3 (Isaiah 9): The contrast between darkness and the child announcement is the emotional high point of the message. Read Isaiah 9:6 with full weight, then transition directly into a gospel invitation for anyone who has never trusted Christ — don’t rush past it.

Section 4 (Nations): Keep the sovereignty material moving quickly through the oracle summaries, but slow down for the personal ‘what’s your throne room’ application — that’s the hinge that keeps this section from feeling like ancient history.

Section 5 (Trust): The Jerusalem wall-repair scene in chapter 22 is highly relatable — they did everything practical and forgot to look to God. This is a strong moment for direct eye contact and the ‘what is your Egypt’ question.

Section 6 (Isaiah 25): The ‘swallow up death forever’ vision is where Isaiah’s ultimate hope lives. Let the restoration vision carry real weight before you close.