41

Isaiah 36–47

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
Isaiah 36–39. King Hezekiah Sought Help from the Lord and the Lord Hearkened to His Pleadings Sennacherib, king of Assyria, overran many of Judah’s cities and sent men to Jerusalem to intimidate Hezekiah into surrendering (see Isaiah 36; 37:8–13; 2 Kings 18:17–37; 19:8–13). Hezekiah sent messengers to Isaiah and sought the Lord’s help in prayer (see Isaiah 37:1–5, 14–20; 2 Kings 19:1–5, 14–19). Isaiah prophesied the destruction of the Assyrians and the death of Sennacherib; both prophecies were fulfilled (see Isaiah 37:6–7, 21–38; 2 Kings 19:6–7, 20–37). Despite being appointed unto death, Hezekiah pleaded with the Lord, and his life was miraculously lengthened by fifteen years (see Isaiah 38; 2 Kings 20:1–11). Hezekiah showed messengers from Babylon his treasures, and Isaiah prophesied of Judah’s captivity in Babylon (see Isaiah 39; 2 Kings 20:12–19).	Religion 302 student manual, 12-20 through 12-34; F-1 through F-3; 16-1 through 16-2. Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, lesson 37, section E.
Isaiah 40:1–41:20; 42:1–44:8; 44:21–27; 46:3–4. Jehovah Was Proclaimed As the God and the Deliverer of Israel and As the Coming Messiah The glorious advent of the Lord in the latter days was predicted; it would be announced by a forerunner (see Isaiah 40:1–8). Israel’s safety is assured, for the Lord, who is incomparably great, holds her in his powerful hand (see Isaiah 40:9–31). Israel, scattered upon the isles of the sea, would be gathered as the Lord’s people (see Isaiah 41:1–9; 43:5–7). The Lord affirmed that he would uphold and strengthen Israel (see Isaiah 41:10–20; 46:3–4). The Lord would send forth his gospel as a light to the Gentiles and to those who would be in darkness (see Isaiah 42:5–16). Isaiah prophesied of the Messiah, who would bring forth judgment to establish truth but who would neither harm nor hurt the weak (see Isaiah 42:1–4). Because the Lord’s people would not see or hear him, they were spoiled and snared, but he would send a messenger to open their eyes and unstop their ears (see Isaiah 42:17–25; JST, Isaiah 42:19–23). Christ is the true God and Savior of Israel, and though they forsook him, he did not forget them but called them to return to him and promised he yet would own and prosper them (see Isaiah 43:1–4; 8–28; 44:1–8, 21–27; JST, Isaiah 43:13).	Religion 302 student manual, 16-3 through 16-16; 16-18 through 16-30. Matthew 12:17–21. A fulfillment of Isaiah 42:1–4 is given. Matthew 3:1–10. What event partially fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3? (see also Mark 1:2–8; Luke 3:2–17; 1 Nephi 10:7–10). D&C 88:66. What is the voice of one in the wilderness comparable to in modern scripture? DS, 2:155. What did Isaiah’s mention of visiting and bringing prisoners from the prison mean? (see also Isaiah 24:22; 42:7; 61:1; D&C 138:42; Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 2:81). LeGrand Richards, in CR, Apr. 1974, p. 168. What did Isaiah mean when he said that the Lord has declared the end from the beginning? LeGrand Richards, in CR, Apr. 1978, p. 113. How has Isaiah 41:18 been partly fulfilled? (see also LeGrand Richards, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, pp. 238–39).
Isaiah 41:21–29; 44:9–20, 28; 45:1–46:2; 46:5–47:15. The Lord Alone Shall Save Israel, and the Idols of Men Shall Be Destroyed The impotence and uselessness of the idol gods of men were declared, and believers in them were denounced as full of vanity (see Isaiah 41:21–29; 44:9–20; 46:1–2, 5–7). Some 140 years before the fact, Isaiah prophesied that Cyrus would be used by the Lord to deliver Judah (see Isaiah 44:28–45:4, 13). There is no God or Savior but the Lord; he created all things and every knee shall bow to him and every tongue confess him (see Isaiah 45:5–12, 14–25; 46:8–13). The Babylonian empire would be destroyed (see Isaiah 47).	Religion 302 student manual, 16-17; 16-31 through 16-41. Psalm 115:4–8. What points are used by the psalmist to demonstrate the folly of idol worship? (see also Isaiah 41:29). D&C 1:16. Why do men not seek the Lord nor seek to establish his righteousness? D&C 121:33. How effective can unrighteous men be in hindering the Lord from accomplishing his will? Ezra 1:1–8. How did Cyrus fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 44:28? (see also 2 Chronicles 36:22–23). AF, pp. 275–76. How does Isaiah 45:8 relate to the restoration of the gospel and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon? (See also Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p. 99; and Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, 17:287–88.) Bruce R. McConkie, in CR, Apr. 1972, p. 135. Who are to be witnesses of God’s name in the latter days?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

“I Am the Lord, and … There Is No God beside Me” (Isaiah 45:5) (Sections B–C)

A key concept of this lesson is that whether we speak of ancient Israel who fashioned gods of wood and stone, or of modern covenant Israel, who may choose to worship their talent or their possessions or sometimes their time and interests, it is all idolatry.

There is no God like the Lord. Anyone who places his own selfish interests and appetites above his love for the Lord and his loyalty to Him will not prosper. Students should already know that. The scriptures are firm and clear on those matters (see Isaiah 40:23, 28, 31; 41:10–13, 29; 43:3, 10–13, 15; 45:21–23; 46:3; 47:8–10, 13–15; Deuteronomy 28:15, 29; Matthew 6:33; 7:24–27). You may, however choose to emphasize those concepts by using some of the references listed.

Review Isaiah 40–47 by using transparency 25, which contrasts the God of heaven and his followers with the gods of men and their followers. As you discuss the concepts, reveal the corresponding parts of the transparency.

Draw parallels between Isaiah’s time and ours. Point out that those who follow the Lord in our day experience the same blessings and have the same assurances as the righteous in Isaiah’s time did. Those in our day who follow idolatry may not make the same kind of idols to bow down to, but their course is still the same as the idolaters of Isaiah’s day: they worship the workmanship of their own hands, which has no power to save.

Why Do Men Choose Evil? (Sections A–C)

The major effort in this lesson should be to help your students understand why some people choose the foolish path, although they know it is wrong, and to help them avoid such a path with its disastrous consequences.

It may seem in our day that there is no idolatrous worship, but it is actually not as far from our daily life as we may at first suppose. The following questions should help you stimulate a discussion that will help your students understand why men choose evil and to arm your students with a determination to avoid such pitfalls themselves.

1. What is idolatry? (see Religion 301 student manual, F-2; F-4; F-6; F-7).

2. Why was idolatry attractive? (see Religion 301 student manual, F-8). Help students to understand that idolatry appealed to the appetites and passions of the body.

3. How did idolatry serve as a tool to despotic rulers? (It appealed to the people’s lusts, so the ruler could enslave an unworthy nation by providing opportunity for their easy adoption of idolatry.)

4. Are there any idolatrous practices in our society? (see Religion 301 student manual, F-9).

5. Why are seemingly innocent things so serious? (We worship what we love; see Matthew 6:19–24.)

6. Is it wrong to have nice things that money can buy in this life? (It is evil only when we come to love them and set our hearts on them, and that is very easy to do; see 1 Timothy 6:10.)

7. What should be the attitude of the heart in every Latter-day Saint? (see Mosiah 4:16–25; Alma 34:17–29).

8. What is the whole duty of man? (see Ecclesiastes 12:13; John 7:16–17; 14:15).