Isaiah 59 · Grade 5

No Intercessor

Name Date

Read and Think

Isaiah 59 has three movements: accusation (verses 1-8), confession (9-15a), and divine intervention (15b-21). The accusation begins by defending God: his "hand is not shortened" (compare 50:2). The real barrier is moral: "your sins have hidden his face from you." Isaiah describes a society that hatches evil like vipers' eggs and weaves deeds like spider webs that cannot clothe anyone. In the New Testament, Paul strings verses 7-8 into his proof of universal sin (Romans 3:15-17).

Verses 9-15a switch to "we." The community confesses: "We look for light, but see darkness... We grope for the wall like the blind." They admit, "our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them." Truth "has fallen in the street, and uprightness can't enter." Confession is the turning point; it prepares the way for God's action.

God sees "that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor." So "his own arm brought salvation." The divine warrior's armor is righteousness, salvation, vengeance, and zeal; Paul adapts it for believers in Ephesians 6:14-17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8 in the New Testament. "A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob." In the New Testament, Paul applies this to Christ in Romans 11:26-27. The chapter ends with a covenant promise of God's Spirit and words "from now on and forever."

Show What You Know

What are the three movements of the chapter?
What image shows that evil deeds cannot help anyone?
Which New Testament passages adapt the armor for believers?
Where does Paul apply the Redeemer promise to Christ?

Crossword

Across

Nor his ____ dull.
Yahweh’s ____ is not shortened.
And there is no ____ in their ways.

Down

For ____ has fallen in the street.
That it can’t ____.

Think About It

God wondered that there was no intercessor and acted himself. How does this point to the Redeemer?
Confession was the turning point. What role does honest confession play in your walk with God?

Memory Verse

“A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from disobedience in Jacob,” says Yahweh.

Isaiah 59:20 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for being able to save. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

God promised His Spirit and words would not depart from His people's children. How can you pass on God's words to the next generation?
How does God's arm show love?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?