Study of Isaiah’s Water & Food Imagery
April 13, 2024
Spring Mission Rally of the Grand Canyon West Circuit of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society
1 Introduction
Share a time when you found yourself the most hungry or the most thirsty. Describe how it happened and how it felt to find food or water for yourself.
Scripture often uses the picture of hunger and thirst to depict spiritual realities. Use law and gospel to explain why this is a fitting analogy for everyone, everywhere, and across all time.
2 Be aware of the danger!
Estimate much water the Arizona forest service recommend hikers take for a long hike. Explain why. The people in Isaiah’s time were in dire need of warning and dire need of God’s mercy for sinners. They were about to become, “like a grove that has no water.” (Is 1:30) Scan through Isaiah 1 and describe the following:
–Their Attitude:
–God’s Response:
How have you seen the same attitude(s) reflected by your own sinful nature and by the world today?
3 Don’t fool yourself!
Scan through Isaiah 29:1-14. Ariel is a play on words in Hebrew meaning either “Lion of God” or “Altar hearth of burning coals.” Jerusalem was the former, but would soon become the later.
–29:8 Describes the delusion of unrepentant sinners. How is this still true for those trapped in sin today?
–29:13 Describes one of the main traps of false worship. Explain how many today buy into this lie.
“You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters will not fail.” -Isaiah 58:11
Examine the context of Isaiah 58 and discuss the dangers of false worship.
Explain how the Church fulfills Is 58:11.
4 The Lord’s Faithful Provision.
[Skip this exercise if time is short] Read through Isaiah 5 “The Song of the Lord’s Vineyard.” Summarize the history of the Lord’s provision for Israel and Israel’s response.
Read also Jesus’ parable in Mark 12:1-12. Give a summary of the history of the New Testament Church.
Use your analysis of the history of the Church to explain how the same things are seen in today’s missions.
5 God’s Gospel Invitation.
Scan through each chapter and identify which verses teach each truth regarding spiritual hunger and thirst.
Isaiah 55 John 6
Grace Alone
Faith Alone
Scripture Alone
Christ Alone
6 “I am…”
Explain how Christ alone ultimately fulfills each promise.
- Isaiah 41:17 The afflicted and the poor seek water, but there is none. Their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the Lord, I myself will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will not leave them.
- Isaiah 44:3 I will pour out water upon a thirsty land, and streams of water upon dry ground. I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
- Isaiah 49:10 They will not hunger, and they will not thirst, and neither scorching wind nor sun will strike them, because the one who shows them mercy will lead them. He will guide them beside springs of water.
- Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.
7 Jerusalem will be a source of gladness and joy.
Describe the neighborhood your home is in and the two very opposite attitudes toward spiritual hunger and thirst.
Read Isaiah 65:13-18.
–Explain how God plans to bring real food and drink to satisfy forever.
–Share some ways in which God will fulfill his plan through you, your household, and your church family.