BBB Bible Series: Isaiah Trivia Quiz

Answer: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah

"The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." (Isaiah 1:1, NIV)

Isaiah is also thought to have prophesied during the time of Manasseh, but Manasseh is not listed in the opening of the book.

Answer: white as snow

"'Come now, let us settle the matter,'says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

One of the toughest stains to remove from clothing is blood. Shed blood is also a result of injury. However when God was pleading with His people, He told them He would change their sins white like snow and wool. They would no longer be something that brought pain and destruction to others, unlike in the past where they had caused destruction of their own people and cities. Instead He would change them into something clean that also brought comfort to others.

God left them an additional promise:
"If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken." (Isaiah 1:19-20, NIV)

Answer: The Lord Almighty

Isaiah wrote in his book, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.'" (Isaiah 6:1-3)

Kings often sewed strips of cloth from the robes of other kings they had conquered in battle. The result was a long robe or train, that followed behind them when they were honored among the people. The Lord Almighty stood in the temple with a robe that filled the building where He was sitting. He was a great king that had won many victories and was exalted higher than any other king Isaiah had known.

This was the beginning of Isaiah's vision of God sending him to be a prophet to His people. Isaiah was so awestruck at the glory and presence of the Lord, he was afraid and realized he was unclean. An angel took a coal from the altar and touched his lips. When God asked, "Who shall I send", Isiah's first response was, "Here am I! Send me!"

God told Isaiah to go and preach. When Isaiah asked Him for how long, God told him until the cities had been destroyed.

Answer: good news and freedom

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." (Isaiah 61:1, NIV)

As one of God's prophets, Isaiah knew the importance of proclaiming God's word to the people. Many times Isaiah also saw the effects of people not understanding or disobeying God's word. However God gave a message of hope to Isaiah and the Jews, that the Messiah would come and set His people free! He would be more than just a great king or leader with physical strengths and an earthly kingdom. He would be able to mend and heal people spiritually and have an eternal reign.

Answer: an unbelieving king

Isaiah originally gave the prophecy of a virgin giving birth to a son, to an unbelieving king. During a time when the kingdom was in turmoil and facing an attack by enemy armies, God offered to give King Ahaz a sign to show He would help him. Although God told King Ahaz to ask for anything, the king refused, claiming he would not test God. Isaiah was angry.

Then Isaiah said, "Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of humans? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 9:13-14, NIV)

Isaiah told King Ahaz that before the child knew good and evil, the enemies he was afraid of would be laid to waste.

Later Isaiah penned the words, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Answer: Shear-Jashub, "a remnant shall return"

Although God promised to bring judgment and captivity to the nation, God left many prophecies where He would return to His people and restore them. Isaiah named his first son, Shear-Jashub, which meant "a remnant shall return". The boy was a witness to others that God would preserve His people.

In Isaiah 8, God told Isaiah to name his second son, Mahershalalhashbaz, which meant "Hurry to the spoils!". God promised that before the boy knew right or wrong, he would destroy the riches of the king of Assyria, an enemy of the Israelites.

Answer: the Word of God

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever." (Isaiah 40:8, NIV)

Isaiah saw many people and circumstances change. Many people lost sight of God and His words during the times of trouble. However Isaiah reminded the people that the word of God would endure when everything else failed.

Answer: eagles

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:30-31, NIV)

Eagles have abilities to fly above storms when many other birds must take refuge. Their powerful wings use the currents in storms to glide above the resistance. Although Isaiah saw many things change and sometimes change for the worst, he reminded people that the Lord was the everlasting God and would not grow tired or weary. Isaiah told them that God would give strength to the weak. Those who trusted in God would rise up rather than be defeated.

Answer: His righteous right hand

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."(Isaiah 41:10, NIV)

God promised to uphold His people with his right hand. It was a sign of rulers, leaders and kings, that they would give favor to a person and treat them fairly. God wanted His people to know He had power to judge and to help.

Answer: Those who are humble, contrite in spirit, and who tremble at God's word.

Throughout the book of Isaiah, Isaiah left many warnings to those who did not follow God and promises to those who were faithful to God in spite of the circumstances.

Isaiah ended his book in the last chapter declaring, "This is what the Lord says: 'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?' declares the Lord.'These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.'" (Isaiah 66:1-2, NIV)