Page 73 - Divinity_F5

Divinity for Advanced Secondary Schools

built the temple using the exact model Exercise 4.3
he had seen in Assyria, a pagan nation.
They should listen to the advice of God’s 1. Based on Prophet Isaiah, account for
messengers as opposed to Ahaz, who the weaknesses of King Ahaz and
never listened to Prophet Isaiah. They how we can avoid them today.
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
should respect places of worship and use 2. How can you use the weaknesses of
the church funds properly, unlike Ahaz, King Ahaz as a springboard to learn
who plundered the temple and palace and avoid bad leadership?
treasures.
The Second Isaiah’s message to the

They should promote and preserve the suffering Israelites (Isaiah 40:1ff)
country’s independence, unlike Ahaz, The prophet talked to the people in
who allowed foreign nations to dominate exile to comfort them and encourage
decision-making in Judah. They should the people of Jerusalem (Isa. 40:1-12).
stand firm and be courageous when Isaiah assured the exiles that they had
greatly suffered and that their sins were
faced with problems, unlike Ahaz, who forgiven (Isa. 40:2).
trembled when he heard that the Assyrian
army was already in the territory. In Isaiah 40:6, a voice again cried out
to the prophet to proclaim that the word
They should pray to God and ask for of the Lord endures forever and the
his guidance in case of problems, unlike people will not endure any more. They
Ahaz, who refused to ask for a sign when would be freed from the bondage of
God told him through the prophets. captivity. Furthermore, he proclaimed
They should be principled and stick the good news to Jerusalem and Judah
to their good principles, unlike Ahaz, and encouraged them not to be afraid
who removed the platform for the royal because their God was coming (Isa.
throne and closed up the king`s entrance 40:9-11). He said the Lord would care
to the temple to please the Assyrian for his flock like a shepherd, gathering

Emperor. and carrying the lambs in his arms.

Activity 4.3 Isaiah called upon the exiles to
understand that the Babylonians’ gods
Use the library, the internet and the Bible were not helpful and they were worthless
to research and describe King Ahaz and (Isa. 40:9-20). Isaiah reminded the exiles
his reign. to acknowledge and glorify Yahweh as a
God above other gods. Isaiah portrayed
God’s universality by pointing out that

64 Form Five Student’s Book