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Sunday, October 19, 2014

Lesson 36: The Prophet Isaiah

Lesson 36: The Prophet Isaiah

Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996), 158–61

Purpose

To teach the children that the prophet Isaiah received revelation for his time and for the latter days.

Preparation

  1. 1. 
    Prayerfully study:
  2. 2. 
    Additional reading:
  3. 3. 
    Study the lesson and decide how you want to teach the children the scripture accounts (see “Preparing Your Lessons,” p. vi, and“Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii). Select the discussion questions and enrichment activities that will best help the children achieve the purpose of the lesson.
  4. 4. 
    Materials needed:
    1. a. 
      The front page of a newspaper.
    2. b. 
      Picture 6-28, The Second Coming (Gospel Art Picture Kit 238; 62562).

Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Show the children the newspaper.
  • •
    Why do we have newspapers? (To learn about what is happening in the world.) Invite a child or two to come to the front of the class and read one of the headlines. Ask the children if they can tell you what the article is about. You might want to take a few minutes to discuss the importance of the event the newspaper article is describing.
Explain that many prophets during Old Testament times told the people about important future events, including some that would occur in the last days. The articles we read in the newspaper often describe events that fulfill these ancient prophecies about the last days. In this lesson the children will learn about some of the important events the prophet Isaiah foretold over 700 years before Jesus Christ was born.

Scripture Accounts

Using the picture at an appropriate time, teach the children Isaiah’s prophecies concerning Hezekiah and his people, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and the Millennium from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture accounts, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Note: Please present information on the Second Coming in a positive way so the children will see it as a joyous event rather than a frightening one.
As you discuss the prophecies of Isaiah, bring out the following points:
  • • The prophet Isaiah lived over 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • • Many of Isaiah’s teachings and prophecies have been quoted by other prophets in the Book of Mormon and the New Testament and by the Savior himself.
  • • Isaiah prophesied of many events that have already happened and many that will yet come to pass.
  • • When Jesus visited the Nephites after his Resurrection, he counseled them to study the words of Isaiah (see 3 Nephi 23:1).

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights.

Hezekiah Prays for Guidance and Follows Isaiah’s Counsel


  • •
    What kind of person was Hezekiah? (2 Kings 18:3, 5–6.) 
  •  1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel,that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
     2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.
     3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.
     4 ¶He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
     5 He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.
     6 For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.
  • Clave means:  joined; stayed close; stuck; held fast; clung

  • What did he do to stop the people from worshiping idols? (2 Kings 18:4.)
  •  4 ¶He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

  •  How was he blessed for his righteousness? (2 Kings 18:7.)
 7 And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.

  • •
    After the Assyrian army conquered many of the cities of Judah, where did Hezekiah turn for help? (Isaiah 37:2, 15.) 
  •  2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
  • What did the Lord tell Hezekiah through Isaiah? (Isaiah 37:6–7, 33–34.) 
6 ¶And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
 7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land. . . . 
  • 33 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.
     34 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the Lord.
  • If we are ridiculed for trusting in God, how can we receive strength? (Through praying, fasting, and reading the scriptures and obeying the words of the living prophet.)
  • •
    How did the Lord protect the people of Jerusalem? (Isaiah 37:36–38.) 
 36 Then the angel of the Lord went forth, and smote in the camp of theAssyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
 37 ¶So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
 38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.
  • What happened to the king of Assyria? Help the children understand that although we may not see such dramatic results when we pray, our prayers will be heard and answered. Share an appropriate experience when you have prayed for help and received an answer. Invite the children to also share their experiences. Emphasize that Heavenly Father may not take away our problems, but he will give us strength and comfort.
  • •
    When Hezekiah learned he was going to die, what did he ask the Lord to remember? (Isaiah 38:3.) 
  •  3 And said, Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
  • How did the Lord answer his prayer? (Isaiah 38:5–6.) 
  •  5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
     6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
  • When we ask Heavenly Father to heal us or a loved one, our prayer may be answered in several ways. We must be willing to accept Heavenly Father’s will.

Isaiah Prophesied of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Millennium

  • •
    Whom did Isaiah say would see the Savior at his Second Coming? (Isaiah 40:5; 66:18.) 
 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

 18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
  • How did Isaiah say Jesus would be dressed at the Second Coming? (Isaiah 63:2.)
  •  2 Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
  • •
    What did Isaiah prophesy every person would someday do? (Isaiah 45:23; 
  • 23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth inrighteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
  • see also Philippians 2:10–11. 
  •  10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, andthings in earth, and things under the earth;
     11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  • In these verses swear means to testify.) Explain that this does not mean everyone will repent of their sins; however, all people will admit that Jesus Christ is our Savior. Why is it important for us to gain a testimony of Jesus now? How can we strengthen our testimonies?
  • •
    How did Isaiah describe Jesus’ Second Coming? (Isaiah 66:15.) 
  • 15 For, behold, the Lord will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
  • Explain that for those who have been wicked, this will be a frightening time, but for the righteous it will be a great and glorious day (see Isaiah 66:13). 
  •  13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall becomforted in Jerusalem.
  • How will the Lord know the wicked from the righteous? (Isaiah 66:18.) 
  •  18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gatherall nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
  • Emphasize that Heavenly Father and Jesus know the desires of our hearts. If we are trying to live righteously, we will be watched over and blessed during this time. What did the Lord say will happen to the Saints when the wicked are burned? (D&C 109:75–76.) 

  •  75 That when the trump shall sound for the dead, we shall be caught up in the cloud to meet thee, that we may ever be with the Lord;
     76 That our garments may be pure, that we may be clothed upon with robes ofrighteousness, with palms in our hands, and crowns of glory upon our heads, and reap eternal joy for all our sufferings.
    (See enrichment activities 1 and 2.)
  • • What do you think it will be like to live on the earth during the Millennium? (D&C 29:11.) 
  •  11 For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all thehosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.
  • What does Isaiah say about war between the nations of the earth? (Isaiah 2:4.) 
  • 4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
  • How will the wild animals behave? (Isaiah 11:6–9; 65:25.)
  •  6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
     7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
     8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
     9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
  •  65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.

  •  Why do you think it will be a blessing to live in a world where everyone has been taught the gospel? (Isaiah 11:9;
  •  9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.
  •  54:13–14.) 
  • 13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be thepeace of thy children.
     14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
  • What can we do to be worthy to live on the earth at this time?
    Explain that only Heavenly Father knows when the Second Coming will occur and when the Millennium will begin. Nevertheless, we should be preparing for that time.
    Emphasize that the Millennium is a time to look forward to. Although there will be difficult times before the Second Coming, we will be blessed and helped through these times if we live righteously. (See enrichment activity 3.)

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.
  1. 1. 
    Discuss several events of the last days. Explain that signs tell us of Jesus’ Second Coming, such as wickedness, war, turmoil, the Restoration of the gospel, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, the gospel preached to all the world, the sealing power restored, the Lamanites becoming a mighty people, and the building of the New Jerusalem.
    Conclude the discussion by referring to Isaiah 54:10, 13–14, 17. Emphasize that those who are righteous will be blessed during these difficult times.
  2. 2. 
    Have the children close their eyes and imagine a world where all creatures live in peace. Ask the children how such a world might be different from our world. Help them think of blessings, such as no wars, no crime, no disease, and so on, that would be a part of such a world. Explain that the earth will be like this during the Millennium. Have a child read John 14:27 aloud.
  3. 3. 
    Have each child take a turn pantomiming getting ready for something (school, bed, dinner, a test, and so on). Have the rest of the class try to guess what the child is getting ready for. Then discuss how we can prepare for the time when Jesus will come again, and list these ideas on the chalkboard. Such ideas might include: attending church, being kind, reading the scriptures, praying, and so on.
    Explain to the children that each of them is already preparing for the Second Coming by attending church and keeping God’s commandments. Encourage the children to continue to repent, keep the commandments, and do those things that will help their testimonies grow.
  4. 4. 
    Explain that Isaiah prophesied of many events that have already happened. Have the children look up the following scripture references and decide what Isaiah prophesied and how it has come to pass (this could be made into a matching game or handout):
  5. 5. 
    Using a large piece of paper, have the children write a headline about the Second Coming based on what they have learned in this lesson. Some of the children may want to write a short article about preparing for the Second Coming.
  6. 6. 
    Discuss and help the children memorize the tenth article of faith. Explain that paradisiacal means that the earth will return to a state of paradise like it was in the Garden of Eden.
  7. 7. 
    Sing or read the words to “When He Comes Again” (Children’s Songbook, p. 82), “I Want to Live the Gospel” (Children’s Songbook,p. 148), or “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, p. 78).

Conclusion

Testimony

You may want to bear testimony of the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for each of us and how much they want us to live righteously and be prepared for future events. Encourage the children to look forward to the peace and joy that will come when Jesus Christ returns to the earth.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”

Suggested Home Reading

Suggest that the children study Isaiah 54:10, 13–14, 17 and Isaiah 11:6–9 at home as a review of this lesson.
Invite a child give the closing prayer.

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