The Lord has Closed your Eyes

Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Isaiah 29:8-14 KJV 

8 It shall even be as when an hungry [man] dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, [he is] faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. 9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10 For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which [men] deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it [is] sealed: 12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. 13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, [even] a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise [men] shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent [men] shall be hid.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After declaring that all the nations will attack Jerusalem (Mount Zion), what does the Lord declare about those who do so? (v.8)
2) What will the Lord allow to take place among His people, their prophets, and their spiritual leaders? Why? (v.9-14)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
3) Have you ever ignored the words or teachings of an individual that the Lord may have sent to help you and/or your church? If so, please describe one such time.

LIFE LESSONS
4) The Lord gives His people those with five-fold ministry gifts to edify His body.
5) When God's people ignore, or treat those the Lord sends to them wickedly, He sovereignly removes, or silences, those He sent and allows His people to languish in their error.