Suggested answers.
Be sure to answer the questions yourself first!
Then compare your answers to those listed here.

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1. (a) To whom does the list in Isaiah apply?

Jesus – Christians have traditionally interpreted the Servant in Isaiah as a prophecy of Jesus. (see Jesus reading scripture from Isaiah in Lk 4:16-21)

(b) How can it apply to us also?

We are His body, His physical presence in the world, through baptism.

2. What are some examples of the wisdom of the world that contrasts with the wisdom of God?

"if it feels good, do it"

"money and power will bring happiness"

Naturalism – idea that everything can be explained by purely materialistic explanatiions.

3. How can we acquire understanding?

Prayer, study of Scripture and teachings of those who have understanding

Being submissive to God, open & co-operative with His gifts

4. (a) What experience do you have of a group seeking counsel in its decision making?

Individual answers vary – for most of us not much in the sense of the spiritual gift of counsel

(b) How can a group do so?

Prayer, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, listening to the Lord and each other (and perhaps to wise people outside the group).

Being patient – not making decisions hastily.

5. (a) "Knowledge puffs up". How can knowledge puff up?

Through pride.

(b) How can we avoid being puffed up by knowledge?

Through humility – recognizing how little we actually know – seeing it as a gift from God rather than something we did ourselves.

6. How would you distinguish among wisdom, understanding, counsel, and knowledge as used in Isaiah?

Here’s one way:

Knowledge – what something is

Understanding – what it means

Wisdom – what to do

Counsel – how to do it

In boiling it down this succinctly, we don’t want to lose sight of the fact that we’re talking about God as the source and not just our human knowledge, understanding, etc.

7. (a) Strength in the Isaiah list is sometimes translated fortitude. What difference, if any, is there in the connotation of these two terms?

Strength may have a physical connotation, fortitude more of an emotional connotation – perseverance, persistent courage.

(b) "When I am weak, then I am strong" sounds contradictory. How can it be true for us?

By recognizing our own weakness and depending on God’s strength; God’s power shines through when we are humble and weak.

8. (a) How do you feel about the term "fear of the Lord"?

Answers are individual – for some of us it’s an ambivalent, somewhat uncomfortable, feeling – we recognize it as scriptural, but have trouble reconciling it with "God is love". Others feel OK with it – that it contributes to an unwillingness to offend God through sin.

(b) What are some synonyms for fear?

In this context, awe, respect, reverence, awareness of power

(c) Would you feel more comfortable with any of these?

Individual answers – some of us would, others would not.