The International Bible Lesson (Uniform Sunday School Lessons Series [ISSL]) for Sunday, August 2, 2015, is from Isaiah 59:15-21. This posting and the podcast below includes both the International Bible Lesson Commentary and the International Bible Lesson.

The International Bible Lessons Commentary (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/) is now available in five different Bible translations with all Student Study Handouts, Crossword Puzzles, Word Search Games, and True and False Tests for student review on the International Bible Lessons Commentary (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/) website.

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The  New International Version (NIV) (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/NIV.html)

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/NRSV.html).

Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further follow the verse-by-verse International Bible Lesson Commentary below.  Study Hints for Discussion and Thinking Further discusses each of the Questions for Discussion and Thinking Further to help with class preparation and in conducting class discussion: these hints are available on the  International Bible Lessons Commentary (http://www.ouosu.com/IBLC/) website.

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International Bible Lesson Commentary
Isaiah 59:15-21
(Isaiah 59:15) Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.

Eventually, Truth and the Word of God were not taught, believed, or followed by the descendants of those God led into the Promised Land. God’s law and basic honesty were disregarded by everyone except those who would not practice evil. Those who repented and returned to honest and truthful living according to God’s law and the written Word of God, the Scriptures, became innocent victims who were cheated, destroyed, or taken unjust advantage of by wicked leaders who controlled the political and religious establishment in the Promised Land. When honest and truthful people sought justice to make things right and restore what had been stolen from them, they received unjust rulings from those who were dishonest and controlled the legal system. God inspired His prophets to preach that God was not indifferent to injustice and the needs of His oppressed people, and God would take action in behalf of His true followers. Through Isaiah and other true prophets, God declared evil and unjust behavior were wrong and would not be tolerated. God promised that He would help those who followed Him and He would restore justice to the land. He would also send the Redeemer to save them.

(Isaiah 59:16) He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him.

God was disgusted and revolted that not one person in the Promised Land would intervene in behalf of the oppressed who sought to do God’s will and obey God’s law. God looked among His people and He expected to find responsible political and religious leaders who would work together to uphold truth, justice, and God’s way of right based on His laws, but He could not find anyone. God expected them to rule in righteousness and defend those who tried to follow God and God’s law in all that they did. However, not one of those who officially led God’s people would intercede for them before the ungodly establishment that oppressed them; therefore, God sent Isaiah to call them to repent and act responsibly. Because these leaders refused to do right,