Introduction
There are times in life when it seems like there are very few positive things going on. When it seems like everything is falling apart and there is no real, visible reason for joy. But that is never the case for the believer.
This is not to say that we ignore all of life's problems in favor of a “worked-up” emotional outlook to life. One that is unrealistic but uses methods of positive thinking to overcome the stark, and often discouraging, aspects of life.
Instead, the believer, above any other person in this world, has real and genuine reasons to rejoice but he must look for them. He must ponder the true and lasting eternal realities that are found in the One true and living God.
And that is where we are in Isaiah tonight. The times were anything but comforting for any of God's people in the 8th century BC. In fact, they were downright scary and looked like disaster was around every corner. And certainly disaster was around many corners but never, throughout any of the forthcoming destruction, was God not actively involved in the events and timing of each and every circumstance surrounding His people.
His people had reason to rejoice, but they had to find those reasons in God, their God.
In Faithfulness, the Lord Fulfills His Plans and Will One Day Remove Death and Sorrow for All People. (Isaiah 25:1-12)
Praise to the Faithful One (Isaiah 25:1-12)
The Lord is Praiseworthy Due to His Faithfulness; He is Honored, Revered (25:1-5)
Chapter 25 begins with the personal praise and adoration of Isaiah to the Lord: “O LORD, you are my God”
This verse highlights a significant and unique characteristic of YHWH – He is a personal God and those who are His should address Him as their God.
This praise begins with who God is, His character: perfect faithfulness, marvelous deeds, eternal plans.
Praise necessarily starts with who God is. It must be focused on the attributes, character, and nature of God.
NOTE: Many of your children in the childrens' program look at an attribute of God each week. They study that attribute and by doing so, receive a broader glimpse of the One True God.
Isaiah begins with God's character and then He uses history's fulfillment as well as future events to expound on the perfectly faithful God and His marvelous eternal plans.
NOTE: History is important! Especially the history pertaining to the deeds of God. So all history is very important. Keep that in mind as revisionism continues on the march in our day.
Look at verse 4:
Refuge for the poor – over and over God has shown concern for the treatment of the poor; also the poor in spirit (humility)
Shelter from the storm – he points out that the storm is the ruthless (those without mercy); God shows mercy by sheltering His own
Shade from the heat – beautiful picture which may be hard to envision in a place like KC since shade does little to squelch the summer heat. But in a dry and dusty land, shade in the heat can significantly reduce the intensity down to the bearable level.
Those who are in the “Shadow of the Almighty” cannot be touched unless He allows it. And even then, He is with them.
From here, Isaiah moves to look at future events in verse 6.
Feast For All Peoples; Death, Crying, and Disgrace Removed; People Will Rejoice and Be Glad in Him (25:6-9)
Verses 6-9 picture a future day of feasting that is provided by “the LORD Almighty”.
[Seven Old Covenant Feasts, Commemorate God's faithfulness, fulfilled in Jesus]
Feasts in the Old Covenant were a time of gathering the people together in Jerusalem for a common assembly. A time to share a meal, share life, share a common faith, and for remembrance.
Here he says all peoples meaning this is people from all ethnic backgrounds – all nations.
Aged wine, the best meats and the best wine – depicting the abundance and satisfying nature of what will be there.
Whether this is literally talking of food and drink or not, I am not sure. But, I think it may be.
Matthew 26:29 -- I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Not only will there be complete fulfillment and joy in the LORD's presence, but He will remove man's worst enemy.
I am not talking about taxation here.
Death is man's worst enemy. It came about by sin and is the result of sin that all men will face.
In verse 7, he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations.
I believe he is speaking of the covering for the dead in that day. A wrapping cloth that was used to embalm the dead.
Because he goes on in verse 8 to point out he will swallow up death forever.
Back in chapter 5:14, Isaiah had depicted the grave as having an appetite:
Therefore the grave enlarges its appetite and opens its mouth without limit; into it will descend their nobles and masses with all their brawlers and revelers.
So the grave is pictured as the one that swallows up. But this future picture is of the grave being swallowed up.
The Apostle Paul, in his magnum opus on the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15, in verse 55-57 he quotes from Hosea 13:14:
55 Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sin is the cause of death. But because of Jesus Christ, those who belong to him have victory even in death.
Christ is the fulfillment of every aspect of the Old Covenant and of the moral Law of God. In Him, he fulfills the righteous requirements of the law in us.
The grave is not the end for anyone. And for those who belong to God, it is just the beginning of real life.
There will be no more tears sorrow or disgrace.
The Feast that God will prepare will be a never-ending time of rejoicing for the redeemed (see 25:7). It will be God's redeemed family, meeting around His table, because of His Salvation.
This is the LORD's word!
The final verses, 10-12, deal with the distinction between “this” mountain and “that” mountain.
The Lord's Hand Will Rest on “This” Mountain But Will Trample Moab (25:10-12)
The pride of man and his achievements is nothing to God.
They will come to ruin.
Man's pursuit, no matter how impressive, will be nothing.
Only those who come to God on His terms are secure.
His way is the only way and any other is futile and ends in death.
Application For Today
So how does this chapter apply to us in the 21st century?
Much in every way.
All of humanity is depicted here. Two mountains. Two ways of worship: right and true worship of the One that is perfectly faithful or worship of what is false, temporal, and results in death.
Are you able to sincerely address God in the way Isaiah did? “O LORD, you are my God”
If you belong to God, in Christ, you can.
Are you addressing God in this way?
How is your life living proof of God's perfect faithfulness, His marvelous deeds, and His fulfilled plans?
Have you ever stopped just to ponder the faithfulness of God? To consider and contemplate the ways He has been faithful to you, to your family, to your church, to the people of this earth.
How often do you reflect on God's faithfulness and praise Him for it?
What concerns you most about death? Is it the process or is it what comes after?
How is the fact that death and sorrow will one day be removed causing you to rejoice today?
We do not have to dread death.
If you are able to say, as verse 9 does, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us” then death bears no more sting.
If you can't say this, will you humble yourself, acknowledge Him as Lord, and repent of sin and turn to him for salvation tonight?
Principle: God is perfectly faithful whether man acknowledges Him or not.
The Lord Has Established a Path of Peace for the Righteous But Will Judge the Wicked for Their Sins. (Isaiah 26:1-21)
Peace For the Righteous Ones (Isaiah 26:1-21)
A Song of Praise From the Righteous to God for Peace, Salvation, a Strong City, and Humbling Those “On High” (26:1-6)
This is an unusual city that Isaiah begins talking about in verses 1-2.
But he uses usual words to describe it.
This city has walls, ramparts (or defenses against assault), and it has gates.
But this city is not a material city. He is using the idea of security and structure to describe what God is to His people:
It's a strong city – this is one that cannot be conquered
It's walls and defenses are the salvation that God brings
It's gates are opened, but only to the righteous, the ones that come by faith to the salvation that God offers
He pictures this as “In that Day”. The day of the Lord.
This is a picture of the believer's position today. Because of Christ, and the salvation He bought with His own blood, by faith we can enter into this strong city.
Where our salvation is our protection. There is nothing to fear, for what can man do but hurt the body.
The soul is secure in Christ.
Sometimes we equate the perfect life as the life that is absent of any type of difficulties.
A tranquil existence. And I have often wanted a tranquil existence, one in which everything fits together perfectly and there are no stresses or things to be concerned about.
Peace
Often we think of peace as the absence of conflict and in one sense that is true. When there is peace between peoples there is a lack of conflict.
But is doesn't take interpersonal or international conflict to have a lack of peace.
Much of the lack of peace that humans have is something from within us, not due to external things.
But when one's life is fixed on an immovable reference point, there is peace of mind.
God is the only steadfast reference point.
He is the Rock eternal and trusting Him brings stability in spite of the circumstances.
It's easy to get off course in a ship at sea. If you are navigating by a sense that you are heading in the right direction without consideration for any other object, that sense will lead you in circles or worse.
I understand that farmers often will navigate their tractors, while plowing, by looking at a tree.
A fixed reference point is crucial.
And as we saw in Philippians 4 this week, life throws a lot of things at us that may cause anxiety.
We are bombarded by opportunities to fret, wring our hands, pull out our hair.
But Paul tells us that the things that bring anxiety, like every other thing in our lives, must be brought to God in prayer.
NOTE: This is not like having a boss that micromanages your work and wants to know everything you are doing. God already knows all of this. But when we bring everything to Him in prayer, we acknowledge our inability in our own strength. We make the statement to ourselves that we have every ability to mess even the smallest things up. And that without God, we are nothing.
And so, as Paul says, God will give a peace that passes understanding.
It will be surprising, especially given the circumstances.
And who is glorified when God's people endure hardship yet have a surpassing peace? God is.
The Righteous Wait For the Lord, Seek His Renown, Walk in His Law, Long For Him; His Judgments Show Righteousness and Grace (26:7-11)
Verse 7 talks about smooth and level paths for the righteous.
This doesn't mean the path is easy. But it does mean that it is a path that God has prepared.
That's the difference here.
We can rest assured that there is nothing in the path of life that God is unaware of and that hasn't first passed through Him.
NOTE: This does not mean that everything the believer does is necessarily righteous. You and I can get off the beaten path, so to speak, and bring upon ourselves the consequences of unrighteous choices.
But that is why we also looked at Psalm 1 in conjunction with this passage.
Both speak of the necessity of sticking with Godly advice and wisdom as found in God's word.
We are inundated with godless advice in our society. You can't avoid it. And some of it even sounds good.
But the one who is blessed takes delight in God's law as opposed to walking in the council of the ungodly.
Or aligning ourselves with sinners – compromising on the truth.
Not using God-given discernment but instead taking the path that seems to be the path of least resistance is foolish at best.
The promise is fruit in season. Like a tree near water will produce, those who abide in God through his word bear fruit.
Wait on the Lord.
God's character (his name) and His renown are what is desired (How concerned are you with God's reputation?)
A growing desire for God (night and day) – the more time spent seeking God, the more one desires God.
What Can We Do?
You might have found yourself lacking in some of these characteristics. I know I have. What to do?
Pray:
Lord, give me discernment so I can see the righteous path you have for me.
Give me a hunger and thirst for your word.
Help me to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Give me perseverance to wait on you. To seek your leading in all my paths.
Renew the Mind (Romans 12:1,2):
How about starting with Paul's advice to the Philippians in 4:8:
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
NOTE: This might be an excellent opportunity for memorizing sections of Scripture, meditating on them, fasting and prayer for direction and a renewed passion. Just a thought.
The Wicked and the Righteous
From Psalm 1 and from these verses there is a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked, both in their way of life as well as the final destiny.
In verses 9,10 of Isaiah 26, we see that God's judgments come as a means of showing His grace.
He teaches righteousness through judgment so that some might learn.
But the wicked don't learn it even when they are blessed by living in a land where righteousness abounds.
The wicked are bent on their own pursuits and ignore even the gracious hand of God at work all around them.
They don't see that the Lord's hand is lifted high and that they are under His wrath.
They will not stand in the judgment or in the assembly of the righteous.
Their way will perish.
The Lord Establishes Peace; Enlarges the Nation; Brings Himself Glory (26:12-15)
In verses 12-15, Isaiah points out the complete inability of God's people to take any credit whatsoever.
We often want to take credit for what God has done, don't we. But this is a heinous sin.
And Isaiah is quick to acknowledge this fact.
Not Our Peace But Yours
The peace that we have is not due to our own ability, but God has established it.
Without God, there is no peace – even without conflict.
Our Self-Rule Is Empty
In verse 13 he acknowledges that they have been ruled by other masters.
Many of these masters were due to their godless pursuits – idolatry, asking for their own king, etc.
They know what a mess life is without God. And it is often good to reflect on what you might be were it not for the grace of God.
What was your life like before coming to Christ? What types of lords did you have before the Lord changed you?
Without the love of God, where would you be right now?
Have you thanked Him lately for changing your life direction and putting you on the righteous path?
The Disciplined Came to the Lord; Man is Not His Own Savior or Creator (26:16-18)
Isaiah acknowledges, in 16-18, that man is unable to bring about his salvation but that it is God alone who has brought it about.
Man can't take credit for human birth let alone spiritual birth.
The picture in verse 16 is that of a person in distress and coming to God. Not even a prayer that man can articulate is significant in producing what is needed.
But God is the source of all that man needs.
The Dead Will Live; But the Wicked Are Judged (26:19-21)
We wrap up this chapter with the hope of the resurrection. Hope for God's own. But resurrection to judgment for the wicked.
And even though many of us might live through God's judgment on the wicked in this life, we have a shelter in Him.
He is our city, our Rock of salvation. We need not fear the retribution that will come upon the wicked so long as our hope is in Christ.
Those in Him will never taste the fury of God's wrath because he tasted it for us.
Application For Today
There is no peace in this world. Compromise on principles does not lead to lasting peace.
Peace is found in surrender:
Surrender my anxiety in prayer (Philippians 4:6)
Surrender my life direction to God's righteous path.
Surrender my trust in myself or others to God.
Surrender my mind to renewal:
God's law for direction
God's will
Worshiping God
- To the good that only God supplies (Philippians 4:8)
Principle: Peace is found in surrender to God and faith in Him alone.
How would you rate your level of peace tonight? Why is that?
What are you bearing that needs to be brought to God in prayer? What part of everything are you neglecting to bring to Him in prayer?
- What evidence is there in your life that you are on the path of righteousness?
The Lord Disciplines and Protects, Causing His People to be Fruitful, and Will One Day Gather Them Together to Worship Him. (Isaiah 27:1-13)
Providence of the Divine Vinedresser (Isaiah 27:1-13)
The Lord Will Punish Leviathan With His Sword (27:1)
This is one of 5 references to Leviathan in the Bible.
For inquiring minds, here are the passages: Job 3:8, Job 41:1, Psalm 74:14, Psalm 104:26, and this passage, Isaiah 27:1.
In the Job passages he speaks of Leviathan as a formidable sea creature that you would not want to encounter.
Whether Job was using poetic language to describe an actual creature of not, I am not sure. But certainly it was some creature that is to be avoided.
But certainly in this passage, is seems to be point to the serpent, Satan, and his kingdom.
That the Lord will put an end to his rule.
And with that end, the accuser of man will be banished.
The originator of sin will be out of commission.
He will have no influence over man ever again.
NOTE: Some commentators believe this was fulfilled in part at the first advent. Where Christ fulfills the promise God made to Eve after the fall. That the Seed to come would crush the head of the serpent. Certainly Christ did that. His kingdom is doomed and he knows it.
The Lord Watches Over His Vineyard; He is Refuge and Peace For All (27:2-5)
And the vineyard that was spoken of as bearing bad fruit in chapter 5, will be fruitful (vs 2)
God had put His vineyard to the plow, so to speak.
But now, it blossoms. It is producing fruit.
Two (or More) Views
One view of this would say that this fruitfulness came with the first advent of Christ.
That the church is the fulfillment of this fruit-bearing – that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches.
That God guards his own.
And as verse 5 points out, He welcomes all who will to come to Him and find peace with Him through Christ.
Another view is that this fruitfulness is yet to come. That it will come during a literal 1000 reign when Christ establishes His rule on the earth on Mt Zion.
NOTE: Though these are two vastly differing views on prophetic fulfillment, they are not things that should divide believers. They do have bearing on how one takes and interprets various literary forms. But again, we should not be in disunity over it.
Jacob Will Fill the World With Fruit (27:6)
When Christ came, the root of Jesse, He is offspring of Jacob that ultimately brought about the spreading of fruit throughout the world.
Jesus said, in John 15:5-8:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Fruit only comes to those who are in the true vine. He is the One through whom the fruit of the vineyard point. And we are recipients of that fruit. And if you are in Christ and abiding in him, you too are a fruit-bearing part of God's vineyard.
The Lord Makes Atonement For Jacob By Removing Alter and Idols and Crushing the City (27:7-11)
In these verses, Isaiah points out that God punishes His own, but not like He punishes the wicked.
The wicked are under the wrath of God – they are objects of wrath.
When God punishes His own, it is to drive them to himself.
How many of us came to Christ during a time of crisis in our lives.
A time where we reached the end of our rope. Where we were in despair.
Only to look back and see that it was the hand of a gracious God who brought us to the point where we had nothing to hold onto.
That we were hopeless and helpless. And it was there that we acknowledged our sin and shame and came in repentance to our merciful Lord.
Were it not for the discipline of God...
Israel Gathered, Trumpet Will Sound, Exiles Will Worship in Jerusalem (27:12-13)
The final point deals with trumpets.
You looked up some trumpet passages this week and saw that there were some pretty interesting references in the Bible:
Exodus 19:10-13 - To signal when it was okay to ascend the mountain
Leviticus 25:8-10 - To signal the year of Jubilee – freedom
Matthew 24:30-31 - To signal Christ's return
1 Corinthians 15:52 - To signal the resurrection of the dead
1 Thessalonians 4:16 - To signal the resurrection of the dead and the gathering of believers
One day there will be the final trumpet blast. And it will signal the time to climb the mountain. The year of Jubilee. The return of Christ. The resurrection of the dead. And the uniting of believers with our Lord for all eternity.
Are you ready for the trumpet to sound? What have you done to prepare?
Is your readiness based upon your doing or is it solely based upon the righteousness of Christ?
Christ could come at any time. There is nothing left to be accomplished.
You and I should be living each day as if this could be our last. We should not be spending time gazing into the heavens, but we should be living a righteous life.
Spreading the light of the gospel.
We should be the salt of the earth. Preventing cultural decay as we share God's good news with the lost.
Illustration:
I read an article online yesterday.
Pretty soon we will have a billboard, this month sometime, that will call us to be prepared for May 21, 2011.
That is the prediction of “We Can Know” in regard to when Christ will return.
This is definitely what we must not be doing as believers. We must not sit around and make predictions about His return.
Christ didn't tell us. Prophecy is not for us to speculate on and set dates by.
We have a mandate to live as if Christ will come in our lifetime or in 1000+ years.
The 1st century church thought it would be in their lifetime. And they lived their lives for the purpose of pleasing God.
Will He find us doing the same if He returns tonight? I hope so.
Principle: God provides everything necessary in order to bear fruit.
- How has God used discipline in your life to remove things that detract from fruitfulness?
Conclusion
Maybe you're here tonight and you find yourself often pessimistic about current events. Generally talking about negative things. Focusing mainly on how it used to be or how it should be.
If you belong to the Lord – if He is your God – you and I have too much to rejoice in – we don't have time for the fruitless talk of this world.
Begin looking, and I think you'll be surprised to find how very much we have to rejoice in today.
I really like your "2 mountain" concept. Sometimes, I think I have one foot on the right mountain and my other foot on the wrong mountain... not good. I am learning through our study that having both feet on the right mountain is far better ;-) thank you for your insight.
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